(1945) Allegany County Boy Scouts To Follow Nathaniel Dike Trail
Compiled by Ron Taylor
While World War II was still waging, the following headlines appeared in local newspapers.
“Allegany County Boy Scouts To Follow Nathaniel Dike Trail”
“Will Hike from Cohocton to Elm Valley in Honor of 150th Anniversary of Founding of Allegany County.”
Several people need to be thanked who have input many hours of labor helping to rebuild this story…….
Originally the story was brought to light when Bill “Bubba” Greene uncovered the story we published on the website, www.alleganyhistory.org in the Spring of 2015 under the title of “ Boy Scouts to Hold Covered Wagon Hike ”, taken from the Andover News archives.
Following the publication and re-reading of the article I decided to dig a little deeper. I spotted a name I recognized and got in touch with George Goetschius, one of the original scouts to take part in the event. When George knocked on my door and handed me a bunch of pictures he has kept for the 70 years since the trek took place I knew I could not stop until the story was told again.
George mentioned that articles that had been published at the time in newspapers would be interesting to read and the search took place by fellow ACHS member, Stephen Sweet. Stephen painstakingly clipped the articles which were since transcribed by Karen Meisenheimer, another member of ACHS who lives in Virginia and participates in our volunteer transcribing program.
Thanks to all of the above it is a pleasure to present the information collected so it will not be forgotten….. another chapter in the intriguing history of Allegany County and It’s People!
(The newspaper articles are clipped from the Wellsville Daily Reporter microfilm and the photos are owned by George Goetschius who has provided copies for ACHS archives. If anyone has additional material to add to this story please send to webmaster@alleganyhistory.org or mail to ACHS – P. O. Box 588 – Wellsville, NY )
Below are the articles about the trek……The newspapers told the story then and re-tell it now. CLICK on the highlighted text to navigate to the stories & the pictures……..
v June 14, 1945 - Boy Scouts to Hold Covered Wagon Hike - Will Hike from Cohocton to Elm Valley in Honor of 150thAnniversary of Founding of Allegany County (Note: This is original newspaper clipping which started our research.)
v June 6, 1945 - Allegany County Boy Scouts To Follow Nathaniel Dike Trail - Entire County Organization Will Take Part in Program Starting July 3rd
v July 3, 1945 - Boy Scouts to Leave Cohocton Today On Trek to Elm Valley - Wellsville and Scio Men Helped Get Boys Off For Covered Wagon Trip to Elm Valley
v July 5, 1945 - Dike Scouts Reach Hornell With All Hands Safe, Sound - Some Blisters Are Worst Casualties to Date – Everybody Reported Having Good Time
v July 6, 1945 - Dike Scouts Having Great Time Despite Many Blisters - Expected to Arrive in Elm Valley Some Time This Afternoon to End March
v July 6, 1945(2) - Public Urged to Attend Dike Anniversary Program Tomorrow - Dike Trail Scouts to Present Ceremonies Starting at 2:30 O’clock
v July 7, 1945 - Dike Scouts At Elm Valley For Program Today, Camporee - Complete Trek From Cohocton Ahead of Schedule – Get Toughened to the Road
v July 9, 1945 - Boy Scouts Complete Long Trek, Hold Rites At Nathaniel Dike Grave
v July 10, 1945 - Many Dike Trek Scouts Win Awards At Court of Honor - Unusual 150th Anniversary Event Closes With Program and Award of Honors
- End of Compilation -
- If you have comments, please email to: alleganychs@gmail.com -