The first charter application on file in the Scout Office
is dated August 1918, and covers a report of activity during the year 1917.
The Council was composed of El Paso County only and there were 8 troops
registered at that time. Mr. Glenn O. Everyman was the first Scout
Executive. He served as Scout Executive until January 1923. When
he left the Council included Dona Ana County, El Paso County and two Mormon
Colonies in Mexico - Colonia Juarez and Colonia Dublan. At the close
of 1922 there were 35 troops of 673 scouts in the Council; of these there
were 31 troops in the City of El Paso with 523 Scouts.
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1923
Mr. J. H. Anderson became Scout Executive in January 1923
and remained in El Paso until l March 1927. Under Mr. Anderson, camping
was resumed in the mountains. The Council going to Ruidoso instead
of Cloudcroft. When Mr. Anderson left there were 36 Troops and 688
Scouts. The Council had jurisdiction over the Mormon Colonies in
Mexico, Dana Ana County and El Paso County as well as San Marcial, New
Mexico.
1927
r. J. P. Mestrezat became Scout Executive pm April 15.
1927. In 1928 Mr. Messtrezat moved the camp from Cedar Creek to the
Indian Reservation at Ruidoso and Camp was held on this site until 1932.
It was moved to the upper end of Ceder Creek, above the Odd Fellows Home,
and plans were made to improve a permanent Summer Camp ground. It
was necessary to abandon this idea in 1933 due to lack of water in Ceder
Creek. While Mr. Mestrezat was Scout Executive, a great deal of work
was accomplished at Camp Zach White. A large number of trees were
planted each year. In 1928 the Scout Office was moved from the Chamber
of Commerce to the Mills Building. In November 1930, the El Paso
Council was combined with the Gila Grande Council to form the El Paso Area
Council. Twelve troops of 178 Scouts were transferred from the Gila Grande
Council, which included the following New Mexico Counties - Sierra, Hidalgo,
Luna and Grant. The first Cub Pack was organized at Fort Bliss in
September 1931.Mr Mestrezat resigned in July 1933 leaving a Council of
58 Troops and 975 Scouts. Mr Lloyd O’Neal was sent from the Regional
Office and took charge of the rehabilitation. He stayed in El Paso
until October 1933.
1933
Mr. Minor Huffman was selected as Scout Executive on November
1. 1933. During Anniversary Week of 1+934 a mobilization was held
in which 700 Scouts participated. This was held in connection with
Boy Scout City Government Day. Camp Zack White membership campaign
was started and resulted in $ 2,744.00. The first Scouters University
was held this spring.Mr. Minor Huffman was selected as Scout Executive
on November 1, 1933. During Anniversary Week of 1934 a Mobilization was
held in which over 700 Scouts participated. This was held in connection
with Boy Scout City Government Day. Camp Zack White membership campaign
was started and resulted in $2,744.l00 This amount included a special
contribution of $500.00 from Mr. Schwartz. The first Scouters University
was held this spring. The first Scout Circus was held in Liberty
Hall on April 27 and was a big success. The Kite Contest was held in march
under the sponsorship of the 20-30 club. For the first time, the Ruidoso
Camp was run on a troop camping basis. The Scout Office moved from
301 Mills Building to 301-302 and 303 Mills Building and a number of improvements
were made in the office arrangements. The first Merit Badge Exposition
to be held for several years was held in Liberty Hall in the fall of 1934
under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club. The National Office took over
the troops in Chihuahua having decided to give direct services to all foreign
troop. The year 1934 was closed with 69 Troops of 1226 Scouts, this
briefing the high mark in Scouts in the Council History. |
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1935
The second camp Camp Zach White Membership campaign netted
$2,561.00. The Kite Contest, Anniversary Week, Scout Circus, and
Scouters University were all held again this spring. A new roof was
put on the cabin at Camp Zach White and an apron was put in back
of the swimming pool. 66 Scouts were registered for the National
Jamboree and participated in a training camp at Camp Zach White.
Captain W. E. Jackson and C. A. Jaques were Scoutmasters in charge.
When the Jamboree was cancelled, Captain Jackson took 30 of the boys on
a special trip to New York City. |
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1936
Efforts were made to put the Area on a paying basis as of
January 1st, and Mr. Fred M. Roberts was employed to do some special work
in the area. Successful finance campaigns were put on in Silver City, Las
Cruces and Alamogordo. The town of Virden, New Mexico was transferred
to Phoenix Arizona Council. The second Scout Circus was held in Liberty
Hall on May 2nd with an enthusiastic crowd. Minor Huffman resigned
as Scout Executive effective May 1st, t become a Deputy Regional Scout
Executive out of Dallas. A. C. Williamson was employed as Scout Executive
of the El Paso Area Council on May 15th at which time there were 1132 Scouts
in 72 Troops and 84 Cubs in 4 Packs. Ruidoso Camp lasted for three weeks
with 183 Scouts in 1935and 10 adult leaders. This is the largest
Ruidoso Camp in history. Council made money on the Camp.At the Annual
Meeting of the Council on December 8th the name of the Council was changed
to the Yucca Council. |
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1937
Fred M. Roberts resigned on February 1st 1937 to become the
Scout Executive for the Adobe Walla Council and Sam A. Henry Jr. was employed
as Field Executive.Special activities of the year included the First Annual
Round Up at Washington Park - May 14 and 15 with approximately 450 Scouts
and leaders taking part. The first of outdoors Circus was held in
Austin High School Stadium in October with approximately 1000 Scouts and
Cubs taking part. A profit of $156.94 was cleared on this event.
The Yucca Council sent 33 Scouts and 4 leaders to the National Jamboree
in Washington. The leaders of this troop were J. Warren Hoyt, Scoutmaster
Charles A. Jaques, H. P. Greggerson Jr. and A. C. Williamson. Ruidoso Camp
operated for three weeks June 6 to 27. A total of 137 different Scouts
from 21 Troops attended this camp. A six-Day Camp was operated at
Camp Zach White from August 3 to 9 with attendance of 117 Scouts.
A fee of $1.00 for three days was charged and the Scouts were allowed to
stay either 3 or 6 days. The total operating cost for the year was $9,614.67
with the following area towns paying regularly to the Council Budget -
Las Cruces, Deming, Marfa, Alpine and Silver City. We close the year with
1258 Scouts and 189 Cubs in 68 Troops and 8 Packs. There were 407
Scouters and 43 Cubbers on December 31st, 1937. |
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1938
The employed staff of the Council included: A. C. Williamson,
Scout Executive, Sam A. Henry, Jr., Field Executive, R. L. Mohr, Camp Caretaker
and Margaret Jackson, Office Secretary.Special Activities--Scout City Government
Day, participation in the Regional First Aid Contest with Scouts from the
Council entering the final contest in Dallas. The Council held its
first Mexican Round Up at Bowie High School to which Scouts and officials
from Juarez were invited. The event was quite a success. 541
Scouts and leaders spent the night in Camp to participate in the Second
Annual Council wide Round Up held at Zack White on April 29 and 30. Ruidoso
Camp operated from June 5 to 26 with 147 different boys in attendance.
Cost of the Camp was $7.00. Zach White Camp operated for two weeks
with 213 different boys attending. Cost of this camp was $2.00 for
6 days. First Annual Swim Meet was held at Las Cruces with
240 Scouts attending. Council Circus was held on October 8ty in Austin
High Stadium. Closed the year with 1264 Scouts and 334 Cubs in 73 Troops
and 14 Packs. There were 425 Scouters and 68Cubbers on the Rolls. |
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1939
Sam A. Henry, Field Executive resigned and was replaced on
April 1st by Edward W. Read.The new building at Zach White, built
through the generosity of Paul Harvey, was opened on February 12th.
Scout City Government Days were held in both El Paso and Hot Springs.
The third Annual Council Council wide Round Up was held on April 22 and
23rd at Camp Zach White with 543 Scouts and leaders staying overnight in
the Camp. Three one week periods of Zach White Camp were held and
there were 338 different Scouts in the Camp. Ruidoso Camp operated
for three weeks with 139 individual Scouts in Camp.Closed the new year
with 1418 Scouts in 75 Troop and 246 Cubs in 11 Packs. There were
500 Scouters and 61 Cubbers on the rolls. |
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1940
The Executive Staff of the Council was increased in January
with the employment of James A. McGure as a Field Executive.
Robert M. Reed was moved to Las Cruces with most of the New Mexico section
of the Council under his supervision. The Phillips’ Foundation gave the
Council $3000.00 which was matched by a like amount raised in the Council,
for an expansion program. Robert Read resigned to move to California and
was replaced by Hugo Olsen in September. The Council conducted a
camp for ten days on Meadow Creek in Grant County for the Scouts of that
section in addition to the regular camp at Ruidoso and Zach White.
Had a very successful Merit Badge Show in November for El Paso Scouts. |
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1941
The Council was incorporated under the laws of Texas and
New Mexico. A new caretaker’s cabin was complete at Camp Zach White.
Earl McKeehan was employed as a Field Executive-enlarging the staff - in
February. The Scouts entered the war work with enthusiasm and did
an excellent job on the aluminum collection campaign as well as distribution
of numerous types of posters for bonds, etc. Council wide activities
includes summer camps at Ruidoso and Zach White, a Round-Up at Camp
Zach White and a Merit Badge Exposition. Closed the year with 1975 Scouts--117
Troops--542 Cubs and 22 Packs. There were 730 Scouters and 112 Cubbers
on the Rolls. |
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1942
Harry DeLashmutt was transferred to San Antonio in January
and J. Strother Moore was employed in his place in February. James
McGuire transferred to California in April and was not replaced.
Mr. Moore was transferred to Oklahoma in October and was not replaced until
January 1st with Ralph Seitsinger. The Council sent a representative
group to two Philmont Camps. One Group went to the regular older boy camp
and the other group attended the Service Camp. Leaders of the Camps
were Major Land, and Irving Gourely. Stuart N. Wells was in charge of the
Service Camp group. A. C. Williamson, Scout Executive of the
Council since May 1936, resigned the last of October to become Executive
at Corpus Christi. Minor Huffman from the Regional Office was in
charge of the Yucca Council from the first of November thru the middle
of December. John R. Kane was employed as Executive to take over
the job on January 1st. |
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1943
John R. Kane became the Scout Executive for the Yucca Council
on January 1st. Hugo Olsen, Field Executive, left the Council early
in the spring. Two new field men were added to the force - R. W.
Cox and Henry Martinez. The Council conducted three district Camps
with 160 Scouts in Camp. The Council conducted its annual Round Up
and staged a Swimming Meet for all the Scouts in the Council. We
held our first Day Camp for Cubs, which was successful. We closed
the year with 2508 Scouts and 809 Cubs in 134 Troops and 32 Packs. |
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1944
The Council had a very good year showing nice growth. Two
more field men were put on the staff. Wm. Fallis in Silver City and
Al Hand for the Big Bend. The year was closed with 2850 Scouts and 1321
Cubs in 153 Troops and 49 Packs. Scouts sold bonds at the drive in
February with a total of 266850 bonds sold. Held a Round Up, and
a very successful Summer Camp by Districts. The first circus to be
held in the coliseum was a hugh success. |
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1945
Council participated in a large number of war activities.
800,000 pounds of paper were collected with many Troops and boys wining
the Eisenhower awards. 900 Scouts participated in the annual Round up;
450 Scouts attended summer camp and 172 Cubs participated in a 6 day Cub
Day Camp. John Kane resigned as Scout Executive October 1st and M.
G. King succeeded him on October 15th. The year was closed with 151 Troops
2582 Scouts; 53 Packs with 1343 Cubs and 1199 Scouters registered. |
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1946
Camp Gila was opened with the completion of Camp mess hall,
kitchen, shower room and engine room. The year closed with 113 Troops,
10 Senior Units and 44 Packs 1032 Cubs, 1885 Scouts and 98 Explorers, 941
Scouters. |
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1947
During 1947, the camp attendance was up to 21%, with two
Senior Units par5ticipating in a special event at Randolph Field and seniors
from Squadron 4 and Ship 17 attending Senior Meeting in Dallas. 162
Cubs and 55 Cubbers participated in the Cub Day Camp The year was
closed with 40 Packs 1125 Cubs, 112 Troops 1944 Scouts, and 21 Senior Units
93 Explorers, 1180 Registered Scouters. |
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1948
In 1948 Camp Tuff Moses operated for five weeks with 274
different Scouts in attendance. Senior Units participated in Regional
Events at Abilene, Dallas and Roswell. The Merit Badge Show grew
to a total of 90 booths. We closed the year with 47 Packs
1385 Cubs; 113 Troops 2030 Scouts and 23 Senior Units with 197 Seniors.
1277 Scouters were registered. |
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1949
The Council Swim Meet was held at Las Cruces with 94 Scouts
in attendance. 365 different Scouts attended the 4 week camp at Tuff Moses
and 46 spent a week at Zach White. Membership figures are:
Packs 48; Troops 120, Explorer Units 27. Cubs 1712, Scouts 2453 Explorers
236 Scouters 1365. |
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1950
We had every District in the Council represented at the National
Jamboree at Valley Forge in June. There were 135 Scouts and leaders
in attendance. Individual units did most of the camping this year with
370 Scouts attending Camp Tuff Moses. 53 at Camp Zach White,
and 19 at the Big Bend Camp. The total campers with at least 6 days
in Camp was 593. Merit Badge shows were held in El Paso, Silver City
and Deming. Citywide house to house canvass for Good Will in El Paso.
Membership figures are Packs 62; Troops 123, Explorer Units 37 with total
of 222. Cubs 2244; Scouts 2350 and Explorers 306 total boys 4964
and 1493 Scouters. |
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1951
Council represented at Report to Nation Meetings in Santa
Fe & Austin. We held our first Scout Circus in a number of years.
Tuff Moses operated for three weeks and 551 Scouts were in camps.
Including a trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings for the Explores and a Week
Swim Camp. Scout Executives all attended the conference in Michigan.
Scout Circus for two nights with good attendance. Membership figures
were Cubs 2327 in 67 Packs; Scouts 2428 in 129 Troops and 421 Explorers
in 53 Units, or a total of 249 Units with 5258 boys and 1691 Adults. |
