Selinsgrove residents posing with the first plane to land in Selinsgrove, April 1920
On April 20 1920, one of three government aircraft mapping out a route for an international air race, made an unexpected landing on the farm of Luther C Smith on the Isle Of Que, Selinsgrove.
It was the first aircraft to land in Selinsgrove. The local Boy Scout troop camped out around the plane to guard it overnight, while the crew stayed at the home of H.C. Schnee.
"The unexpected event was a pleasant thrill for many community people, and the two-man flight crew expressed their appreciation for the hospitable manner in which they had been entertained. The Selinsgrove Times headline referred to the plane as a "Dragon of the Air". The brick home seen in the back-ground is at the NE corner of 3rd and Bough Streets, Isle of Que."
The Zimmerman Airport, Selinsgrove's first airport, opened 8 years later, very near where the plane landed in 1920.
A majority of the young persons assembled were Juniors at Selinsgrove High School, future graduating Class of 1923.
AVIATORS FORCED TO LAND BY RAIN
Forced to earth by adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant Colonel H. E. Hartney, and Captain H. T. Douglass of headquarters, - American . Air Service, Washington, landed at Selinsgrove late yesterday afternoon, making their second stop in an important flight from Ottawa, Canada, to Washington.
The plane, a big De Haviland 9, a double sealer of the bombink type used, overseas, landed in a field on the farm of Luther Smith on the Isle O'Que about 4,.30o'clock yesterday afternoon.
The landing was made without accident. Lieutenant Colonel Hartney and Captain Douglass were entertained over night a the home of H. C. Schnee at Selinsgrove. remaining until noon today when they "hopped" off for Middletown, after having received instructions from aero headquarters at that place. They will then depart for Washington.
The men are engaged in mapping out a route for an international air race. Later they expect to take in a "rainbow" flight across the continent and a proposed flight to Alaska. They left Ottawa at 11 o'clock yesterday morning and landed in Ithica. New York, in an hour and fifty minutes. Leaving that place they made no stops until forced to descend at Selinsgrove.
Their plane was guarded overnight by Boy Scouts.
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Selinsgrove Boy Scouts on the steps of Seibert Hall on Susq Univ campus, 1918 Edgar Wingard troop leader.
The Boy Scout Troop was called out several times to guard and search for downed airplanes in late 1918 and 1919. The first plane wrecked on the Davis Farm south of Selinsgrove. The scouts received thanks for cooperation from the mail plane pilot. [These are not considered the first to "land" apparently, since they were wrecks and not landings]
On Oct. 8, 1925, the Troop was called out again to search for a plane missing since Oct. 2, lost during a night flight between the Susquehanna River and Bellefonte. Thousands searching the mountains including the National Guard, commanded by Capt. John Weeks USA of Selinsgrove, Boy Scouts, students, and other volunteers. The missing plane with the dead pilot was found near the Bellefonte landing field.
Same photo as above, but labeled with names
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Stories & History From Selinsgrove, Pa
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By Steve Sassaman Sr. for the Daily Item:
This being the 100th year of the Boy Scouts of America, I was asked to write a letter about the history of Boy Scout Troop 419 of Selinsgrove.
Although the Boy Scouts was organized in February 1910, it took until 1918 to come to Selinsgrove.
The first Boy Scout Troop 9 was started Feb. 8 at Susquehanna University by Edgar R. Wingard as scoutmaster and Lt. William G. Phillips and William M. Schnure as assistant scoutmasters, and with 32 boys began scouting in Selinsgrove.
The Troop began a band which entertained the citizens of the area until it disbanded in 1948. In the beginning they drilled at Alumni Gymnasium and participated in several fund raising parades for the Red Cross, bond drives, and escorted Governor Brumbaugh from SU to the Governor Snyder Mansion on Market Street and paraded to their meeting at the high school.
On June 30, 1918, William G. Phillips was elected scoutmaster of Troop 9 as Edgar Wingard became the scout executive of the District, and the newly organized Sunbury-Northumberland-Selinsgrove Council.
The early Council camps were held at Rolling Green Park, "Camp Shikellamy" in Shamokin Dam and Camp Bosco at New Berlin.
The Troop was called out several times to guard and search for downed airplanes in late 1918 and 1919. The first plane wrecked on the Davis Farm south of Selinsgrove. The scouts received thanks for cooperation from the mail plane pilot.
December 28, 1919, Troop 9 was chartered to the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Again the Troop was called out to guard an Army airplane enroute from Ottawa, Canada to Washington D.C. that was forced down on the Smith farm on the Isle of Que on account of approaching storm.
On Oct. 8, 1925, the Troop was called out again to search for a plane missing since Oct. 2, lost during a night flight between the Susquehanna River and Bellefonte. Thousands searching the mountains including the National Guard, commanded by Capt. John Weeks USA of Selinsgrove, Boy Scouts, students, and other volunteers. The missing plane with the dead pilot was found near the Bellefonte landing field.
June 29, 1927, Boy Scout Troop 19, with Scoutmaster William M. Schnure had investiture services in the Trinity Lutheran Church with W.L. Taylor, scout executive in charge.
Troop 20 of St. Paul's Reformed Church and a troop in Freeburg were ushered by Troop 19 in 1928 as they received their charter.
In 1942, Troop 19 started their paper drive which was their main fund raiser for 54 years until 1996 due to no market for paper.
The year 1945 marked the 35th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Selinsgrove helps to celebrate as Troop 19 has given 12 members to the ranks of the Armed Forces. Two of these scouts, Lt. Harold Follmer Jr. and Lt. John Hugus Jr. have made the supreme sacrifice and another, Cloyd Kunkle was missing in action.
During the war, the troop has been collecting salvage, working in agriculture, and performing duties of messengers in Civil Defense, dispatch bearers for the government.
During 1952, Troop 19 became Troop 419 and the Explorer Post as 2419, worked with the Civil Defense as messengers or runners and for the Forestry Department to fight fires. One instance the Post was called out for a fire on Blue Hill which was caused by a train. A truck donated to the Explorer Post by the Middlecreek Valley Telephone Company was used for emergencies. The efforts to get the truck were made by Explorer Advisor David Dagle. Dave later served as Scoutmaster of Troop 419 for 13 years.
Under the leadership of George Kinney, scoutmaster of Troop 419, Scout Island, former Kinneys Island, was purchased from Roland Seiler. After the island was paid, the money was returned and Roland donated the island to Troop 419. A cabin was built on the island with the help of the scouts, scouters, and family members of the troop. The materials were hauled over to the island by coal barges.
Water from the 1972 flood caused major damage to the camp on the island. Only three feet of the roof was out of the water at the high water mark. Members of Troop F 2nd Armored Calvary Unit of the National Guard, Selinsgrove Kiwanis Club and the Selinsgrove Fire Company helped hose out the cabin and make repairs.
Troop 419 celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 9, 1978, on Scout Island with 64 scouts, scouters, and former scouts and scouters, parents and guests. Former scouts and scouters competed in events with present scouts.
In 1979, the Trinity Lutheran Church merged with the Sharon Church, and Troop 419 is now chartered to the Sharon Church. Troop 419 donated a gift of a historic window to Sharon Lutheran Church narthex of Captain Conrad Weiser giving a land grant to the church on the church dedication.
June 1983, Roland Seiler Lodge was dedicated in memory of the donater of the island to Troop 419.
In 1992, Troop 419 won the Snyder County Conservation District Organization of the Year award under the leadership of Sm. Richard Sheaffer and Todd Heintzelman.
Troop 419 has presented the Historical Flag ceremony at different scout functions, as well as Veterans Day programs at the Susquehanna Valley Mall, carried the flags in the Memorial Day Parade, and several other programs since 1992.
The Eagle Class of 1996 was named after Eagle Scout Robert Soper of the Class of 1949 at the annual Eagle Scout Recognition dinner.
Robert Soper was presented with a plaque at the annual troop dinner on Dec. 19, 2009 for 50 years of dedicated service to the troop.
For 82 years, Troop 19-419 has enjoyed continuous service to youth in the Boy Scouts. The troop has a trained leadership and active committee and parents, an active outdoor program including hiking, camping, and water activities.
The troop has attended most of the National Jamborees. Scouts from the troop have attended three world Jamborees including the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts in England in 2007, Philmont Scout Ranch several times, Double H in New Mexico, Washington, N.H., local hiking, canoeing and biking.
They also participate in district and council events including summer camp at Camp Karoondinha, camporees, winter camp, klondike derbies, and training programs.
The troop also has several leaders at district and council committees and leadership at events.
Some of the community service over the years includes projects at Anthony-Selin Park, Penn Township Park, ice skating rink on Water Street, hiking trails in Shamokin Dam, restored three cemeteries in Selinsgrove, and started an Adopt a Highway program in Snyder County.
The troop also honors the veterans by helping put flags on the graves for Memorial Day, march in the Memorial Day Parade, participate in the Veterans Day program in the Susquehanna Valley Mall, and Wreaths for Warriors. Other projects include helping the elderly, visiting a local nursing home, and helped on several projects at local churches.
Happy 100th Birthday to the Boy Scouts of America and thank all of you who have made it possible.
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