The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-03-05
NEA Service Writer

ERIE. Pa, March 5.-America'S
most famous Boy Scout is Boy
Scout no longer.
Paul Siple, Fries favorite son, who
was chosen to represent the Boy
Scouts of America on Admiral
Byrd's long trip to the Antarctic,
went away a boy-and is coming
back man grown.
He will be 20 when he gets back
to his home here. He is more than
six feet tall and 210 pounds in
weight, thirty-four pounds heavier
than when he went away. He has
fifty-seven Boy Scout merit badges.
Get Messages from Son
Exploring the Antarctic seems to
have agreed with him. His parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Clyde L. Siple, who
have been getting relayed radio
messages from him every so often,
are waiting eagerly for his return,
even though Mrs. Siple is about
ready to admit that the small boy
she remembers SO well is gone for
good.
Even when reports from the Byrd
camp were gloomy, she never wor-
ried. 1T was not in the least afraid
for him." she said. Before he was
chosen I neither prayed that he
would win the honor or that could
keep him at home. I decided God
would direct the decision and it
would be right, no matter what it
was"
Youth Gains Weight
Mrs. Siple is glad to know her son
has gained weight so well; but, gain
or no gain, you can rest assured that
thereIl be a blowout on pumpkin
pie when the youth returns. From
early childhood that has been one
of his favorite dishes; and Mrs.
Siple, who has been a bit lonely dur
ing her sons long absence, likes to
talk about it.
Mrs. Siple is the type Of mother
who believes in being pal to her
children. Her silvery hair is bobbed
and marcelled and she is as actively
interested in Paul'S great adventure
as he.
The messages he sent his father
and mother spoke enthusiastically
Of the congeniaIity of the men, the
prevailing good humor, and enjoy
ment, she said.
Acted as Biologist
admiral Byrd made him a biolo-
gist for the expedition and he has
told us that Paul has taken a mans
place right along and done every
thing Splendidly," she said.
There are two special memories
which Mrs. Siple likes to recall. She
closes her eyes and hears his voice
again.
Come on, mother, let's go look
at the stars"
Then he would explain the con-
stellations while she listened.
ION the way down he took the
part Of sailor" she continued, "and
during his night watches, he plated
a map Of the southern stars, which
he is going to finish on the way
back. I'm so anxious to see It'll"
Sent Mother Gifts
The other memory concerns the
going -to-bed hour.
I'VE always knelt down and said
our prayers together when he was
home at the hour that I retired.
And when he wasn't, I couldn't sleep
until he would come in. Then he'd
come to my room, sit on the edge
OF the bed, ard talk awhile"
And far away, in the frozen
wastes where forty-two men lived
alone for eighteen months, a boy re-
membered, too, for on Jan. 1S, Paul
sent a radiogram to an Erie florist.
ordering dozen roses for his
mothers birthday.
Paul was ready to start his sopho-
more year at Allegheny college.
Meadville, Pa, when he left on the
expedition. When he returns he
Will continue to major in biology.
preparatory to entering the Boy
Scout organization as a fulI-tine
worker. Meantime, while in New
Zealand, he mounted frozen pen
gums for the New York museum.
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