Handwritten Diary Victor King Plainfield NJ Goes 2 Boy Scout World Jamboree 1924

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Handwritten Diary Victor King Plainfield NJ Goes 2 Boy Scout World Jamboree 1924:
$154.49

There is so much to this diary and notjust the amount of writing but the contents and the provenance, which I’llstart with the latter. The diary belonged to Victor R. Kind of Plainfield N. J.He was the son of Victor Louis King who was a chemist and worked for the firmof Calco Chemical Company, later part of American Cyanamid Company. Possiblythe most incredible thing about Victor Sr. was that he attended the Universityof Zurich in the early 1900’s and was a student of Albert Einstein’s!! He diedin 1958.

His son, and theauthor of this diary, was a very prominent lawyer as you will see in hisobituary……

“Victor R. King, of Plainfield, N.J., died April 18, 2003. Hepracticed law in Newark, Plainfieldand North Plainfield until his retirement in2000 at the age of 91. He was a trustee of the New Jersey Bar Association andpresident of the Plainfield and Union Countybar associations. A charter member of the Union County Ethics Committee, he wasalso on the New Jersey Supreme Court\'s Advisory Committee on ProfessionalEthics. He was a Union County park commissioner,an attorney for the Plainfield Board of Education, a trustee of the FanwoodCommunity Foundation and a longtime member of the Plainfield ShakespeareSociety. He served with distinction in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a combatinformation officer on the USS Gyatt.”

I found anamazing web site that has so many incredible photos showing the King’sinvolvement along with historical ephemera and much more and all of it has todo with the history of the Plainfield Garden Club which they were long timemembers and extremely active in it. I can provide that to the winning buyer ifthey would like. But really all you have to do to find it on the web is to putin “Plainfield Garden Club King” and you’ll come up with the web sites.

Now as far asthis diary is concerned; it is completely full of handwritten entries and thoseentries represent the time frame from 1924-1928. It’s not the typical 5 yeartype diary that one would buy but really a page a day diary and Victor haswritten several different years within its pages. So you don’t get full day today entries for all of those years but you do get a full diary and his entriesare simple amazing. He not only writes down his activities for the day but he’squite a deep thinker and there are some very profound entries. There are alsoprofound quotes of some of the great men and women in history and those arescattered among the pages..for example, this entry from Victor….

“Mygenius is so elusive, (if I may say I have such fortune). Others I know areweak in certain of my strength and yet they can write well, can reason well andgenerally get along satisfactorily. It is really appalling. Excellent as I haveproved myself to be in science and math, I discard them for rhetoric,composition and history. Things for which I have developed a strong sympathybut towards which my intellect seems dull. And then this new discovery; all mensuccessfully advance in life seem to have lost some of their manhood. I am notwholly wrong if at all. But I must study biography I can see that in order towork the question out for myself. In my thesis I conclude, “The world is agreat adventure; he who dares most, goes farthest.” I must enlarge upon thissometime.”

BUT, perhaps myfavorite part of this diary is his 1924 trip with his Boy Scout troop acrossthe “pond” on board the steamship Leviathan to Europewhere they attend a huge Boy Scout convention and Jamboree which is known asthe 2nd World Scout Jamboree. You can find all kinds of informationand photos on the web about his historical jamboree and also about the troopitself who sailed on board this famous ship. There are not only entries whileattending the jamboree and his travels through Europe but entries of his timeat a Boy Scout camp on Bear Mountain in New Jersey just before they leave. And, entries while onthe ship to Europe and also back home on theLancastria. Those entries are just wonderful including being met at the trainby the famous scout Leader Sir Baden Powel. While in Copenhagen he actually meets and visits withthe famous explorer Alfred Pickford. Victor was an avid member of the BoyScouts and many of his entries have to do with the scouts. And to think he wasonly 16 years old when he took the trip to Europe.

He also writes ofhis father’s work, his schooling, women, vacations and so much more. It got tothe point where I had to stop reading as the pages are so full and there isreally so much to this diary. I did gather some quotes to give you a clearerpicture of the man……

1924

“January 12th,Woke up at 5:00, got ready to go to New York. Went to New York at 7:00 with Frederickson. We got there 8:35. We went on Majestic(White Star Line Steamship) and walked allaround it. Not many people there at first but afterwards lots came and the boatwas crowded. We watched the engines hoist the baggage up and into the holds. Wetook a few pictures and then waited for grandmother. After a while she came andwe took her around. At about 11:00 we got off, kissed father goodbye andwatched. Pretty soon we found father and we took some pictures of him. Then Dr.Bandisch came. All of a sudden the last 2 gangplanks were taken off. Thensomeone blew a whistle and then the steamer blew one and then the tugs startedaway. She went awful fast and I waved my hat to father for the last time. I sawhim last and he saw me last. Last that is in America. We went home and in Carl’sStudt. Had a puncture. We got lamps and went home. In Plainfield saw pictures and decided. Bed11:00.”

(Now isn’t that an incredible entry just itself; a young boywatching his father from the New Yorkdocks who leaves on board the magnificent steamship Majestic)

“March 25th, (not quite sure on the year onthis one). Jamie had his picture takenby Bachrack. Very good too. I did the same just before leaving I spent severalpleasant evenings with father and mother. Father told us much of his earlystruggles in the chemical business and all about his work at Zurich. I did considerable puttering withwillows, etc. and other trees. Gene and his gang have built a small raft whichworks well. We had much fun with it. I always seem to have better vacations.This was a peach. Oh, I was invited to a small party at A. Egan’s. Met newcrowd. Too small, fair time. Now I’m back. The trip up was ok. Spent last fewhours with Galbraut and Breit___ last night. We started the “wet down” burnedour caps and marched all over.”

“July 12th, JAMBOREE TRIP

Woke upat 6:00. Got up at 6:30. Packed suitcase and got ready to go. At 8:00. Mothertook me down to train. Said goodbye to grandpa and grandmother on telephone. Atstation father came and gave me some foot oil and his wrist watch. Then I gotschedule at station then took train for New York. Father sat my heavy suitcase for me. Reached New York, took 23rd St.ferry. Pretty foggy out. On streetcar met scout. Went to headquarters, gotstudy stuff. Upstairs met Gov. West. Saw Mr. Wessel and Dr. Cole. Mailedletters and saw Miss Gross. Then had good lunch. Took __ to Hudson Baylineyard, traveled up river to Bear Mt. Had an exciting rideto camp Wawanalssa (?), ourcamp. Got beds, tools, etc. Went swim. Ate supper, received equipment. Wrotediary in mess tent and turned in 10:30.”

“July 17th,Woke up 5:30. Had fine dip. Fixed blankets, etc. Fatigue duties. Went on 8 miletrip. Smith “vomits” on way back Stopped at camp. Fixed tent, etc. for rain andin bathing suits started out again in rain. On way back rain stopped and had lunch in afternoon. Went to Telaquah(?) pavilion and practiced Indiandancing. After that we put up canoe, shelter and got sleeping bags and tarps.Practiced singing at campfire. Learned new yells, etc. Bed 9:00. Sleep 10:30.”

“July 25th, Wokeup at 5:00 to dip, packed up our packs. Tied tags on all trunks, etc. Afterbreakfast trucks came on to which we piled stuff. Left camp on foot at 9:00.Took Luna cars on highway at 9:25 then at Telaquah Mr. Dixon gave out mail.Rode to Tuxedo through the mountains. Rode thru Suffern, Maywoodto Fort Lee. Took 129th St. Ferry to New York. Ateluncheonette on ferry boat. We were escorted by two motorcycle policementhrough Riverside drive to the pier on 46th St.of the Leviathan. Some ride oh boy. Right through the street past everything.Waited while then boarded ship with baggage, etc. Lots of photos taken of us.In evening mother, father and ______came to banquet. Coolidge spoke on radio.Lots of speeches. Left at 11:30. Bed at 12:01 on boat.”

“July 30th, Wokeup 7:00 nearly missed formation. Had voice and pep then ____etc. Indian dancerstrained. Sign language. Saw some freighters, wrote letters. In afternoon Mr.Hubbard and a few of us went down in hold and brought back some of the Indiancostumes for this evenings dance. Then after supper we painted up and dressedup. Then we went up on Second class sports deck and danced and talked untilghost dance. Then we waited awhile in lobby. Then divided in 2 elevators. Wewent to First class and came into the Ball room in the middle of a dance andstaged a seals dance and soil dance. The floor was awfully slippery but wemanaged to hold on. Then as quick as we came we left. They clapped too loudlyto know what it was all about then in the dining room had some sandwiches then“Bun” and I had a bath and washed off all paint. At about 12 we turned in.” (Theyarrive in France on August 1stand said they docked near the great ships, Mauretania,Berengaria and the Majestic. Can you imagine that sight.)

“August 2nd,Woke up 9:00. Got dressed, went out, looked around, ate breakfast and then wewent in busses out to Wembley Park. All along the waywe saw chimney pots by the millions. Also some steam driven brewery wagons. Wearrived at Wembley at 2:00, waited forever. Then went in. Were received by Sir Baden Powell in Stadium and went away for lunch. Afterthat went to stadium and attended Jamboree. Scouts had kilts and big bagpipebands, lots of troops. At 4:30 were let loose till 5:00 when we went intostadium and saw pageants by ____. Prince of Wales present. After that went tohotel for supper then free time till 9:15 when we went home on busses and sleptat 11:30”

“August20th, Woke up 9:00. Went to train, walked through main Streets. Saw Round Tower. Went through thetown hall and up the tower. Very high, windy stone staircase. In the afternoonslept a little and at 4:00 had tea at Mr. and Mrs. Prinee’s (?). Very nice. Lots of sweets. Sang some songs.Had photo’s taken. Met the French National Scout Commissioners also Sir AlfredPickford, famous explorer. That night we had a party at Mr. M. Sorensen’s. Met2 nice girls who couldn’t speak English. A Sea Scout and cockney. Mr. Sorensonis one of the most noted yachtsmen of Copenhagen.He has won a long list of races, lots of cups, lots of fun. Bed 12:20.”

(There is just way too much to this trip to quote more. Hetours Germany, Brussels, Franceand boards the Lancastria on August 30th and arrives home aboutSeptember 9th. The boys even have a pillow fight on board the shipon the way home and he draws a rather primitive picture of it.)

1925 (This years entries start on April’s pages inthe diary but he is actually writing for November)

“November 29th,Up. Shaved, etc. Arranged things. Took camera to new building. Indoor photos ofrotunda and corridor. Dropped camera and bend top. Choir practice. Hardanthems. Church all right. Took more research photos before dinner. Very goodchicken dinner. In afternoon read. Folks came. Went for ride thru Trenton to Flemington,ran out of gas at _____wood. State Highway Dept. refused help. After cold waitwe were on way again. Mother brought socks, apples and honey. Vespers. Veryexcellent……”

“December10th, Things come to pass but they never leave us as they found us.The same man cannot cross a river twice. (Dr. H. P. A. Abbott) Baltimore.”

1926

“January 31st, Uplate. Dressed in uniform. Rain out, very unpleasant. Father is going to make mea Junior asst. Scout Master sometime. We are to go on hike but after calling Boise and White a numberof times we finally don’t go. Father fixed feeder which we place in view sight.Then took some pictures of the Spanish lamp which works with oil and wick. Imake fire by friction with new wood father brought back from New Mexico but no one else could use it.Food, dressed, packed and to train for Trenton.Very wet and uncomfortable. Train on time. Treat to think how a week and isspent all too quickly yet enjoyable. Wait for trolley then school at 2:15. Somewalk with bag of clothes. Homework, bed 10:00.”

1927

“June 30th,Our second day in Camp W. Pioneer Week. We have accomplished quite a bit. Edwrote and I did not. Have to help with many of the tents because there were somany fellows. We kept very busy however on the waterfront. Before I continue,there are eight of us, Jo, Morrison, Jim Kenyon, Paul Troth, Carroll Palmer,Phil Carr, Ed Wish and myself. Not to forget “Tony” the German cook who is apretty good fellow. The bugs have been biting fiercely so I’m under my netdoing the best I can lying down. We have put a sort of annex on the rear of ourlittle 9 x 9 and in a few days our residence will be all dolled up. The wateron the lake is covered with a thin scum of bug larva, oil, and what not. Inlooking over the notes of the top of this page and the following I noticed Istill write very uninterestingly. (Those are his diary notes of1924). Even in camp, here it isimpossible to get over the fact that our present day civilization is the thing.The outdoor life is the hard thrilling _____one but the advanced age calls formore mind than might and more brains than brawn. Hard camping is great stufffor a short while but anyone who stays in the open long always provides forcomfort in the form of present day continuances. I’ll have to continue thisjournal in the odd pages” (he means the pages in the back; which he does continue).

“July 15th,….Today we began the life saving classes. 18 scouts attended among whom was Sherman Bean. If he wouldonly gain some weight and become strong he might be very good. As it is hetries hard and well but the ability isn’t there. This afternoon I received aletter from father telling all about the fourth of July race at Island Heights.He took Gene and one other person. He had plenty of work and fun. Of course hewas tired to death but that couldn’t be helped. Furthermore he left the SwampAngel at Stoke’s for repairs. The way he spends money for me is a shame andhere I’m only working for 18.25 a week and four weeks at that. Some how when Ithink of what could and should be done here on the waterfront, I wish that Iwere staying longer. Right now I’m developing responsibility and experience inorganizing and conducting classes. It is what I need alright. Well I’ve beendown here in the mess hall on waterfront duty most of the afternoon. It givesme time to do lots of writing all right. The trouble with me is that I am alsoa scouting man….”

“July 24th,today we have had beautiful weather. Many visitors were up today. They all toldme about the floods which yesterday storms had brought. Dan Jensen and I aroseat 5:00 and went to the Swamps below the dam (3rd Lake).We portaged the canoe into the pond. On our way we became soaked walking thruwet grass then I picked the wrong trail down and we tried to cross swamp. Afterjumping from grass tuff to tuff we stepped off and walked to the edge of thepond……” (This passage goes on for several pages about their swampadventures)

“July 27th.....Fatherwon the Sunday race but mother didn’t say anything about the Friday race in herletter. I guess Jamie and father sailed together. This afternoon we had aterrific electric storm. It lasted about one hour and it was severe. A bolt oflightening struck the Pamrapo mess hall. It hit the flue then went along one ofthe side gables ripping the braces and beams to smithereens. Every space on thefloor was covered with splinters from one inch to seven feet in size. Therewere seven scouts in the building. Stryker from Watchung. All but he werethrown unconscious and hit with the wood. They were all treated soon after……”

(He writes so much more about his time in camp including anovernight yacht race)

“October 23rd,Here I am in college for about five weeks and this is the first entry since“re” overnight race. Of course many things will remain uncharted. But I take upmy course again with hope. I will always remember the fast wonderful tripmother, father and I had up here to Hanover.I have been at this game, this new game of going to college for several weeks.I did not make the ’31 team in football. But I met many good men on the fieldand had a good time. I won a 1st prize charm for hammer. I have keptup a very active correspondence. Jamie has been succeeding very well in law inspite of the exams. Therein my hopes have risen and found success in Jim……Ihave many hopes and plans but all things must be first attempted. Life nevergives kingdoms of love to the prentice….”

1928

“March 16th….Fatherwrote me a good long letter which reached me today. More dope on law, study andsubsequent career. I wish I felt I like it and yet I realize my incompetence.Let many have said that lots of the good things in the world have been done bymen who had to plug at things. Compare Snub Pollard. His genius lies in theability to work hard and yet learn slowly. He wasn’t a prize student but issucceeding because he wants to hard enough, that’s it, because he wants to hardenough. For a long time I’ve had the premonition that something serious wasgoing to occur in my life which would make me or break me and I’ve puzzled overit many nights.”

Oh to know moreabout the great man who wrote this. His life definitely deserves furtherresearch. The diary is in good shape as far as the binding and pages but thecover is very worn especially around the edges so please keep that in mind.Also, I want to say that there are 59 days that he writes with green ink. Theink has faded a bit but can still be made out especially if you use aflorescent light and magnifying glass. I can read it without those things butthey do help. He even comments on this… “Disgustedwith green ink.” All the other pages are with regular dark black ink andcan be easily read. The diary measures about 3 ½” x 5 ¾”.