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3 The CCC and the National Forests in Alabama In April 1933, the only national forest in Alabama was the Alabama National Forest in Winston and Lawrence counties; it had been proclaimed a national forest by President Woodrow Wilson on January 5, 1918. On April 6, 1933, the Moulton Advertiser reported that Representative Edward B. Almon, from Moulton, and Representative William B. Bankhead , from Jasper, had asked Forest Service’s Chief Stuart to establish CCC camps in the Alabama National Forest. On June 1, 1933, the Moulton Advertiser reported that three reforestation camps had been established there with a contingent of 11 officers and 572 men. The camps would be opened to the public on June 4, and the public was urged to make the boys feel at home. Arrangements had been made to send cars to the camps to bring enrollees to church and Sunday school, and many enrollees had been invited to dinner. The people of Moulton were asked to save newspapers and magazines that were to be delivered to the camps by Mrs. Gaines. Company 463, Camp F-1, Moulton, Alabama Company 463 was the first CCC company organized in the state of Alabama , at Fort McClellen on April 28–29, 1933. It consisted of junior enrollees from the counties of northern Alabama. While the company was being conditioned, 2nd Lt. Price C. McClemore was sent to Cheatham Knob with a detachment to establish Camp F-1. Although hampered by a lack of transportation and adequate water, the men began to arrange the campsite with a temporary kitchen and water storage tank. The camp was named “Camp Wheeler” to honor General Joe Wheeler from Moulton. Camp F-1 was established on May 26, 1933. The work project consisted of the construction of roads, bridges, fire towers, firebreaks, and telephone lines, and stream improvement.The men were also conducting a timber sur- 36 Chapter 3 vey across the forest, the only one of its type in Alabama at that time (1934 CCC District D Annual). On November 23, 1933, the Moulton Advertiser reported that a fire in Camp F-1 had destroyed two barracks and damaged a third with several boys injured. The cause was unknown, but the fire had spread rapidly. Henry Bradfield, from Birmingham, went back into the burning barracks to rescue Bonnie Rivers from Hurtsboro. Bradfield was considered a hero. Three years later the CCC would establish a certificate of valor for exceptional courageous action . The Moulton Advertiser reported on April 30, 1936, that Bradfield had been among the first 11 enrollees and former enrollees to receive this award. He received the medal for valor, a Carnegie Medal, and $1,000. His act of bravery was included in the CCC Enrollees Handbook printed in 1935. During the spring and summer of 1934, a young artist named Charles C. Foster was assigned to Camp F-1. Although he arrived in camp after the fire, he shed some light on the possible cause and quick rate of spread. He recalled that the boys frequently brought Coke bottles filled with gasoline into the barracks to kill bed bugs. He also stated that the barracks walls were covered with tarpaper that tended to peel from the walls (Charles C. Foster interview , June 4, 2001; see the CD). A Camp Inspection Report dated April 16, 1934, recorded 161 enrollees under the command of Captain J. H. Palmer. It also recorded that Camp F-1 was plagued from the start by a lack of water. To make matters worse, Company 464 was also stationed at Cheatham Knob. The water problem was brought to the attention of Director Fechner, who wrote to the War Department on April 30, 1934, stating the source of water was a small mountain spring that dried up in the summer.The Forest Service was hauling water to the camp.The men were going to Moulton to bathe. Camp F-1 was abandoned on October 27, 1934. The scarcity of water finally forced the camp to close in spite of its beautiful location.The Moulton Advertiser reported on October 18, 1934, that Company 463 was being relocated to Camp F-4, which had been established the year before. Company 463 had done a “fine service,” and the people of Lawrence County regretted seeing them move even such a short distance away. Camp F-1 remained abandoned through the following summer.The Moulton Advertiser reported on July 18, 1935, that the camp was to be used to host the...

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