Allegany County Boy Scouts To Follow Nathaniel Dike Trail
One hundred and fifty years ago Nathaniel Dike started from near Tioga Point, Pa., for the unknown country of the upper Genesee. Crossing the lands of the Pultney estates which estate covered most of Steuben County on the Canisteo River, he was supposed to have passed through Almond and crossed the hills to Elm Creek by way of McHenry Valley and thence down the valley to the broad level where it unites with Dike’s Creek. It is now known as Dyke’s Creek. This promising locality was timbered with hardwood and the first virgin forest in what is now Allegany County was cleared at the present spot we know as Elm Valley.
In commemoration of the pioneering spirit of Nathaniel Dike, the Boy Scouts of Allegany County are going to traverse his route to Elm Valley as nearly as is practical during the first week of July. The trip will start at Cohocton and will be a four day hike by Scouts who have passed certain first class requirements. The last day’s hike will end up at Elm Valley where the “Dike Scouts” will rediscover the fertile expanse of land and be greeted by friendly Indians (brother Scouts who have arrived to take part in a Camporee.) After a flag raising ceremony at Dike’s grave, all Scouts will pitch tents and settle down for a Camporee lasting until Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock.
Accompanying the Scouts on the hike will be two covered wagons fitted and decorated to emulate those used by the early pioneers. These will be used to carry equipment and provisions for the hiking scouts.
Ray Dare, Scoutmaster of Troop 35 in Wellsville is general chairman in charge of all arrangements and has prepared detailed plans for the Scouts as to equipment needed and instructions for the trip. The route and program as carefully laid out follows:
Scouts will assemble at Cohocton at 10 o’clock on the morning of July 3 and the expedition will get under way at 2 P. M. The first day’s hike will be to Loon Lake, a distance of four miles.
Wednesday, July 4, will be 15 miles to N. Hornell, where they will camp on the Steuben Council’s new 75 acre Camporee site. Local Steuben Troops will act as service units.
Thursday, July 5 will be a 12 mile hike, parading through Hornell and thence to Alfred where an evening program is planned.
Friday, July 6 will be nine miles over the hill to Elm Valley and the Camporee site where they will be met by the other Scouts of Allegany County.
An appropriate program is being prepared to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the settling of Allegany County which will be carried out at the Camporee. Both Protestant and Catholic Church services are planned for Sunday morning.
The following committees are making arrangements: publicity, Charles W. Fuller of Wellsville and Erwin Baker of Andover; Food, John Devore of Wellsville, Everett Dyer of Belfast and Harry Hardman of Richburg; camp sites, medical examinations, medical care, first aid, etc. – Lewis Felton, assistant scout executive of Wellsville, Ray Dare of Wellsville, Eugene Brace of Wellsville, and William Green of Belmont; Camporee site –Reginald Soothern of Andover, John Church of Wellsville and Paul Sisson of Angelica; camporee program –Andy Scott of Wellsville, Clint Rauhe of Fillmore, Ray Snyder of Andover and Harry Goetschius of Wellsville; camporee campfire and Sunday service –Robert Prescott of Wellsville, Harry McNinch of Belmont and Felix Schneble of Wellsville; transportation (covered wagons) –LaVerne Dickerson of Willing, Ellis Hawkins of Wellsville, Guy Woodard of Allentown, James DeAnsey of Belfast, Clarence Jewell of Belfast and Murray Densmore of Cuba; finance –Norman Chapman of Genesee, Pa., and Montgomery Mitchell of Wellsville.
This program is planned to be one of the highlights in the scouting life of the boys in Allegany County and they are all striving to attain the necessary rank to make the trip.