We Began to Count Noses - Silkworth.net

As we come to the close of 1935, we have substantiated at least eight if not
nine recovered alcoholics. In the case of Silas Bent, it is possible he got sober in
1936, but surely he was among the First Forty whose noses were counted in the
fall of 1937. So why does Alcoholics Anonymous Comes Of Age state on page 310
that there were only five recovered at the end of 1935 We can not say for sure
but we do know that several of our first nine documented recoveries would later
slip temporarily or relapse completely. Hank and Walter both had documented
relapses and appear to have left the fellowship sometime after the publication of
the first edition of the Big Book. Both Phil and Ernie would slip at some point
around the time of the counting of noses. The long term success or failure of any
of the early pioneers is not our current purpose nor is it under consideration
here. Our only concern is to determine who were the noses that likely were
counted that fall afternoon in Dr. Bob’s living room. In any case, we cannot
account for the discrepancy and might respectfully suggest the memory of those
involved in the writing of the 1957 publication, Alcoholics Anonymous Comes Of
Age had faded with time. Such is the dilemma many of will face as we try to
accurately document the history of the early travelers on The Golden Road of
Devotion.
AA # NAME SOB FROM
1 Bill Wilson Dec 34 NY
2 Bob Smith May 35 Akron
3 Bill Dotson June 35 Akron
4 Ernie Galbraith July 35 Akron
5 Henry Parkhurst Sept 35 NJ
6 Walter Bray Sept 35 Akron
7 Phil Smith Oct 35 Akron
8 John Mayo Nov 35 MD
9 Silas Bent Nov 35 CT
“When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us”