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TfrrlLvttn Museulrnand F{eadquarters LAMBERTCASTLE Garret MountainReservation uf I\t Paterson,N. J. l[ uxxair 6,nuntq -frrxtu rtrul fr srtrtg Vol. f_\e. 3 FEBRUARY,19 60 EDWARD M. GRAF, Editor

The Historyof Fifty Yearsof BoyScoufin g in Paterson,N. J. By CAPTAIN ANDREW T. DER.ROM(Silver BeqverScout)

CAPT.DERROM AND BOYSCOUTS TROOP No. 3 OjF PATERSOIN,N. ]. IN FIRST CAMP AT COLDSPRING LAKE, BUTLER, N.I.JULY t+ TO27, l9t2

During the period 1908 and 1909 various one of those who had become interested was YMCA boys' secretarieshad visited trngland and Frank o. van Ness,in charge o,fBoys department observed what had been accomplished by Lieut. of Paterson, New Jersey, YMCA. IIe attended a General Sir Robert Baden Powell in fostering conferenceof English leaders conducted by activities for boys in a constructive way, with Baden-Powell and brought back with him the the organtzatton o,f Baden-Powell Scouts. trnglish hand book " Sco,u,ti,ngf or Bogs" with Page Eighteen TI{E PASSAIC COU1VTY I{ISTOR,ICAL SSCIE'TY plenty of data on English . He was for- about scouting. IJpon Mr. Boyce's return to the tunate in securing the help of two former English United States, he brought with him a trunk furll Scouts living in Paterson. Henry Reeves of Chi- of literatlire. insignia ancl uniforms. chester, trngland who had been with Scouts in He corrsultecl n-ith his friend Colin It. Liv- England and Bermuda, and Frank Heald of ingston and u-ith others. ciecidecl to incorporate Blackhaven, England who held the high honor of the Scouts u-hich b)- this -riine \\-as spreading Silver Wolf. in the llnited States. mostl)- in TIiCA's where troops haC been formecl. snch es Paterson, N. J.; Iltica, N. Y.; Springfielci. ]iass. : sorne cities in Michigan and SeCalia, Kansas. Eoy Sccuts cf America rn\-ESli'c"Jr.Tlcl'atecl 1lr District cf Columbia, Febr.iar\- !. ll:t1{-} r..-itlr heaCquarters terriporaril3- e.iabilsia: ci ei --reu' York YMCA, 124 trast, 28th Street. Largeiy thru the efforts of Ecleal' lrli" Robin- scn the different crganizations v,-err til.ourght together bv tha middle cf Julv 19il!. Aii a co--i- f erence repri:sentatives of thirty ciifferent erist- ing crgantzattafrs, a pernx.anent,organuzet- cn u-as appointed, Ernest Thrompson Seton \\-a-c clfr,-,sen chairm?r, I-,ee F. tr{ammer, secretar}-. Gecr"s- l. Pratt, treasurer. Other members of the comlltit- rRooP rer3 tee were Dr. tr-,uther FI. Golick, Jacob A. R i-s. !+a,l?tI"Hl?:tL';,i;,1;, trdgar M. Rcbinson, Colin I{. Livingston. Danlei Carter Beard, Adjutant Generai William \-eriteci; Henry Reeves was chosen scoutmaster and anC Col. Peter S. Bomus. organtzed a troop which was subject of a feature article in the Ir{eus Y ork Times, which described the troop as the f,rst scout troop in the llnited States. Incidentally this news it€m with the original patrol flag of the Rattle Snake Patrol was used as evidence by the law fi.rm of Ralston, Siddons and Richardson as data to substantiate the claim of of America to the name and not the llearst organization who had organ- tzed the United States Boy Scouts. Various leaders in boy activities had organ- tzed such as "Tribe of " by and "Society of " by . D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher, was William ROBERT GUSTAVE JOHN greatly impressed during a visit to London, when TEMPLETON GRAF BLANCK during a fog he became lcewildered, a boy who As a result of the deliberations of this com- was a member of Baden-Powell Scouts, ap- mittee, a working plan of present organizations proached him, asked "Sir, may I be of service to was developed. Headquarters was at 200 Fifth you? " Mr. Boyce told him where he wanted to Ave., Nerv York City, with James E. \\'est, a go. The boy saluted Mr. Boyce and said, "Sir, Washington attorney, as . come with me," and took him to the address re- National }leadquarters are now located in their quested. Upon aruiving there Mr. Boyce offered own building on the outskirts of Neu- Brunswick, a shitling tip. The boy said, "A scout does not New Jersey. was char- accept tips for courtesies and good turns." tered by Congress July 75, 1916. Mr. Boyce asked the scout to wait until he Paterson scouting was officiaily launched had completed his errand and take him to Sir upon the commission issued to Joseph I{. Brown Baden Powell's offi.ce, where he learned more of the Paterson Boys Department of the YMCA as TIIIX PASSAIC COUNTY HISTOIiICAIJ SOCIETY Page Nineteen scout master of Troop I, which was the out- 13, First German Presbyterian Church, growth of troop started by Harry Reeves. Assist- Henry L. Ramm, scoutmaster; Edward ani scoutmasterof the troop was Edgar H. trtlis. Martin, assistant scoutmaster. At same time two other troops were registered. 14, Hawthorne, John Patton, scout- Troop 2 of St. Paul's P. tr. Church, Rev. David S. master. Hamilton being named scoutmaster. This Troop 15, Totowa Presbyterian Church, Rev. O. was discontinued for a time in 7972 as well as M. Demcott, scoutmaster. 16, Market St. M. E. Church, James Royle, scoutmaster. 77, St. Agnes trpiscopal Church, Little Falls, Robert B. McKay, scoutmaster. 18, Athenia Reformed Church, Jacob Pop- pen, scoutmaster;Harold H. Starbuck, assistant scoutmaster. 19, Totowa Borough School, George C. Magill, scoutmaster; Daniel H. Wood, assistant scoutmaster. 20, Holland Church, JamesVan Der Ploeg, scoutmaster. scouTcAMP AT MtDVALE, N.J.-r9i3 2I, Hugh C. Irish Camp No. 8, Sons of lln- ion Veterans, John W. Robbirs, scout- Troop 1 of the YMCA. Troop 3 of EastsidePres- master; William I\. Garner, assistant byterian Church was registered as of 20 October scoutmaster. 1910, making it the oldest troop in continuous 22, Madison Ave. Presbyterian Church, existence in Paterson and the country. Being Tunis Kivett, scoutmaster;William R. still active, the Troop at St. Paul's was revived Partington, assistant scoutmaster. after a lapse of a year as Troop 1 under George tr. Bray as scoutmaster and Emil Fichtner a-q assistant scoutmaster. Paterson troops organized in 191I-T912besicles those already mentioned were: Troop 4, Paterson Ave. M. E. Church, scout- master, John J. Lord. ' 7 5, First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Clar- ence E. MacCartney, scoutmaster. ' ' 6, Church of Redeemer ( now Church of Messiah), Robert C. Hill, scoutmaster; Henry Sternberg and Rupert Brock, assistant scoutmasters. ' ' 7, Belle Vista M. E. Church, J. M. Veer- SCOUTOIRAMAAT D,ALY'STI'IEATER steg, scoutmaster. Main and SmithStreets, Paterson ' ' B, Wesley M. E. Church, Rev. A. B. Rich- ardson, scoutmaster; John I. Griebel, ' ' 23, Madison Park M. P. Church, John assistant scoutmaster. Woerker, scoutmaster. ' ' 9, United Presbyterian Church, James ' ' 24, Clifton Village, William H. English, Deane, scoutmaster. scoutmaster. r ' 10, Lakeview Presbyterian Church, Frank Many of the clergy whose names are shown D. Pierson, scoutmaster;J. B. Crowe, took active part in scouting programs especially assistant scoutmaster. outdoor events. Dr" Frank Webster Smith who : ' 11, West Paterson Methodist Church, John was head of what is now Paterson State College B1anck, scoutmaster. partook in many a hike and camp. 2 ' 72, Broadway Reformed Church (Church Scout troops in Paterson area had functioned of Covenant), H. Irving Post, scout- as individual troops under the guidance of the master; H. Lane, assistantscoutmaster. National Headquarters in but in Page Twenty TI{m PASSAIC COUNTY I{ISTORICAIT SOCIEIY line with National policy, a local ocouncil to han- in YMCA hall to hear H. E. Shaffer, field secre- dle SCoutrngwas desired. tary of Boy Scouts, talk upon scouting and wit- On 30 October 1911,Rev. A. B. Richards,on, ness a demonstration of several phases of scout- Rev. M. Watts, Joseph I\. Brown, Emil M. Ficht- ing given by local boy scouts. At this gathering ner, Harry Reeves,Robert G. Thompson and An- Paterson, r{. J. Council was organized with the drew T. Derrom met at the Paterson YMCA with following gentlemen: President Judge Francis H. E. Shaffer of Boy Scout NationaL lleadquar- Scott; Vice-Presidents, Garret A. Hobart and ter,s,who advised the group as to the method of William D. Blauvelt, president Second National organuzrnga local council. Joseph N. Brown was Bank, and Secretary Andrerv T. Derrom. chosen temporary chairman. Among those present rvho agreed to serve on the Council were Dr. Andren- F. ]IcBride, Mayor of Paterson; Samuel S. Er,'ans.president Dotphin Jute Mills; Col. Robert A. Yan \\'alraven, Fifth New Jersey Infantry; Rev. Dar-id S. trjrv11ilron, rector of St. Paul's P. E. Church; Rer.. Clarence E. McCartney, First Presbyterian Church; Thomas Wilson, silk manufacturer: Dr. Leo Mannheimer, rabbi Temple Emanuel; Melville C. Van Ness,paper box manufacturer: Rer-.Herb- ert B. Howe, SecondPresbyterian Church. Frank Webster Smith, Ph.D., principal Paterson Nor- mal School; Dr. Frank P. Elsing, ph)'sician; Frank B. warner, woven label manufacturer: Harry Reeves,YMCA. First recorded activity of scouting in pater.- son after organruLngwas trip of one hundrecl boy scouts on February 10, rgr2, representing the troops which had been organized and uniformed. They travelled by Hudson River trollel' to New York's Seventy-first Regiment Armor;'. They made favorable impression and comments as they went through the streets. At the ArmorT a dem- onstration was given to Sir General Baden- Powell, father of scouting movement. All pater- son scouts in uniform gave an exhibition before Sir Baden-Powell in wigwagging, first aid and tent pitching which was enthusiastically ap- plauded. Various troops conducted activities in scout work, besides acting as escort to President Wil- liam Howard Taft when he visited Paters,orl in ANDREW CAPTAIN T. DERRO,M T9T2. 20 January 1972several Paterson men inter- Three hundred scouts in uniform paraded ested in scouting attended a dress rehearsal at 30 May 7912 in honor of G.A.R. veterans, who 71st Regiment Armory, New York City to prepare were then some one hundred strong in uniform for a demonstration to Sir Baden-Powell which and ready for their reunion encampment at was to take place in Febru arJr. At this time Gettysburg. Lorillard Spencer, Jr., commissionerof Scoutsin A camp for one hundred scouts was main- New York City, led in scout demonstration tained for two weeks at Cold Spring Lake, Butler, movement. Daniel Carter Beard gave a talk on July 74 to 27, 1972. This was first camp under what scouts could do out of doors, followed by the Paterson council, and was conducted by Dr. Shields of American Red Cross on first aid. Joseph l\tr. Brown and Andrew T. Derrom. It Thru the efforts of Andrew T. Derrom, o,n25 proved very successfulfrom all angles, being re- Febru ary 1972 about four hundred persons met membered to this day by some of those who TI{E PASSAIC COUNTY I{ISTOR,TCAIJ SOCIEITY Page T'wenty-one attended. Visitors day was featured by a special son after which the Star Spangted,Banner was exhibition of scout activities. People in those sung by all while standing at attention. days went by Susquehanna Railroad and walked 72 February 1913. National to carnp. scout commis- sioner Daniel Carter Beard received scouts and i{umerous hikes were made by various addressed them with an interesting talk. Over troops culminating in a Council wide hike to three thousand persons attended. Iligh Mountain on 72 October I9I2. 5 April 1913 st. Paul's Troop visite,c the Courts of Honor were formed and scouts rally held in East orange Armo ty, they carried took their various tests for merit badges and ad- the banner won as first pruze at the paterson vancement. Churches of all denominations and Armorv. synagogues extended whole-heartedly into the scout movement so there were activities of all types to support the movement besides courses of instruction for scouts. For example, Physi- cians gave a ser,iesof lectures such as circulation and respiration by Dr. C. R. Mitchell; muscles and shock by Dr. George E. Tuers. Joseph I\. Brown, of YMCA, gave two lectures upon how to interest boys and playing of games; Clarence Baker, of YMCA, or hygieh€, first aid to the in- jured, and what to do in water with actual dem- onstration in pool with resuscitation in case ol drowning; and Charles R. Scott, State secretarv of YMCA, on camping. 12 February 1913 the first rally of over five hundred Boy Scouts was held in the Paterson Armory which created great interest with par- ents and friends of the movement. Some of the events are worth describing to show what was done when scouting was young. After marching into the Armory, headed by School No. 9 drum corps, formation was made and a "salute to Colors" given by one of the scouts on bugle. Then Ridgewood Scout Troop formed a human pyra- mid, one of the smaller scouts gave an exem- plification of flag semaphore signalling, in leap- ing to the floor he fell and impersonated an injured person. His comrades stripped off coats and demonstrated first aid and in bandaging. Troop 1, YMCA, dernonstrated the setting up of tents and camp equipment and the science of "CHlEF"LOTEE-'!st H!KE-MIDVA!-E, N. J. making fire without aid of matches. Troop 2, 19 St. Paul's Church, set up two wireless statiors, April 1913, three hundred Boy Scouts sent messages from there. Troop 3, Eastside hiked to Garret Mountain, prepared own suppers, returning Presbyterian Church, built a tower of saplings by moonlight over Rifle Camp Road, with ropes,ro nails used. Troop B, Wesley Meth- the same road George Washington's troops had odist Church, participated and so on. All the 25 been on 133 years previously. troops executed some special feature. At this 77 May 1913. First athletic meet o,f entire time merit badgesthat were won by boys of vari- Council held in olympic Fark when over four ous troops, were presented to them. An "ante- hundred scouts attended. lope" race was run, also wall-scaling over a 10- Events consistedof standing broad jump, for foot wooden wall. S0-poundclass, 50-yard dash, 2\A-yard relay; gb- At closi'ng,the Seout Oath was given in uni- pound class-running broad jump, T5-yard dash, Page Twenty-two TI{E PASSAIC COUNTY IIISTORICAIT SOCIE[[[

TROOPNo. 3 PATERSON,SCOUTMASTER DERRO,M !N Tl{E LEAD 440-yard relay; i 10-pound class-lO0-yard dash, 11 October 1913. Two hundrecl Boy Scouts 440-yard relay; unlimited class over 110 pounds with their leaders hiked to High J{ountain to -220-yard run, B-pound shot put, 2nd 440-yard celebrate their third anniversar\-. had a relay. and ate their supper before returning to their Troop 10, Lakeview Presbyterian Church, homes. won with totaL of 2T points, the prwe a wall tent. william D. Blauvelt, then president Second 30 May 1913, flve hundred boys from 31 National Bank was elected the second President troops participated in V{emorial Day parade be- of Council 26 March 7914. At same time first hind G.A.R. survivors who numbered 100 at that Scout Executive Leon J. Argetsinger was en- time. gaged, he remained with Council until December 2 July 1913. Over one hundred twenty-five 1916. scouts of various troops hiked ( not like present Herbert A. Lotee was engaged as Scout day) to Midvale where all were guests of E. I. Executive 10 March 7917 and remained with Dupont de blemours Powder Co. over the Fourth, Council until he retired in 1939. During his they gave demonstrations, enioyed activities be- administration scouting made great strides, he sides attending church services. Meals were being well liked by all parents as well as boys. prepared and served by those hired by E. I. He became known as "Chief." His friends have Du Pont. had an oil painting of him executed and it no\ r Many an old clipping in the historical scrap hangs in Tns PassArc Couxrv HrsroRrcAt-,SocrEnr book mentions inCividual scout troops with their museum in Lambert Castle, Paterson, N-. J. own activities which were mighty interesting. Flarvey Maden was engaged as Scout Execu- Over the years scouts held rallies at Paterson tive upon retirement of Chief Lotte in lg3g ancl Armory and scoutoramas as at Hinchliffe remained with Council until 7942, leaving to Stadium. enter Il. S. armed service. Leonard F-.'.Gabryel Tr.[E FASSAIC COUNTY F{ISTOfiICAL SOCIE'TY Page T\nrenty-three

..ON TROOPNo. 3, PATERSON,SCOIUTMASTER DERROIM THE DOUBLEQI.,ICK'' was engaged as Scout Executive 1 Nov. 1942 original Paterson Council. Alhtaha Council was and his services have proved of great value to named by Chief ( as he was affectionately known ) the Council over the years and all regretted his Lotee after the Boy Scout Camp the Paterson resignation 6 September 1959 because of his Council held at Awosting, Greenwood Lake. wife's health requiring change of climate. He Several sites were used as camps on Greenwood was granted a leave of absence until 1 l{ovember Lake during the years 1916 to 1940 when they 1959 when Robert M. Fee of Rochester, |trew were moved to Lake Hopatcong, Hopatcong Ycrk was named Scout Executive of the Council. was given up as were previous ones because of Gabryel earned the first Scouters Key ever given road building marring the usefulness of sites. in the Nation. Council now owns a camp at Fairview Lake near After William D. Blauvelt's terrn of Pres- Stillwater, New Jersey, consisting of 100 acres ident, the following have served as President of purchased in June 1950. This is one of the finest Council: camp sites in the country. Fairview Lake is a Charles L. Auger , Jr., silk manufacturer; natural glacial lake of exceptionally pure water, trdgar M. Tilt, attcrney; David McGregor, insur- situated on the Appalachian Trail. Site was ap- ance; Edmund J. Thimme, Public Service execu- proved by l{ational Engineers. Camp Alhtaha tive (who incidentally was first Eagle Scout in over the years has been improved by various Paterson when member Troop 3 ) ; Sylvan Geis- buildings of all types. An administration build- mar, president Manhaftan Shirt Co.; Ralph M. ing; dining hall seating over 400; Order of Fava, jeweler; Joseph J. Glatzel, Public Service Arrow cabin; 10 leantos assembted into two vil- executive lages, Miniski and Seneca; a cement block pump AE[rtsFroCouncil house with portable pipe system from two wells Alhtaha is an Indian word meaning " B e to kitcheos, wash rooms and latrines; a Prepared" which was the of the house; barn to store supplies; a shelter pavilion Prage TVenty-four THE PASSAIC COUNTY I:IISTOR,ICAII SOCIEITY donated by Mr. & Mrs. Edward Ross, used as a the outstanding achievements during the past shel"ter for parents when visiting; two docks on year. New Jersey Dept. of the American Legion lake with four canoes and six row boats; and awarded "GooC Ctttzert" citation to Conrad L. good parking facilities are provided" A nature Bush, of Explorer Post 89, in recognition of at- T'odge,with four sides open, houses the nature taining rank of tragle Scout. groups, used for nature and camp projects. One July 1940, Scout James Quackenbush was of leanto's is in memory of late Stella Dowling awarded a medal for the rescue of a boy from Stackpole. Another was given by Troop 7L of drowning in Passaic River. North Haledon. October 1950. St. Paul's P. E. Church Troop I The Ladies of Alhtaha, a service auxiliary 1 observed its fortieth anniversary as well as I was organrzed in 1955 and through their efforts Eastside Presbyterian Troop 3. Camp Alhtaha has benefited in a generous way. December 9, 1956, at Eastside Presbyterian l An electric dish washing machine was purchased Church Troop 3 participated at a vesper service I : by them; expenseof drilling a deep artesian well at which time Scout \\-illiam G. Chavanne, who i for the camp, and purchase of lumber for Camp had become an Eagle Scout. was awarded the Administration Building were among their ac- American Legion "Goocl Citizen" citation, inci- complishments. The Administration Building dentally Chavanne is no\\- a second year mid- was erected by Naval Reserve Sea-Beesas one shipman at Annapolis Nar-al Academy. At the of their volunteer projects. same time James F. Vanderbeek and J. Stuart Mrs. David McGregor had a 65-foot memorial Voorhis received "God and Countr)-" awards. flag pole erected at Camp Alhtaha in memory November 1956, members of Troop 707 with of her husbaod, David MacGregor, who had been their leader, Scoutmaster Louis Ta1-lor, spent el a President of the Council. day erecting a marker at Pines Lake u'oods in Council also owns an overnite camp of 50 front of a 4O0-year-old double trunked rvhite oak acres at Pancake Hollow in Wayne Township which according to legend the Lenni-Lenape which is used extensively by troops of Council used as a boundary for the Inclian tribe under for week-end training and other activities. Chief Onageponik who ruled in 1615. Order of Arrow is a service organtzatton in July 1957, 94 scouts and 'leaclers attended an Council of older boys who year around promote overnite camp at Goffle Brook Park as a prelim- facilities and improving of camp property. inary "chuck up" to prepare for their trip to the December 1924, Troop 13 made a five-day Fourth l{ational at \-alley Forge, trip to Washington, D. C. and under the guidance Pennsylvania, July 72-78, 1957 at u-hich time of Congressman Gordon Canfield, who was then 25,000 Boy Scouts from all parts of the llnited secretayy to Congressman Seger, visited with States and other countries were eircamped on the President Calvin Coolidg€, Hon. Herbert lloover famous camping ground and participated in an and Chief Justice Taft, besidesvisiting all places inspiring pageant as well as scouting activities. of interest. This same troop was an escort to November 9, 1958, 775 Bo,t Scouts of Wayne Sir Robert Baden-Powell upon his departure for Township Troops participated in a wayne-o-Ree Europe May L926, and three years later an an- athletic events and a camp fire Saturday nite. nual Troop dinner, April 7929, had Dan Beard, Religious services at Catholic and Protestant it{ational Chief Scout as guest speaker. churches were held. Camp \\,'asconducted in an First National Jamboree for scouts was held excellent manner and wound up with a retreat in Washington, D. C. which was attended by a ceremony. Parents and friends were visibly number of Alhtaha scouts. impressed. World's Fair, New York (where a Scout October 16, 1958, about 300 scouts spent a was conducted in July, 1939) was Service Camp three-day week-end on the grounds of famous attended by Paterson Scouts. Dey Mansion in wayne where General George May 1949,40 scouts of Troop 13 with leaders Washington stayed for several months 180 years went by bus to Philadelphia visiting Independ- ago, first in July, then september, october ancl ence Hall and Betsy Ross House where the first November while the Continental Army was en- United States flag was made. camped nearby. Competitive events consisted of B Febru ary 7940. 400 Boy Ccouts attended barrel tilting, flint and steel fire making, tug of the 30th anniversary rally at School I{o. 5- war, Indian fashion wrestling; as always the Troop 72 was awarded a plaque in recognition of camp was set up in military manner, boys pre- TI{E PASISAIC COUNTY HISITORICAIJ SOCIEITY Page Twenty-five pared their own meals, while in the evening had out the self-reliance in a boy and if he lives up camp fire, sang and listened to historicaL talk on to his oath, he will be a dandy boy and a better events that happened in this vicinity while the man. As one who was an Eagle Scout and be- country was fighting for its liberty. came a successfulbusiness man s,tated: "A man Besides summer camps, scouts camp out in is a better man for having been a scout. If you what is called FREEZEREE when they have want to get a kick out of life, stay young, and do demonstrations of ice safety and emergency a lot of good in the world, voLunteer for scout methods. Ieader,ship." December 31, 1958, Mayor Edward O'Byrne A recent scouting event was court of Honor of Paterscn City Hall presented Official Council award to Scout Richard Kern , r3-year-old, of neckercnief to Paul Sarames as the 5,000th boy Mountain View for giving emergency first aid to to join the current membership of Alhtaha Coun- another boy, Thomas Grieg who had cut his fore- cil. Since 1910, 40,000 different boys have been head and was bleeding heavily. He was treated registered in the Council. by Scout Kern, Nevember 14, 1958. A goodly number of Scouts always partic- Scouts William Stachle and Brian Bristol of rpated in patriotic parades. Packanack Lake rescued Stanley Chubek, Jr. and N ineteen scouts and leader, Scout Commis- his father from a motor ice boat which went sloner Ted Romaine, Sr. camped out in tents at through the ice in Greenwood Lake January 11, Fort Nonsense, Morristown 2I February 1950 1959. then at 5:30 A. M. following day passed Wash- The late M. Metz cohen, a past commander '\ ington's Fleadquarters Ford Mansioo, hiked of Alexander Hamilton Post V. F. /'., d.onatedan along the same route Washington took to the award for outstanding scout of the year which Dey Mansion, Wayne, covering 23Vz miles. This has been awarded every year since 1953. \,vas to bring attention to historical places and Scouts make the trip each year to philmont award of merit badge credits. scout Ranch in New Mexico, which is highly trighty Boy Scout leaders attended advanced prized event, spending several weeks in town in r,-vintertraining course the week of 14-15 March rugged Western country, only a few are chosen 1959 at Stillwater. to make this trip. Alhtaha Council territory includes greater Boy Scout week, in Febru dry, all troops part of Passaic County outside of Passaic and participate in scouting activities, besides having Clifton in addition East Paterson. It is divided window display contests in community stores. like ancient Gaul into three districts: F alls Dis- Explorer scouts ( Senior scouts) with senior trtct lower portion of county; I{orth, District, cen- girl scouts have an annual swim meet at pat- ter part of county; and Th"ree Riuers District erson YMCA. northern section of county. Boy Scout Troop BB,pompton Lakes, in Scouting has grown to 5,000 Boy Scouts and May 1959 undertook the clearing away of under- 1,800 adults to assist and supervise scouting in brush and restoring old pompton Furnace used the territory of the Council. in the Revolutionary war to make cannon balls Boy Scouts perform community service in for the army. their various localities, such as distribution of Although scouting has paid personnel who pcsters for Red Cross and various Flealth Associa- supervise and set up general policies, maintain tions; usher at East Sun Rise services, collect records and perform general administration func- toys for Toys for Tots drive of the Marine Corps tions, the largest number of adults are volunteers. Reserve, participate in Paterson Anti-Jay Walk- An area consists of a council chosen from men ing Campaign and New Jersey traffic survey. who are interested in boys, with the I. R. (inter- Alhtaha Counci'l has been awarded twice the national representative) , one from each sponsor- l-,orillard Spencer Trophy plaque representing ing unit, to plan general activities of scouting first place in achievement rating in Metropolitan with a commissioner and his assistant to super- section of l{ew Jersey. vise in carrying out of such plans. Eag1e Scout award is the highest that can Each troop is in charge of a scoutmasterwho be attained by a scout and is eagerly worked for is responsible for all activities within the troop, by scouts. Few attain the honor, which when he generally has one or more assistants. award€d, is given in a special ceremony. A Board of Review consists of a number of Scouting as conducted by the troops brings (Continued on Page Twenty-six) Page Twenty-six THE PASSAIO COUI{TY HTSiTORICAL SOCIEiTY

,,CH I EF" LOTEE

When an alumni group of local Boy Scouts under guidance of Chairman Herman Yucht and Benjamin H. Fischer, presented an oil painting of their beloved "Chief" Scout Lotee, they cer- tainly exemplified the injunction to do a "good turn daily." Of course this Boy Scout group had long before passed bo1'hcod and were successful leaders in business ancl professions spread over the country but still unitecl in their affection for their wonderful Boy Scout ieader of long before, "Chief" Ilerbert A. Lotee.

Chief Lotee was born in 1875 in western l{ew York and was educatecl for the Christian ministty, being ordained at llicldletorvn, I{.. Y. He was pastor of the Congregational Church at West Bloomfield, N. Y. for 13 years. On March 10, 7917, Chief Lotee was engagecl as Scout Ex- ecutive by the Paterson Council of Boy Scouts of America and served in that capacity until his retirement on September 1, 1939. har-ing served over 22 years.

In 7947 he moved with his wife from Pater- son to his qld home at Honeoye Falls, N. Y. where he resided until his death in flarch of 1954. The local scout alumni group rememberecl their "Chief" and brightened his declining days with a television set and a hanclsome purse of money.

,,CHIEF LOTEE"

(Continued from Page Twenty-flve) Benjamin White adults qualifled in subjects to examine such S. Hobart Lockett scouts as appear before them for examination in Leonard F. Gabryel subjects to qualify for merit badge award. Andrew T. Derrom, who organtzed Troop 3, Court of }Ionor is to pass upon the fitness of 20 October 1910is still an active Scouter, having scout to receive the highest award., ?h Eagle served in various capacitiesin Council, being the Scout. first Commissioner ( C431) 17 October 7972 and The following "45-year veterans" status (is- among those who organized the original Council. sued only on a 5-year basis) of Alhtaha Council He was awarded the Silver Beaver, 791G,and is are held by the following: now Institutional Representativeof Troop B. He Andrew T. Derrom who is to receive his 50- is one of the few in the llnited States who has year veteran status in 1960 ( Jubilee year) been active in Scouting since it was started in A. If. Durieux 1910. TFIE PASSAI.C COUNTY HtrS;TOR,ICAL SOCIETY Page Twenty-seven

TI"EEPASSAIC CEUNTY HISTORIE;ALSOCIETY NOTES

LAMBERTCASTLE ENTRANCE. "Home" of the PassaicCounty Park Cornmissionand of the Museum of the PassaicCounty HistoricalSociety. Herethe oil paintingof "Chief"Lotee and a File of Boy Scout Scrapbooksfrom the originsare displayed.

The Society lost a good friend and worker. Mrs. Mollie Chadwick Winchester, died February 1a),/. i960. She was a charter member and a trustee for many years. We mourn our loss.

Visitation. at the Castle Museum continues heavy:-since last published report in 1950:- (Signed Ftegistrations) 1950- 22,244 1953- 23,855 7957-25,928 1951- 24,772 7954- 30,194 1959- 23,969 7952- 22,483 1955- 25,437 1959- 31,416 1956- 26,779 or an averageof nearly 26,000a year. DECADE -2b7,07T Total

Trustee Mrs. Esther Schwartz presented two large oil paintings done by local artists in 1946, Our art collection is growing.

4 new- fi.repr.oofvault to house our nearly 2,000 bound newspaper vol.umes is in the offing. Plans have been laid this year. )x( il"

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