Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone and John Burroughs were friends who enjoyed traveling and camping together in the early 1900s. They called themselves the Vagabonds. However, in 1921 Burroughs died, leaving an empty spot among the group.
Firestone and President Warren G. Harding were longtime friends. Firestone invited the president to join the Vagabonds on their trip. Harding accepted, but he wasn’t able to accompany them on their entire trip. Instead, he said he could join them on July 23 at their campsite near Licking Creek.
“Selection of Harding to take the vacant place in this camping club of distinguished men is considered one of the most unique honors conferred since he became President,” the Frederick News reported.
Harding wouldn’t be able to accompany them on the entire trip, but he would camp with them on July 23, 1921, near Licking Creek. The area in Washington County is now called Camp Harding County Park.
The president left Washington, D.C., at 9:30 a.m. He must have been eager to get away overnight because he averaged 50 mph on the trip there.
“The Secret Service and the many journalists and photographers had difficulty keeping up with the President’s car as it journeyed toward Funkstown,” according to The Model T Times. “He arrived shortly after Ford, Firestone, Edison, and company arrived.”
They arrived at the campsite on Licking Creek around 1 p.m. The group ate lunch in a dining room with a table that had a Lazy Susan and a nine-foot diameter.
After lunch, they spent a casual afternoon. The president took a nap in his tent. Ford and Firestone competed in wood-chopping. Edison lay down under an elm tree and took a nap.
When Harding woke up, he, Ford and Firestone went horseback riding. Harding’s personal secretary, George Christian, and Secret Service agent, Col. Edmund Starling, accompanied them.
“The President then visited a local general store and made a phone call back to the White House to check on the health of his wife,” The Model T Times reported. “While there, he bought candy for several local children gathered at the store.”
Back at camp, they enjoyed a hearty dinner. Music was provided by a player piano powered by a portable electric generator. The Vagabonds stayed up until 2 a.m., talking and telling stories around a campfire.
The following day, the group went horseback riding after breakfast.
After the ride, Bishop Anderson held a Sunday morning worship and memorial service in memory of Burroughs, one of the original Vagabonds.
“Mrs. Firestone played the piano and the congregation sang hymns,” The Model T Times reported. “There were several hundred in attendance, as many local farmers and visitors joined the service. The service concluded with the audience joining President Harding in singing ‘Rock of Ages’ and ‘Nearer My God to Thee.’”
They lunched at the campsite, and Harding and his entourage left around 4 p.m. to return to Washington. It had been a quick getaway for Harding, but the trip was only beginning for the remaining Vagabonds.
for full story Looking Back: President Harding becomes a Vagabond | Local News | times-news.com
