The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1946-02-14

DAY night, and the idea soon began
to take hold among the youths
of Wilmington. The Colonel, who
lived at 32l N. Third street at the
time of the founding, once explain
ed the Brigade as:
The object for which this COM
pany is formed shall be the ad-
vancement Of Christs Kingdom
among boys, and the promotion OF
haolts OF obedience. reverence, dis
clpline. self-respect, and all that
tends towards a Christian man
liness."
Others Present
Also present at the first meeting.
were James Orrell, Robert Pres.
son, Thad Lyle, Thomas Ramsey
and Walter Blackman, all now
deceased.
Col. Taylor stressed that the
Brigade was to be non-sectarian.
and that no youth would be barred
due to inability to pay member
ships. Those who could paid a
small monthly due.
The organization continued meet
ings in the church basement until
June %, 1905, when the present
Brigade Boys building was dedi-
Gated in its present location, 202
Church street.
As Memorial
The building was erected by
Mrs. Henry M. Flagler as me-
mortal to her father, Capt. William
Rand Kenan, who had served as a
friend and counselor to Colonel
Taylor and the Brigade.
R. B. Glenn, then governor OF
North Carolina, delivered the dedi-
catory address. Others on the
program that night included A. M.
Waddell, Mayor of Wilmington, A.
M. Scales, Greensboro, and Col.
John F. Bruton, Wilson. The Rev.
J. S. Crowley offered benediction.
Grows To 81 Members
On the night of the dedication
"a" company had grown to 81
members.
A second company, known as
"B" was formed by Col. Taylor
shortly after the Brigade moved
into it's new home installation serv-
ices were held May 25, 1906 in the
club house, under the auspices of
the Senior Brigade, who were to
act as counselors TO rthe newly
formed junior group.
The Boys Brigade continued to
operate under the leadership OF
Col. Taylor until 1916 when ac-
tivities of the organization were
curtailed for the duration OF World
War I.
Served In Three Wars
Members of the organization
served in three wars, the Spanish
American and both world wars.
Dudley was the first man OF the
Brigade to enlist for service in
the 1895 conflict. According to the
records, about 80 per cent of the
entire membership served in some
branch of the armed forces.
Three members, Capt. Joseph J.
Loughlin, 1t. Gregory Davis and
Sgt. Benjamin King, were killed
in action in World War 1. At the
time of his death Loughlin was the
oldest member in length of ser
vice, holding active membership
in the Brigade.
Fraternity Formed
In 1925 the Senior Fraternity,
composed of men who had joined
the Brigade since It's re-establish-
ment in 1919, was formed as
working and counseling group 10
younger boys who were augment
ing the membership of the club
each year. At the present time
Thurston C. Davis is president of
the Senior group.
1t is to this quasi-official or
ganization of the Brigade Boys
club that the moral obligation"
of the Old Brigade will be trans
ferred tonight.
Meet yearly
Living members Of the COM
panies drilled by Col. Taylor have
continued to hold yearly meetings
on the occasion Of the anniversary
of the founding of the Brigade.
They have kept alive tradition
through these meetings and have
acted as counseling group for
the men who are today responsible
for the management of the CLUB.
Officers of the Old Brigade are
r. H. Orrell, president; j. c.
Rourk, vice-president, and R. M.
Herman. secretary and treasurer.
Join MICA
In 1886 the club became af-
filiated with the National Boys
Clubs of America which necessi-
tated the changing of the name
from Boys Brigade to Brigade
Boys club to comply with regula-
tons of the national organization
which demands the words boys
club be used in sequence.
The change came a year before
the death of Col. Taylor who died
IN 1887 at the age of 70. He had
taken an active part in the or
ganlzatlon even after it's re-estao-
lishment in 1919.
Long Remembered
But Col. Taylor will not be easily
/ orgotten by the youngsters of to-
aay who are members of the Bri-
aoe Boys club. AS they engage