by Dave Crumb
Lee Wadsworth, Morton Wadsworth, Scoutmaster Lou Archer, Andy Albiker and Stephen Burritt.January 23, 1913, the Reverend Harry Greensmith, Pastor of Hilton’s First Baptist Church formerly on West Avenue, was the Scoutmaster for the newly formed troop called the Lookout Mountain Patrol No. 2 of Monroe County: Albert Wood, Court Lee, Carlyle Newcomb, Champney Lee, Willard J. Lee, Fenton Coakley, Harry Daily, Richard Clapper, Fred Turgeon, Kenneth Smith, and Arthur True were sworn in as members. They had memorized the scout motto, scout oath, and scout laws.
Rev. Greensmith was recently arrived from England where scouting had been started a few years before by Lord Robert Baden Powell. He put great energy and interest into the beginning years for Hilton’s troop, and created a firm foundation for the future of scouting in the Hilton-Parma community. The first event was an overnight cookout at the Braddock Point Lighthouse at Lighthouse Beach. Two small photographs of this initial event survive in the Hilton Historian’s archives.
J. Walter Way scoutmaster (l to r) Walter Parr, John Collamer, Ed Stalker, Ken Way, Robert Johnson, Herbert Judd, Chas. Ducoln, Kermit Way, Pauley, Raymond Cain.Soon, Hilton became known as Troop 1, and then the name was changed to Troop 99 which is still active today. There are very few troops in the United States with 100 years of consistent activity. Over these 100 years many Hilton boys were members of Troop 99 including the author. Many fathers served as scoutmasters or in some leadership capacity. Mothers served as Den Mothers for the Cub Scouts. A good number of scouts persevered and attained the highest rank of Eagle Scout, distinguishing themselves for the future and making their parents proud. Others, while not achieving that status, were otherwise rewarded with lasting memories of camping at Camp Cory, Camp Massawepie, Camp Cutler, and making significant friendships from their scouting experience during their formative years.
Men of note in Hilton’s long history of scouting are Reverend Harry Greensmith, John Way, Lewis Archer, Leonard Wright, Frank Pickett, and Fred Van Vechten to name a few, however, there were many more who gave their time and leadership to the Boy Scouts of the Hilton community. Today Troop 99, Troop 125, and Cub Scout Packs 99 and 125 and 330 are active in the local community.
Top Row: Left, Dick Barnes, Paul Wadsworth, John Speer, Bill Smith Jr., Gary Taber, ?, Mike Adaus; middle row: ?, Frank Kins, Bill Smith Sr., Mr. Ingham, Jim Ingham; bottom: Carl Gilt, Gary Fallon, ?, Jim Cosman. Troop 99 at Camp Massawepie 1955.The Scout Motto: “Be Prepared.” The Scout oath: “ To do my duty to God and my Country, and to obey the scout law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. These are adjectives that help shape a scout’s character-building.
On April 8, at 7 p.m.; Parma Town Hall 1300 Hilton Spencerport Rd., the Parma-Hilton Historical Society will host James Wyand, Troop 99 committee member, who will present the history of the troop and its current initiatives. A display of photos from 100 years ago until present time, and 80 year old scout uniforms and accessories will be on display. The public is invited to attend.
