Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-12-19
School Boy Farmers

Among the great number Of Marion
county "schOOl boy farmers perhaps
none is more proud or has reason to be
prouder than Perry Nathan Pickett,
the little son of Mr.. aud Mrs G.. II.
Pickett of this city. who not only won
premiums in all classes in which his
farm garden products were exhibited
at the state fair last year, and $3.50
in cash prizes, but he also won the
distinction of being awarded the first
prize of So In cash for the best article
written and published in local news
paper descriptive Of camp life in con.
nection with the boys industrial school
camp which was held at the fair last
fall, and Of his impressions of the fair
in general Floyd Thornton, little
Union county lad, whose home is near
Elgin, won second prize in the article
writing contest, the announcement of
these awards having just been made by
Field Workers N. G. Maris and L. r.
Harrington, in the department Of State
School Superintendent Churchill Aside
from having won premiums, prizes and
other hOnors in connection with his
agricultural products exhibits Master
Pickett is now engaged in selling his
crop Of popcorn, upon which he took
first prize and won the years sub.
3cription to the Capital Journal con.
sisting Of 250 pounds at four pounds
for 20 cents. The two prize articles,
as written by the winners and pub.
lished in local papers, are published
herewith In full:
Perry Plckett's Prize Story.
1t was my good fo-tune to be one Of
the boys in the first boys industrial
camp at the Oregon state fair, Septem.
Der IS to October ., 1914. | entered
camn at 10 o'clock Monday morning
aud found about 10 boys already there,
We occupied the first five tents In
the aast row Of the military camp just
west of the new pavilion. Each Of MS
had TO take our own blankets and eat.
ing tools. We made our beds on straw
and were shown how TO roll up the
blankets Of morning commencing at
the foot, This gave us a roll to sit
on. There were eight boys in our tent
and we slept very comfortably. Some
times we had so much fun that It was
hard to get to sloep aud still harder
10 wahen up when that o clock but
gle blew first call for mess.
After breakfast we had few min
utes rest, then drilled for an holr OF
80, Then we studied soil plants and
dairy for two hours, after which We
had recreation till noon mess, IN the
afternoon we had study Of exhibits foi
two hours, followed by two hours rec
rtalion, Drill call at 5 clock ant
mess call at o'clock aud an enter
tuinment at the educational building
at o'clock eacn evening Taps, wer,
sounded at 10 ~ M, when all the boy
were supposed to be In bed and light
out
My first break was to ask the cool
for leave Of absence lie asked " h,
looked like the general told hin
NO, bnt was used TO getting the cook
permission when ! wanted 10 do any
thing. !, however soon learned to asl
Lieutenant Aker for orders.
On Tuesday morning our camp mum
bored 80 boys, hut was soon hrokel
by Linn bingham Of Ontario Malheu
county, being called home with the sa.
news that his brother had been ldllel
by electricity. We took up eolec
tion and sent floral offering with on
sympathy We were sorry to lose hin
as he was fine chap.
About 10 clock we assembled q
the uig auditorium and were talked 4
by Mr. Harrington, who gave us d sic
gan, the word "lcader. MI Mari
a.. al LA a..