Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-02-12
SCOUT MOVE
EXPLAINED
j. L Abney Recapitulates
Inception and Growth
OF Movement

"very few persons besides the
Boy Scouts themselves know any
thing about the founding Of the
movement" says J.. l.. Abney, local
attorney and district commissioner
for the scouts.
In a very few years this has
become the biggest boys club in the
world. AS this Is Anniversary
Week, a few words relative TO the
history Of the movement would De
appropriate" the scout commission
er continued.
Dan Beard, long before the Boy
Scouts came into existence. found
ed what he called the Sons OF
Daniel Boone" Abney exlained. he
did this because he said that boys
were ignorant OF the barest funda-
mental OF self-protection in woods
or outdoors. Shortly after this.
Ernest Thompson Seton, writer OF
nature stories, worked along the
similar lines and formed another
club.
Flat Chested
In England, Sir Robert s. 9. Ba-
G n-Powell, OF the British army.
realized the need of some organ
ization TO train the young boys OF
the nation. Stationed in Africa,
the English nobleman was shocked
by the flat-cheSted, helpless sort OF
men that came to the British OUT
posts in the army.
Returning 10 London, Sir Robert
studied the situation. Combining
the ideas OF Dan Beard and Seton,
and aiding a few Of his own, he or
ranized a movement he called
Scouting. This was in 1908.
The scout idea became popular
Immediately. and spread rapidly.
Its coming to America was almost
accidental. An American tourist IN
London, lost in a heavy fog, was
accosted by a young boy in a brown
uniform. The boy offered his as
sistance and guided the American
70 his destination. Upon arriving,
the scout refused the tip. Natural
ly the American was astounded,
and asked the boy why he refused.
TN a Boy Scout. sir, and glad
to help you"
The stranger was interested. and
asked the youth to explain the
movement 10 him. The boy took
him to the local headquarters. and
the scoutmaster gave him pamph-
lets and literature on the subject.
Spread Pamphlets
Returning 10 the United States,
the American tourist circulated
the pamphlets. and an experimental
troop was organized. Within an
amazingly brief period OF time a
large number Of troops were FORM
ed.
AS a result. the Boy Scouts Of
America became incorporated Feb.
8, 1910.
From this beginning, the scout
movement has become the biggest
boys club in the world. A few
figures should suffice: Time spent
by scouts in summer camp for one
year would total 1900 years. The
distance they travel to and from
camp would equal 400 times around
the world. The distance covered IN
camp would take 200 years to ira
verse at the average pace OF 4 miles
per nous. The distance covered by
swimming Is the equal OF 200 times
across the Atlantic.
Scouts Enthusiastic
BOY Scouts In the Valley are en-
thusiastic." said Mr.. Abney In con-
clusion, land our summer camp Is
one of the most elaborate and COM
plete in the country. We train
hundreds OF Valley boys every year,
and more are joining every month"
Two new troops are in the pro-
cess 70 organization nov the COM
missioner disclosed. One troop IS
being formed at Los Fresnos, and
another At Point Isabel.