Very few activities years ago called for female participation. A few parties and social gatherings in the homes were just about the extent of sociial life. You can imagine the happy day in Harlan when Mrs. Edd Sampson organized a group of "camp fire girls."

Mrs. Sampson, an understanding person who was interested in young people, consented to their meeting at her home on North Main Street, above the Howard Service Station.

One of their happy moments was when Mrs. Sampson announced that a two-week camping trip was being planned for them. The girls asked for donations to buy tents and cooking utensils. They depended upon relatives and civic minded people to help furnish their basic needs.

When the day arrived to leave all the equipment was loaaded into a wagon. Some of the girls rode in the wagon and some of them on horse back. They journeyed five or six miles out of harlan and set up their camp.

Proud Of Uniforms They were so proud of their uniforms--the very first they had ever owned. The uniforms consisted of white "middle" blouses with red tie and long full bloomers. Of course their black stockings and high buttoned shoes were essential too.

The girls learned to sew and cook. Some of them made bonnets to shade their faces from the sun. A lily-white complexion was considered fashionable years ago. Most girls carried umbrellas if they went out into the sun for any length of time.

In the afternoon, Mrs. Sampson took them out in the hills and taught them different kinds of tree bark and much about the wild life. For several years Mrs. Sampson worked with the girls.

The smaller girls (under 10 years of age) were so happy when they became old enough to be "a camp fire girl." A sister of Mrs. Sampson's known as Miss Caton, came to Harlan to make her home.

Camp Named 'Notac'

She took over the duties as leader. One summer when the girls went on a camping trip they their camp "Notac." That was Miss Caton's name spelled backward. "Notac" was also their password.

Always serious about their work and striving to attain their motto, "be trustworthy and be happy", the girls learned to do useful things.

"We looked forward to our trips on the Ivy Hill each summer" one of the members said. The brush fires and the story hour etched a memory that is not easily forgotten by those who were the orginal"camp fire girls".

picture.....HARLAN'S ORGINAL CAMP FIRE GIRLS--White "middle" blouses and red bow ties with long navy blue sateen bloomers composed the uniform of the first"camp fire girls" of Harlan. Shown left to right front row: mable Green Condon, Elsie Rhea (holding Edd Sampson, Jr.) Verda Cornett, Dutch Forester Mitchell, Ella Lewis Tucker, Helen Horr, Edith Skidmore, and mary Cornett Scott: back row, Grace lewis Frinke, Iva kelly Hicks, Clara Riddle Hatmaker, Vesta Cornett, Beatrice Brock Smith, Mrs. Edd Sampson, Helen Lewis Poynter, Edna hall Smith and Betty Crider.

Sunday April 12, 1953

Volume 52 Number 85

Pages 1 & 8

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