August 2014 - Overnighter with an AMM Brother

Badger had called me the week before saying he was going to have some time off and was wondering if I was available to camp. It was agreed and I would bring the ribs to roast. We would portray fort hunters at Fort Union and interact with visitors there, camp that evening and do the same thing the next day.

AMM - Fort Henry Party Camp – Fort Union
Wednesday, August 6, 2014

I rode with Ranger Sanden this morning to the Fort. When we arrived I donned my shoot bag, horn , manty pack, grabbed my rifle and then hiked up the hill to the fort.

I arrived before Badger. He had anticipated arriving mid-morning. I had an abridged copy of Kurz’s journal with me that covered just his time spent on the upper Missouri that I read from for a while and then talked with the day’s fort staff.

After Badger arrived I filled my canteen and we opened up and set up the Fort’s hunter shack. It looked as though it had been some time since it had been utilized last. It’s a shame really as there is some nice gear inside that can be seen. If a four and a half foot length of forged chain were made it could be strung across the door so the visitors could see in during the day. I found a matching gourd canteen hanging on the wall. Today, my surplussed 1790s contract rifle never left my side.

Badger and I discussed the use of Indian Sign Language and he worked on it some with me. If we don’t get a chance to take care of it tomorrow we will finish working on the sign language requirement Labor Day weekend. Badger does Indian Sign Language with kids for several days each summer at a different event. It will be good to have this requirement done and I look forward to continue using it. Kim and I have learned some together. We use the words we know and always end sentences with “BAG-BAD-BACON”

We made our way into the trade house and talked with Ranger Stenberg who was portraying a

trader. People began to make their way in. I sat back initially and watched and listened to Badger interact with the visitors. Most of the interaction I have done to this point has been as a fort trader, trapper and camp keeper. It was good to watch a fellow brother and learn from him. Yukon had been here all week as well and would frequent the trade house. We had great conversations again. It was good to see the way the visitors interacted with him and asked him questions. He wasn’t overly happy whenever someone wanted to take a picture with him, but he’d kindly relent.

It got very warm today. Lots of visitors. Ranger Stenberg said there was a 30% chance of rain for us this evening, however, there seems to be an anomaly at Fort Union where any chance of weather turns into 100% chance of weather. I guess we’ll see.

There were some open canvas awnings set up for the Indian Arts Showcase that is going to be held this weekend and we decided to just pitch our bedrolls under one of them. I built a fire using coals from a different fire started earlier today and set to roasting our ribs. Some spirits materialized and were enjoyed. Mike Casler stopped out for a while. He shared with us about some current research he had been working on.  He also suggested to me a list of books and a couple that would be good to read over the winter. It’s good to see that his health is getting better.  After a couple of hours Mike said farewell and headed out.

We both made some char cloth. I had some cotton duck scraps leftover from a project that I used. I’m interested to see how well it will work. Badger and I talked about what got him interested in this hobby, the people he’d met along the way, the ones who’d made a difference and so forth.  We also talked about keeping things trimmed down and keeping things simple.  This is something I’ve been trying to work on myself.

We noticed what seemed like flashes of light so we went up to bastion and wall to see to the north. It was an amazing lightning display far to the north. We watched and talked about a number of things until it was time to turn in for the evening.

At one point during the night I woke up to the sound of rain. Looks like 30% chance became 100%. My beading consisted of a blanket and my usual 10x10 ground cloth wrapped around me. Some light splatter was landing on my face so I pulled the ground cloth over far enough to cover all of my rifle, shooting bag and horn, blanket and the top of my head and went back to sleep.

I woke up some time later to thunder and lightning. I rolled back the covers to look around and noticed Badger was up and pushing up on the canvas awning. Different parts were sagging down from gallons of water that was pooling above us! I quickly hopped to my feet to help him push up the canvas, dumping the water off to the side. We had to do this in four or so places. With the rate of rain coming down we decided to just stay up for a while. I moved my bedding another four feet or so under the awning and checked my rifle and other gear. While my ground cloth had gotten wet my gear was dry. I wondered how Yukon was doing in his tipi outside of the walls.

We sat on the timbers that outlined where one of the hearths had been in the dwelling range which had not been rebuilt during the reconstruction of the fort. Badger shared with me about several treks and camps that stuck out in his mind in regards to rain. We laughed a lot and periodically would have to lift the canvas awning up in different places again to disperse the water. The first one we pushed back must have had close to fifteen gallons of water. After the rain died down to a slow drizzle we went back to sleep.

Thursday, August 7^th, 2014

We woke up just before the large green gates were opened. Seeing that we had blue skies above and draped my blanket and ground cloth to dry over one of the gates that was built into the wall crossbeams to be used as a small corral. I decided that I would check on the other awning on the east side of the fort. There was so much water sagging the canvas down that it took me several attempts to get all of the water out. Hopefully the canvas would tighten back up some with a breeze and the sun.

I helped Ranger Stenberg uncover the cannon and Red River Cart.

While I was sitting on the dwelling range timbers cutting up the leftover ribs and tossing them into my lidded copper kettle to make a stew for lunch several groups of visitors were curious as to what I “was doing with that large scalping knife.” That large scalping knife was actually my six pin Sheffeld butcher knife that I keep in a sheath tucked in between my back and my belt. I explained how I was preparing to make lunch and we talked about the job of being a hunter for

the fort. One of the groups in particular, probably just trying to be a part of what was going on, talked about making sure that I’d keep those pesky Indians in check and several other misnomers. I tried to politely address the issue and talked about the culture of the fort, how the Assiniboine were essentially the protectors and how for the most part there weren’t many major incidences. The tribes for the most part did a good job of keeping things in check. As Ranger Stenberg puts it, the tribes who traded here, and some of them were enemies, understood that “a time for trade is a time for truce”.  Some of them didn’t seem to have much to say after that and they thanked me for my time, commented out how cool a place Fort Union was and went on their way, out the North gate, and straight to Yukon’s tipi. It made me smile I saw them throw back the door and walk on in.

I brought my kettle into the trade house and set my stew to cooking over the fire. I talked to some visitors and went inside the Borgeois house to grab a book. While I was gone a few visitors had gone into the trade house where Ranger Stenberg, Yukon and Badger were. Badger asked one of the men where they were from. When the fellow said they were from Texas, Badger, who is a man with a sense of humor,  said “I’m sorry.” The fellow says, “I said I’m from Texas.” Badger said, “I know, I said I’m sorry.” The Texan responds with a stern tone saying,” Them there’s fighting words.” Badger slowly pulls out the large knife that is on his waist, grabs it by the blade so that the handle is pointed towards the visitor and says,” Can you hold this for me?” The Texan takes the knife and Badger pulls out a small folding pocketknife. Badger opens the small blade and says, ”This is how we make it a fair fight with Texans.” Fortunately everyone had a good chuckle with that and the people stayed and talked for a while.

Yukon entered the fort later on grinning and sat down in the trade house. He proceeded to tell us about a group of people who just entered his tipi without knocking or asking if anyone was inside. Yukon was dressed in a loin cloth with a sash with some simple paint on his face, arms, chest and legs. He explained how he was resting on his blanket and just lay perfectly still staring at the tipi poles above as they entered his dwellling. The people commented how cool it was that there was a fully decorated tipi complete with an Indian dummy laying down. When they were very close examining the "dummy" Yukon sat up fast and shouted. Apparently the people were very surpised and ran out of Yukon's tipi. I guess this is something that he's done before.

In the late afternoon it was time for Badger to pack up and head out. I helped him hike his gear down the hill and out to his vehicle. I would stay until Ranger Sanden was done for the day and ride back to town with her. Though it was a short camp, and not a usual one, I enjoyed doing some interp with a fellow brother in a place that means a lot to me.


-- Leifer

2014 Fort Union Rendezvous

The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from the 2014 Fort Union Rendezvous.

2014 FT. UNION RENDEZVOUS
Wednesday, June 18, 2014

     We arrived at the Fort this afternoon & immediately began setting up our wedge tent. The kids now have a small tent of their own that will pop out of the back door of our main tent. We set up next to Paul’s camp.
     Helped Paul get Dave F’s tent set up.
     The sky’s opened up for a while & I got soaked. I had set up a tripod to use to cook my & Garrick’s supper over the fire. Garrick & I would stay by ourselves tonight & Kim & the girls would join us tomorrow. I managed to keep our fire going through the downpour. We were invited to enjoy our meal at the shelter of our friends in the Canadien contingent. Mark & Chris & their daughter & son-in-law & grandson Megan & Mike & Rhett. I was good to enjoy our meal in the company of friends sheltered from the rain. It had been the better part of a year since we had been able to see our Canadian brethren. Garrick, for being 2 ½ acted as a nice young gentleman should. We said goodnight & retired for the evening.

Thursday, June 19, 2014 FT. UNION RONDY

     I woke up to Garrick’s face in mine & him saying “Dad, time to get up.” After tidying up

the tent I mantied up the gear I would need for today. I would be setting up a trapper’s camp demo for “kids” day. AMM sponsor Rod Lassey would be joining me. I would be portraying a camp keeper & would have a few reproduction period traps for viewing, including my new muskrat trap made by Allen Harrison. Rod also brought over his beaver gin trap also made by Allen. During the demo Garrick played in the shelter I set up & Rod & I answered questions. I roasted ribs & had our supper, a stew, cooking over the fire. Rod roasted coffee beans, ground them & made coffee. One of the visitors pointed at the ribs & asked “Is that real meat?” I smiled & said “Yes, it is.”, then pointed at Garrick & said “& that’s a real baby!” All parties involved had a nice chuckle & we talked about A.J. MILLER & the roasting of hump ribs. I was also able to work on some cordage with an eye end out of some very short yucca plant.
     Kim and the girls came out later this afternoon. I found out that I messed up her menu plans when I pulled out the cheese and apples today as they were planned for a different meal later on. The stew that had been cooking at the trapper camp demo turned out good, at least my family didn’t seem to mind it too much. I ran to the camps of friends and shared the ribs that I’d been working on as well.
     Tonight I was able to enjoy some time with the Morains, Kim Koenig and Rod Lassey for awhile and had some of the best shrub I’ve ever tasted. Kim was willing to share his “general” recipe with me as it varies some from batch to batch based upon the sweetness and size of the fruit he is able to get. 
     Spent some time over at Paul Bauer’s tent talking with friends with Kim for awhile before going to bed for the evening.

Friday, June 20, 2014 Ft. Union Rendezvous

     Woke up and got a fire going for Kim. She made a variation on hasty pudding that is wrapped in cloth, tied and boiled in water. She was so frustrated when it was done that she thought it was awful. The kids and I thought it was great.
     I spent most of the day in blacksmith shop today. Paul wanted to do some work in it but he kept getting recruited to take care of other projects. He lent me the use of his tools. I really like his hammer. I made a bunch of nail hooks that were given to visitors who stopped by the blacksmith shop and talked to me about the fort and made a special one for Kim to use in our tent. I tried a couple other things too. I made an oval fire steel, without forge welding, and made several eye ended screw drivers for shooting bags. I was also make up a batch of tent stakes for Gordan and Susan Lucht. Gordan is quite the pottery artisan and does pottery demos during Rendezvous. We worked out a trade.
     Supper was leftover stew and a bread that Kim made in her dutch oven. The bread turned out similar to ciabatta bread. It was really good. Spent more time talking to friends tonight at different camps. I began to formulate a plan on getting an English Pattern J. Henry rifle made.

Saturday, June 21, 2014 Ft. Union Rendezvous

     Oatmeal for breakfast today. Kim has really gotten a lot of use out of her tin covered nesting kettle set that the kids and I got for her for mother’s day/anniversary. She has now used three of the six pieces in the set.
     While eating breakfast, Rod entered our camp with a smile on his face and excitedly

said, “Tod Fossetta just found freshly killed beaver on the size of the road. You want to help skin and hoop a beaver?” Rod and I looked at Kim, she rolled her eyes and resignedly said,”I’ll see you some time tonight.” Turns out the beaver had gotten hit in the face by a car, as we discovered after Rod, Tod and I had finished skinning it. Saved the hind quarters and removed the back straps and then set to work hooping the beaver.
     Today was the day I got to go around to the different suttlers and just enjoy Rendezvous. I do enjoy doing the demos and talking and teaching people about the fur trade era, but it’s nice to be able to just soak everything in as well.  Was able to watch Gordon make some pottery and got to sit in and listen to Badger’s talk about the fort hunters.  I was also able to listen to Rex Allen Norman speak about the material culture of the fur trade as well.

     Tod roasted part of the beaver over his fire and brought some around for us to try. I didn’t think it was all that bad. I have a recipe in mind where the meat is marinated for awhile that I think will work well with this meat. He gave me the remaining uncooked beaver meat to take home.
     I talked with Mark Morain today and was able to commission him to build me an English Pattern J. Henry trade rifle. I’m very excited about this. Mark does excellent work.  I was also able to get a razor hone, small hand vise and a burning lens for Kim. Was going to buy a red flannel shirt from Mark and Charlotte as well, but someone else had purchased it by the time I had decided I wanted to get it. Was able to get a shirt made of an 1830s pattern cotton from Kathy Elijah and a few small cloth bags from her for Kim.
     Friends and family came to see us and visit the fort today. I decided to grab the

mormon cart and give the kids rides through the large camp. I had to give several different rides for kids in camp as well. They seemed to have a fun time.
     Right before the camp meeting tonight one of the young boys in the Madden clan could not be found. A number of us combed the fort, scanned the area from the fort walls and checked along the river band. The young lad was found hiding under bedding in his family’s camp. Though his mother and grandmother were less than enthused we were all grateful that he had been found safe and unharmed.

     Mike Schweitzer and Brandon Delvo, our Borgeois and assistant Borgeois, did a wonderful job of the door prizes and entertaining the camp after all the visitors had left for the day. They even auctioned off the young Sawyer Flynn as an indentured servant. I took several minutes for people to realize no real money was involved and finally began to interact. Paul Bauer acted as auctioneer.
     The fiddler did a wonderful job for the dance, however, the clerks office got very warm and people started to leave the dance early. Paul was able to convince the fiddler to come to his camp and play for a group that had gathered there. We loaded all the benches into the mormon cart and set them up at Paul’s camp. People came and went the rest of the evening. It was a very enjoyable time and we were grateful for how accommodating the fiddler was.
     We retired for the night.

Sunday, June 22, 2014 Ft. Union Rendezvous

     This morning Kim wanted to make a fire with her burning lense. We pulled out the char cloth and I got a nest of dried tinder and some kindling ready for her. She quickly got the char to take from her lens and put it into the nest. I instructed her to hold it up and to blow into it. "It's not going to flare up in my face is it?" I responded,"Nope, you'll be fine." She began to blow and after about 15 seconds or so it flared up in her face. Kim glared at me and dropped the burning nest into the fire pit. I quickly handed her some kindling to put on the nest and she got a small fire going. "You said it wouldn't do that." I sheepishly said,"Yeah, I guess I was wrong this time. You did a great job though." Even though she was a bit irriated with me she was pleased that she'd gotten the fire started. I'm very proud of my wife.

     After breakfast I made the rounds to people who were packing up and said goodbye to them.
     At one point while we were packing things up in our camp, Yukon, a Cheyenne, stopped into camp and we talked for a couple of hours about his culture and his fears for the future of his culture. When he found out I was a teacher we brainstormed some ideas of things that could be done in school to help preserve his people’s culture. He invited me to his tipi to see how a tipi would be traditionally set up and adorned. I was amazed. I really appreciated the time I got to spend with Yukon. I learned a lot from him and hope to see him again. I think he would be a wonderful person to have involved with the Indian Arts Showcase that the Fort puts on every August. I got his contact information and will give it to the Rangers.
     Kim and I finished mantying up the gear and got everything loaded. One last trip to fill my gourd canteen, said goodbye to a few more friends and we departed. It was a great several days with family and friends and with few worries.

-Leif