We Gu a r d Tomorrow Today The story of the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock

Te frst 75 years of passing along a fshing tradition Page 1 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 2

Presidents of the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock About this history ... his, like every narrative of past events, is incomplete. 1938-2015 Some details have been lost to time, others such as the fnancial accounting of the 50th anniversary cel- 1938-39 Committee of 25 1976-77 Robert Abraham Sr. Tebration, which ran a defcit of roughly $5,000, are not of 1939-40 Committee of 42 1977-78 Nat T.R. Burgwyn general interest. Similarly, there have been plenty of debates 1940-41 Van Campen Heilner 1978-79 Jack Wrona and discussions at board meetings, and other gatherings of 1941-42 Lawrence Richey 1979-80 B. Joseph Tibolla members, that, for one reason or another, are not included in 1942-43 George Landis 1980-81 Martin A. Kircher this rendering. Such details, including minutes of meetings, 1943-44 Paul Kelly 1981-82 Fred Wright lists of ofcers and trustees, copies of letters and documents, all can be found in the archives of the organization. Much 1944-45 J. Hammond Brown 1982-83 E.S. Moore of this information is entrusted these days to long time sec- 1945-46 Prew Savoy 1983-84 Martin Vulgamore retary Ed Little, who is more than happy to show them to 1946-47 Frederick C. Walcott 1984-85 Will Webster anyone who is interested. 1947-48 William J. Storey 1985-86 Paul Helm Tis particular history, compiled for the 75th an- 1948-49 William Ackerman 1986-87 Joseph M. Zimmer niversary, seeks to shed light on the period that led up to 1949-50 Henry P. Davis 1987-88 William A. Hampt the founding of the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock. While 1950-51 A.C. White Jr. 1988-89 Gene Higdon the era was well known to the founding generation, and the 1951-52 Jim Miller 1989-90 Frank Burt Smoot oral tradition dutifully passed on to the second generation, 1952-53 Kenneth E. Crawford 1990-91 Ken Greenfeld the particulars are increasingly fading from living memory. 1953-54 Arnold J. Stewart 1991-92 Larry Belcher Tese feelings, sentiments and circumstances, however, are important because they are what motivated the founding 1954-55 John Mock 1992-93 Gary Webster generation to establish the Brotherhood. Much of the histo- A moment in 2010 captured at Camp Airy by pho- 1955-56 Clarence Carty 1993-94 Don McCue ry of the period during which the Brotherhood was formed tographer Evan Zimmer illustrates the degree to 1956-57 William Graham 1994-95 Ron Moser is derived from the scholarly work of Barbara Kirkconnell, which the Jungle Cock ideal has taken root. 1957-58 Michael Hudoba 1995-96 John C. Moore who compiled a history of the Catoctin Mountain National 1958-59 J. Henry Ayres 1996-97 W. Jerome Ofutt Park for a degree project. Tat history has been incorporated undated; Letter of Clark Venable to Prew Savoy, May 7, 1953; 1959-60 J. Kenneth Manning 1997-98 M. Hanford “Gus” Day into the story of the National Park Service and the full text Creed signed by Clark Venable, undated; letter and history 1960-61 R.F. Jennings 1998-99 Tony Dabo can be found at http://www.nps.gov/cato/historyculture/in- by Gurney Godfrey to Prew Savoy, May 6, 1953; History by 1961-62 William H. Triplett 1999-00 Bosley Wright dex.htm. Paul Ault, 1954; History by Gurney Godfrey, 1956; History 1962-63 Serge Benson 2000-01 Ed Freed In addition, information on Camp Airy and bi- by Gurney Godfrey, 1960 Article by George Wireman, 1963; ographical details of Aaron and Lily Straus comes from the Article by C.W. Victory Richards, MD, entitled “Te Broth- 1963-64 Frank Bentz Jr. 2001-02 Bill Simms Aaron and Lily Straus Foundation website. 1964-65 Tomas McNallya 2002-03 Stan Zitosky erhood of the Jungle Cock,” undated. Tis history also builds on those previously com- Information on the early days of the formal educa- 1965-66 Leroy Manning 2003-04 Carl Miller piled frst by Kenneth E. Crawford for the 40th anniversary tion program was provided by Ed “Top Hat” Freed Sr. Ed- 1966-67 Alfred Snider 2004-05 Carl Marshall Campfre and later updated by Tom Cooney with help from ward W. Little provided updates regarding the people who 1967-68 Donald Lewis 2005-06 Jefery Andrews Frank Bentz Jr. and others. Anyone who has read the pre- have held key ofces. Robert Abraham Jr. and Robert Abra- 1968-69 Mel C. Balke 2006-07 Edward Little vious histories will recognize large chunks lifed word for ham Sr., Bosley Wright and John Zimmer provided substan- 1969-70 John Hunter 2007-08 Bill Pearsall word from them and inserted into this one. Other histori- tial help in refning the narrative. 1970-71 Fred E. Morr 2008-09 Larry Carte cal information herein comes from the following sources, as Tere are many other stories worth telling and 1971-72 Tomas Cooney 2009-10 John Waldron identifed by Frank Bentz Jr. when he helped compile a his- listening to that are associated with the Brotherhood, its tory in 1999: 60th anniversary brochure, fles from Gurney founding, its growth and its future. If you have one, write 1972-73 Edward Koch 2010-11 John Hoke Godfrey and Ken Crawford, 1940-1988; Minutes of BOJC, 1973-74 Edward T. Little 2011-12 Billy Noland it down and send it in to be published in the annual BOJC 1953 to 1999; Letter of Hammond Brown to Prew Savoy, News. Such refections that aren’t necessarily included in a 1974-75 William A. Kirkpatrick 2012-13 Henry Krotee May 20, 1945; Letter of Clark Venable to Gurney Godfrey, particular history narrative by this generation may well end 1975-76 Lloyd Hoke 2013-14 Craig Simms up being prominently featured by those who come later and 2014-15 Robert Abraham Jr. ON THE COVER: Photo by Christian Heurich from end up taking a look at some of what will then be old stories. 2009. —Jim Kennedy Page 3 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 4 Te idea behind the Brotherhood ver the generations, the story of exactly how and were prominent outdoors writers, as well as Frank L. Bentz when the idea of an organization that passes along Sr., public relations director of the Maryland Game and In- the traditions of fy fshing to future generations land Fish Commission (now the Maryland Department of Ocame about has become as tangled as a beginner’s fshing Natural Resources). Te legend is Bentz, Brooks and Brown line. got together for a weekend of fshing one April and ended up Tere are at least three storylines that seem to over- being socked in because of an unseasonable late season snow lap and sometimes borrow from each other, ofen merging storm. National Weather Services records for Frostburg re- into a single tale. A late season snowstorm in the Catoctin fect measurable snow was recorded in April the area in 1931, Mountains is an important backdrop, and, indeed, there was when 6 inches fell; 1932, 3 inches; 1935, 11.5 inches; 1937, a snow storm associated with a well-documented gathering half an inch and, of course, in 1940 when the Creed-writing of founding members. meeting was held in April. Tere was no April snow recorded Clark Venable, a prominent outdoors writer of the in the region in 1933, 1934, 1938 and 1939, according to the era who also wrote children’s adventure novels under the Weather Service. Te weather in Frostburg (where National name Covington Clarke, gives a full account of the time and Weather Service records are tracked) can be a good deal cold- place of a foundational gathering that took place in a snow er, and the Garrett County community does receive a good storm. Years later, he would write a letter to a fellow Jungle deal more snow than the Turmont area. In other words, just Cock member stating: “Te frst meeting where there was because there was snow in Frostburg doesn’t mean there was any semblance of an efort at organization was at a rustic snow in Turmont; by the same token, if there was no snow lodge, Camp No. 1, in the Catoctin Recreational Area, about in Frostburg, there’s a good chance (but no guarantee) there ½ mile north of Big Hunting Creek, to the lef of the Park was no snow in Turmont. road where it turns north at the present Park Headquarters Te storm is an important part of the story because building. All, or much, of the preliminary work was done the three would-be anglers ended up stuck in a cabin where by Frank Bentz and Mike Williams. I know. I was there. Te they had time to ponder and discuss some of life’s greater date was April 12, 13, and 14, 1940.” National Weather Ser- questions. Te three, according to the most important part of vice records indicate there was, indeed, a substantial amount the legend, came to the conclusion that they enjoyed fshing of snow at a recording station many miles to the west and a so much they wanted to be able to continue doing so forever, good deal higher in elevation at Frostburg in April of that even afer they had lef this life. Tey came to the conclusion year. It was at that meeting where Venable would pen the that the best way they could continue fshing would be to Creed of the Brotherhood. More about that later. make sure that the sport and its traditions were passed along A second storyline entangled with the beginnings of to future generations. Tey would continue fshing, the rea- the group involves the publication of something called “Te soning went, through the young people of each new gener- Junior Outdoorsman.” Frank Burt Smoot, longtime Broth- ation who picked up fy rods and took pleasure in the sport. erhood conservation ofcer, resident artist and raconteur, is Te lack of a written record makes fguring out ex- credited as the driving force of the article in the publication, actly what happened on that April weekend hard to deter- which was printed through an organization called the Mary- mine. Tere was no good reason for anyone to have written land State Game And Fish Protective Association. Te asso- anything down in the immediate afermath because, afer all, ciation remains active on a property of nearly 30 acres with it was in a lot of ways just another fshing trip that ended up a club house, camping area and two ponds in White Marsh, being washed out because of the weather. Maryland. Te group remains active in schooling young Still, it is a fshing trip that continues to this day, ev- people in the ways of the outdoors. If any copies of “Te ery time an angler schooled by the Brotherhood of the Jungle Junior Outdoorsman,” said to have been published in 1938, Cock makes a cast. When did it happen? Well snow fell in the still exist, they’re hard to come by. Aprils in the 1930s in 1931, 6 inches in April; 1932, 3 inches; A third storyline is the one that is most vital to the 1935, 11.5 inches; 1937, half an inch. Whether the storied Spirit of the Jungle Cock, yet it is the one for which the least fshing trip occurred during any of these Aprils is un-doc- amount of documentation can be found. It involves the three umented. Te particulars of when the idea came into being Brotherhood founders Frank Bentz Sr. and Joseph Brooks Jr. enjoy a day on the water. men credited with devising the idea of the Brotherhood: Jo- are not nearly as important as what happened in the years seph W. Brooks Jr. and J. Hammond Brown, both of whom that followed. Page 5 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 6

Protective Association. Te part of the column dealing with the association, which was simply attributed to have been written “By Salty,” reads:

Tere is no sounder method of raising the level of sportsmanship in America, comments the Sportsmen’s Service Bureau, than by educating youngsters. Illustrative of the possibilities of the idea, the bureau cites the experience of the Mary- land State Game and Fish Protective assn. Te organization had its start recently when members of the parent association agreed to sponsor boys and girls as junior members. Member- ship fee is $1, the sole amount paid until the young- The greater Turmont area, as seen from the Camp Airy mountainside. ster reaches the age of 18, when he becomes eligible for membership in the parent organization. In most cases, fee is paid by the sponsor. In addition, con- On the edge of the Catoctin Mountains tributions, in varying amounts, to the work of the he men of the 1930s grew up in a world that is vastly to Catoctin National Park, Barbara Kirkconnell notes that by junior organization, are made by sympathetic indi- diferent from that of the modern era, and it would be the early 1900s, the area was far from a pristine reserve: “Ero- viduals and organizations. hard to characterize that era as one of good old days. sion from poor farming practices, timber cutting, and slash Te youngsters have an ofcial publica- TFor one thing, in those times, trees were a lot less plentiful in fres from careless logging resulted in the depletion of the tion, Te Junior Outdoorsman, a mimeographed Maryland than they are in modern times, especially in the natural resources of Catoctin Mountain.” magazine edited by Ivan B. Anthony, one of the environs in the Turmont area and the nearby state and Perhaps thinking a name change would help re- organizers of the plan. It contains simple educa- federal parks. turn the area to what it had been, Mechanics tional material and quizzes on wildlife, conser- Indeed, in the 1800s, the commu- Town was changed to Turmont by an act vation, contributions by the youngsters outlining nity known today as Turmont was of the Maryland General Assembly in their experiences and additional material designed an industrial center known as Me- 1894. Te name means “Gateway to to arouse youthful interest in fshing and other out- Jungle Cock leaders Gurney Godfrey and Frank chanics Town. At diferent times, the Mountain.” door activities and to promote good sportsmanship. Smoot check out a monument in Camp Airy. it was home to a tool works It would be another 25 Te boys and girls are taken gudgeon [edi- with tilt hammer forge (from years before the town at the tor’s note: gudgeon are essentially chubs] , trout and which its name was derived), foot of the Catoctin Moun- It may not be clear if the Jungle Cock Spirit was bluegill fshing. Cars are furnished by the sponsors, as many as seven tanner- tains would, in earnest, make seized upon in 1931, ’32, ’35 or ’37, but it is clear that “Te who also provide lunches – plenty of hot dogs to ies, a pottery manufacturer, the transition from a center Junior Outdoorsman” was published in 1938, and this had cook in the open, pretzels, chocolate milk and var- woolen mill, nail factory, of industry to a center of some motivational efect in prompting a larger gathering of ious other appetizing and nourishing items, all cooperage, cigar factories, a outdoor recreation. organizers near Big Hunting Creek in 1940. It was this 1940 served picnic style. Wildlife, safety and other mov- casket works, harness shops, It was, however, in gathering that has come to be regarded as a founding mo- ies are shown them out of doors when it becomes an ice cream plant, a four this period that unchecked ment for the Brotherhood. dark. mill, and hosiery and gar- destruction of natural areas As for the nature of “Te Junior Outdoorsman” and Te movement is gathering headway rap- ment factories. that conservation organizations the reason copies of the edition that relates to the Brother- idly. Tere are already 300 members. One enthusi- In the surrounding began to form. It wasn’t until hood of the Jungle Cock area somewhere between rare and ast entered the name of his daughter when she was mountains, trees were cut down 1922 that the Izaak Walton League nonexistent is that the publication itself was little more than exactly one hour and two minutes old! and charcoal was manufactured; of America was founded, but impor- a few sheets of paper put together by a member of a sporting “Let’s have more junior sportsmen’s organi- through the 1880s, the charcoal was used tantly as early as 1874 Te Maryland As- club. Under the headline “Maryland Sportsman’s Club Shows zations like this, “ the bureau urges. in the manufacture of iron. In the 1880s, the sociation for the Protection and Preservation How To Make Sportsmen Out Of Teen-Agers,” an outdoors … Catoctin area iron works converted to using coal. Iron of Fish & Game was founded in Baltimore. Tis orga- column published Sept. 13, 1946 in the Miami Daily News of Te desire to instill conservation and sporting ethics continued to be manufactured at Catoctin Furnace until nization would prove integral to the establishment of the Florida describes “Te Junior Outdoorsman” as little more in new generations grew out of an increasing realization that 1903. Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock. than a “mimeographed magazine” put together by a particu- wild places were disappearing in Maryland, for a variety of In a history of the area and its state and federal parks Meanwhile, other organizations formed in the Roar- larly inspired member of the Maryland State Game and Fish reasons. available through the National Park Service website relating ing 1920s were enlisted when the Great Depression of the Page 7 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 8

1930s took hold and the combined public interests of restor- in World War II” notes that Greentop would become a pri- ing natural areas and putting people back to work merged in mary location for OSS training during the early war years. the so-called Alphabet Soup federal programs. Similarly, Camp No. 3, or Hi-Catoctin would take on a fed- As part of a federal project to establish recreational eral role as a presidential retreat. It was in these years when areas, on February 7, 1935 a proposal for the federal govern- Washington, D.C. was regarded by members of the interna- ment to purchase 10,000 acres at Catoctin, received a desig- tional diplomatic corps as a hardship post because of its hot, nation as Catoctin Recreational Demonstration Project, humid summers, Camp No. 3 became the presidential Maryland R-1 by the Land Policy section, accord- retreat now known as Camp David. It was reason- ing to Mrs. Kirkconnell’s history. ably close to Washington, D.C. and such a lo- According to a National Park Ser- cation was needed, as there were fears that vice history the purpose of the Catoctin taking the president by ship to retreats Recreational Demonstration Project farther afeld could make him vulner- was fairly simple: “Te facility was to able to U-boat attack. demonstrate how rough terrain and Marines were dispatched eroded soil could be turned into in 1941 and, according to a White productive land again. Te New House history of the presidential Deal’s Works Progress Adminis- retreat: “Te three latrine units tration, WPA, began the work were enclosed and insulated, and in the newly created Catoctin water heaters and coal stoves Recreational Demonstration were installed for warmth. Te Area, joined by the Civilian plumbing and water systems Conservation Crops, CCC, in also had to be insulated to pro- 1939. vide protection from the freez- A history of the ing mountain temperatures. Brotherhood updated by Tom 20 to 40 Marines occupied the Cooney for a 60th anniversary camp daily with the number celebration gives the follow- increasing to 100 or more, if ing account: “Invitations were the President was in residence.” mailed on the letterhead of Te President Franklin Maryland State Game and Fish Delano Roosevelt changed Protective Association to mem- the name from Hi-Catoctin to bers of that group and to the Shangri-La, based on a location Outdoor Writers Association of in James Hilton’s 1933 novel, Lost America, and other guests. About Horizon. twenty-fve anglers attended the President Dwight David Ei- weekend afair held on the opening senhower subsequently renamed the day of trout season in April. Te hardy facility Camp David in honor of his fshermen over-nighted in a rustic lodge grandson, David. still under construction at Camp No. 1 in the Te frst foreign dignitary to be en- Catoctin Recreational Area; it did not yet have tertained at the camp was Prime Minister Win- windows.” ston Churchill of Great Britain, who visited in May of As the federal park lands at Catoctin in those days 1943. Since then, it has become the backdrop for any number were relatively new acquisitions, and as there was a need to of key events in world history. Frank Smoot, whose article published in “The train people for the war efort in the weeks and months afer Afer the war, Camp No. 1, which just before the war Junior Outdoorsman” helped spawn the Brother- the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Catoctin Recreational Area had been site of the frst Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock or- hood of the Jungle Cock, remained a regular at would end up being used by the armed forces. It consisted of ganizational gathering, was used briefy as a camp for dis- Campfire weekends not only at Camp Airy but three main camps, Misty Mount (Camp No. 1), Camp Gre- abled children. Access was difcult, so that function was also at other chapters’ gatherings until his death, entop (Camp No. 2) and Hi-Catoctin (Camp No. 3). John moved to Camp No. 2, Greentop, which remains a camp for shortly after the 2006 gathering in Thurmont. His favorite pool on Big Hunting Creek now bears his Whiteclay Chambers II, in a National Park Service history disabled children. name. entitled “OSS Training in the National Parks Service Abroad Page 9 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 10 The Creed Te year of the Creed was a snowy one of the ore than a year before Pearl Harbor, in the spring of 1940, Camps No. 1, 2 and 3 at Catoctin were as yet unfnished, but they were adequate to house Brotherhood Ma gathering of anglers for the purpose of founding a youth of the organization. Among these anglers was Clark Venable, aka Cov- ington Clarke, an outdoors writer who also wrote dime store Jungle Cock novels. On an April weekend in 1940, he would pen the Creed of the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock. He gives the E WHO LOVE ANGLING, in order that it following account in a letter to Prew Savoy composed years The lodge at Big Hunting Creek, may enjoy practice and reward in the later W afer that early Angler’s Campfre: as drawn by Frank Smoot. generations, mutually move together towards a I arrived by auto in a blinding snow storm. common goal - the conservation and restoration of About 5 p.m. on the afernoon of April 12, 1940. American game fshes. (Te trout season was ofcially open at that date OWARDS THIS END we pledge that our as the “Creed.” I passed it to my fellow committee- that year.) I was greeted by Dan Holland, Frank creel limits shall always be less that the legal men with the statement, “To hell with not fshing T Bentz , Charles Loy, and a Park gate-keeper who restrictions and always well within the bounty of tomorrow. Tis is the way I am thinking. Do what Mike Williams had pressed into service. If any oth- Nature herself. you wish with it.” ers had checked in, I did not see them. NJOYING, AS WE DO, only a life estate in the Te two named gentlemen read it, stat- Others began arriving soon thereafer. We Eout of doors, and morally charged in our time ed that they did not care to change or enlarge it. I had supper about dark. Still snowing. A lot of loose with the responsibility of handing it down unspoiled then announced that the Committee was ready to On the bank of Big Hunting Creek near where Park Cen- to tomorrow’s inheritors, we individually undertake talk, but still nothing concrete. Afer supper we met tral intersects Route 77, not far from the camp where the report. Te “Creed” was then read for the frst time, annually to take at least one boy a-fshing, instruct- in a hall where, I believe, there was a freplace at first Jungle Cock gatherings were held, the Joe Brooks aloud. I did not make the customary move for its each end. Chairs had been placed for at least a ing him, as best we know, in the responsibilities that Memorial displays the Creed of The Brotherhood of the adoption. hundred. Nowhere near that number were actually are soon to be wholly his. Jungle Cock to passers-by. Constructed and dedicated I merely stated that this was the way the present. OLDING THAT MORAL LAW transcends in 1973, the memorial is seen on this page undergoing a Committee was thinking. the legal statutes, always beyond the needs of restoration led by Ed “Top Hat” Freed. I do not recall who called the meeting to H A motion was made and carried that it be any one man, and holding that example alone is the order – but I distinctly do recall that he did not get adopted. I was asked to sign it. I refused, plainly one certain teacher, we pledge always to conduct the job done! Tere was very little order. Nor do I stating that I had done no more than string some ourselves in such a fashion on the stream as to make remember who assumed the chair. words together; that if it had actually been adopt- safe for others the heritage which is ours and theirs. Nearly everyone appeared to wish to say ed, then the body (yet unnamed) was the true au- something, and nearly no one appeared to wish thor; that if [it] was ever to amount to anything it to listen. Te gist of all talks was the moss-grown would take the combined eforts of all; and that if baloney – something should be done. But we had the others were to be added to our ranks they must no crystallized thought about what should be done be made to feel that it was their Creed — their way about what. of thinking. During this gab-fest I heard myself named I think it was fled with Frank Bentz, I as the Chairman of a Committee of three, who were have the impression, was serving as sort of Secre- directed to get together the next day and try to point tary without portfolio. Indeed, we were without up our way of thinking. Te other two members of almost everything except a reasonable number of this committee were: Dan Holland and Dave Rob- bottles. Certainly we were without any form of or- erts. ganization. We were like the Genesis account of the Tis griped me. I had come to fsh, not Beginning – “Darkness was over all” and we were to Committee around all day. Slightly irritated, I null and void. asked Frank Bentz to get me some paper. He pro- duced a brown paper sack. I retired to the end of the hall and quickly wrote out what became known Page 11 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 12 Aaron Straus and Camp Airy 1999 incarnation of the Crawford-Cooney history of By 1926, the year before the transaction, Reliable and the Brotherhood — one with notes marked by Frank General had posted annual earnings in excess of $10 million. Bentz Jr., — describes a follow up meeting of the or- It was in 1926 that Aaron Straus and his wife, Lillie, Aganization was held on May 21, 1940 and those present of- established the Straus Foundation “with a dual focus on res- fcially adopted the name “Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock,” cue and relief of Jewish communities and families through- with the jungle cock’s neck feather, which fgures prominent- out the world and connecting children in the Baltimore re- ly in many fy patterns of the early to mid 1900s, being adopt- gion that could help them build strong and secure futures.” ed as an ofcial symbol for the organization. Also at that May Te couple had no children of their own, but were gathering, Van Campen Heilner, a native of Philadelphia and generous philanthropists, giving to many causes in the re- devote of surf fshing, was selected to be the frst president gion. Te main water feature at the Broad Creek Memorial of the new organization. An associate editor for “Field and Scout reservation in northeastern Maryland is Lake Aaron, Stream” magazine, three years prior to his being named pres- named for the same Aaron Straus. ident, his book “Salt Water Fishing” was published. In 1998, Te Straus Foundation gives the following account 28 years afer his passing, he would be inducted into the In- of Mr. Straus and his ventures: ternational Game Fish Association Hall of Fame. Aaron Straus was born in Baltimore of German Jew- At the May 1940 follow up meeting, Hammond ish descent in 1865, graduated from City College, and went Brown was elected executive vice president and the Brother- on to build his family’s furniture store into one of the na- hood’s sponsoring organizations were identifed as the Mary- tion’s largest retail empires of furniture, clothing and jewel- land State Game and Fish Preservation Association and Te ry stores that stretched from New England to New Mexico. Outdoor Writers Association of America. Reliable Stores Corporation was run as an amalgam of stores Te Crawford - Cooney history goes on to relate: “In under one umbrella using corporate controls in accounting 1941 Ham Brown ascended to the Presidency of the Jungle and purchasing — a rare precursor of today’s conglomerates. Cock and Joe Brooks became the Executive Vice President. Reliable Stores was publicly traded on the American Stock During this Campfre the design for the patch of the organi- Exchange in 1934 and moved over to the New York Stock zation was done by Gibb Crocker with the aid of Jack Bell.” Exchange in 1936. While the Depression stopped many in Te Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock has had annual their tracks, Aaron saw it as an opportunity to buy back a Campfre gatherings since the spring of 1941, which is the large portion of stock at more favorable prices. year of the frst ofcial gathering. While in business in St. Louis, Aaron met, courted The Jungle Cock Spirit It would come to pass in these early years that the or- and then married Lillie Meyer in June of 1889. Te marriage ganization would begin working hand in hand with another would last 64 years, during which she devoted herself to organization whose mission was to provide outdoor expe- her marriage, to caring for the man who would eventually By Bill Simms with the duty to pass along from generation to generation riences for young people. A Jungle Cock outing on Owens become blind, and to her charitable interests. Frugal living spirit is something that you cannot literally see, instruction about responsibilities that will someday be Creek in Turmont would lead to the Brotherhood’s leader- coupled with business genius allowed the Strauses to amass feel, touch, taste or hear like you can so solely theirs and it teaches the importance of mor- ship meeting Aaron Straus, a philanthropist from Baltimore a fortune signifcant enough to form a private charitable much of the world’s wonderful ob- al law and conducting ourselves in a fashion to who had established Camp Airy decades earlier. foundation, which they did in 1926, with a Board of Direc- Ajects. It’s a feeling that needs something like be nothing but a good infuence on those to Mr. Straus is a man who made a fortune in the frst tors composed of Directors of Reliable Stores Corporation, a sixth sense to be appreciated. Not every- follow. half of his life and spent the second half putting the money to whose descendants, to this day, continue to be stewards of one who passes through the Brotherhood So you see, the Creed is much work to beneft young people. the Straus philanthropic legacy, born out of their initial in- feels this spirit because part of it is an at- more than a promise to fshing, but a By October of 1927, Mr. Straus was president of the terest in the immigrant families moving to Southeastern Bal- titude that some never attain. promise to lead an exemplary life style. Reliable Stores Corporation, which he had founded in 1892 timore City. For these families, they created two camps in Te foundation of this spirit is As you mature, which happens at diferent in Baltimore. It was in that year that the reliable corporation the Western Maryland called Camp Airy and Camp Louise. our Creed, and while it starts out, “We ages, you will see an image coming from issued $3.5 million in ten-year sinking fund gold notes at 6 Tese camps continue today, serving both children who can who live angling…,” it’s about a whole lot the elders of the Brotherhood and you will percent to mature on October 1, 1937. aford it and those who need “campership” subsidy in order more than fshing. It teaches us to preserve feel a sense of companionship with nature In issuing these notes, the Reliable Stores Corpora- to have a valuable summer experience. and restore game fsh (natural resources). It and your fellow man that you never felt before. tion noted the fnancial arrangement would make possible Aaron and Lillie Straus saw kindred spirits in the tells us not to be greedy— “our creel limit shall al- Tat is the Jungle Cock Spirit! the acquisition of the General Stores Corporation, resulting fostering of youth in the founders of the Brotherhood of ways be less than the legal restrictions”— and it charges us in a Reliable corporation with a chain of 18 furniture stores the Jungle Cock. Tis is how Camp Airy has come to be the operating in 14 cities. home of the Brotherhood. Page 13 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 14 The Bridge Builder By Will Allen Dromgoole An old man, going a lone highway Came in the evening, cold and gray, To a chasm, vast and deep and wide, Through which was running a sullen tide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim That sullen stream had no fears for him, But he turned when he reached the other side And built a bridge to span the tide. Old Man, said a fellow pilgrim near Why waste your strength in building here? Your journey ends with the ending day And you never again must pass this way, You’ve crossed the chasm deep and wide Why build your bridge at eventide? The Builder lifted his old gray head, Good Friend, in the path I have come, he said, Lloyd Hoke, flanked by grandsons Dan, left, and There followeth after me today Steven, began the tradition of reading Will Al- A youth whose feet must pass this way. len Dromgoole’s poem, “The Bridge Builder,” The chasm which was naught to me during the Brotherhood Campfire ceremony. To this fair haired youth might a pitfall be, The tradition has been carried on by Lloyd’s For he too must cross, in the twilight dim son, John Hoke. Good Friend, I’m building the bridge for him. Joe Brooks, right, joins the discussion in the early days of television with an appearance on “Let’s Go In addition to her various writing ventures, About ‘Miss Will’ Fishing with Duke Alexander,” broadcast February 24, 1953 on WDEL-TV. Also pictured, from left, are Ms. Dromgoole studied law, though was banned in Duke Alexander, George Phillips and Reg Ellis. orn the seventh daughter to a family expecting Tennessee from practicing. She was elected to the of- a son, William Allen Dromgoole was given her fce of clerk of the state senate for the Volunteer state unlikely name because her father, John Easter in 1885, re-elected in 1887 but turned out by the vot- BDromgoole, “didn’t change his mind about the name A Growing Organization sets out on its own ers in 1889, according to a biography put together by William when he had a daughter,” so says an account the Rutherford County, Tenn., Historical Society and he Brotherhood treasury separated from Te Mary- In 1951 a committee was formed to draf a Consti- in “Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia,” a that organization’s president, Greg Tucker. land State Game and Fish Protective Association and tution and By Laws which was presented to Jungle Cock, collection Edited by Sandra L. Ballard and Patricia L. According to the Poetry Foundation biogra- Te Outdoor Writers Association of America in 1946. accepted, and ofcially voted upon and approved in 1952. Hudson, published in 2003 by the University Press of TTe Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock became its’ own orga- Te following year Louis Paul Alt, Gurney J. Godfrey and phy, “During World War I, Dromgoole was stationed Kentucky. in Norfolk, Virginia, while she served in the U.S. Na- nization. William H. Triplett became the incorporators of the Broth- It seems her mother, Rebecca Mildred Blanch val Reserve, one of the frst women to do so. Her du- Te Ohio Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock was or- erhood. Initial work was done by Prew Savoy while the le- Dromgoole, was fne with her new daughter’s unusual ties included library work and lecturing to sailors on ganized in 1948 as the frst ofcial chapter. Paramount in the gal steps were handled by Nicholas G. Penniman, III. Te name, and it stuck. Other accounts note that in her old patriotic themes.” formation of the Ohio Chapter was Kenneth E. Crawford Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock was ofcially incorporated age, she was known to those around her as “Miss Will.” Among the more than 7,000 poems she of Columbus, Ohio, and Te League of Ohio Sportsmen. on March 31, 1953. She was born in 1860 in Murfreesboro, Tenn., penned is one that has become familiar to those who Troughout his association with Jungle Cock Ken Crawford Just two weeks later Clarke Venable submitted the and made a living writing plays, novels, including the attend the annual Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock was Ohio’s bridge builder and helmsman. necessary paperwork that copyrighted the “Creed,” efective best selling Te Island of the Beautiful, published in Campfre, “Te Bridge Builder.” It is regarded as one According to Paul Alt, it was proposed during 1948 on April 13, 1953. Te frst Campfre of the new corporation 1911. She wrote a column for nearly three decades for of her most enduring works. that the Campfre should be attended only by men who spon- was conducted May 22, 23 and 24th at Camp Airy. the Nashville Banner in which she recounted stories Te biography by Greg Tucker of the Ruther- sored a boy for the weekend afair. Tis was accepted and the On Saturday, May 23, 1953, along the banks of Big of people in the community, according to a brief bi- ford County Historical Society and published in the 1949 Campfre was the frst to practice this requirement. Hunting Creek on land donated by the town of Turmont, ography published online by Te Poetry Foundation Daily News Journal, of that community in December During the next year, 1950, it was decided among Chief Justice of Te United States Supreme Court, William O. and information published online by the University the members to erect a memorial to Te Brotherhood of the Douglas, gave a talk, then unveiled the bronze cast and stone 2009, notes that “Te Bridge Builder” “was a poem of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s collection of biogra- Jungle Cock. Five thousand dollars was raised and the design based monument to the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock. written as a tribute to her father.” phies of Tennessee Writers. of the monument by William Carter Wescott was approved. Te annual Campfre ceremony was held at this site. Attend- Page 15 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 16 ing this afair were many past presidents of the organization together with other notable guests. Television, radio and the press covered the event. Elected to ofce Teaching this same year was Arnold J. Stewart, President; Frank L. Bentz, Sr., Honorary President; J. Hammond Brown, Hon- orary President Emeritus; Gurney J. Godfrey, Executive Vice President; L. about Paul Alt, Secretary Treasurer and Aaron Straus, Honorary Life Member. During 1955 Jungle Cock lost two of its’ founding members, J. Ham- fshing mond Brown and Frank L. Bentz Sr. A memorial service was held to honor them in 1956. Paul Alt also passed away during 1955. Gus Day Edward W. Little Fred Stephenson was appoint- Treasurer, 1978 to 2014 Secretary, 1988 to present ed Secretary Treasurer in 1957, holding 1965, Joe Brooks, surviving founder of the Jungle Cock, ar- that position until his death. For 22 years Fred handled two ranged for ABC TV to flm the three day event. Te Camp- time consuming jobs, that of keeping all members apprised fre weekend was busy with attendees and the crews of ABC of Jungle Cock activities and keeping the organization sol- flming the many activities. Many members of the Brother- vent. In 1968, Edward T. Little was named Secretary and hood became weekend actors demonstrating fy tying, fy Fred Stephenson continued as Treasurer, a responsibility casting, streamside instruction and knot tying. Joe Brooks he shouldered until his death in 1978. In 1974, M. Hanford was the highlight for his presence while instructing the boys “Gus” Day had taken on the post of Assistant Treasurer and and as he read the Creed during the Campfre Ceremony. upon Mr. Stephenson’s passing, he was appointed Treasurer. Te weekend Campfre aired on “Te American Sportsman” Gus Day gave up the position of Treasurer in May the following spring. 2014, passing the responsibilities of fnance to Craig Simms. Te year of 1966 was a sad one as Jungle Cock lost As for the post of Secretary, it was held by Edward T. its Executive Vice President, long time member and hard Jack and Scott Kelly Little until he retired from the post in 1988 and was replaced worker, Gurney J. Godfrey. He died while on a hunting trip by his son, Edward W. Little, who continues in the position. in western Maryland. A second pond was dug by the Broth- hough there have been many pivotal moments as the piled into the White House and we watched movies.” Eforts Around 1956-57, Bill Graham took on the lead- erhood and presented to Camp Airy in 1968. Ellen Godfrey, Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock has grown into the were also made to teach fy tying, though that proved dif- ership of the Prize Committee. It was his responsibility to his widow, and grandson Billy Anderson attended the cer- organization it is today, a key refnement was made cult because of the numbers of people involved and the lack obtain prizes relative to fshing, especially fy fshing, for Tin 1967 with the establishment of the Education Commit- of equipment: emony, naming the pond in Gurney Godfrey’s honor and distribution to the sponsored boys. He enlisted the aide of memory. tee, which has since devised and refned the formal training As Ed put it: “In those years we were growing. Imag- many tackle manufacturers and distributors, some of whom Jungle Cock President Alfred E. Snider, on Febru- programs in place at Campfre weekends of the modern era. ine 43 kids, more or less, tying fies!” attended our Campfres, becoming members themselves. ary 3, 1967 appointed Fred Wright as Executive Vice Presi- Te idea for a formal set of classes, however, came Ed’s assessment of that weekend: “Kids were cold, Just west of Turmont, the Frank L. Bentz Sr. Memo- dent to fll the ofce held by Gurney Godfrey. Fred served in about because of the practical problems that arose in a year wet and about half bored because fshing was poor.” rial Pond was dedicated by the Brotherhood on Big Hunting that capacity for 13 years. His responsibility was to coordi- when going fshing became all but impossible because of the Ed remembers what happened next: “Tat Sunday Creek in 1958. A year later the Aaron Straus Memorial Pond nate all functions of Jungle Cock, seeing to it that everything weather. morning, Frank Bentz [Jr.], Bill Waltz and [I, along with a] was constructed, courtesy of the Brotherhood of the Jungle ran smoothly. Tom Cooney was appointed Assistant to Mr. Ed “Top Hat” Freed recalls that rudimentary classes fellow nicknamed ‘Bible’ [John C. ‘Bible John’ Wiltsie] met at Cock, at Camp Airy and presented to the camp in 1960. In Wright and continued until 1975. were in place early on in the organization’s history: “Prior to one of the old barracks and discussed what could be done to 1961 a bronze plaque was erected and dedicated to the mem- “National Wildlife” magazine’s George H. Harrison, 1965 and ’66, Jungle Cock had two classes for the kids: knot improve the weekend for the kids. Tat was the start of the ory of Mr. Straus. managing editor, attended the 1967 Campfre, was part of the tying Friday night at the White House and fy tying at the instruction program we have now. Frank [Bentz Jr.] was the Walter Weber of “National Geographic” magazine weekend activities, and wrote “Fishers of Young Men” for the library. No attempts were made to diferentiate age groups leader and we supported him.” carried a copy of the Creed into South America during 1960. August-September 1967 issue of the magazine. It was noted or abilities.” With the assistance of Fred Wright, Frank Bentz Jr. A framed Creed was discovered on a boathouse door on the that 174 men sponsored 233 boys from 12 states at the week- Te idea for a formal education program came in envisioned the education program as a fve-year progression Miramichi River in Canada. end gathering. the afermath of a Campfre weekend when the weather was starting with beginning angling and progressing through an- For the Twenty Fifh Anniversary Campfre in May particularly unpleasant, as Ed Freed remembers: “Everyone nual instructional regimens designed to help young anglers Page 17 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 18 develop the skills needed so they can the banks of Big Hunting Creek across enter a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment. from the Catoctin Park Headquarters. Frank Bentz Jr. continued as chair of the At the May 18, 1974 Campfre the me- instructional programs until leaving the morial was dedicated. A time capsule post in 1989. was placed in the monument and will Tanks to the institution of be opened during the year 2038. a formal training program, in recent Gene Higdon was appointed years, camp participants have been able Assistant Executive Vice President by to sign up for programs that teach ba- Fred Wright during 1975. sic fy fshing skills, rudimentary cast- It was the year 1978 that saw ing, advanced fshing techniques, insect the “Bridge Builder” poem, written by studies, conservation, knot tying, knife Will Allen Dromgoole adopted as a building, fy tying, rod building and net guide for adult members. It was recit- making – all as parts of various class- ed at the Campfre by Lloyd Hoke, who es conducted both indoors and on the presented it at many Campfres. Te banks of streams and ponds. tradition of reading the poem during At the May 10, 1969 Campfre Campfre proceedings, has been taken Colonel William H. Triplett authored up by Lloyd Hoke’s son, John Hoke, a and presented the Jungle Cock Prayer Bosley Wright past president. Te poem itself is the for the frst time. It’s recitation has be- Executive VP, 1980 to present story of an old man who constructs a come a fxture within the annual Camp- sturdy bridge over a dangerous chasm fre program. and river, though he never expects to Te Virginia Anglers Chapter of Te Brotherhood use the bridge because of his age. Te bridge, the builder says, of the Jungle Cock was ofcially recognized during the Elev- is for someone younger who would otherwise have trouble enth Annual Banquet at the Willow Oaks Country Club in getting across the river. Refecting as it does the Jungle Cock Chris Boas, center, has instructed many an angler in the sport’s finer points. Richmond on January 25, 1972. Trough the inspiration of Spirit of passing on knowledge and assistance to new gener- Joe Brooks the Chapter was born. Maryland Chapter Presi- ations, the poem has become an integral part of the Jungle dent Tom Cooney installed the ofcers and directors. Teir Cock organization. Indeed, one of the highest honors the or- Fishing With the Masters and other adventures frst Campfre was held later that year under the leadership of ganization bestows on members who contribute to the cause noch S. “Inky” Moore Jr. together with George Rog- During the gathering at which President Carter was Nathaniel “Nat” T. R. Burgwynn. is the Bridge Builder Award, whose name was inspired by the ers, Tom Satterthwaite, Frank Chaplin and Bob Abra- a guest, one of the owners of a secluded camp in the area It was on September 20, 1972, that the Brotherhood poem. ham, in 1984 developed a new program of advanced – and an avid fy angler – was also present, as was long- and the sport fshing world was rocked by the 1980 was a signifcant year in that M. Einstruction for graduates of the fve year youth education time Brotherhood member and Past President Robert “Bob” news that the only living founder of Jun- Bosley Wright was elected to the posi- program. Dubbed Fishing with the Masters, the program Abraham Sr. gle Cock had died while on a west- tion of Executive Vice President of allowed youngsters the special privilege of fy fshing with As Mr. Abraham recalls, “I asked him if his fshing ern fshing trip to the Paradise Te Brotherhood of the Jungle experienced anglers on private water. Tis session stresses camp could be used for the BOJC’s Masters group for a one- Valley in Livingston, Montana. Cock. Bos took on a heavy sportsmanship and in the years since has produced many day outing. He said he would check and let me know.” Dr. Marvin Williams, a young load as executive with the outstanding young fy anglers. A meeting was arranged and Bob Abraham Sr., along member of the Brotherhood responsibility of leading and An important part of the Fishing With the Masters with Don Lewis attended bearing gifs including fy lines and and protege of Joe Brooks, directing operations of the program has become the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a print by Frank Smoot. called to say that 70 year old organization. As of 2014, he participants to be able to test their skills on what is best de- As Mr. Abraham recalls, “We got permission to use Joe passed away as he had continued to hold the posi- scribed for general consumption as a secret spot that is home the camp if they were not busy on the dates of the Jungle lived, fshing. Te 1973 Camp- tion. to many a large trout. Cock weekend…Afer our frst Fishing With the Masters day fre was dedicated to Joe Brooks. Te Pennsylvania Chap- Access to this spot was secured in the afermath of a on their stream, we would have our day on the stream set George Wireman hosted a radio show ter was formed and held its’ frst corn roast event held in 1978 during which President Jimmy aside for the BOJC.” on Turmont station WTHU and penned Campfre on May 1 and 2, 1982 at Camp Carter met with a group of fy anglers. While world histo- Another major development came on May 6, 1985, a news article, published in the Catoctin Enter- Saginaw in New London. Ninety one youth at- ry remembers President Carter for the Camp David Peace when Michigan conducted its frst Campfre. Dr. Fred Os- prise, in tribute to Joe Brooks, the gentlemen’s gentleman of tended the two day event sponsored by sixty-four men. In- Accords, the frst meaningful step in the ongoing process to walt, “Bear” Andrews, Bob Julius and Jay Neve were instru- the angling world, during the 35th annual Campfre on May strumental in the formation of the Pennsylvania Chapter was secure peace in the Middle East, many who spent time along mental in the formation of the Chapter. 19, 1973. Tat same year a stone memorial to Joe Brooks Don McCue, who took on substantial personal risk in fnan- Big Hunting Creek during his presidency also remember he During 1988 Al Mofat with the University of Mary- and Te Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock was erected on cially backing the frst Keystone Campfre Weekend. had become an avid fy angler. land Radio and Television Department prepared a new mov- Page 19 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 20 member of Jungle Cock, Frank Burt Smoot was guest speak- er. Te new Jungle Cock movie was shown to the guests. Bill Simms assumed the chair of the Prize Commit- tee in 1989. Also, Robert W. Abraham Sr. was appointed to the chairmanship of the Youth Education Committee. Bob further developed activities for the boys. He also is very in- strumental in recruitment eforts of both boys and men. Te Council of Past Presidents was formed in Janu- ary of 1989. Frank L. Bentz, Jr. was appointed as President of the Council. Relying on the many years of experience of the members of the Council, it is their duty to discuss issues of the Brotherhood and advise the Trustees of their fndings for the betterment of Jungle Cock. During 1994 the Jungle Cock Newsletter was inau- gurated. Edited by Carl Marshal, the newsletter serves to keep all BOJC members informed of the organization’s activities. In June of 1996 a committee was appointed to review all activities and operating procedures of the BOJC. Spear- headed by Ron Moser, a complete review and update of the By-Laws and policies of Jungle Cock was undertaken and made current. Committee members included Don Lewis, Jerry Ofut, Frank L. Bentz, Jr., Gus Day, Bosley Wright, Rob- William H. Tripplett, left, who authored the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock prayer, is seen during ert Abraham Sr., Craig Simms and John Zimmer. A monu- a Jungle Cock gathering around 1962. With him are Al White, center, and Mike Hudoba. mental task, it was presented to the Board of Directors for approval during October of 1996. Te New York State Chapter was formed under the guidance of John Waldron, Stan Zattosky, Phil Genova and The Jungle Cock Prayer Keith Sutlif with a one day outing held in 1997 at the Catskill Bob Keech offers some streamside instruction. Fly Fishing Center in Roscoe, New York on the banks of the William H. Tripplett, who served as president of help and guidance. Help us to be good men, that we may world famous Beaverkill River. Notable members of the New the Brotherhood for 1961-62, presented a prayer for the become good leaders. Let us not forget our responsibilities ie about the Brotherhood emphasizing the ideals and goals of York Chapter include world famous anglers, writers, and fy organization on May 10, 1969. to the youth entrusted to our care. May the gospel we pro- the organization. It has been shown in many areas to demon- tiers, Poul Jorgensen and Joan Wulf. fess shine in our faces and be seen in our lives to the end strate the activities of this youth oriented conservation group. At the May 1998 Campfre Carl Marshall was OH GOD, FATHER OF ALL MANKIND, we that each boy may return to his home encouraged by his A special color brochure was prepared for the May elected to the chairmanship of the Youth Education Com- who are gathered around this Campfre look to Tee for Jungle Cock experience. 1988 annual gathering of Te Brotherhood of the Jungle mittee. Larry Carte’ assumed the reigns of the “Fishing with guidance as we come once again to continue a program Cock at Camp Airy. It set forth the Creed, Prayer and Poem the Masters” program. Under the committee’s direction, the brought into existence by devotion and design over a half WE THANK THEE that our lives have been cast of the Brotherhood. Many past presidents, members, and education program continued. century ago by individuals whose unselfsh interests and in this great country of ours. Give us we pray Faith in special guest speaker, Louis L. Goldstein, Maryland State n 1998, a 60th Anniversary Committee was formed to far-seeking vision are manifested in what we here and now America strength and courage to defend our freedoms. Comptroller of the Treasury, attended the Campfre. A new celebrate the year 2000 May Campfre. Chaired by John see before us at this assembly of men and boys dedicated May we ever show respect for our institutions and support anniversary pin designed by Gary Webster and minted by Zimmer with co-chair Craig Simms, others serving to the cause of conservation and the pursuit of pleasure. the laws of our land to the end that peace and contentment Dr. Fred Oswalt was presented. Te brochure also showed Ion the committee were Frank Bentz, Gus Day and Bosley may reign among us. Te Jungle Cock Fly originated by George Ebersole of Har- Wright. THOU HAST MADE US HEIRS of a great heri- risburg, Pennsylvania. It was the years afer 1999 that saw a substantial re- tage and trustees of priceless things, yet we forget the price FOR THE FORGIVENESS of our mistakes and Te Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock celebrated its’ fnement and fne tuning of the Jungle Cock program. Te that was paid for them and the eternal vigilance required transgressions we lean upon Ty compassion, Ty mercy, concepts of nearly 50 years with a banquet at the Turmont formal fve-year educational program devised three decades to preserve and protect them. Ty love. May we ever walk sofly before Tee and deal American Legion Hall on September 10, 1988. President C. earlier by Frank L. Bentz Jr. and Fred Wright had seen sub- gently with one another. Hear our prayer, and answer us Gene Higdon presided with Ron Moser as the Master of Cer- stantial growth, but lacked a unifed organizational theme. WE THANK THEE, our Father, that our faith 0 Lord, answer us not according to the way we have asked emonies. Serge Benson ofered the invocation and Bosley Upon being installed as Education Director, Carl Marshall leads us to Tee for direction. May this minute of prayer but according to Ty will, for in Ty will is our peace. Wright made the introductions. Don Lewis was Chairman sought out a new generation of instructors to supplement fnd each one of us, in his own way, reaching out for Ty Amen of the Banquet. Camp Conservationist, artist and long time work already being done. Tere had been a concern that Page 21 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 22 young members who were undertaking to participate in the fnal phase of the Jungle Cock educational program, Fish- Supreme Court judge ing With the Masters, were not adequately prepared for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fsh over an abundance of behind C&O Trail a large trout. Among the new adult instructors were some sea- soned anglers, as well as some nearly as novice as the chil- BOJC supporter dren they would end up teaching. All, however had enthusi- asm and a strong desire to learn what they needed to know Described in an August 16, 1963 Time Magazine from the more experienced members. In addition, youth article as a “precociously distinguished jurist and an out- members were encouraged to partake of elective classes — doorsman of rare dedication,” U.S. Supreme Court Jus- net building, knife making, and rod building — rather than tice William O. Douglas was the person enlisted to give try to pursue Fishing With the Masters without an appropri- the “dedication talk” when the Brotherhood of the Jungle ate level of fshing experience. Cock’s statue of a man teaching a boy to fsh was unveiled Around 2009 and 2010, Larry Eby started to make in Turmont, Maryland. inroads with local farmers to access Owens Creek down- Te unveiling on May 22, 1953, presided over by stream from Turmont through their properties. Tese ar- Jungle Cock President Ken Crawford, came a decade be- eas have become the primary streamside teaching areas in fore Justice Douglas, known more casually as Bill, would recent years, replacing a section of Flat Run near Emmits- champion another cause, the results of which can be ex- burg which had for several years been the main streamside perienced by taking a short drive south of Turmont. Tat Envisioned by William Carter Westcott and seen instruction site. cause: the establishment of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal here in an early design phase, the Brotherhood In addition, added in the 2011 to 2012 timeframe to tow path as a natural preserve amidst a growing capital of the Jungle Cock statue was cast in bronze and stands today in Thurmont, Maryland. West- the streamside instructional regimen traditionally associated city and its increasingly sprawling suburbs. cott was commissioned to design and cast many with the third and fourth years of the program was an ento- Without Justice Douglas, the C&O Canal might statues that can be seen at places like the Naval mology component taught by biologist Susan Rivers of the well be another roadway, or even a highway, running par- Academy and the Virginia Military Institute. Three generations of the Freed family. Maryland Department of Natural Resources. allel to the Potomac River. Te Campfre weekend of 2014 saw a new devel- Around the time of the dedication of the Jungle opment: Te addition of an Emergers program, named for side fshing opportunities available in camp. It also allowed Cock statue in Turmont, there was a move afoot in the Te high court justice went on in the letter to chal- newly hatched mayfies and stonefies whose wings are not for an elegant way to exclude those younger than 8 — whose nation’s capital to make the C&O Canal property along lenge the writer of Post editorial to walk the trail with him. yet strong enough to allow for fight. Te program made of- physical coordination and attention span limits them in their the Potomac more accessible to the general public. Te Post editors and others interested in the matter formed a fcial a practice long permitted, though not ofcially sanc- eforts to cast and learn basic knot tying — from beginning property had been purchased by the government decades party of 58 people who hiked the trail, led by 58-year-old tioned: the presence in camp of those younger than 8. Te ofcial participation in the education program. Tis, in turn, before with the idea that it eventually be developed for Douglas. Tey averaged 23 miles a day. Subsequent to the program, not ofcially afliated with the education program, allows education program instructors to focus on those who public recreation. hike, a citizens advocacy group was formed and through gives anglers who are 6 and 7 years old the opportunity to be are more ready to learn the details of the sport. Te idea put forth in the early 1950s was for the that organization’s work, a plan was devised to turn the welcomed into the Brotherhood and partake of the pond- old tow path to be paved and turned into a roadway where park into the hiking and bicycling destination it is today. people could drive along the Potomac and enjoy what na- Te trail’s status as a national natural treasure was made ture had to ofer from the comfort of their cars. Justice formal on January 8, 1971 with the passage of Te Chesa- Douglas was deeply opposed to this idea. Responding The tradition of the feather peake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Act. to an opinion piece in Te Washington Post that favored As for Justice Douglas’ contributions to American he name of the organization comes from the roadway idea, Justice Douglas wrote a following letter judicial tradition, he is remembered as a champion of in- the waxed neck feather of the Indian Jungle Fowl which was worn as a sym- to the paper, which was published January 19, 1954, and dividual rights when those rights are challenged either by T read, in part: bol of the group. This chicken-like bird is on government or by increasingly large, powerful and intru- the endangered species list now. In the early It is a place for boys and girls, men and women. sive corporations. days of the Brotherhood, devotees wore a One can hike 15 or 20 miles on a Sunday afernoon, or One editorial cartoon of the justice wryly con- single jungle cock feather in their hats to let sleep on high dry ground in the quiet of a forest, or just nected his name, Bill, with the document he championed. like-minded anglers know who they were. These days, jungle cock feathers are hard to go and sit with no sound except water lapping at one's Te result, a portrait of the aging judge at the bench, feet. It is a sanctuary for everyone who loves woods a come by as the bird is endangered in the wild. haggard but unbent, with title “Bill of Rights.” They are raised in captivity by a few dedicat- sanctuary that would be utterly destroyed by a fne two- George Ebersole, of Harrisburg, Pa., tied the Jim Kennedy ed people and the feathers occasionally come lane highway. Jungle Cock fly, which prominently features onto the market. the neck feathers of the bird. Page 23 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 24

Al Moffat, left, and Billy Noland Buzz Mackley

Craig Simms Bentz Hall: A place to call home n addition to the refnements undertaken for the educa- tion program in the years afer the 1998 60th anniver- sary, another major project was undertaken, that of the Iplanning and construction of a Brotherhood headquarters Steve Weinstein Paul Helm John Flenner building on the grounds of Camp Airy. Design planning for that building began in 1999. By 2005, the building appeared to be well on its way to completion. A building committee report by Gus Day said: “Te new BOJC headquarters building at Camp Airy is up and under roof. Although much work still needs to be done, thanks to the hard work and perseverance of our Com- mittee Chairmen (Carl Marshall and Ed Freed) great prog- ress has been made.” Tat progress was made possible to a large extent by Flies in the wall, as painted by Anne Adams-Kennedy Neil Lewis and Alex Ivanitski and a work crew from Virginia Page 25 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 26 they coordinated. Te Lewis-Ivanitski crew was able to frame the building from foundation to rafers. As Gus Day’s letter on the subject says: “Without them, we never would have gotten the building framed and under roof so quickly. Also, special recognition goes out to Paul Helm for being there al- most every day.” Te project, however, was beset by many difculties. Hurricanes hit Florida in this period and the subsequent rebuilding eforts increased the price of construction com- modities. In addition, a roof collapse set work on the project back. Robert Abraham Jr. was among those working on the structure at the time, but emerged from the incident without injury. Ten work on the building would end up being halt- ed, the result of an unfortunate series of misunderstand- Don McCue and Carl Miller relax at Bentz Hall. ings relative to the building permit process. Te building Inside we’ve made equally substantial would sit, unused by Camp Airy as it was incomplete, and progress. Since October we’ve gutted the basement under-utilized even during Campfre Weekends, as its future and framed most of the new walls. Te new electri- was hashed out. For a time it was unclear if the structure cal wiring is roughed-in and ready for inspection. would end up being fnished or razed. Te plumbing is progressing to the point it should In 2009, however, the project was put back on track. be ready for rough-in inspection around the end In a building committee report, John Zimmer wrote: of the year. We will then proceed with sheet rock, October 10th 2009 will forever be known tape and spackle, plumbing and electrical fxtures, Extraordinary members of the building crew being recognized at the dedication ceremony. as the day on which the campaign to fnish the doors and trim. Upstairs all framing work is com- BOJC Building was launched. plete and electrical and plumbing work have begun. so many things I should have said, but didn’t. Let there. Please tell everyone how proud I am of the I’m pleased and proud to say our eforts We would like to be doing fnish work upstairs in me try in this letter to say some of them. new Building. are paying-of. March and April with an ultimate goal of having a Our family is honored to have the Building While Joe Zimmer would live to see the building To-date fund raising is gaining momen- use and occupancy permit by May, 2010. named for Dad. We greatly appreciate it and I am completed, his death would come a few months later in Jan- tum and keeping us in materials. Special thanks It’s only ftting to recognize the eforts of sure Dad is looking down on us and giving a cheer uary 2012. again to Joe Zimmer (Past President) for his gen- those who have given their time and energy selfess- too! However, we wish you might have named it Flying at the main entrance to Bentz Hall starting in erous commitment to match all donations. In just ly for the good of our Organization. Many thanks to Founders’ Hall to honor all those whose vision gave 2012 is the fag of the Brotherhood. Consisting of the Broth- 10 weeks we raised nearly $20,000 which, when Gus Day and Ed Freed (who are always there), Ed birth to the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock in the erhood logo on a white background, the fag was made pos- matched, puts us to nearly $40,000 or about ½ way Freed, Jr., Adam Geesaman, Steve Weinstein, J.J. 1940s. sible thanks to the Past Presidents Committee, and its manu- to our goal. Tanks so much to those who have Moore, Buzz Mackley, Craig & Lisa Simms, John Construction of the building was a mag- facture was coordinated by Secretary Ed Little. On the fag, a made donations to help shape the future of our Flenner, Mike Schenking, Mike Tomson, Fred nifcent undertaking. It took a lot of faith to believe green circle can be seen around the traditional logo. Tis was Organization. For those who have contemplated Grunewald, Carl Miller, Paul Helm, Larry Eby, that members would come together over such a long proposed by Nick Kennedy, a youth member of the Brother- donating now’s an important time to help us reach Billy Noland, Ed Little, Henry Krotee, Bret Hassel, period of time and give of themselves to construct hood, who suggested it was important to include “the circle our goal. No donation is too small especially when Paul Calvano, John Hoke, Bosley Wright, Jay Shock a building that would serve our boys for years to of life.” it’s matched. and Steve Lewis. come. From the architectural design, convincing of- Te fnal phase of construction, strictly speaking un- During the past ten weeks we’ve been busy By 2011, the new building was in use. It was ofcially fcials of Camp Airy that we could do it, to getting related to the actual building process, was the addition of a on the building and it’s clearly starting to show. We dedicated in October of that year, and given the name Bentz approval of the site, getting approval of county of- bridge over the culvert in front of Bentz Hall. Te project was made good use of some beautiful fall weekends by Hall in honor of the Bentz family, whose patriarch, Frank fcials, assembling materials and working so many coordinated in the winter of 2013-14 by Craig Simms, who working outside constructing the 1,500 sq. f. porch. Bentz Sr., had been instrumental in the founding of the or- weekends is almost unbelievable. was also serving as president at the time. Construction was Framing is complete and the north (front) and west ganization. Frank Bentz Jr. wrote on the occasion of the ded- But you did it! done by Tad Bittner, whose son, Dakota, has been a regular porch decking is down. South porch decking, south ication: Te gif by Joe Zimmer was wonderful participant in Campfre weekends. porch stairs, north porch stairs, the handicap access To All Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock also. It came at just the right time to keep things Te bridge symbolically links Camp Airy and the ramp and a few particulars are all that are neces- Members who contributed to the new building: moving. Te new Building is great. All of us can Brotherhood and it is augmented with the logos of both or- sary to complete the porch. Tis will enable us to At the dedication on October 8th, I wasn’t be proud of a job well done. Everyone enjoyed the ganizations. In addition, the Creed of the Brotherhood has move ahead with the railings and roof. prepared to speak when you called on me. Tere are dedication ceremony and I am thankful I could be been carved in stone native to the area from the Hoke family Page 27 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 28 Frank Lawrence Bentz Sr. J. Hammond Brown Joseph White Brooks Jr. Frank L. Bentz, “Ham” Brown, Joe was born Sr. was born on born in 1877, January 29, 1901 March 1879 at was a crusading and was the Frederick, Mary- writer his entire world’s most fa- land. His love of life. A gentleman mous fsherman the great out- of the Fourth Es- of his day. He was doors developed tate. He spent 52 a Princeton man, at a early age and years as Outdoors a member of the as a young man Editor of the Bal- family insurance he made a long timore Sunday business, a su- 200-mile canoe trip down the Poto- American and Te News-Post. Who’s perb athlete, writer and gentleman of mac River. One 50-mile stretch of this Who would come to say “No one has the highest order. journey was in water never previously done more for the millions of hunters Tis premier angler roamed the traversed by canoe. He was attached and anglers on the North American globe in sports fshing. Brooks the to Company A of the Maryland Na- continent,” as a crusading writer and esteemed gentleman was a quiet and tional Guard and served with them leader in the conservation of our nat- intense devotee of Jungle Cock and during World War I. Afer the war ural resources. Most tireless and re- its youth movement. Te superstars he settled in Hagerstown, Maryland lentless this small and frail sportsman of the sports world worshiped him. and operated a shoe business. He was had to devote a half century to saving Baseball great Ted Williams was a a charter member of the Washington God’s Great Outdoors before achiev- neighbor and student of the master. County Field and Game Association. ing the prized 1954 award, “American Sam Snead marveled at his skill, and In July 1935 he became the Chief Way.” In a Washington, D.C. ceremo- Jack Nicklaus once said, “I read every Clerk of the Conservation Commis- ny, 1,000 writer friends gave tribute to book the guy wrote.” sion of Maryland. In that capacity he a him. Te star studded audience con- Tousands of people who are better was keenly interested in many out- tained representatives of federal, state fshermen and are better citizens be- door sports clubs and the Boy Scouts and local groups on whose commit- cause of what he taught. An incident of America. His unbounded enthu- tees Ham had served in the feld he along a Maryland trout stream re- Courtesy of Dan Neuland siasm sparked many fshing trips for loved. Te inscription on the auspi- fects Joe’s love for fshing and young- property and placed prominently near the bridge. the support of the Brotherhood was on May 28, 2011 at the disabled veterans at various hospitals cious plaque read, “Lifetime Conser- sters. He came upon a kid in tattered and he was deeply interested in their vation Crusader.” Mr. Brown’s earliest jeans, fshing with cane pole and Work on Jungle Cock traditions has not ceased with Camp Airy ponds. Mr. Abraham reported: therapy. writing on the subject of trout conser- worms, carelessly throwing his fsh the dedication of Bentz Hall. Te spring of 2011 saw the frst Te event started at 9 a.m. and ended When the Game and Inland Fish vation (catch and release) was a voice aside. Brooks stopped and chatted, re- installment of what seems to be emerging as a new tradition around 4 p.m. Tis event was well supported and Commission was created in 1946, he in the wilderness, but then - largely by minding the youngster of the merits of sharing the Jungle Cock spirit beyond the Campfre Week- attended by 24 members of the BOJC and approx- was appointed as its Public Relations his eforts alone - brought a nation of of sportsmanship and conservation. end. Recognizing that the trout stocked in the Camp Airy imately 15 family and members of the Wounded Director. During his 15 years of ser- sportsmen to realize the importance Joe was author of 10 books, and and ponds are a valuable, but limited resource as they’re pros- Warriors Group. In addition, we had fve Marines vice with the State, he helped devel- of preserving its outdoor heritage a prolifc writer for national outdoor pects for surviving the summer are slim, Robert Abraham from the local Camp facility and strong support op the Catoctin Recreational Area, and its wildlife. Te Creed was a re- magazines. His last book “Trout Fish- Jr. came up with an idea for making productive use of the from the local American Legion. Te Warriors the Baltimore Municipal Aquarium, ligious like thing to Ham. An enigma ing” had just been completed before and assisted in a program to develop was Ham to his associates; they say he he passed around the bend. resource. group consisted of members from Walter Reed and smallmouth bass in South Africa. He never changed. His tongue and pen “A legend,” Curt Gowdy called Joe as He had become aware of an organization called Proj- Fort Belvoir, Va. Te State of Maryland provided worked tirelessly to improve sport an- beat a philosophy to one and all on they teamed up to win for the United ect Healing Waters, which is, according to its own mission an extra stocking of 250 nice rainbow and palomi- gling throughout Maryland, the state matters of conservation. He could or- States the International Trout Fishing statement, “dedicated to the physical and emotional reha- no trout for the event. I believe everyone caught a he called “America in Miniature.” He ganize like present day environmen- Tournament in Argentina. Noblemen bilitation of disabled active military service personnel and few fsh. spawned a wildlife heritage. talists and ecologists never dreamed and royal families called upon our Joe disabled veterans through fy fshing and associated activi- Frank retired in 1949 at 70 and a of doing. to teach them fy fshing. For several ties including education and outings.” Project Healing Wa- Te event has been replicated every May since that few years later in Washington, D.C. Ham’s travels across our country years he was co-host with Gowdy on ters had come into being to assist wounded combat veterans frst gathering, and the plan is for it to continue. received the coveted Nash Conserva- brought government action on all the American Sportsman TV series. tion Award. fronts permitting the return of pure He averaged 200 fshing days a year. as they made the ofen difcult transition back into civilian Whether they know it or not, they’re fshing on be- During the early months of 1952 waters for fshing. His youth activi- Guess what he did on an of-day: He life afer having been injured. Made possible thanks in part half of those three guys whose angling was snowed out all he was stricken with a stroke. During ties and appearances before Congres- went hunting. Quail shooting was his to a grant from an organization called Wounded Warriors, those years ago. Tey’re also fshing for everyone who has the following year he recovered suf- sional committees are testimonials favorite gunning. Healing Waters has been using the serenity of fy fshing as come since and helped carry on the tradition. fciently to attend the Campfre and unrivaled on behalf of sportsmen His 71-year sojourn among us, a way of helping those wounded in Afghanistan, Iraq and It kind of puts a fresh perspective on the expression: dedication of the Jungle Cock Monu- throughout our land. came to an end in Paradise Valley, elsewhere reconnect with life during peacetime. “Fish on!” ment in Turmont, Maryland on May Time did run out on August 23, Livingstone, Montana on September Te frst Healing Waters outing conducted with 22, 1953. He died on June 24, 1955. 1955 for J. Hammond Brown. 20, 1972. Page 29 We Guard Tomorrow Today We Guard Tomorrow Today Page 30 Incarnations of the BOJC Logo Te logo and the image of the man teaching a boy how to cast were com- BOJC: An idea bined for the cover of the Broth- erhood’s history published on the occasion of the organization’s 40th for the ages anniversary.

The original patch logo

Washington Star editorial and sports cartoonist Gib Crockett was a prolifc artist known for his work be- Izaak Walton logo from 1985 yond newspapers. Starting in 1944, he designed 41 consecutive covers for the Army Navy football game program, doing his last in 1984. He became involved with the Brother- The 1950 anniversary logo hood of the Jungle Cock in 1941 and For the 50th anniversary, Dr. Fred devised both the familiar images of a Oswalt, who would also play a key First year boys receive their patches at the 2012 Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock Campfire. man teaching a boy to cast as well as role in founding the Michigan Chap- a design for a patch. Lion Brothers, a ter, devised a logo pin based on a de- frm founded in Baltimore in the late sign by Gary Webster, an active mem- 1800s, was contracted to make the ber of the Brotherhood. Te Webster original patches which are in the fa- design was similar to the 40th anni- Clark Venable: the man who penned the Creed miliar form distributed to frst year versary version, but rather than the members during the campfre cere- casting image, it incorporated a scene lark Venable also known as A theme of the column is that and though the hotdog merely disin- mony each year. that is similar to that featured on the Covington Clarke, the man lures are efective at catching fsh tegrated, the carrot and corn ‘plugs’ BOJC statue in Turmont. Te 50th who wrote the Creed of the largely based on who is fshing with took fsh. Te trio of champions anniversary design continues to be CBrotherhood of the Jungle Cock, them and the action being imparted worked their baits like surface lures used in certain functions to this day. was the author of adventure novels to the plugs. By way of example, he with all the artsy- crafy maneuvers A version of the logo featuring what A 1986 Christmas card from for boys. In their day, these novels recounts a fshing exhibition of sorts we have come to recognize as skillful is believed to be a likeness of Iza- logo innovator Gary R. — written at a time when AM radio put on by Mr. Venable and two fel- retrieving.” Webster to Gene Higdon. ak Walton, a quintessential fgure in was high tech and automatic trans- low anglers in the early 1900s in the By the time of this telling of the car- establishing the sporting pursuit of missions in cars were futuristic — had afermath of the advent of lures — rot and corn bass plugs, Mr. Venable trout as a leisure time activity, was the entertainment cache of modern specifcally bass plugs — emerging as had been dead for many years. Field devised in the years leading up to the ‘Rated T for Teen’ video games. mainstays of the modern tackle box. & Stream was, however, among the 50th anniversary (celebrated in 1988), Clark Venable made his living writ- A few words from A.J. McClane on many magazines for which Mr. Ven- and Gary Webster incorporated this ing books and articles and ofen pub- the subject: “...three nationally known able had written articles. He shows version of the logo into a 1986 Christ- lished under the name Covington casting experts put on a demonstra- up as being a contributing writer for mas card. Te Izaak Walton logo also Clarke. In his time, he was a fgure of tion in a Michigan lake which start- the November 1943 issue of the mag- would fgure prominently in versions some note in angling circles. For the ed as a gag but proved its point better azine. He also wrote many adventure devised by the Ohio Chapter. When October 1971 issue of Field & Stream, than the participants expected. Fred themed novels with titles like Aces a BOJC fag was being designed in A.J. McClane penned a column on the Peet, William Dilg, and Clark Venable Up, Desert Wings, Sky Caravan, Mys- 2012, Nick Kennedy would propose origins of artifcial lures, tracing the fshed for bass using a carrot, an ear of tery Flight of the Q2, All the Brave Ri- the fsh and feather element have a industry back to its days as a “novelty corn and a frankfurter as their lures. fes and Aw Hell. “Circle of Life” logo from green “Circle of Life” added to the de- trade” around 1910. Tese were rigged with treble hooks, ~Jim Kennedy The 40th anniversary logo the 2013 BOJC flag sign.