LAFOLLETTE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – This is the next article in a series on Scouting in LaFollette. This latest feature covers the names of scouts and leaders in 1921.

Article & Photos:  The men and boys that founded LaFollette Scouting

Date:  April 9, 2021.

Contact:  Chris Thacker, Scoutmaster of LaFollette Boy Scout Troop 310,  aitgChris@gmail.com  Cell: (423) 494-6221

LaFollette’s 1921 Boy Scouts & Leaders: Do You Know Any of These Names?

This article on Scouting in LaFollette is part of a series on the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts’ LaFollette Council.  The last article covered the official founding of Scouting in LaFollette.

In 1921, a number of LaFollette men and boys staked their place in the city’s history as they joined the Scouting movement.  LaFollette’s first two Boy Scout troops were organized on Sept. 27, 1921, and the LaFollette Council was officially established by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).  These LaFollette Scout “pioneers” are named in the Oct. 3, 1921 Knoxville Sentinel. (See adjacent photo).  See how many names below you recognize.  Be sure to comment on Facebook on the “LaFollette Scouts 100” page.   

LaFollette’s First Scouts: The men and boys who formed the Scouts’ LaFollette Council were listed in the Oct. 3, 1921 Knoxville Sentinel.

100th Anniversary of Scouts’ LaFollette Council

Today’s LaFollette Troop 310 Scoutmaster Chris Thacker noted “This year we’re hosting/serving at a number of events to honor the many Boy Scouts and Scout Leaders from LaFollette and Campbell County in these past 100 years.”  The troop, sponsored by Cedar Hill Baptist Church, is leading the celebration of these Scouts and leaders; See Facebook “LaFollette Scouts 100” for updates. 

Good Scout Award Dinner on April 22

One of the upcoming events in the 100th anniversary celebration of Scouts’ LaFollette Council is the Campbell County “Good Scout Award” Dinner.  This event on Thurs., April 22 will honor Dr. James Farris, a LaFollette Scout in his youth who has since served the community in a number of ways.  For more info, contact Logan Hickman at 423 871-1975 or email: wLhickman@comcast.net. 

Were Any of These Scouts / Leaders your Grandfather or Great-Grandfather?

Some familiar names involved in the 1921 formation of Scouting in our city include:

  • 1921 Adult Scout leader Dr. Ulysses Samuel Goldman “Ulys” Carden: a physician, and City Mayor in 1921,
  • J. L. McCloud: likely father of then-young Scout James McCloud; James later owned McCloud Mountain and hosted sightseeing tours of the mountain’s many natural wonders and magnificent views,
  • Pat W. Kerr, LHS Principal and School Superintendent in Campbell County, Coach of LHS’s first football team.  The LHS (now LMS) and CCHS football fields are named in his honor.
  • Dr. A. M. Riggs: Pharmacist; founder of Riggs Pharmacy, and likely father of then-young Scout Allen Riggs),
  • Scout Leader J. L. Seargeant: Father of the late Dr. Lee J. Seargeant and grandfather of Dr. Lee J. Seargeant III, pharmacist at the LaFollette Medical Center.
  • Dr. H. Louis Winkler:  Pharmacist, founder/owner of Winkler’s Pharmacy.
Scout Uniforms Then and Now: In 1921, LaFollette’s Boy Scouts wore uniforms like the one above (notice the military influence).  Today’s Scout uniform is shown on Timothy Humphreys of Troop 310 (below).

Council Leaders: Businessmen

The 1921 Knoxville Sentinel listed the names of the Boy Scouts and their leaders.  Scouting has always been led and supported by local business leaders.  The Scouts’ LaFollette Council in 1921 was driven by city officials, civic & business leaders.  Do you recognize any of these family names?

The initial volunteer Scout leaders and their role:  Ed Schwartzman, Scout Executive; L. C. Lowe, chairman; and W. D. Barton, secretary-treasurer (also treasurer of LaFollette Presbyterian Church).  Other members of the Council: Dorsey Alexander; W. H. Blankenship; Andrew Broyles; H. L. Bush; L. H. Carlock; Dr. Ulysses Samuel Goldman “Ulys” Carden (a physician, and City Mayor in 1921); E.W. Claiborne; J. W. L. Cooper (Physician); J. H. Francisco (owner of J.H. Francisco – The Big Clothes and Shoe Store); B. G. Gallaher; J. E. Hendren.

More Scout Leaders

Pat W. Kerr (LHS principal and first football coach); R. D. Lynch; J. A. McGhee; J. L. McCloud (possible father of then-young Scout James McCloud, below); Dr. A. M. Riggs (pharmacist; Riggs Pharmacy, and likely father of then-young Scout Allen Riggs); Phillip Roos (a Spanish-American War 1898 military veteran, and part-owner in a barbershop); L. J. Seargeant (City Engineer & Commissioner of Streets); James U. Snyder (Publisher & Editor of the LaFollette Press); H. H. Stephens; Sam Smith; R. H. Sharp; J. A. Summers; O. E. TeBow (a Baptist Pastor); William Violet; H. S. Whitten; Dr. H. Louis Winkler (pharmacist, founder/owner of Winkler’s Pharmacy); and Rev. T. R. Wolfe.

1921: LaFollette Scouts start; Bridge finished:  The Scouts’ LaFollette Council started the same year the Central Ave. bridge was completed.  Two LaFollette city officials leading the bridge-building were also leaders in Scouts: Dr. U. S. Carden (Mayor), and L. J. Seargeant (City Engineer & Commissioner of Streets).

Scoutmasters: True Volunteers

The men who served as Scoutmasters were: W. D. Barton (also treasurer at LaFollette Presbyterian Church), and L. J. Seargeant; and Assistant Scoutmasters Leo Alexander and Earl Holt. 

Boys in the Troops

These initial Scouts in the new LaFollette Council organized into two Troops.  Remember, these boys were 13 to 18 years old in 1921 (born 1903 to 1908), so their grandchildren would be in their 50s and 60s now, and GGC in their 30s and 40s.  For example, 1921 LaFollette Boy Scout James “Jim” McCloud, born 1906, was later known as the “Keeper of the Mountain” for his involvement with McCloud’s Mountain from 1951 to 1989, when he died.

Recognize any names?

The 1921 Boy Scouts: Albert Alexander; Lester Barnard; Charles Bowan; three Blankenship brothers: Edgar, Milace, & Sterling L. (later served in U.S. Navy during WW2); Hardin Bush; Charles Cannon; Frank Childress; Harvey Chitwood; Howard Claiborne; John Conner; David Cordel; Burchell Crewe; Leonard Crewe; Hillard Cusick; Oscar Densmore; David Eldridge; Claude Gaylor; Archie Harmon; James Harris; Carl Hendren; Roy Hennegar; Aubrey Hollingsworth (later a long-time grocer); Jay Hollingsworth; Ernest James; Carl Ledford; Albert Lynch; Herschel Longmire; James Loy.

More 1921 Boy Scouts: James McCloud (later of McCloud Mtn.); three McGhee boys: Clarence, Ernest & William; John McKay; John Morgan; three Russell boys: Edmund, Hubert, & Wilbur; Teddy Roos (possibly the son of leader Phillip Roos); Allan Riggs (likely the son of Scout leader Dr. A. M. Riggs); Delmer Rogers; three Smiths: Gilmore, Robert, & William; James Stratten; John Stratton; two Stephens: Coyle & Stanley; Roy Summers; Ancel Tallent; Jesse Tiller; Burl Turner; Lacon Thomas; John Underwood; Leland Violet; three Whitten boys: Leon, Perry, & Henry; and Millard Wright.

These LaFollette Scout leaders and Scouts blazed a trail that continues today.

To learn more about Scouting in LaFollette/Campbell County, and the 100th Anniversary celebration, contact Chris Thacker, Scoutmaster of LaFollette Boy Scout Troop 310,  aitgChris@gmail.com  C: (423) 494-6221 (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/12/2021-6AM)

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