Eagle Scout Lexie Carter Jr
From the Pittsburgh Courier, January 31, 1931. Headline: "Outstanding Trafford Scout Receives Signal Decoration"
When Paul Siple, aide to Byrd on his recent South Polar dash, decorated more than 300 Boy Scouts at the Rowland Theater, Wilkinsburg, last Sunday, there was one lad who deserved even more than the applause given him as he accepted his advancement. His name is Lexie Carter Jr. and his rank is now Eagle Scout.
Only a few of the thousands who saw this lad march across the platform, click his heels, and salute as he received his award, were fully aware of his accomplishment. Besides being the only colored boy ever to attain such rank in the history of East Boroughs Scouting. Lexie automatically became the only one in the entire Western Pennsylvania district and the third of all time in the state. Enough for statistics.
Lexie is but a mere youth of 15 years. Three years ago he entered scouting in his hometown of Trafford. By diligent effort and hard work, he rose rapidly through the elementary stages of Scout rank. An unusually keen student, Scout Carter just as steadily made an assault upon the higher honors of scouting. Determination, plus a willingness to learn, took him for two summers to the East Boroughs camp. Twin Echo near Ligonier. While at camp Lexie served as a junior officer in recompense for his tuition. At this mountain retreat, under the careful tutelage of Scout leaders, he came to be looked upon as a model, a student, and a regular fellow.
Lexie's accomplishment in scouting is second only to his record as a student at Trafford High School. Here he is a sophomore, star fullback, sensational trackman, dependable basketballer, and above all an honor student. An unusual combination to be sure.
Lexie is the son of Lexie Carter Sr. and resides at 10 Lincoln Place, Trafford. He is a member of Troop 1, Boy Scouts of America, which meets in the local high school building. The troop was organized by the Board of Trade, which body has recently transferred its sponsorship to the Trafford Rotary Club.
Trafford Historical Society Notes:
Lexie Carter Jr (1914–1968) was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and was a member of the Trafford High Class of 1933. In celebration of Black History Month, Kelton Edmonds, education coordinator for the Westmoreland Historical Society, will present "The Great Migration – A Century Later" at 1 p.m. Feb. 10 at Westmoreland Historical Society's Education Center at Historic Hanna's Town & Westmoreland History, 809 Forbes Trail Road, Greensburg. Edmonds will examine the motivations, landing spots, outcomes and layers of this demographic shift that permanently altered the nation. African-American migrants had a profound long-term impact on the economic, labor and political landscape of their new destinations and the nation. There is no fee to attend. Reservations are requested by calling 724-836-1800, ext. 210.
