Friday, August 1, 2025

James "Jim" Beckford - A Witness to Mowglis' Historic Transition from Private to Non-Profit

 


Episode 118

James "Jim" Beckford - A Witness to Mowglis' Historic Transition from Private to Non-Profit

1953 - 1956 Camper

Den 1956

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Jim Beckford came to Mowglis in 1953 and graduated from the Den in 1956. Though he was the first of the Beckfrd family to come to Mowglis, the family has, since then, developed a long and distinguished history with Mowglis.

Jim's brother Joe played a critical role in the transition from Colonel Elwell's leadership to the Holt Elwell Memorial Foundation, now responsible for the leadership of Mowglis.

Jim has a long and distinguished career as an educator and administrator since his Mowglis days. 


Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/jim.beckford.9/

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-beckford-2001404



Podcasts produced at Anamaki Studios in Bath, NH. Sales of art and merchandise from our galleries help cover the costs of production at Anamaki. They also help us to avoid placing commercials in the podcasts. 


This land lies in N’dakinna, the traditional ancestral homeland of the Abenaki, Sokoki, Koasek, Pemigewasset, Pennacook and Wabanaki Peoples past and present. We acknowledge and honor with gratitude those who have stewarded N’dakinna throughout the generations.



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Signed Originals





Sun Dried Nostalgia



What was a horseshoe pack?
A horseshoe pack is 
a type of makeshift blanket roll used to carry gear, with historical use by Civil War soldiers and hobos in the 1930s. It is constructed by rolling a blanket or tarp with other belongings inside, and then bending the entire bundle into a horseshoe shape to be carried over the shoulder. 
Historical applications
  • Civil War: Soldiers used the horseshoe pack to carry sleeping gear and other equipment that wasn't immediately needed. The shape allowed them to shift the weight from one shoulder to the other, which was a practical advantage during long marches.
  • 1930s hobos: Also called a "hobo roll" or "hobo balloon," this pack was used by transient workers for camping and travel. Hobos often used military surplus gear, rolling up items like a ground sheet, wool blanket, and cook kit.
  • Survival and scouting: The technique is still taught in survival training and scouting as a way to create a functional pack using minimal resources like a tarp, cordage, and blankets. 
How to make a horseshoe pack
  1. Lay out a tarp or blanket: A ground cloth, poncho, or blanket is spread flat on the ground.
  2. Add gear: Camping or survival items, such as a sleeping bag, extra clothes, and cookware, are placed on top. Heavier or harder objects are packed toward the ends, while softer items are kept in the middle to rest on the shoulder.
  3. Roll tightly: The cloth and its contents are rolled up as tightly as possible to create a compact bundle.
  4. Secure with rope: Cordage or rope is tied around the roll at several points to keep the contents from shifting or falling out.
  5. Bend and carry: The bundle is then bent into a U-shape, forming the "horseshoe." The ends are tied together, and the pack is carried over one shoulder. 

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The Painted Highlander



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