Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-10-10
tBy Master Perry Nathan pickott)

~ was my pOOu fortune To he one OF
the boys in the first Boys Industrial
Camp at the Oregon State Fair, Septem-
ber 2Sth to October Sd, 1914. | entered
camp at ten O'Clock Monday morning
and found about ten boys already
there We occupied the first five tents
in the east row Of the military rnnlp
Just west Of the new pavilion Each OF
MS had TO take our own blankets and
eating tools. We made our beds on
straw aud were shown how to roll up
the blankets Of morning commencing
at the foot. This gave ny roll TO st
on, There were eight boys in our tent
and we slept very comfortably. Some
times we had so much run that il was
hard to get to sleep aud still harder
to waken mp when that six o'clock
bugle blew first call for mess.
After breakfast we had n few min.
utes rest then drilled for nm hour or
so. Then we studied soil plants and
dairy for two hours, after which we
had recreation till uoon mess. In the
afternoon we had study Of exhibits for
two hours followed by two hours recrca
ton Drill call at five o'clock and
mess call at six o clock and an outer.
tainmont at the Educational building
at Z o o'clock each evening. TAPS were
sounded at 10 p, N. when all the boys
were supposed to be in bed aud lights
ont.
My first break was to ask the cook
for leave Of absence. lie asked IL he
looked like the general, ! told him no
but ! was used to getting the cook y
permission when ! wanted to do any
thing. ], however, soon learned to ask
Lieutenant Acre for orders.
On Tuesday morning our camp mum.
bercd ~ boys but was soon broken by
Linn Dingman Of Ontario, MInlhcur
county, being called home with the sad
news that his brother had been killed
by electricity. We took up a collection
and sent Il floral offering with our
sympathy. We were sorry to lose
him as he was fine chap
About 10 o'clock we assembled In the
big auditorium and were talked to by
Mr. Harrington who gave us as slogan
the word Qoador), Mr. Mnns and Mr..
Scnncro also gave intcresting talks.
Wednesday wOs Salem day aud quite
a crowd came over TO watch M drill In
front Of our tents. Mr.. Maris took
pictures Of the bunch. Our State
superintendent Mr. Churchill payc MS
n fine talk aud II we only remember u
little Of the good things said to us
our stay In camp will be- worth while.
The public dil not seem to know who
we were or why we we're there, for we
heard a number say thcro goes the
reform school BOYS, ot the Indian
school boys hnd some even said we were
the scouts with some nature faker
Thursday morning Secretary Meredith
talked tu us aud gave cnch boy u
beautiful State Fair pcununt Thurs.
day afternoon Mcwrs. Mnria Cmuhill
and Lieutenant Acre kindly took Nh to
the state house nnd showed us through.
Governor West talked TO us there. his
principal thought that J got was
stitching TO II no mntter what you
shui 80
II began to rain Thursday evening
and was wet aud sloppy on The grounds
but Sergeant Walter kocnig, stayed Ia
camp ana kcpl the fires going so our
beds were ns warm and dfy M " we
were IN our own home, Friday morn.
ing Mr. Nenmore gave ua our achieve.
mwt button and Mr. Maris gave each
boy q picture Of our group. am very
proud Of this, not only because of the
group of boys but becnse In this pie.
ture is Lieutenant Acre aud our good
friend Mr. Griffin whom we bows so
much admire Saturday morning the
weather cleared aud We could pei out
more. We boys fearied on water.
melon aud had good time In general.
The boys at the camp owe n vote of
thanks TO our good nniufpd coolt for
bis splendid grub. !, for one, paycd
him the compliments Of eating Nil
could hold. Only one boy got sick
enough 10 bc sent home. Another boy
had sore throat but stayed with II.
Some of the boys left camp Saturday
evening bot ! stayed until the stakes
were pulled sunday morning, and en-
ioyed every minute Of the time aud
shall always be glad ! was one Of the
boys Of the first industrial camp Of
Oregon State Fair,
@---ss---sassasaa asaaaasaaaa
The household helpers your
tvife needs can be found quick.