1928

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Dan Beard Visits

Chattanooga Boy Scouts held "The Spirit of Tsatanugi" Scout-Indian Pageant and Pow-Wow on March 21, 1928 at Memorial Auditorium in honor of Daniel Carter Beard, one of the founders of Scouting in America. It was said to be one of the most colorful events ever presented by the local scout organization and was attended by between 3,000 and 4,000 persons. An article from the Chattanooga Times said, "the program which began at 8 o’clock was replete with stunts dear to the hearts of boys, ‘A Day in Camp’ program, and a minstrel show—one which will long be remembered as an exceptional amateur offering."

During the program, Beard, who held the title of National Commissioner, made the presentation of Eagle Scout badges to a group of scouts who had reached that rank. He was introduced by R.T. Faucette, head of the local council. Then Beard addressed the assemblage by telling the purpose of the Boy Scout organization and his great interest in boys of all ages and his desire for their achievement in scouting. He stated he was delighted with the reception he has received here and said it was his first visit to Chattanooga in thirty-one years. "I have always been deeply interested in Gen. Jackson, Gen. Johnson, David Crockett, and others of picturesque type whom I consider typical of America," he said, "and many of those men were personal friends of my father, who  designed and painted the flag under which the Kentuckians fought for Texas. Therefore my interest in this section is rather personal."

R.T. Faucette, a great admirer of Mr. Beard, in speaking of the work of the commissioner said:  "Boy Scouting came into existence because a Kentucky young man moved to New York City and resented the signs he saw on flats and houses that dogs and children were not desirable tenants. Dan Beard then started to make a place in that city for boys and now there are thousands of Boy Scouts all over the country who are rising up to call his name blessed."

Commissioner Beard in his hunting shirt and breeches had made an impressive figure as he alighted from the Southern Railroad train at the terminal station, where he was met by a reception committee. On the morning of the Pow-Wow, the Commissioner and Mrs. Beard were accompanied on sight-seeing trips to various points around the city. In the afternoon, an informal reception was held at scout headquarters where all Chattanooga Boy Scouts were invited to call and meet the founder of the organization, which at that time, numbered some 10,000 boys in the Chattanooga vicinity.
 

Chattanooga Scout Leaders Earn First Scoutmaster Key Awards

Six Chattanooga Council Scoutmasters were awarded the Scoutmaster Key in December, 1928, which were the first given in the South—only seven other Scoutmaster Keys had been earned thus far in the whole United States. The award was developed and made possible by the Boy Scout National Council during 1927, and was based upon five years of active service as a Scoutmaster, completion of the five-year training course that embraces the fundamentals of patrol and troop organization, specialization work in first aid, and required participation as a leader in the local council training.

The six Chattanooga area Scoutmasters that earned this honor were:

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1. W.H. Bauer first became identified with scouting in 1919 as Scoutmaster of Troop 23, Central Presbyterian Church, and later as Scoutmaster of Troop 31, of Standard-Coosa Thatcher Company.

2. Robert Y. Faris, upon discharge from WWI military service in 1919, became Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 25, Highland Park M.E. Church. Shortly afterwards when Scoutmaster Captain Bell died, Robert Faris assumed leadership as Scoutmaster.

3. J.W. Hannum joined scouting in April 1923, when he organized and became Scoutmaster of Troop 20, St. Elmo M.E. Church. Mr. Hannum attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1925 and earned over sixty merit badges.

4. H.F.G. Hinson first became interested in scouting in 1923 through contact with Troop 4 of the First Christian Church where his son was mascot. Soon he became Assistant Scoutmaster and then Troop Committeeman. In 1925, he organized and became Scoutmaster of Troop 33, East Side Junior High. Then in 1926, Mr. Hinson moved to North Chattanooga where he assumed leadership of Troop 42, St. Marks M.E. Church.

5. Charles K. Peacock, after serving in the Marines during the WWI, became an industrial arts teacher with the city of Chattanooga. His scouting involvement began when he joined the camp staff in 1920 at Camp Raccoon. In 1922, he was commissioned Scoutmaster of Troop 27, Highland Park Christian Church. In 1925, Mr. Peacock became Assistant Scout Executive for the Chattanooga Council while still serving as Scoutmaster, and he directed five summer camps from 1923–27. Mr. Peacock became Scout Executive of the Chattanooga Council in 1928, with the resignation of F.E. Gunn.

6. Carl D. Scheibe was the only one of the group who began his scouting career as a scout.  He enrolled in Troop 10 in Minneapolis in 1915. As an adult Scouter, he directed camps in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and was Assistant Scoutmaster in Harrodsburg, Kentucky for two years. Upon coming to Chattanooga as director of education of the First Presbyterian Church, he immediately took leadership roles in Troop 2 of that church. Mr. Scheibe was Camp Director of Tsatanugi for several years beginning in the summer of 1928.