by Ray Ezell, Virginia Headwaters Council Historian
In order to put black Boy Scouting in Knoxville into its fitting context, we must first examine the awkward (and little acknowledged) racial history of the Boy Scout movement since its earliest days. The intent of this essay is not to pass judgement on the by-gone days of Scouting, but to shine a light into this little-known corner of the history organization (nationally and locally) to increase awareness and appreciation of how the movement has developed over the previous 111 years and how it continues to serve America’s youth.
Since almost immediately after the founding of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Scouting was not immune to racial division. Scouting then (and for a number of decades thereafter) reflected the prevailing social attitudes of the communities that it served and flourished in. In 1911, the Chief Scout Executive, James E. West, admitted that the only acceptable way to deal with the presence of black Boy Scouts in the deep south (or otherwise in areas where Jim Crow was the order of the day), would be to handle the admission of black Boy Scouts (and troops) in a similar fashion to how the segregated South implemented its bifurcated educational system–separate and divided. West proposed a completely separate system of Scouting that attended to black scouts, including black leaders, facilities, and administrators (Rowan 2005: 49). West eventually decided that each council would follow the local “custom” in how it dealt with the admission of black scout troops. This said nothing for the numerous black scout troops that did not come under the immediate jurisdiction of local councils during the formative years of the movement (1910-1920s). These units applied directly to the National office in New York for their organizational credentials. It would be several more years before (white) Boy Scout councils in the South began to formally sanction black troops under their jurisdictions and incorporate these units into their organizational structures in some manner.
It has been commonly reported by some historians that of the 108 black troops with black scoutmasters registered in the BSA in 1926, only five were located in the South (this author doubts the veracity of this statement and thinks it’s many more). By the end of 1927, the number of black troops (with black scoutmaster and under a council jurisdiction) in the region had been increased to at least 32 localities in the South. During this period, the BSA actively promoted a separate but equal policy (extending to leader training, Courts of Honor, summer camps, rallies, etc.) reflecting the social condition of the times. The national office left the final decision on exactly how to handle black Scouting to the local councils. This policy was not limited only to the Jim Crow south but extended to some northern states as well.
The prevalent assumption is that black youth were effectively locked out of Scouting, especially in the South, or were not interested in Scouting until the 1930s when most (but not all) councils typically began interracial programs and/or hired full- or part-time executives dedicated to the promotion of Scouting amongst the black community. Careful research has born out that this assumption is incorrect and fails to capture some relevant nuances practiced at the time. Readers of this essay should not misunderstand the fact that black Boy Scouting did exist and flourished in many parts of the greater South and other regions of the country soon after the BSA was incorporated in 1910–in many cases in areas not generally recognized as socially progressive in the decades that followed; however, the overall participation numbers were much lower than among their white counterparts in the BSA.
Large urban centers and smaller cities across the South and Midwest with concentrated populations of blacks would be the first proving grounds for Boy Scouting in these communities. In early 1912, for instance, upon the arrival of Sir Robert Baden-Powell (the founder of Scouting) in New York City he was greeted by a large assembly of the city’s Boy Scouts which contained two troops of black scouts among the thousands of youth that were on had for his review. In Tennessee, according to the July 29, 1913, edition of the Nashville Banner, possibly the first black Boy Scout troop in the state was organized in Nashville by the summer of that year. In Chattanooga, the Chattanooga News reported on September 1, 1916, that a black Boy Scout troop had been established by Rev. C.A. Bell, pastor of the black First Baptist Church in that city. Black Boy Scout troops were organized in many other cities in Tennessee in the years that followed. Fortunately there has been a substantial amount of material collected on this topic for the region south of Knoxville by Ramsey Norris which is contained on his CHATTANOOGA BSA HISTORY website.
While Boy Scouting certainly helped to promote character development and citizenship in the lives of millions of mostly white youth in the decades before World War II, its impact in the black community is much less understood and poorly documented by Scouting historians. This essay, while certainly not comprehensive, attempts to shed more light on how Scouting was implemented in the black community in and around Knoxville with a focus on the establishment and operation of the black Scouting division in the Knoxville Area Council (later renamed the Great Smoky Mountain Council), beginning in the early 1930s. As was common during this era, black Scouting operations in the Knoxville Area Council mirrored that of white Scouting. The black Scouting division operated as a separate and distinct arm of Scouting apart from white Scouting in almost every way. The division had its own organizational committee, leader training program, camping program, summer camp, service projects, fundraising, professional liaison, and etc. This situation continued for a number of years until the black and white Scouting programs were effectively and permanently merged with the dissolution of the black Scouting division in the council many years later.
The earliest reference to black Boy Scouting in Knoxville is found in, A Social Study of the Colored Population of Knoxville, Tennessee (1926) documenting that there were no formally chartered black Boy Scout troops operating in Knoxville at that time. This study, authored by the librarian of the city’s “Free Colored Library”, went on to say that charters for local troops were only granted via local Boy Scout councils and that Knoxville’s local council did not issue charters to black troops at that time. It would take several more years for this practice to change in the city. However, The Knoxville Journal reported on March 5, 1931, that Jacques A. Beauchamp (incorrectly reported in the article as Mr. Blancham) came to Knoxville to conduct training for scoutmasters and spoke at an assembly at Knoxville’s black Austin High School to promote the organization of black Boy Scout troops and professional work for black executives in the BSA. The Aurora newspaper (published at Knoxville College) also reported on March 5th that three black Boy Scout troops (Troop Nos. 60-62) had recently been established in the city. The article described Scouting for the black community in this way, “We do not see how anyone could register any adverse criticism to it. The training it gives to the boys and young men is wholesome and helpful.” The article mused that current Knoxville College students should take BSA training as a way to promote the formation of black troops in the communities that they would later live in after graduation.
According to a 1971 interview with Jacques Beauchamp (available at the Columbia Center for Oral History), he stated that while working for the BSA, his job was to go into councils/localities without black Scouting and provide initial training for troop leaders and for local black boosters to establish black troops. As described above, Knoxville was one of these localities. Beauchamp, over his career, was a successful newspaper distributor, teacher, and Boy Scouting organizer who attended Prairie View A&M University in Texas. Before relocating to Memphis, Beauchamp began the Port Arthur Review, a black weekly newspaper in Texas. In 1919 after his release from the U.S. Army, Beauchamp formed an early black Boy Scout troop in Port Arthur. About 1928, Beauchamp came to Memphis, Tennessee, and spent several years as the Assistant to the Director of the BSA’s National Committee on Interracial Activities. He was the first African-American BSA Scouting professional and was later hired in 1934 by the Chickasaw Council (headquartered in Memphis) as the field executive of the Seminole division of the council and directed all black Scouting activities there. He helped organize black Boy Scout troops across the south for over 35 years until his retirement in 1970.
Beauchamp’s initial visit to Knoxville early in the year was followed up in late 1931 by a visit from another prominent black Scouting professional. Andrew J. Taylor, a 1922 graduate of Knoxville College and Asst. Director of the BSA’s Interracial Activities Committee, returned to the city to provide supplemental support for the handful of newly created black troops and their leaders. He made many more official visits to Knoxville over the ensuing years to shore up the black Scouting program here, as well as visits to support his alma mater.
Within this city, no Knoxvillian was more influential in the realm of black Boy Scouting than Dr. Henry Morgan Green. Originally from Georgia, Green graduated from Knoxville College and went on to earn a medical degree at Northwestern University in 1900. He was a physician/surgeon in Knoxville from 1900-1939, and he was one of the founders of Knoxville Medical College (1900-1910) on the site of the Rogers Memorial Baptist Church. He built his two-story hospital at 123 East Vine Avenue in 1922; and, he served as president of the National Medical Association and was founding president of the National Hospital Association in 1923. In addition to Green’s profound medical career, he served on the Knoxville City Council (5th Ward) from 1908-1912 and advocated for a new school to alleviate overcrowding at Heiskell and Austin high schools. He died in 1939.
The January 29, 1933, issue of The Knoxville Journal provides a few facts from the Knoxville Council Executive John M. Gore’s annual report for 1932. He reported that the number of black troops reached a total of four in 1932, and the total number of black scouts registered that year was fifty. Black troops in 1932 were: Troop No. 60 (at East Vine Ave. Methodist Church), Troop No. 61, Troop No. 62 (at Payne Ave. Baptist Church), and Troop No. 63 (at Tabernacle Baptist Church). Troop No. 60 was led by Scoutmaster Bert Pennington and was awarded the President’s award by the council for 1932. Adrian B. Reid, commander of Knoxville’s black American Legion Post No. 80 and black postal worker, was the deputy council commissioner over the black division of the Knoxville Council and Dr. Henry Morgan Green was the chairman. Green had been the chairman (and one of the founders) of the black division of the council since its establishment in early 1931 and presided over its initial growth and success. Several white Eagle Scouts and scoutmasters were reported to have assisted in the establishment of the council’s black division as well.
In June 1933, Knoxville’s new black Boy Scout troops marched down Gay Street in the parade of the East Tennessee Bellhop’s convention. By the end of 1933, another four black troops had been formed (Troop Nos. 64-67). Troop No. 65 was established at Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Scoutmaster Carl W. Wright. Troop No. 66 was established at the United Presbyterian Church at Knoxville College was led by Scoutmaster Darby D. Ervin and Asst. Scoutmaster Donald Shelton. Troop No. 67 was established at the Zion Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of Scoutmaster Sims. In the fall of that year the troop decided to repair and distribute used toys to needy children as a troop Christmas service project. The refurbished toys were distributed by Troop No. 66 scouts on Christmas morning and several dozen children had a brighter Christmas due to their work.
The December 24, 1933 edition of the The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that Troop No. 65 won the troop efficiency contest for the black Scouting division in November with a total of 490 points. Troop No. 67 won the efficiency contest for December. The cumulative efficiency point total for 1933 was won by Troop No. 65.
The next year, The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported on February 16, 1934, that the city’s black Boy Scout troops provided community service projects in conjunction with National Negro Health Week. Dr. Green reported that black troops cleaned up school playgrounds and yards in the black sections of the city and distributed health literature. On February 25, 1934, a court of honor was held for black scouts at the McMillan Chapel at Knoxville College. McMillian Chapel became a regular venue for black Scouting events and ceremonies in Knoxville for many years. The guest speaker was Andrew J. Taylor, one of the first professional black Scouters employed by the BSA and a Knoxville College alum.
In 1935, Troop No. 60 had been reorganized, and according to the August 4, 1935, edition of The Knoxville Journal, the troop was now sponsored by Shiloh Presbyterian Church (taking over from the East Vine Ave. Methodist Church). The troop was led by Scoutmaster James H. Hardy, a teacher at the New Hope school, and Asst. Scoutmaster J.R. Ross, Jr.
By 1936, Troop No. 62 was led by Scoutmaster Leonard B. Bailey, succeeding Scoutmaster Bert Pennington. The February 13, 1936, edition of The Aurora (the Knoxville College newspaper) reported that the Troop No. 66 began publishing a bi-weekly newspaper. No copies of this scout publication could be found for this essay, and it is not known how long the paper continued to be produced by the troop. Boy Scout anniversary week was culminated amongst the city’s black troops with a combined demonstration of Scouting skills at the gymnasium on the Knoxville College campus on February 13th.
In May of 1936, Troop No. 60’s outdoor meeting at the Butler Street park was disrupted by a gang of white boys, but the disturbance was ultimately thwarted and the troop continued to hold its meeting. However, a notice placed in the May 31, 1936, edition of The Knoxville Journal requested the cooperation of Scouting boosters in order to maintain the existence of the troop. The July 12, 1936, edition of The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that Troop No. 65 had been organized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The troop accompanied Troop Nos. 60, 62, and 63 on a hike to the Holston River some 3 1/2-miles from Knoxville.
The May 2, 1937, edition of The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that a council-wide camporee was planned for white troops. Plans for a camporee including black Troop Nos. 60, 62, 63, 66, and 67 were made as well which would be held at Thompson Park near Austin High School, under the direction of Commissioner Adrian B. Reid. Later that year, the November 14, 1937, edition of The Knoxville Journal reported that troops in the council’s black division held a joint court of honor at Knoxville College where ten scoutmasters and assistants were presented with training certificates by BSA Regional Executive Andrew J. Taylor.
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Movement, the BSA held its national jamboree in Washington, D.C. in the summer of 1937 (delayed 2 years due to a polio outbreak). The June 20, 1937, edition of The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that three unnamed scouts from Knoxville attended the jamboree and were consolidated with nine other black scouts from Chattanooga, including their leader, Black Souting division director James L. Jenkins from Chattanooga. The “Negro” contingent to the jamboree was designated Troop 34, Section K, Region V.
In 1938, J.R. Ross, Jr. was appointed new scoutmaster of Troop No. 60, succeeding Scoutmaster J.H. Hardy. According to the August 7, 1938, edition of The Knoxville News-Sentinel, the council’s black division held its annual summer encampment at a site on the Little River near Wildwood Springs (Blount County) from August 9-15th with a total of 50 scouts and leaders from seven troops (Knoxville (5), Maryville (1), Alcoa (1)) in attendance. “Camp Wildwood” had hosted YMCA boys from Knoxville since at least 1922. According to the annual membership report of the Knoxville Area Council in the January 29, 1939, issue of The Knoxville News-Sentinel, two new black troops were organized during 1938; however one troop (probably Troop No. 61) ceased to operate (unit numbers are unknown), for a total of seven black troops in black division (90 scouts). It was around this time that the Henry Lee Culpeper was appointed scoutmaster of Troop No. 63.
In early 1939, a tragedy struck the black division of the Knoxville Area Council. Dr. Henry M. Green died and left organized black Boy Scouting in the region without its champion and primary organizer. In May of that year, the Knoxville Area Council renamed its black division the Henry Morgan Green division which was charged with the administration of all black Boy Scouting across the council’s footprint which comprised a large swath of East Tennessee. Dean Dr. Hardy Liston of Knoxville College was appointed the division chairman, taking the place of Dr. Green. Other officers of the division were: Rev. Horace J. Bailey (vice-chairman), J.K. Hilyard (district commissioner), T.A. Jenkins, Ellis O. Smith, A.B. Reid, H.W. Fowler, William M. Boyd, Dr. O.B. Taylor, and John Henderson. Commissioner Hilyard was also the principal of Hall High School in Alcoa.
In February 1939, the Henry Morgan Green division included the following seven troops: Troop No. 60 (Shiloh Presbyterian Church, SM J.R. Ross, Jr.); Troop No. 62 (Payne Ave. Baptist Church, SM Leonard Bailey); Troop No. 63 (SM Henry Lee Culpeper); Troop No. 65 (Mt. Zion Baptist Church, SM Carl D. Wright); Troop No. 66 (United Presbyterian Church of Knoxville College, SM D.D. Ervin); Troop No. 68 (St. Paul AME Zion Church of Maryville, SM Walter Valentine); Troop No. 69 (Hall Community Library of Alcoa, SM John Henry Bunkley); and Troop No. 160 (Bethel Baptist Church of Alcoa, SM C.R. Brown). The division held a camporee for its black troops in June 1939 at the Langland Street park in Knoxville; and in August the annual summer camp for black troops was held at near Wildwood Springs in Blount County from August 14-28th. J.K. Hilyard, Division District Commissioner (and principal of Alcoa’s Hall High School), was the camp director, and W.H. Hammond, a Red Cross instructor, was the waterfront director.
By May 1940, the Henry Morgan Green division had grown to include Troop Nos. 60-66 in Knoxville, and Troop Nos.: 68, 69, and 160 in Alcoa and Maryville. Troop No. 66 was led by Scoutmaster Dillard and Carl W. Wright remained scoutmaster of Troop No. 65, while the former scoutmaster of Troop No. 63, Henry Lee Culpeper, became the asst. scoutmaster of Troop No. 65. Troop Nos. 60, 62, 65, and 66 participated in a parade that processed from the black city library to the Cal Johnson Park. This park was established in 1921 was named for an ex-slave and prominent black philanthropist (and reportedly the first black millionaire in Knoxville) which included a number of amenities for children. It served as a frequent focal point for Scouting activities amongst Knoxville’s black community during the ensuing years.
The May 20, 1940, edition of The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that black Boy Scouts conducted a flag ceremony for the Citizenship Recognition ceremony held at Knoxville College, which recognized young black Knoxvillians who were newly eligible to vote (then 21 yrs of age). Leonard Bailey, longtime scoutmaster of Troop No. 62 was one of the presenters and conferred a badge of citizenship on Charles Dillard. In June, the H.M. Green division camporee was held June 8-9th on the grounds of Hall High School in Alcoa. Later that summer, the council camping committee certified the segregated, black summer camp on the Little River at Wildwood Springs. The camp was held from August 18-25th.
On November 20, 1941, tragedy struck Troop No. 60. The Senior Patrol Leader of the troop, Calvin Hemphill, was killed by a car while walking at the corner of Preston Street and Shady Ave in Knoxville. Boy Scouts from several troops attended his funeral and scout J.M. Jackson of Troop No. 62 sounded taps at the graveside service in his honor. In late 1941, black Scouting received a big boost in Knoxville. The December 3, 1941, edition of The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that The Opportunity Club was formed by black civic leaders with the expressed intent of promoting Boy Scouting in the black community. Rev. Thomas Jenkins was the president of the group, and the club embarked upon a plan to provide an expert to train adult volunteer leaders who would then work to establish black Boy Scout troops. The Bethel A.M.E. church began new sponsorship of Troop No. 61 (its charter had apparently lapsed and the unit ceased to operate previously). The December 19, 1941, issue of The Knoxville Journal reported that the re-established troop was comprised of: Henry Hill, George Brown, Phillip Davenport, Prince Williams, James Mallory, Samson Mallory, Andrew J. Lewis, Owen Smith, John Maple, Melvin Johnson, Grover Lee Gaines, and Scoutmaster Howard Williamson. Rev. A.J. Simmons was the pastor of the church.
The August 9, 1942, edition of The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that the annual H.M. Green division summer camp was held at Camp Taylor (sometimes previously referred to as Camp Wildwood) from July 27-August 3rd. A total of 42 black scouts from Knox and Blount counties attended. The camp director was Andrew J. Taylor, a well known black national Scouting professional. At this summer camp, several scouts were awarded their Second Class rank including: Clearance Donaldson, Herman Martin, James Anthony, William Anthony, Garfield Crawford, James Gilchrist, Lonnie Kirk, Fred McHan, James Person, Fred Rahaming, and Archie Watson, Jr. Also notable was that Dr. D.K. Cherry had taken over for Dean Liston and was appointed the new chairman of the division.
On February 9, 1943, the Knoxville Area Council hired its first full-time field executive to exclusively work with and promote black Scouting. Jefferson P. Owens, from Texas, oversaw black Scouting in the Henry Morgan Green division for a number of years in Knoxville. That spring, Troop No. 65 was reorganized and Edward C. Freeman was appointed its scoutmaster; while Jones Giovanni was appointed asst. scoutmaster of the troop. Troop No. 63 was also reorganized and began to be chartered by the New Hope Baptist Church with I.J. Stafford as scoutmaster and John Carl Woodard as asst. scoutmaster.
The June 13, 1943, issue of The Knoxville Journal reported that the seven troops of the H.M. Green division held a camporee on June 12th at Langley and Vernon Streets in Knoxville, near Austin High School. Rev. A.J. Simmons directed the camporee. He was assisted by: Monroe Senter, O.T. Hogue (layout director), Dr. O.B. Taylor (director of Health and Safety), and Rev. R.E. Anderson (director of special activities). Patrols that achieved an “A” rating were Black Bear Patrol, Troop No. 63; Eagle Patrol, Troop No. 66; and Black Arrow Patrol, Troop No. 69. Patrols qualifying for a Grade “B” rating were the Wolf Patrol, Troop No. 60; and Wildcat and Wolf Patrols, Troop No. 65. Later that summer, the H.M. Green division scouts returned to their annual summer camp at Camp Taylor. The August 22, 1943, issue of The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that the camp was held from August 23-30, and the camp was staffed by District Commissioner Rev. A.J. Simmons (camp director), Prof. C.T. Hogue (asst. director), Gordon Dean (waterfront director), and Jefferson P. Owens (council field executive). The September 5, 1943 and November 16, 1943, editions of The Knoxville Journal reported that courts of honor for the H.M. Green division presented Second Class ranks to Pete Roller, Josephus Thompson, and Howard Woods (Troop No. 66); Walter Montgomery (Troop No. 65); James Blocker (Troop No. 62); and Elmer Pickle (Troop No. 63). Star ranks were presented to Robert L. Freeman (Troop No. 62) and Archie Watson (Troop No. 69). Second Class ranks were presented to scouts, Black, Woodward, Stafford, and Williams (Troop No. 63). Pete Roller (Troop No. 66) received his First Class rank as well. Prof. N.D. Senter was the new Advancement committee chairman. The October 10, 1943, issue of The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported that new Cub Scout Pack No. 3160 was organized at the Austin Homes. E.L. Ford was the committee chair who also served as the Tenants League president at Austin Homes. Scoutmaster O.T. Hoague of Troop No. 60 and Edward Freeman of Troop No. 65. The College Homes Cub Scout Pack 3161 was also established in October. The cubmaster was Ben Williams. In November, a Scoutmaster Training course was held under the direction of Training Chairman Otis W. Sims for black troop leaders on the campus of the Tennessee School for the Deaf. The year ended with a new troop established at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
On April 29, 1944, the “Negro Scout Field Day” was held at Austin High School with about 44 scouts from 11 patrols in attendance. The Flaming Arrow patrol from Troop No. 69 (Alcoa) and Fox patrol from Troop No. 62 were the highest rated patrols at the event. The Panther patrol of Troop No. 61 and the Flying Eagle patrol of Troop No. 69 were the second highest rated patrols. Prof. T.R. Davis, principal of Austin High School was head judge, and he was assisted by Prof. O.T. Hogue (principal of Green School), W.H. Holt, James A. Bond, W.L. Bradford, and Emmett West. Jefferson P. Owens provided supervision of the event in his capacity as the division’s professional executive.
The July 30, 1944, edition of The Knoxville Journal reported that the annual segregated summer camp at Camp Taylor was held August 14-28th. This marked the first time that the H.M. Green division summer camp was conducted for a period of two weeks. A total of 54 scouts attended the summer camp. Prof. Hogue and District Commissioner Rev. A.J. Simmons directed the camp with the assistance of Executive Jefferson P. Owens. A number of rank advancements were completed including: Second Class ranks by Dexter Mayfield (Troop No. 62), Nelson Stephens and Emory Carter (Troop No. 64), Henry Price and George Isaac Long (Troop No. 65), James Terrell and Eugene Banks (Troop No. 66); First Class ranks by Leon Woods, William Fortson, Willis Bowden, Clearance Donaldson, and Charles Lattimer (Troop No. 60), and Robert Lee Freeman (Troop No. 62).
1944 was also a time of growth and expansion for the division. Four new troops were organized during the first six months of the year with a total membership of 75 scouts in Jefferson, McMinn, Knox, and Anderson counties. Additionally, one black cub scout pack and a neighborhood cub scout den were also organized that year. By this time, R.E. Gambrel had been appointed scoutmaster Troop No. 64, and O.T. Hogue was appointed new Scoutmaster Troop No. 60.
At the 1945 edition of Camp Taylor, a total of 11 black scouts received Second Class ranks: Alonzo Hodge, Jr., William Mapp, Clifford Billingsley, Henry Lee Woods, Henry D. Isom, John A. Kylex, Solomon Seay, Thomas Nolling, William Robert Hoosier, and Early Barnett. Theondrad Jackson and Joseph Brooks received First Class ranks. Executive Jefferson P. Owens served as the camp director, assisted by William H. MacFarland and Walter Valentine.
In May 1946, Field Executive Jefferson P. Owens held a Scoutmaster Training course at Cal F. Johnson park in Knoxville and helped to organize a black troop in Etowah. Approximately 50 Boy Scout and Cub Scout leaders attended the training. In early June, the annual camporee for black troops was held at the Cal Johnson Park. Fifteen patrols of scouts participated. This summer also marked the establishment of the annual summer camp at a new location for the H.M. Green division. This new camp, referred to as Camp Swahali, contained 71-acres and was located on TVA property on Norris Lake near Andersonville, within three miles of Camp Pellissippi, the summer camp for the council’s white scouts. The camp was held July 22-August 5th. Prior to July 22nd, a camp leaders training course was held from July 15-20th. Senior Patrol Leaders, as well as Life and Eagle scouts were accepted into the training alongside adults. Harry H. Haysbert of the BSA’s Health and Safety Service conducted the training for the staff.
The preceding essay attempts to weave together a number of sources to compile and present a somewhat comprehensive and detailed history of Boy Scouting in the Knoxville Area Council from the early 1930s thru the mid 1940s. This essay is designed to catalogue events that add to the rich history of Scouting in East Tennessee. I hope that it has met its purpose.
History of Scouting in East Tennessee 