The Fifties

1950

Lodge Officers were:

Ordeal candidates and Lodge members actually tied ropes around themselves, dove down into Thundering Springs, and removed stones, logs and other debris. They built concrete steps and a pathway to the springs afterward.

The first 6-C Conference was held at Camp Sidney Dew, and was hosted by Waguli Lodge #318. This marked a new alignment, in which most of the Lodges of Georgia would come together. At this time, the Boy Scouts of America was divided into 12 Regions. We were located geographically located within Region 6, and the letter "C" divided the region even further, thus 6-C. A rectangular patch was issued for the event, which was the first conference event ever held in Georgia. The patch can be viewed in Appendix C-5, under Conclave Patches.

The 1950 National Meeting opened August 29, 1950, and closed the following day. Some 1,100 arrowmen attended the meeting held for the second time at the University of Indiana. While there, arrowmen met National Chairman. Mr. H. Lloyd Nelson, who told them of the growth of our Order. There were 388 lodges active nationally with 40,091 members divided into 43 Areas. The meeting was markedly different from conferences of the past, in that the key conference leadership came from the youth membership in scouting. An oval felt patch was issued for the meeting. This year marked the 35th Anniversary of the Order of the Arrow. An example of which can be seen in Appendix D-1, under NOAC Patches.

1951

Lodge Officers were:

The Lodge consisted of 51 active members.

The Lodge council ring was relocated approximately 250 yards north of the fire or river trail, halfway up the first mountain. This site was used for three or four years.

Mr. B. W. O'Cain replaced Mr. Fred Hayes as Professional Lodge Advisor, Chief of the Fire and Assistant Scout Executive.

The Area 6-C Fellowship was held at Camp Bert Adams and hosted by Egwa Tawa Dee #129. J. Robert Tye served as the Area Chief. A triangular patch was issued to those in attendance, with a button loop attached. An example can be viewed in Appendix C-5, Conclave Patches.

Area Conference Chiefs met at Miami University on Friday, December 28 30, 1951. National Conference Chief was Jim Montgomery. A theme for the upcoming National Conference in August 1952 was discussed, along with the types and numbers of training. The question of "patch swapping" becoming an obsession was discussed. A ratio of 1:10 one adult to every 10 youths to insure control, was agreed upon. On Sunday, National Chief Jim Montgomery discussed whether some memento or symbol could be passed on to each new National Chief. The Order of the Arrow National Secretary Lloyd Nelson said it might be possible to use a National Chief's bonnet. The National Chief was presented the original bonnet by Anicus Lodge on that day. The Chiefs adjourned the meeting with praise for the value of the meeting and a great appreciation for being involved. Forty seven areas were now designated. Forty three had area leaders, with twenty two having area fellowship meetings.

The Order of the Arrow National Committee decided to drop the term "honor" in the use of Ordeal and Brotherhood. Every member would be considered for the Brotherhood after 10 month's service, provided he was active in scouting and in the Order. The committee also decided not to count Scout Executives, Council Presidents, Regional Executives and other officials aiding the local camping program against the annual Lodge Vigil Honor quota. These rules became mandatory on January 1, 1953.

1952

Lodge Officers were:

In early 1952, the first National Service Objectives for a two year program were emphasized by the Order of the Arrow Committee. They were:

Tomo Chi Chi Lodge #119 hosted the 1952 6-C Conference at Camp Strachan near Savannah, Ga. Jack McKay served as the Area Chief. While at the conference, delegates are said to have gone to Savannah beach for a swim and to have visited the Union Camp Bag Company. A red ceramic wall plaque with Georgia Order of the Arrow symbols was made up for the Area 6-C Conference. No Ini-To members attended. Delegates received a cloth 6-C Conference patch in the shape of the State of Georgia, which can be seen in Appendix C-5, Conclave Patches.

More than 2,200 arrowmen attended the 1952 NOAC, previously known as the National Meeting, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, from August 29 31. The National Committee took a number of actions. The Boy Scouts of America Supply Division was soon expected to provide a white woven sash.

Felt would no longer be used. The Committee also announced that a Lodge emblem, which would fit on the right pocket flap, was suggested. This patch can be viewed in Appendix D-1, NOAC Patches. In his closing to the 1952 conference, Founder E. Urner Goodman gave a list of three things he hoped the arrowmen would remember:

Close ties continued with Alpha Phi Omega, the National Service Fraternity, which assisted with local arrangements and talked about the fraternity to college bound arrowmen.

Lodge Officers were:

Mr. Hoke Copeland entered the Council as the Scout Executive and Supreme Chief of the Fire on November 1, 1953. He had received the Vigil Honor through Tomo Chi Chi Lodge, in Savannah, Georgia, on November 3, 1944, and as far as we know, was the first Vigil member in the Lodge. His Indian name is Waletillin, meaning "The Counselor." Flint River Council Scouting membership stood at 2,000 strong as Mr. Copeland entered the Council.

The National Committee met on March 13 15 at Alpine Scout Reservation in New Jersey. The results of a Lodge survey (all Lodges received questionnaires with their recharter) based on the 141 Lodges who returned the questionnaire.

At the bottom of the questionnaire sheet, the question was asked of the Lodges surveyed to "List the two most important ways that your Order of the Arrow Lodge had helped the Scouting program in your Council."

The adults and chiefs on the committee deplored the "excess" of trading patches at the 1952 NOAC and agreed to require delegation leaders to ensure control among attendees.

The Lodge charter application listed 103 active members.

The 1953 6-D Conference was held at Camp McKenzie, and hosted by Chattahoochee Lodge #204. The was the first year of the 6-D alignment. The Region consisted of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Delegates received the 1953 Conference patch, which can be viewed in Appendix C-6, Conclave Patches.

1954

Lodge Officers were:

Mr. B. W. O'Cain, the Lodge's professional advisor, became the first Vigil Honor inductee from Ini-To Lodge #324 on March 27, 1954. His Indian name was Wikhicher, which means "Wood Worker. "

Waguli Lodge #318 hosted the 6-D Conference near Rome, Georgia, at Camp Sidney Dew. Four Ini-To members attended, including Lodge Chief Lynn Bates and Staff Advisor, Mr. B. W. O'Cain, Supreme Chief of the Fire, Mr. Hoke Copeland and one other youth arrowman (presently unknown). Those in attendance received an arrowhead shaped conference patch, which can be viewed in Appendix C-6, Conclave Patch.

1955

Lodge Officers were:

Mr. B. W. O'Cain left for Charleston, South Carolina, to further his scouting career. As of this writing he is 82 years old, retired from Scouting and his mind is as sharp as a tack.

F-1

The above Lodge flap was adopted in 1955. Designers included Terry Avery, Guy Clark, and Tommy Van Houten, from Barnesville. It is known today as the F 1 flap. Some 200 of these flaps were produced for the Lodge by the National Boy Scouts of America office, at a cost of $0.12 each. They were in turn issued to the candidates and sold to Lodge members at $0.25 each. This flap can also be viewed in Appendix E 9, NOAC Patches.

The Lodge Council Ring was relocated to a point north of the camp water tower and west of the rifle range. This was used until 1958. Ordeal work consisted of moving rocks out of the lake and building walls at the council ring at the lake.

Semilachee Lodge #239 hosted the Conference at Camp Silver Lake close to Tallahassee, Florida. In attendance were the founder of the Order of the Arrow, Mr. E. Urner Goodman, and the Governor of Florida, Mr. LeRoy Collins. Jack Champion served as the Area Chief. Delegates attending received a conference patch, which can be viewed in Appendix C-6, Conclave Patches.

The National Committee in support of scouting in various ways, encouraged assistance to councils and announced four points of emphasis for Lodges. They were:

The use of Lodge flaps was now approved by the National Committee. Order of the Arrow National Committee Chairman, Lloyd Nelson introduced L. George Feil of Kansas City as a new member on the National Order of the Arrow Committee. The committee was concerned about the increasing number of adults in the order. Because of this, the following policy points were made:

Dr. E. Urner Goodman, Founder, reported 98% of those selected for the Vigil Honor in 1954 were adults. The committee approved youth tenure for Vigil from three years to two years. Evaluation was to be based on a youth standard, not an adult standard. The National Committee meeting showed sixty areas in twelve regions.

The 1955 planning meeting was held in December at Indiana University in Bloomington, Illinois. The Conference Chiefs elected James L. Waters, Jr. of Lodge #129 Egwa Tawa Dee National Conference Chief. Acting National Order of the Arrow Committee Chairman, Mr. J. P. Hunter, of Atlanta, conducted the ceremony to install Waters by transferring from Jim Feil, the Eagle feathered war bonnet worn by National Chiefs since 1938. The national committee, after discussion of the youth to adult ratio, decided that no more than half will be adults.

Lodge Officers were:

Mr. Wayne Morrow was the Professional Advisor, Chief of the Fire, and District Scout Executive for the Pine Mountain District.

The 1956 Lodge charter application listed 50 active members. Flint River Council received the Campbell Award from the Region 6 Headquarters for having the best Council Record in the Region.

Immokalee Lodge #353 hosted the Area 6-D Conference at Camp Osborn near Albany, Georgia. Jimmy Waters served as Area Chief. In attendance representing Ini-To were: Staff Advisor, Mr. Wayne Morrow, Lodge Chief, John Elrod; Vice Chief, Jack Grubb; Secretary, Alfred Bolton; and Treasurer, Ennis Parker, Jr. While at the Conference, Ini-To members met Mr. Martin Mockford, who was a National Order of the Arrow Staff Member. Those in attendance received a Conference patch, which can be viewed in Appendix C-6, Conclave Patches.

The 1956 NOAC, held August 26 30, had 2200 arrowmen in attendance. The theme was "Onward for God and My Country". In the closing address, Mr. E. Urner Goodman likened the 40 years of the order to the wanderings of the early Hebrews. He suggested that perhaps the order should get prepared to enter the Promised Land. He suggested that arrowmen need to take with them and ensure the continuation of "the democratic spirit, the volunteer spirit, the spirit of reverence. The democratic spirit is more important to guard against the danger of exclusiveness, of the clique, of the rule of the few. Maintain the importance of the individual. The volunteer spirit is equally important for the one willing to step forward who truly makes a difference in life. The Spirit of reverence must keep us mindful of active concern for God and our fellowman. With these three spirits a part of us, whatever the future, it will be the Promised Land." The 1956 NOAC patch can be viewed under NOAC, Appendix D-1.

1957

Lodge Officers were:

This year was somewhat confused, with John Elrod serving as Chief until mid year when his family moved out of Council. George Hanson took over as Chief. Jack Grubb was then elected as Vice Chief.

The 1957 Order of the Arrow committee met at the LaSalle Hotel in Chicago on March 13, 1957. Tom McBride reported on the subcommittee on adult membership. After discussion, the group voted that "members of the Order of the Arrow over 21 shall have no vote in any decision of the Lodge. "

Egwa Tawa Dee Lodge #129 hosted the 6-D Conference at the old Bert Adams Scout Camp near Vinings, Georgia. This was the last conference held at this camp, as the camp was closed. The camp reopened at a new location four years later, as Bert Adams Scout Reservation, near Covington, Georgia. Ini-To's Vice Chief, Jack Grubb, was selected by the lodge to sit on a committee to interview candidates for the Area Chief's position. Delegates attending received a patch for the 6-D Conference, which can be viewed in Appendix C-4, Conclave Patches.

The 1957 Conference Chiefs met at Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas on December 27-29. James Wkolka of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was elected the National Conference Chief.

1958

Lodge Officers were:

The Lodge had a membership of 42. Chief George Hanson, it should be noted, gave the Lodge a much needed shot in the arm during his term as Lodge Chief. Again the Lodge Council Ring was moved, this time to a place approximately 200 feet northeast of the lake dam in the middle of a poison ivy patch. Needless to say, this particular ring was used but one year.

F-2

The Lodge flap design shown above was changed to what is now considered the F-2 flap. Cost of the flap from the National Office was .13 cents each, and 200 were produced. The flap was designed by Mr. Robert Langford, with the aid and approval of Lodge Secretary, Tommy Brisendine and Jack Grubb. The new flaps were issued to the Ordeal candidates, and sold to other Lodge Arrowmen at .50 cents each, on a two per life basis. The F-2 can be viewed as an Error Flap, in that the arrow extends over the Thunderbirds' left shoulder. The flap is still considered to be part of the Lodge's collection, and can be viewed in Appendix C-6, Conclave Patches.

The Area 6-D Conference was held at Camp McKenzie, and was hosted by the Chattahoochee Lodge #204. Ini-To had twelve boys and two adults in attendance. Ini-To Lodge sent quite a number of its Arrowmen, most of whom were still Ordeal members. All the Lodge's Ordeal arrowmen sealed their membership at the Conference by actual blood bonding. Our Lodge, until this time, had never had enough Brotherhood members to hold our own Brotherhood ceremony. As done the previous year, Jack Grubb was selected to sit on the committee to help select the upcoming Area 6-D Chief. In a letter addressed to the author, Jack goes on to say it was his honor to place in nomination, the name of his friend, Tommy Brisendine. Tommy was then selected as Area 6-D Chief. Jack then stated, "That was a big day in our Lodge". The patch can be viewed in Appendix C-2, Conclave Patches.

The 1958 National Order of the Arrow committee met in Chicago in May. National Secretary Phil Robins reported 503 active Order of the Arrow Lodges with 110,000 members. Membership nationally was composed of 24% Boy Scouts, 49% Explorers and 27% Scouters. Note: According to BSA policy, a youth once turned 14 years of age was automatically considered an explorer, even through he may still be active in the troop.

The 1958 NOAC was held at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas on August 24 28. There were 2400 arrowmen in attendance. E. Urner Goodman again delivered the closing challenge. His theme was the "Victorious Struggle". He said "Struggle is what life is made of, and through struggle we grow and reach our potential. Struggle early on is the key to later success, for it teaches one to preserve and it develops our minds more fully and improves on our weaknesses. Out of struggle comes man's highest happiness, his greatest progress. " So Goodman wished to all those present "persistent, prevailing, victorious struggle. " Tommy Brisendine traveled by train to Lawrence Kansas to attend the 1958 NOAC. He was the first Arrowman from Ini-To to attend a NOAC, and the only one that year. This patch can be viewed in Appendix D-1, under NOAC Patches.

1959

Lodge Officers were:

In February 1959, Martin Mockford (an Eagle Scout and Silver Beaver recipient, past Scoutmaster, an instructor at BSA National Camp School, a District Executive, a Council Director on Camping and Activities, and Assistant Council Executive) was assigned as the newest Secretary of the National Order of the Arrow Committee. Plans were made to rewrite the Order of the Arrow Handbook, to be ready for release at NOAC 1961.

Mr. Robert Langford of Griffin became Lodge Lay Advisor replacing Mr. Frank Graham who had been the Lodge Advisor for seven years.

A new patch design was submitted for the 1959 conference. The patch was in toe shape of the state of Georgia. It had a Thunderbird, with Area 6-D above the Thunderbird, the word 'Conference' below, WWW, and an arrow with 1959 to the lower right of the Thunderbird. The patch idea was rejected.

The Lodge Council Ring was again relocated, this time back to its second site, high on the mountain, South of the dining hall.

Active membership totaled for Ini-To was a strong 84 members. Annual dues were one dollar. The National Order of the Arrow membership stood at 102,000.

As was the practice in those days, the Conference Chief was the Lodge Chief of the Host Lodge. Tommy Brisendine served as Ini-To's first Area 6-D Conference Chief. A successful conference was held at Camp Thunder during April 17-19. This was the first Conference ever hosted by the Lodge. Mr. Hoke Copeland, Scout Executive of Flint River Council and Supreme Chief of the Fire, did the welcoming address at the council ring at 8:00 PM, Friday evening. A Vigil tapping occurred in the council ring that night. Saturday's breakfast ended with announcements being made, introduction of nominees, and an explanation of election procedures and program. The discussion session for Saturday was led by Egwa Tawa Dee Lodge #129, from Atlanta, on the organization of National, Area, Lodge and Chapter. Immolakee Lodge #353 held the Action Program. Waguli Lodge #318 did a session on national policy tradition and history. Indian crafts were demonstrated by Mr. Hen Henning, assisted by Semilachee Lodge #239. Other demonstrations included scout craft and patrol camping, shown by Hiwassee Lodge #333. Chattahoochee Lodge #204 gave demonstrations on specialized scout craft. Egwa Tawa Dee #129 was in charge of the archery contest. A Brotherhood ceremony was conducted in the Order of the Arrow ring Saturday evening. Sunday morning brought the installation of the new officers for the Area 6-D Conference. A map of Camp Thunder, distributed for the Conference, can be viewed on the following page (map not available at time of printing).

The conference patch shown above was designed by Mr. Robert Langford. The delegates received the patch, which can also be viewed in Appendix C-6, Conclave Patches. This patch is one of the harder to obtain in mint condition.

Mr. Langford was the first volunteer to receive the Vigil Honor from Ini-To on April 17, 1959, and the second conferred in the Lodge's history. His Indian name is Attakullakulla, which translates to "Little Carpenter".

A quarterly Lodge Pow Wow was held at 3:00 PM on May 23, 1959, at the Hawks Library (next door to the Griffin High School Auditorium). Lodge Chief Tommy Brisendine reported at this time that the Council Office supply of Lodge emblems had dwindled to practically nothing and was asking Lodge members to bring their idea of a pocket flap to the Pow Wow. Also mentioned by the Chief, were ideas for a good neckerchief design. As the Pow Wow ended, Tommy was presented with the first of a series of Lodge Chief's medals, symbolizing the appreciation of the Lodge, for a job well done. This medal was to go on for years, as the standard for Lodge Chief's service. In fact, the practice continued into the late portion of 1971, with Aubrey McKoon being the last recipient.

Past Lodge Chief Tommy Brisendine attended the Order of the Arrow Leadership Course in Waycross, GA.

Active members of the Lodge at the end of the year stood at 96.