1917 Troop Articles

Local Boy Scout Body is Efficient

Cheyenne State Leader, March 13, 1917, p. 5

Youngsters Make Record for "Falling In" Which Cadets Have Not Equalled
While Cheyenne is the original home of the Steever system of military training as adopted in the high schools all over the country, there is another order growing up that is not coming in for so much attention but is nevertheless important. This order is the Boy Scout organization.

There are two troops of scouts in Cheyenne, one at the Central school [Troop 2], and one at the Converse [Troop 1]. There are seventy boys in these troops. The Central school troop drills three times a week, and the Converse every night. These boys have a record for "falling in" of 10 seconds, a record that the cadets have not been able to beat so far.

One of the troops is registered as a national troop, and the other will be shortly, according to a statement made last night by one of the masters. The Central school troop is registered, and is under the command of Ralph Hopkins. The troop at the Converse school is under the command of Robert Fincher. Fincher hopes to have his troop registered soon. There are thirty-five youngsters in the troop. The other troop has forty-five boys. Dave Cook, captain of the cadets is also scout master for Cheyenne.

Three Classes of Scouts
Scouts are divided up into three classes, the tenderfeet, second class and first class. The tenderfoot takes the scout oath, must know the scout laws, be able to tie standard knots, know the meaning of the scout badge, and the history of the American flag.

After sixty days as a tenderfoot, if he works, the scout becomes a second class man. A second class scout must be able to signal by wig-wag, have a working knowledge of the telegraph code, know a little about tracking, have $1.00 in tha band, understand first aid principles, and be able to cook a meal.

When he has been a second class scout for a year, he is eligible to take the examination for first class grade, which includes swimming, woodcraft, and a variety of other useful phases. There are no first class scouts in Cheyenne, because the troops do not stay together and work in the summer which is the only time certain of the tests can be made in this climate.

The scouts go on hikes, usually up Crow creek, above the fort. They have many and varied experiences.

A scout master from Denver, who spent a few days in Cheyenne last week reports that the local boys are above the average. Cheyenne is well situated to have a large number of scouts. There is no limit to the field for hiking. Waterless hikes are easy, and there are also many places to hike where water is available. The hills west of Cheyenne furnish ideal camping grounds.

Boy Scouts Induce Merchants to Close

Cheyenne State Leader, May 30, 1917, p. 8

About fifty of the Cheyenne boy scouts in uniform Tuesday marched down town in a body, and induced all but one of the Cheyenne merchants operating pawnshops to close their establishments from 9 until 12 while Memorial services are in progress. The one who refused to close, according to the scouts was Henry B. Emigh, who runs a grocery store at 500 West Eighteenth street.

All other Cheyenne business houses have announced that they will remain closed for the entire day, with the exception of drug stores and soda fountains. These will remain open, as they are unable to close at any time, through the nature of their business. All saloons will be closed for the day. Clothing stores, markets, grocery stores, jewelry stores, and all others will close for the day.

Boy Scouts Begin Week's Hike Today

Cheyenne State Leader, June 17, 1917, p. 8

Troop One From Cheyenne goes to Granite Springs Reservoir for outing -- Troop Two Next.
Troop No. 1, of the Cheyenne Boy Scouts, will leave Cheyenne at 9 o'clock this morning for a hike lasting one week to the Granite Springs reservoir. Permission for the lads to camp there was secured through Gov. F. L. Houx. There will be no visitor's day, as there can be no permission given for others than the scouts to go to the dam.

The boys will be taken out in automobiles belonging to their parents. Their supplies will be taken in the same cars. F. R. Dildine, of the Dildine garage, was to have furnished a truck to haul the camp outfits, but will be unable to do so, because of the pressure of business.

The boys are indebted to the merchants of Cheyenne for the funds to take the hike on. Over $100 was subscribed by Cheyenne business men to whom they are deeply grateful for the money. Part of this went to the purchase of a cooking outfit for the scouts, which they will keep for future hikes.

Next Sunday, Troop 2 of the scouts will proceed to the same place for a hike. Number 1 will break camp next Sunday, to make room for the other contigent. The troop leaving today will be under the leadership of Dave Cook, captain of the high school cadets, and Troop No. 2 which leaves Sunday next will be under the leadership of William R. Lee.