Page 45 - Robeson Living Summer 2021

Planting the pine trees on campus January 24, 1944. Dr. Ralph Wellons, Walter H. Lamb, Walter Pinchbeck
and James Lee Lowery
He and his wife rode in the parade in the back of a convertible
Over the years the scouts and community have worked hard to while ahead of them marched scouts of all ages. The parade was
keep the log cabin in good shape. Lots of fundraisers have been followed by a “This Is Your Life” highlighting his accomplish-
held like in 1943 when the scouts hosted a box supper to raise ments. Eagle Scout Levi Hunt, Jr. remarked “I don’t think anyone
funds to repair the hut and purchase chairs. could have done the job Mr. Pinchbeck did. He spent a lot of time
on me, and he richly deserves this little time I’m spending here. He
The hut suffered from three fires over the years the last being in was a great Scout Master”.
1975. The Lumbee Homecoming that year held a special drive
to raise funds to restore the building. In July 1977, the Kiwanis C.P. Wayne, President of the Cape Fear Council of Boy Scouts
Club Board of Trustees who owns the building voted to name the said “I want to congratulate Mr. Pinchbeck for his many years in
Boy Scout Cabin after Pinchbeck. This building is a vital part of scouting. It is great to see a town do what you are doing here today.
scouting and local history. It was from that building that the first He lives now and will continue to live for years in the hearts of the
Native American Eagle Scout in NC learned the art of scouting. Boy Scouts here”.
We can only hope the future generations continue to appreciate
the importance of the building. In February 1977 the Pinchbecks celebrated their fortieth wedding
anniversary with a reception hosted by daughter and son-in-law
Walter Pinchbeck Day Edward Teets. Over 100 friends and family gathered to commemo-
The town of Pembroke declared May 31, 1969 as Walter Pinch- rate the day. The glassware used for the party was Royal Ruby
beck Day to honor the man who had served as scoutmaster to depression glass part of the collation being from the early years of
generations of the town’s Boy Scouts. The sun beat down on town their marriage.
of 1,500 as the current and former citizens gathered in Pembroke
to celebrate Walter Pinchbeck Day. He wore his Scout Master Less than a month later on April 14, 1977 Walter Pinchbeck died
uniform with his Silver Beaver Award hanging around his neck. and was buried in the Berea Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers
were a group of his Eagle Scouts Jessie Oxendine, Walter Oxen-
All former scouts that had been members of the troop over dine, William Price Locklear, Henry Smith, James Arthur Samp-
the years were invited back for the special day as well as the son and Terry Hutchins.
twelve Eagle Scouts. The scouts to rise to Eagle under Pinch-
beck were Lock Bradley Locklear, Jessie Oxendine, William p. Professor Eliades asked Pinchbeck what kind of reception he re-
Locklear, Henry W. Smith, Dentford Oxendine, Levi Hunt, Jr., ceived when he settled in Pembroke. Pinchbeck’s reply says so
Walter Pinchbeck, Jr., Walter Oxendine, James Arthur Sampson, much about the people of Robeson County. “When I first came to
Thomas Lowry, Wade Lowry and Francis Pinchbeck. Eight of his Pembroke, people were a little suspicious of me, but they finally
twelve Eagle Scouts were in attendance. accepted me when they saw that all I ever did was work and mind
my own business. The people here – Indian, black and white – are
Robeson Living ~ Summer 2021 Page 45