CCC camp newspaper reconstructed
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Educational classes played an important role in the life of those who enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the decade of the 1930s. This was especially true of CCC camps made up of African Americans, as was Camp #4755, which built the dam creating Marion County Park and Lake.
The camp ranged in number from 100 to 150 and was made up of African American veterans of World War I.
The journalism class published a newspaper named Cappy's Camp Courier. It was unique in that it was produced by African Americans, thereby reflecting the culture and thinking of blacks in America in the 1930s.
According to the Courier, removing illiteracy was a primary goal of the CCC. African American enrollees had varied educational backgrounds. In a survey conducted by the CCC Office of Education, eight percent were found to be illiterate, 53 percent had elementary school learning, 35 percent had high school, and four percent had college experience.
Many of them, however, still needed elementary training in reading, writing, math, and speaking. It was concluded, therefore, that, "many thousands of them either were denied the proper school training or were unimpressed by what the school had to offer them" (February 1937).
Articles in Cappy's Camp Courier encouraged enrollees to enhance their future earning power by taking vocational and/or academic training during the hours they weren't at work.
February 1937 — "It is constantly being urged that every man ally himself with the camp educational program. The greater part of the company is doing something and making very satisfactory progress, and it is hoped and intended that every man do his utmost to set his own standard and work toward his own goal."
In the December 1937 issue, education adviser James Gay wrote a long article titled, "The Advancement of the Negro," detailing their history since emancipation. Many migrated to the north in hopes of escaping discrimination and establishing a better life. Then Booker T. Washington rose up and promoted vocational training for Negroes, advising them to stay in the South and learn useful skills.
"The only education worthwhile is that which prepares a man for what he will have to do," Gay paraphrased Washington. "A youth then, should not be educated away from his environment. He should be trained to lay a foundation for the future in his present situation, out of which he may grow into something above and beyond his being."
The newspaper
Published from March 1936 to January 1939, the production of Cappy's Camp Courier was directed by the company commander, 1st Lt. Robert Horsley as editor-in-chief, James A. Gay, educational adviser, Paul W. Jenicke, technical engineer, and an assistant educational adviser.
It grew from a four-page bimonthly publication to a monthly publication with eight three-column typewritten pages.
It presented a glimpse into camp life and contained articles evaluating the African American experience and how individual African Americans could improve their lives.
The Courier reported that camp enrollees were well-received in Marion and surrounding communities because of their upstanding character.
It also reported the progress being made on the lake project.
June 1937 — "It was with great satisfaction to both technical staff and this command that the last load of earth fill has been placed on the dam. Of the recent lake projects, this was the last to start and is the first dam to complete the fill."
After about the first year, production of the newspaper was turned over to the journalism students. Their talent for writing on many subjects provided enjoyable and thought-provoking reading material.
Besides an editor and assistant editor, an ad manager sold advertisements — mostly to businesses in Marion, but also in Hillsboro, Florence, Newton, Junction City, and even Topeka.
Marion ads included K&S Drug Co., Marion Creamery, Wolfe's Variety Store, Garden Theatre, Duckwall Stores, and Marion National Bank. Kansas Wholesale Co., Hillsboro, and Scherer Cigar Co., Newton, also placed ads.
Each of the four barracks had a reporter. The barracks competed among themselves for cleanliness and in sports.
May 1938 — Barrack Number One: "The softball tournament is swinging in line and it looks like a race since number four won from number one. The next game between these two should be a corker and worth seeing for each team thinks it can win the tournament. Watch out for number four."
Educational achievements and religious services were highlighted and camp visitors were noted.
The CCC was praised for instilling character and teaching skills which enrollees could use to become successful in the future.
The newspaper described big celebrations that took place at the camp on the anniversary of the CCC. Such events attracted many people from throughout Kansas.
Much was made of ongoing improvements to the grounds and facilities at the camp and the accompanying accolades from official inspectors.
Many commentaries urged the veterans to make the most of their lives and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the camp.
Cappy's Camp Courier was exchanged with newspapers from other CCC camps around the country.
Some articles appearing in the Courier, especially those regarding construction of the dam, were reprinted in the Marion Record.
When the camp moved to Meade in February 1939, the newspaper went with it. According to the Courier, the men, most of whom were from the South, were upset at having to go farther away from their wives and children but were committed to doing their duty and fulfilling their jobs in a commendable manner.
Copies of all of the newspapers printed at the Marion camp except the first three were preserved. In June 1991, they were microfilmed for The Center for Research Libraries. The project was funded through a grant from The National Endowment for the Humanities.
Two years ago, Dwight and Helen Beckham obtained CDs of the microfilm from Kansas State Historical Society.
When Dwight downloaded them into his computer, he found that all of the 178 pages were recorded on approximately two-and-a-half 4x6-inch documents.
In order to bring them to readable size, he cut and copied each tiny, little page and then enlarged it to 8x11 inches.
"I didn't keep track of my time, but I spent many, many hours doing it," Dwight said.
The Beckhams compiled the newspapers into an attractive three-ring notebook which will be on display in the Marion County Park and Lake Museum when it is completed. A limited number of copies will be for sale.
Helen Beckham also has compiled all the poems which were published in Cappy's Camp Courier while the camp was at Marion.
