A Scout's Honor

by Michele Boy | January 20, 2022

Jacob Thornburgh began his Scouting career right here in Hamilton County as a cub scout with Cody Ellingsworth as the Cubmaster.

Jacob was born here when his mom, Leanne, had moved to take care of her grandmother with Alzheimer’s. “We ended up staying 13 years,” said Leanne.

Jacob, a sophomore now, lives in Missouri. However, he returns to Syracuse each summer to help with wheat harvest for H & H Harvesting.

“I have good memories of fishing for bass, croppie, and catfish with Colin Green and Easton and Cavin Housholder,” said Jacob.

And now that Jacob has risen through the ranks from Cub Scout, to Boy Scout, to Life Scout, he is determined to become an Eagle Scout.

The community project he wants to do is right here in Hamilton County.

The two monuments representing the original borders of Texas and Mexico are not at the exact point. That would be at the center of the river. The monuments were put near the Arkansas River. If a rain comes in, the area is often flooded with mud. Puddles make it difficult to get to close to them and it just looks messy.

Jacob plans to spend his Spring Break traveling back to Syracuse  where he and his grandfather, Jake Thornburgh, along with some scouts from Lamar, will raise and move the monuments to a better location. And they will add signage for travelers to learn more of the history behind them.

His mom, Leanne, is very proud. “He has worked very hard for this. This is something near and dear to his heart. And I am excited for him.”

While Jake has the vision, the project will cost approximately $3,000.00 to complete.

So his mom helped him set up a fundraising page to help raise the money needed.

You can help by going to the web page and donating. https://www.freefunder.com/campaign/eagle-scout-project-pB8Bpf

City Administrator Brian Bloyd said, “It’s important that Jacob wants to preserve the history behind the Arkansas river, and it’s use as a northern border for Mexico and later the border of the Republic of Texas.  The two monuments currently placed just south of the Arkansas River channel have been submerged on a few occasions due to heavy rainfall causing the river to rise out of its banks. Relocating the monuments to higher ground and constructing a fence around them for added protection along with a permanent sign to describe the historical value of the Arkansas River is a great choice for his Eagle Scout project.  Jacob is a fine young man that I look forward to assisting with his project in the months to come.”

Sounds like Jacob is living up to the Boy Scouts oath - On my honor, I will do my best 

To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; 

To help other people at all times; 

To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.