The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-06-30
Liberal Boy Scouts In The West
By Eli Walker

yeiiS ana occasionally marching thru
town while the cars stopped for oil
water and gas. At Dalhart while the
main body of scouts were putting
parade, the baggage car headed
west aiming to reach camp at Clay
ton' N. M., and be ready when the
rest OF the party arrived Soon after
passing the Texas line into New
Mexico, one of the boys riding in
front seat suddenly yelled. "Look
at the mountains, look at the mum
tains.' Far ahead could be seen two
dark looking peaks not much larger
than many hills We had passed dur
ing the day. "Those aren't noun
tains, are they, Scout Master?" up-
on being assured that they were.
ne was still doubtful "How far are
theyT."Oh, about 40 milesH "Nope"
ne replied, Cant be, really is it?"
In fact, they were the Rabbit Ear
mountains some 10 miles northwest
OF Clayton, which was then about 35
miles away.
The Commercial Club of Clayton
very graciously met us, made us
welcome to the City of Clayton and
to the state, gave us a splendid
Weinie Roast opened their swimming
pool, and in fact, gave us a royal
welcome.
Our camp here was typical of al
most every camp. Twenty-Five tents
in two rows facing each other with
a narrow street between. The guards
to on duty in shifts of two hours
throughout the night. They were
supposed to patrol beat one on
each side of the camp, but before
long they dere discovered walking
side by side busily talking to keep
their spirits up or to keep awake.
The following day we were off
bright and early. This day has no
monotony. Mountains could be seen
all day long. Much surprise was ex-
| pressed because of the seeming
nearness of mountains, sometimes
+, almost 100 miles away as were the
.snowcapped range which could be
plainly seen At one time we would
be driving right toward mountain
for some time without getting any
nearer, apparently. Then a turn in
the road taking us in another drec-
ton, seemed to leave the mountain
far behind, when suddenly making
aother turn, there was the same old
mountain right in front of US.
Throughout the day it was an ever
changing view, extinct volcanoes,
with great lava beds were passed,
beautiful valleys under the irriga-
ton bitches, were rich in growing
crops, in the distance beyond the
foothills could be seen the long dark
range of the great Rockies, which
were between us and Taos, our goal.
The little town of Des Moines made
us glad by stopping us to take
drink off,. Lemonade. At Ration we
were again kindly received. Mem
bers Of the Chamber Of Commerce
taking us in hand and taking us to
restaurant for a splendid feed.
We wanted to take time to visit these
splendid fellows. but they informed
us that the roads ahead of us were
uncertain. We decided to hurry on,
hoping to make Eagle Nest Dam
that evening. We were disappointed
in this. We ran into 13 miles Of
newly graded roads which had been
recently rained on and were very
heavy. A Ford stuck in the mud Was
approached. The driver when ques-
toned said 1t was Blankety
Blank shame that even the man who
made the road couldn't get thru it.
In fact, he was the engineer con-
structing the road. Upon his advise
we turned back, or rather, backed
back. The drivers backed their cars
nearly qAerter of mile and up a
grade at that. They couldn't tell
which was forward or back tho by
the time they got to the top of the
hill. We camped that night in Max
well.
The third day saw us well above
Cimarran and beyond Ute Park.
During brief stop above Cimarron
we nearly lost three of our bops
who were anxious to climb noun
tain. We had stopped short time
for a lunch. While this was in pre-
paration the boys scattered some to |
wade in the mountain stream; 9th
ers to climb among the rocks above /
Us. Mess was called, all were fed and
loaded up to resume the journey.
But when the roll was called, three