Our History
Even though our local Council was not completely formed till 1929, Boy Scouting actually began in Paris during 1919 under the leadership of the Paris Rotary Club. At that time, only the city of Paris was included. During 1921 the area was expanded to take all of Lamar County. Then in 1928 it once again expanded to include 9 � counties in Texas and three counties in Oklahoma (as is presently).
The Lone Star Area Council of Boy Scouts of America was incorporated May 20, 1929 in the state of Texas, with headquarters located in Paris. The legal incorporated name was changed December 21, 1955 to NeTseO Trails Council of Boy Scouts of America.
With the Council name change came formation of districts. The original five districts were: LaPushTaw (Lamar, Choctaw and Pushmataha counties); Bois D� Arc (Fannin county); Sulphur (Hopkins and Delta counties and Commerce); Big Red (Red River and McCurtain counties); and Big Cypress (Franklin, Camp, Titus and Morris counties).
Frank Fuller was selected as the first Council Scout Executive in 1928, a position he held till 1954. W. C. Clark was elected President. Scout Executives serving the Council have included: A.W. Benner, 1954-57; Wayne H. LeCrone, 1957-1963; Charles I. Lanham, 1963-1966; Johnny W. Atkins, 1966-1968; Herbert A. Anderson, 1969-1970; Ben F. Kelln, 1970-1975; Ronald C. Suber, 1975-1979; Chester E. Martindale, 1979-1986; Timothy C. Bullock, 1987-1990; J. Steven Taylor, 1990-1995; Alan C. Teschner, 1995-2006; and David Dean currently. Council Presidents serving the Council have included: A. G. �Pat� Mayse, 1935-1944; Joe Tom Wood, 1945-1947; L.I. Smith, 1948-1949; Morris Goldfeder, 1950; G.C. Hodge, 1951-1952; J.A. Petty, 1953; Judge Tom L. Beauchamp, 1954; Louis B. Williams, 1955-1957; Walter Bassano, 1958-1959; R.M. Cantrell, 1960-1961; Thomas K. Ewan, 1962-1963; Judge A.M. Harrison, 1964-1965; J.E. Arnold, 1966-1968; Richard Nafe, 1968-1970; Randy Moore, 1971; Charles Carter, 1972; Tully R. Florey III, 1973-1974; Dr. Jack Troutt, 1975; Lewis Donaghey, 1976; Dr. Max G. Latham, 1977; John W Manz, 1978; W.L. Means, 1979-1980; Kenneth Greer, 1981-1982; Pat Bassano, 1983-1984; Joe Moore, 1985-1986; Warren Nilsson, 1987-1988; Dr. Ken Brooks, 1989-1991; Dr. Max Latham, 1992-1994; Jim Shaffer, 1995; Robert Campbell, 1996; Jo Ann Parkman, 1997-1998; Monty McLaurin, 1999-2000; and H. Michael Lewis, MD, 2001 � 2003; William Howard McDowell, 2004 - 2007; Tom Sellers, present.
In 1954, a tract of land in McCurtain County Oklahoma was leased from Dierks Forests Incorporated for a summer camp operation. Dierks also made a donation of $15,000 towards the development of a Scout Camp on this Glover River property. Then in 1959, Dierks Forests Incorporated made a gift of this 160 acres of land to the NeTseO Trails Council, and permanent construction was begun. The official dedication of Camp Glover was held May 31, 1959. The name Camp Glover was later changed to Camp Frederick H. Dierks in honor of Mr. Dierks generosity and support.
The Ray C Shrader Council Service and Training Center was completed in 1965, after several years of planning and capital fund-raising. Mr. Shrader was the driving force to secure the property and the building of a Council Headquarters facility.
And the story continues...