People of Note:
Scoutmasters (a)
- Bill Bateman
- R. A. Bollinger (Troop 24)
- O. O. Boyd
- Noble Burton (Troop 47, assistant)
- T. J. Clement (Troop 24)
- Ray Collun, Jr.
- Baxter George (Troop 47)
- Jack Looney (Troop 24, assistant)
- W. J. Mabry
- Warren Magee (Troop 24)
- McDonald, Allen (assistant)
- Morehead, Lewis
- Earl Nolan, Sr.
- Versie Owens
- Emmett Pickle
- William B. Ray
- Gene Self (assistant)
- Robert Sibley (Troops 28, 257?)
- Henry Smith (troop designation not known)
- Rex Squyres (assistant)
- ? Tinnin (Troop 24, assistant) - likely Rev. J. W. Tinnin, then Oil City Baptist Church pastor
- Lloyd E. Walker (Troop 24)
- F. S. Wilson (Troop 24)
Eagle Scouts (Year Awarded) (b)
- Jack Akin (1943)
- Arthur "Al" Bateman (195?) (f)
- J. E. Cagle (1956)
- Robert Cagle (1956)
- Billy Bond Cooper (1945)
- Leon Darden (1958)
- Kenneth Darnell (195?) (g)
- Billy Gaines (195?) (c)
- Leroy Lavine (1943)
- Kenneth Lyle (1943)
- Billy McNamara (1959)
- William Moore (1958)
- Earl Nolan, Jr. (1953)
- Virgil Pittman (1957) (d)
- Gene Self (?) (e)
- Ralph Waldron (1932)
- Lewis Watts, Jr. (1957) (d)
- Dennis Whitfield (1959)
- Lee Roy Williams (1958)
(c) Per Billy's 2013 obituary
(d) Awarded while member of North Caddo Explorer Post No. 8; originally with Troop 57
(e) Per 19-Jan-1954 newspaper article announcing appointment to Norwela Council position
(f) Per Dr. Terry Harrist, who attended Al's induction ceremony
(g) Per Kenneth's 2016 obituary
Details in chronological order follow.
1918
A troop is formed with school principal Henry Smith serving as scoutmaster. Also of note, local girls met to inquire about membership in the Campfire Girls. However it is not known if a troop was actually formed.
The earlier group apparently did not endure, as a new scout troop was formed in 1922, with 22 candidates passing the tenderfoot test. F. S. Wilson was scoutmaster, with Warren Magee serving as assistant.
Shreveport Times 06-Feb-1922, Page 10
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| Joe Almokary as a Shreveport (Byrd) High Student in 1928 |
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| At Centenary College in 1927 |
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| Centenary College student, 1934 |
Read about charter members Joe Almokary and Barker Gourrier at Memorable Athletes, Coaches, Personalities, and Teams.
The troop lost its scoutmasters, but its designation (Troop No. 24) is identified.
Shreveport Times 29-Mar-1922, Page 10
Shreveport Times 04-Sep-1922, Page 12
1923
Troop scribe Ralph King penned a recap of a hiking trip Troop 24 took, led by assistant scoutmaster Tinnin (no first name given).
Shreveport Times 19-Mar-1923, Page 5
The Reverend John Vaughn Tinnin (1892-1979) was then pastor of the Oil City Baptist Church. He's shown below a few years earlier, when he graduated from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS in 1920.
Scoutmasters R. A. Bollinger and newly aboard assistant T. J. Clement are named in an article about a Shreveport scout executive addressing the OC troop. Professor Robinson is C. J. Robinson, then Oil City principal, J. I. Tohil is identified as chairman of the local scout committee - a group of businessmen who govern the troop. There may have been enrollment issues, hence the non-scout boys in attendance as there is mention of forming a (new?) troop in town.
Shreveport Times 21-Nov-1923, Page 11
1924
A regional Court of Honor is held at the Oil City baseball park.
Shreveport Times 17-Mar-1923, Page 11
1925
This Feb-1925 troop update listed the names of 17 scouts enrolled. Scoutmaster was Oil City High School coach Lloyd E. Walker, assisted by Jack Looney.
Charles Alexander, troop member and son of committeeman Dr. P. T. Alexander, would later graduate from the U. S. Naval Academy.
In 1928, American Legion Post no. 138 agreed to sponsor what is now Troop No. 47, led by scoutmaster Baxter George.
Shreveport Times 02-Apr-1928, Page 7
Several local scouts receive merit badges and/or promoted at a court on honor held in Jun-1928.
Shreveport Times 25-Jun-1928, Page 18
In November 1928, American Legion Post No. 138 held a community-wide devotional/patriotic service in which all local pastors participated: J. H. Dean (Baptist), Francis X. Dougherty (Catholic), C. W. Lahey (Methodist), and W. C. Yancey (Christian). The local boy scout troop performed a drill and flag salute.
1929
A September 1929 update discloses the troop, sponsored by the local American Legion post, going under another reorganization, with William B. Ray taking over as scoutmaster. It's not clear why, but it seems despite a small core of dedicated participants, keeping enrollment numbers up as well as maintaining stable leadership remained an ongoing issue.
1931
A news feature in the Shreveport Times scouting news column notes the Oil City Troop No. 47 has formed a baseball team, and is looking for games with other troops. Also mentioned is that construction of a log cabin scout hut is in progress.
Shreveport Times 01-May-1931, Page 10
Reporting for the troop was member Linuele Newsome. A later Times article recognized him as an outstanding Oil City High student and Southern Region Boxing Champion in the AAU 100 pound class..
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| Linuel Newsome |
The troop was reorganized for an undisclosed reason, with outside assistance that included Mooringsport scoutmaster W. M. Eastham.
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| W. M. Eastham, Mooringsport Scoutmaster |
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| Robert L. Waldron (undated photo) |
1932
Ralph Waldron is the earliest known Oil City scout to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
Shreveport Times 15-May-1932, Page 24
1937 Centenary College Yoncopin (yearbook)
1936
Howard Fortson Post No. 138 of the American Legion agrees to sponsor a local troop, presumably No. 57 as that designation began to appear in subsequent newspaper articles. Post Adjutant was Oil City principal, Roy Evans.
Shreveport Times 13-Feb-1936, Page 6
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| Roy V. Evans |
Named to lead the new troop were Lewis Morehead, assisted by Allen McDonald.
Banker O. B. Roberts was named chairman of the Caddo district of the Norwela Council, that administers scouting activities in greater northwest Louisiana.
Shreveport Times 06-Jan-1938, Page 5
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| O. B Roberts (undated photo) |
George Roberts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, was one of 24 scouts from northwest Louisiana that attended the New York World's Fair in the summer of 1939.
Shreveport Times 15-Aug-1939, Page 2
1941 Centenary College Yoncopin (yearbook), Page 37
1940
Horace Green and Eugene Sanders of Troop 57 (second and third from left) are pictured at summer Scout Camp on Caddo Lake.
Shreveport Times 14-Jul-1940, Page 17
1941
A banquet held in February 1941 to commemorate the 31st anniversary of scouting featured Centenary College Pierce Cline as main speaker.
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| Dr. Pierce Cline |
In an article about area scouts conducting a newspaper drive, Emmett Pickle is identified as Oil City scoutmaster.
Shreveport Times 11-Jan-1942, Page 8
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| Emmett E. Pickle |
1943
Jack Akin, Leroy Lavine, and Kenneth Lyle are named Eagle Scouts.
Shreveport Times 11-Feb-1943, Page 2
1945
Billy Bond Cooper was awarded the Eagle Scout designation. Scoutmasters were identified as Ray Collun, Jr. and Rex Squyres (assistant). At the time, Rev. Squyres was pastor of the Oil City Methodist Church.
Shreveport Times 16-Dec-1945 Page A-5
Lake Charles American-Press 24-Jun-1967, Page 3
1946 Oil City High School Bengal (yearbook)
O. B. Roberts, shown below at far right, was elected vice-president of the Norwela Council in 1947. The council governs scout troups in northwest Louisiana.
Times 29-Jan-1947, Page 5
1951
James "J. E." and Robert Cagle receive the Boy Scouts' God and Country medal. Note that their scoutmaster is Oil City High School coach Earl Nolan.
Shreveport Times 08-Dec-1951 Page 6
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| Coach Earl Nolan |
1953
Assistant Scoutmaster Gene Self (standing left) instructs Henry Groll of Mooringsport (lower left), and Earl Nolan, Jr. (lower right) in how to pitch a tent.
Shreveport Times 07-Jul-1953 Page 12-B
Later that month Earl, Jr. attended the National Jamboree held in southern California. Lewis Watts, Jr. was also reported to have attended.
Shreveport Times 22-Jul-1953, Page 8A
The Times published pictures of the scouts returning home.
Per his 2013 obituary, Billy Gaines was an Eagle Scout.
Shreveport Times 29-Jul-1953, Page 5-A
O. O. Boyd received the Silver Beaver Award, one of the highest honors in scouting for service to the organization.
Shreveport Times 11-Dec-1953, Page 4-B
1954
Gene Self was appointed to a Field Scout Executive position within the Norwela Council, that governs Scouting activities within the northwest area of Louisiana.
Earl Nolan, Jr. and Billy Gaines receive special honors - Earl for earnin five merit badges over the required number for Eagle Scout, and Billy for performing 75 hours of community service. O. O. Boyd, local Kansas City Southern Railway station manager, is identified as OC scoutmaster.
1955
Lewis Watts, Jr. is shown in this picture included in a feature about preparation for the then upcoming summer camps to be held at Camp Yatasi near Minden.
1956
J. E. Cagle receives the Eagle Scout award,,,.
Shreveport Times 10-Feb-1956, Page 4-A
...and later younger brother Robert is similarly honored.
Shreveport Times 29-Aug-1956, Page 8
1957
Explorers Lewis Watts, Jr. and Virgil Pittman achieved the Eagle Scout rank. They were members of Post No. 8, sponsored by North Caddo High School; and led by industrial arts teacher Jim Creighton. Both served as junior assistant scoutmasters of Troop 57. Mr. Creighton had taught at Oil City High prior to the opening of North Caddo.
Shreveport Times 10-Feb-1957, Page 8-D
1958
Leon Darden, Leroy Williams, and William Moore become Eagle Scouts.
Shreveport Times 12-Feb-1958, Page 2-A
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| L-R: Leon Darden, William Moore, Lee Roy Williams |
Per his 2016 obituary, Kenneth Darnell was an Eagle Scout.
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| Kenneth Darnell |
Arthur "Al" Bateman also achieved Scouting's highest rank.
1960 NCHS Rebel
1959
Billy McNamara earns his Eagle Scout designation.
Shreveport Times 07-Feb-1960, Page 2-C
Also receiving his Eagle Scout designation that year was Dennis Whitfield, ber his brother, David Williams.
1959 OCJH Bengal
1960
Billy McNamara (far left) is shown below attending the national jamboree in Colorado.
Shreveport Times 24-Jul-1960, Page 16-A
1961
Troop 57, 1961-62 school year.
Front (L-R): Daniel Owens, unknown, ? Colvin, Randall McLeod, Bobby Paris, Tommy Vaughn,
Mike McNamara, Montie Moore Middle: ? Colvin, ? Head, Ronald/Donald (or reverse) Owens,
Larry Moore, Joe Arnold, Buddy Player Back: Doyle Tolbert, Jimmy Herring, Ronnie Darden,
Austin Henderson, James Upchurch, ? Head
1962 Oil City Jr. High Bengal (yearbook)
Versie Owens was Troop 57 scoutmaster.
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| Versie Owens |
1962
Larry Gandy's Troop 28 membership card. This group had been organized and sponsored by the local United Pentecostal Church to promote scouting in a manner consistent with their teaching.
Judy Rathbun Gandy, contributor
Troop 28 scoutmaster was Bob Sibley.
A mix of scouts from Troops 28 and 57, 1962-63 school year.
Kneeling (L-R): Terry McKnight, Tommy Gandy, Randall McLeod, and Larry Moore.
Standing: Doug Self, James Colvin, Mike McNamara, Donald (or Ronald?) Owens, Doyle Tolbert,
Tommy Vaughn, Larry Gandy, Joe Arnold, Charles Shaffer, unknown, Jerry Allen, unknown, Louis
Medlin (tallest in back), Mark Wayne Wendell, Bobby Paris, ? Owens, Bruce Warner, Jimmy Herring .
1963
Again a mix of the two troops.
Holding flag in foreground (left): Tommy Gandy To the right of the flagpole: Mr. Owens and one
of his sons Front row: Richard Woodell (in band jacket), Luther Broome, Jay Elmore, and Tommy Self
Middle: Tommy Anderson (head above Tommy G.'s arm), John Ridge, Roger Marcus, Tommy Floyd,
Doug Self, Bobby Paris, Ike Taylor, and Layne Alexander. Back: Joe Arnold, unknown, Cecil Broome,
Charles Warren, Bruce Warner, Mark Wayne Wendell, Jerry Allen, Jerry Taylor
1964 Bengal
1964
And again. 1964-65 school year.
Front (L-R): Ronnie Herring, Gleen Tennis, Robert Grinage, Daniel Owens, John Ridge, Luther Broome
Back: Arch Henderson, Tommy Floyd, Joe Arnold, Mark Wayne Wendell, Bobby Paris, Layne Alexander,
Allen Mayfield
1966
By this time, Troop 28 had disbanded.
Caddo Derrick 13-Oct-1966, Page 1 (Joan Robison, contributor)
1970s
2017
The Troop 57 scout hut as it appears today.
Google Street View
Return to Encyclopedia Oleum Civitas
1970s
Troop 57 continued until at least around 1972 per Larry Moore, who worked with the local group briefly upon returning from military service.
Later another Pentecostal-affiliated troop was organized (Troop 157 or 257 per Todd Hopkins and Gerald Rushing), again led by Bob Sibley. It's not known when they disbanded.
2017
The Troop 57 scout hut as it appears today.
Google Street View
Return to Encyclopedia Oleum Civitas
I'm looking for information on a troop from Shreveport, La. who visited Mexico in August 1935
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