The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-09-07
ARDMORE BOY SCOUTS
RETURN FROM HIKE IN
RUGGED ARBUCKLES

scoutmaster, accompanied Scouts Louis
Lee Webb, Philip Cornell, James Dol
man, Ray Howard, julius Johnston,
Fred Williford, Preston Dawson, Jack
and Ossian Cameron, when they hied
themselves to the fastness of the Ar
buckle mountains last week. to taste
of the wilds Of camp life on Fan Creek.
Camp was made about three-quarters
of mile below Turner Falls. near what
the boys call The Blue Hole" swim
ming hole some II feet deep. in the
deepest place, with water so clear that
a dime may be seen at the bottom.
The first night in camp proved a
thriller with bedtime at 10 O'Clock. by
1880 all We're sleeping more or less
quietly in their hammocks or on hunks,
near the camp fire.
Mr. Davidson had chosen as sleep
ing place a ravine, over which his bed
was suspended.
Along about the time of night when
wild animals begin prowling, several
pairs of sharp ears caught the sound
OF padded feet vending their way down
the rayne. The creature passed on
and not a great deal was thought Of
il, but when the sound was repeated in
a few minutes, Mr.. Davidson arose to
investigate. Hearing nothing and see.
ing less he stopped "a few minutes at
the bunk Of Lee Webb and Julius John
ston TO assure them that it was probably
nothing more than Il prowling coon or
possum then stepped over to the tent
occupied 10y Mcssrs Echols and Reid
to talk it over
A few minutes later tin can in the
ravine rolled, and-Lee and Julius flew.
Both declared they ran to keep the 9th.
er company; DE that as it may. the
sturdy impregnablc walls of the pup
tent" appealed to them SO that they
spent the remainder of the night there.
in, with Mr.. Echols. Davidson and Reid
occupied the outpost" position on the
bunk, and although the "crittcr" was
heard along the ravine a number of
times, no bob cats nor panthers actu-
ally entered the camp
In the morning the ravine looked in.
necent enough, and a great deal of
sport was had, guying each other about
being "scairt.'
Fred Wlliford had the advantage in
this, for he had slept through it all, in
hammock overhanging the ravine
very near the trail which the animal
followed
Wednesday was spent in games and
sports and a hike to Turner Falls
\N1UnDubnn1 la, .
Timber Hin, where a new cave was
found
Swimming time, of course, came fire.
quently, and the boys had opportunity
to further develop their abilities as ex-
pert swimmers.
An amusing game in the Blue Hole
was for three or four to dive and.
five or six feet under water, meet.
shake hands and play ring around the
rosie" several feet under water.
In that clear water. when you're at
the bottom, watching the approach of
a swimming boy, he looks like a big
fish, with his eyes wide open and his
hair standing out from his head and
waving about like some kind of feel
ers."
"Wednesday afternoon scouts found
coon tracks on the hillside, and. farther
up. number of big mountain rats.
which solved the wild animal prob
lem. During the night the rats appear.
ed again, and this time came clear into
camp, where all could get a good look
at them. Brer Coon failed to show up, |
having probably gone over the noun
tains to visit Brer Fox.
Thursday was spent much the same
as Wednesday, with night hike up the
mountain to investigate a pile of rock |
erected by Purcell Boy Scouts. and to
take a look at the lights Of Davis and
Sulphur. Plenty OF "eats" had been |
carried out, and buttermilk, butter. eggs I
and watermelons We're secured near
camp. so all We're we'll fed, proof of this .
being the fact that they were compelled /
to leave three big fine melons in camp. .
OF course other campers were told
where to find them, so the melons were
not wasted
The real scare Of the trip came Thurs. .
day night, when Mr.. Davidson. who was
sleeping with the two Cameron boys. .
Jack and Ossian Whose nickname is .
Buddy awolie to find that Buddy .
, was gone. Jack had said that some
times Buddy walked in his sleep, and
here was real proof Of it. A few heart. |
breaking minutes We're experienced, till
. Buddy was found sleeping beside the .
fire.
Mr.. Echols and Ray Howard Iet
camp for Ardmore Thursday, and the
balance started in Friday morning, ex
, pecting to catch the train at Rayford
switch. The switch was reached with
{ time to spare. for the train was late, /
and-when the train did come, the en-
gineer failed to get the idea and pulled
his train on through at a jO.mile clip. .
That left US nothing to do but shoulder .
packs and hike to DOughtry, four long. /
hot miles down the track. in order to
: catch the next train, which doesn't stop
. az Rayford. Daugherty was reached
and the boys realized that they had
each saved II cents in train fare. which
was Immediately spent for cold drinks at
s cents per bottle.
This is probably the last three or four.
day hike the Scouts will be able to
make until next spring, although the
executive hopes to DE able to arrange for
a number Of overnight hikes during the
school season, at times that will not
interfere with the school work.
BY next summer Il permanent sum.