2015 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 2015 Fort Union Rendezvous at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015
Fort Union Rendezvous
This year Rendezvous is going to be a bit different. I will be here both as a living historian and as a park ranger. Earlier today I was able to get our tent set up in the camp next to Paul’s and was able to drop off all the blankets in it for my family. I figured this would be a good way to go as it would be one less thing to worry about when my family arrived tonight. It turned out to be a good idea. When we arrived this evening it was raining. We sat in the van for a short while until the rain subsided enough to go outside. We met Paul and Brandon and our friends of the Canadien contingent, Mark & Chris, Mike & Megan and their son Rhett.

After the rain had essential quick we unloaded the kids and transferred the rest of our gear to the tent. We had Kim’s new rain fly and I hadn’t had a chance to put together a ridgepole and end pole for it. I scrounged the old broken tipi poles and cut them to length with Paul’s buck saw. After he returned on a short hike with the kids he helped me put up the fly and get it staked down.

After we got the kids put down we spent a few hours talking with Brandon and Paul before we finally retired for the evening. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. I’ll need to get the trapper camp demo set up early for tomorrow’s Kids Day.

Thursday, June 18th, 2015

Fort Union Rendezvous
I got up early this morning so my usual routine would be done with sooner. 

I gathered a set of poles to put together a lean-to shelter for our trapper camp. Rod and Sawyer helped me put it together. It consisted of two tripods, a horizontal pole running between the two and several poles leaning against the horizontal. We then tied the ground cloth to it and placed my buffalo robe under it. Rob and Moriah brought us a table that wasn’t being used in the clerk’s office to be used as a display table for our demo area. Rod was able to display his horse gear on it along with historic traps and equipment. Tod was able to make it out today and help with the demo. He brought his two horses along and they were able to use them later on with Rod’s demo on horse use and tack of the fur trade. Rod said at one point, “By the way, Mark and Charlotte arrived.” “They are!?” I said with a smile on my face. Rod chuckled and responded, “Now he’s excited.” I was looking forward to seeing them and talking with Charlotte about a clothing project and with Mark about my rifle. It would have to wait for now.

Due to safety reasons we were not able to build our usual open fire in our demo area that is inside of where the dwelling range used to be so we were using a “double brazier” instead, which we surrounded with firewood to mask it as best as we could. Rod brought some ribs to roast over the fire like we had done last year. By good providence I had managed to trap a rabbit earlier this morning that we would roast over the fire later.

We had a large number of kids and parents

stop by our demo area. We seemed to be a popular place to stop by. It was good having Tod join us in the demo this year. At times we had so many people stopping by that all three of us were talking to different people at the same time. Chris had been doing Indian Sign Language with the kids right behind us by the hunter shack and later on would be doing his presentation as Hugh Glass. We answered a lot of questions and explained the difference between the rendezvous system and the trading post system during the fur trade. The visitors seemed to enjoy seeing and hold the period beaver traps, feeling the beaver tail and smelling the bait in Rod’s bait bottle. In the afternoon my beaver plew had finished thawing so I was able to flesh it on the beam as visitors stopped by the trapper camp. Gordon stopped in with a piece of pottery he’d made for me. 

Most of the day was spent inside of the fort walls. It took several attempts, but, I was finally able to escape to the outside for the evening. The first stop was to see Gordon and Susan, my favorite potters. I’ll be stopping in to see them again to pick up a few more pieces. Next I stopped in to see Mark and Charlotte. Mark said he’d brought my rifle to work on during his gunsmithing demos and that we’d talk about my rifle later on when I had more time.

Photo by Kris Baxter

I got a fire going for Kim and set to making dinner for us. Slab bacon, sliced thick, and sliced potatoes. The kids really enjoyed it. This year was the first time they were able to roam around quite a bit. While Tod, Rod and I were doing our trapper camp demo Kim was helping at the craft area. Sig, Bryn and Garrick played around inside the walls during the day and later on were hunting toads with their friends. They had done well today with their freedom.

After the kids went down for the night we went next door to Paul’s tent and enjoyed some libations and talked for several hours... When we made it back to our tent I was very surprised to see just how late it was. I was informed today by Travis, our head of maintenance that a couple of packages had arrived for me. It should be my uniform, which is good as I am supposed to be in uniform and working in the Bourgeois house tomorrow. Hopefully it will fit.

Friday, June 19th, 2015
Fort Union Rendezvous
I woke early this morning to get showered. Our wonderful maintenance staff had brought the packages I had received yesterday up to the Fort for me. Inside I found a complete uniform and parts of two more. Miraculously everything fit. It may seem different or weird to some, but I felt so proud to be able to wear my NPS Park Ranger uniform. Putting on my NPS straw ranger hat was the icing on the cake. Fred, one of our rangers loaned me the use of one of his NPS badges for the weekend until I would be issued a set next week.

We had a number of people cycle through the bourgeois house today. I answered a LOT of questions. 

At one point I was spelled by Loren and went out to check on how things were going in the camp. Things appeared to be going well. I was able to stop in and make contact with each of our vendors and introduce myself. 

My rounds in the camp complete I stopped in to see Mark and Charlotte. Mark showed me my rifle in his portable work vise and walked me through the state of things. Long story short, the establishment we gotten the parts from, a reputable outfit, had some misleading information about the parts for the rifle. Everything was high quality, however, not all of it was as it should have been for the type of rifle it was. This was not Mark’s fault. I could tell he felt poorly about the situation. While the establishment may have failed us, I know that Mark’s craftsmanship will not. I know it will be a finely made, dependable rifle that I will be honored to carry with me and use wherever I may make my camp.

I went with Lisa to inspect a vendor’s tent. The gentleman was an odd “cat” of different “hats”, a reference only some will understand.

Stopping in to see Charlotte I found a nice box for Kim made by Mark, a case bottle and a better vent pick. I let Charlotte know I’d stop by later to talk with her about a clothing project for me for next year.

I took the box to our camp where Kim was at. She was pleased.

Back in the bourgeois house we contented with another onslaught of visitors. Many questions. There were some very interesting visitors with great questions and then there were others. One particular gentleman kept talking and talking and whenever I’d attempt to speak to other visitors he dragged back into the conversation. Kim came in with lunch for me and tried to intervene but to no avail.

We’d been monitoring the weather all day via satellite imagery and had been concerned about a storm cell making its way toward the fort. As the cell came closer it grew in intensity. We made the decision to inform the camp that it was time to “baton down the hatches.” I was dispatched to the camp to inform them of the situation and assist with preparations. It was impressive to see how the living historians helped each other attach new guy lines and drive new stakes to secure their tents. If someone was short of something someone else quickly offered up extra stakes or rope they had.

Satellite imagery went purple and we decided it was time to move everyone into the fort

for safety. Most people came, some decided to ride out the storm in camp. Tod brought his horses in from the outside corral and put them in one of the small corrals that was built into the fort’s walls. Some of the living historians went into the trade house and many ended up inside the bourgeois house. The kids sat on the floor in the main area playing games while Jeff played guitar and sang. We kept observing the storm from the upstairs level and from the covered porch. 

Hail. Some marble size and quickly dwindled into pea size. We watched a horrendous wind move the tipi in the courtyard, pulling up most of the stakes holding the edges down. The only thing that kept it from completely blowing over was the rope that ran from the top of the poles to the two long stakes pounded in at criss-cross angles. In the aftermath amazingly, only two tents had gone down during the storm outside the walls. The rest stood. No major damage done. Everything was soaked, but nothing ruined.

Ben, Amanda and myself set to putting up tall hitching posts made of tripods with tipi poles set horizontally across them for people to dry out their soaked blankets and ground cloths. 

Tonight was our camp meeting where we all sat down together and went over the

Photo by Lyla Kraft

guidelines and expectations for the remainder of rendezvous. Andy, our superintendent welcomed the camp; Lisa one of our rangers and volunteer coordinator spoke about what paperwork still needed to be completed; Brandon, one of our Fort Union Muzzleloaders and this year’s bourgeois talked a little about the events taking place tomorrow; and I, as the assistant bourgeois said hi to everyone as well. As an EMT I was going to be the contact person in the event of a medical or trauma scenario. To this point, aside from slivers in the camp kids’ fingers and toes, we’ve had no major incidents. Hopefully that will be the case for the remainder of rendezvous.

Kim K. arrived today and will be camping per usual with Mark and Charlotte.

Kim (my Kim) was a bit beside herself this evening, which was understandable as the interior of our tent was soaked. She’d gotten enough blankets dried on the hitching posts to keep us all warm tonight and had gotten the ground cloths dried as well. Brandon shared his fire with us and I took care of making supper, a stew, while Kim attended to Garrick and just sat and relaxed for a bit. The Maddens stopped by and shared some dessert with us that helped lighten Kim’s spirits. I was able to arrange for another barrier between our ground cloth and the mud. We were able to stop by Mark and Charlotte’s camp and share some shrub with them, Rod and Kim K. It was good to spend some time with them this evening.

We were both exhausted by the time we retired for the evening.

Back in period clothes for tomorrow.  

Saturday, June 20th, 2015
Fort Union Rendezvous
Slept well.

Today I roamed between the camp and the inside of the fort. I spelled Loren and Fred some in the bourgeois house with all the people we had coming through, which was many more than yesterday.

I went into the clerk office side of the trade house to snap a picture of the painting of Denig and ended up with several accidental tour groups, talking to them about how Kurz’s painting of the Indians got him into trouble down river when some were dying of small pox, Denig, and Kurz’s painting of Natoh. It was unexpected but was a fun little talk to share with the visitors none the less. 

Was able to talk with Charlotte about putting together a frock coat that matches what Denig is wearing in the painting of the trade room, a new shirt and a pair of pants to wear as bourgeois next year. She agreed and was relieved that I wouldn’t be needing them until next year’s rendezvous. She said she’ll have them ready early enough so that any final alterations can be made before rendezvous. I’m very excited about the new bourgeois clothing. Tonight I will be wearing boots I was able to procure from Brandon, my regular brown pants, blue check shirt, red scarf, brown wool vest and black top hat. A bit hodge-podge but the best I have as assistant bourgeois. 

Got a knife from Bob S. today that I will use with my 6th Infantry kit at Fort Buford.

I was able to sit in on Jim Hardee’s talk today about Nathaniel Wyeth. I enjoyed it. Learned something new about the “Grand Tetons”. Mike Casler was here for the talk as well and shared with me about a few articles he’s been working on that are going to be published soon along with some interesting information about Fort Floyd.

Around 4pm today Brandon and I went around and met with everyone in camp. As the

assistant bourgeois it was my job to notate everyone in camp in the book. The nice thing about this honorary position is that you get to meet everyone and have a chance to find out who everyone is. It took about two hours. When we completed the task we made slips with the names of all the adults for tonight’s drawings before the dance. The big prize is the special chief’s blanket that has been nicknamed “The Fort Union Blanket.”

Brandon and I returned to the camp famished. Tonight was the night that there is a huge camp stew prepared by Tim S. (Swede). The Lisenbees made homemade rolls and possibly some huge round loaves of bread. I inhaled two bowls of stew and three of the large rolls.

Photo by Lyla Kraft

After supper we all convened in the courtyard for the drawings. Brandon and I did some welcoming announcements and thank yous to everyone. We drew the names out of my new Tim Bender top hat. We had my son Garrick help us by having him take the prizes to the people who won them. It was a pretty fun time with joking, laughter and music. 

During the dance I ended up giving some special Bourgeois House tours to about a dozen people or so. As like last year the music moved from the courtyard to the camp.

I was able to go to the six main camps and share some shrub with everyone. Kim’s raspberry shrub was a hit. 

I was able to spend some time at the Madden for a while. Terry offered me a drink and Marcia gave me a generous portion of apple crisp. We shared some good laughs and I really enjoyed the company. It was good to spend some time with them. This year I hadn’t gotten much of an opportunity to spend much time in anyone’s camp. 

Back at our camp we had Ben and Amanda, Ross, Paul, Mark and Charlotte, Brandon, Kris, Mike and Lisa, Kim K. and Rod and Briana. Was able to spend some time in good conversation, enjoying everyone’s company. 

The time finally came to retire for the evening. Today was a good day.

Sunday, June 21st,2015
Fort Union Rendezvous
Today my 1790s contract rifle went with me wherever I went. 

Spent most of the morning between the bourgeois house and the courtyard talking to visitors. Was able to catch Rod’s demo about horse use and tack of the fur trade. It was a good presentation. Tod had his horses there during the presentation as well. There was a good number of people who attended it. I was able to snag a copy of Rod’s notes, complete with excerpts from the different inventories.

Got to see Chris Floyd’s presentation as Hugh Glass. He did a fantastic job. He was

able to paint scenes in your mind with the words he spoke that gave the listener a better idea of just how bad it must have been for Glass to continue on after the bear attack.

Helped Kim get the rest of our gear tore down and packed into the van.

We had more incoming weather so I was able to help out some of the folks in camp who were tearing down, including the Morains and the Luchts.

After checking in with Loren, Kim and the kids and I departed midafternoon. It had been four long, but very good, days of rendezvous at Fort Union. It was different experiencing it as both a living historian and as a park ranger. Not bad, just different. I am looking forward to having a slower day tomorrow where we unpack, air out the blankets and canvas, do laundry and get everything put back into order. 

I look forward to Labor Day weekend where I will see many of our friends again and help the visitors experience life at Fort Union.

-- Leifer

2015 April Game Day Weekend

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 a historic game day weekend in April of 2015 at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. This was one of a series of monthly game days at the Fort.

Friday, April 24^th, 2015
2015 April Game Day Weekend

The girls and I arrived to the fort this evening and found Paul and Dave F. already there, their camp already made. Brandon arrived shortly after. With some assistance we got our camp made

and I got supper for the girls. It was good to be here. The evening meal consisted of meat, cheese and hard crackers.

Brandon arrived. He would be residing in the carpenter’s shack. The rest of the evening was spent in Paul’s tent, playing cribbage, enjoying some libations together, getting to know Ross, one of our new park staff, and just shooting the breeze.

Due to the long day I retired earlier than I normally do on an outing like this. Brynja was complaining about her ear and ended up snuggling in with me.

Saturday, April 25^th, 2015
2015 April Game Day Weekend
The night passed without major incident. Brynja did fidget throughout the night. Breakfast was made and Kim arrived to the fort shortly thereafter with Garrick.

Was able to spend time in the blacksmith shop today. Paul helped me cut a bunch of pieces of round stock and I made jig to help make some consistent chain links. I spent several hours working on forge welding the links. Still working on my technique. They aren’t the way I want them to be yet, however, they are greatly improved compared to the forge welding I was doing last year. I will have to finish up this chain later on. As I have all the stock cut for this project it will make things go more quickly later on.

The Signe, Brynja and Garrick wanted to take Paul, Brandon and me on a hike. So we went on a

hike. They would run ahead for a while and then come back as we walked along the trail. We were hiking along the edge of the hill and looking down to the river bottoms below. Depending on high the water would be later on we found a few possible locations to camp at some later time. The kids had a great time and it was a good time to just enjoy the imagery around us and talk. On the way back we paused at the pit saw that was used to cut large logs. Garrick entertain Paul and I with a story. Paul ended up carrying Garrick the rest of the way back into the fort.

Drizzle. It drizzled softly outside so we stayed mostly in the trade house, stoking the fire. Kim had brought along her 1830s coffee pot so I pulled aside a small pile of coals onto the hearth stones and she made some tea. It felt good on a cool drizzly evening like this. At this point Taylor and Sawyer had arrived as well. We enjoyed the rest of the evening playing cribbage and talking.

We put the kids down for the evening and enjoyed another hour or so talking to the light of the fire in the hearth of the trade house until retiring for the evening.

Sunday, April 26^th, 2015
2015 April Game Day Weekend
The night passed without incident. Kim made baked oatmeal at the hearth in the trade house. It’s one of my favorite meals.

We began to prepare our tent some for packing up later in the afternoon.

No time spent in the forge.

More of the crew arrived, including Ben, Amanda and Haans. Cribbage and draughts ensued.

For lunch Signe and Brynja helped Kim make two boiled “fig” puddings. Kim used raisins instead. They turned out very good.

A group of visitors wanted to get a picture of us in front of the Bourgeois house, so stood for a photo.

Shortly after we helped each other pack up our camps and headed out. It wasn’t a long weekend and the weather limited our activity somewhat, but it was a good weekend. We got to spend it together as a family with our friends.

-- Leifer

2015 FUMLA Winter Camp

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 FUMLA Winter Camp in January of 2015

WINTER CAMP – CHARBONNEU CREEK
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015    
     My daughter Signe came with me to winter camp. It was her turn. In preparation for what could be colder weather I made a small hooded capote from a drab blanket scraps with red melton welting. It’s big on both the girls so we should be able to get a few years use out of it for all three kids. I’d also made a small wolf eared cap from blanket scrap as well for Garrick that we brought along. Signe had her trade dress, mocs and wool leggings. She also had some additional clothing depending on how cold it got.
     It had been unseasonably warm all week so the ground was rather damp. In the past kids who were along for the camps at the cabin along Charbonneau Creek would sleep in the loft. I decided we would do that as well. Next time, provided it would be less wet, Signe and I would sleep outside.
     We met up with Taylor and he followed us to the site. This was his first time to winter camp.
     We arrived and hiked into the site. We found Rod, Dave F and Tod were there. Tod had

arrived several hours earlier and had set up a small fly for his camp.
     I unpacked the gear and got the loft situated for Signe and me. It had been some years since the loft had been slept in. There wasn’t a lot of room for me to move around due to my size so Signe was a big help in getting things laid out properly. Monk, one of our Canadien brethren, arrived a bit later.
     Amid the candle-light this evening I made a rabbit stew in my lidded copper trade kettle for Signe and myself. We had enough rabbit to let everyone try some. The general consensus was that it wasn’t all that bad. To my pallet it can have a flavor and texture similar to a thanksgiving turkey.
     Conversation this evening brought up memories of past winter camps and their discussion. Rod shared some recollections from a book written by Frank Linderman called “Montana Adventure.” Linderman had done some trapping in the 1880s or so in Montana and went on to be a state legislator. That was the first book of the evening that I decided I must add to my library being as I as well am a Montana boy. Another book that got brought up was “West of William H. Ashley.”  As I understand it is considered a great reference that one keeps going back to. This will also be added to my library.
     Discussion was also had on the Indian Wars as it is very applicable to this area, Fort Buford being not too far from where we were currently encamped.
     It had been a full day for me so after a while I climbed up into the loft with Signe, she to the inside and myself closest to the edge. After having been dozing for what I assume had been close to an hour I was awoken to Signe nudging me. “Daddy?” “What Signe.” “I have to go to the bathroom.” So much for having taken care of that before we went to bed.

WINTER CAMP – CHARBONNEU CREEK
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015         
     Slept fairly well during the night. Discovered Signe moves a lot in her sleep. She said she stayed warm. Rod was gone by the time we got up, off to take care of the cows. Breakfast was flatbread and cheese. Tod made some hominy with black walnuts that he shared with the party. It wasn’t bad. A found it to be a hearty meal.
     Taylor saw what was likely a large muskrat in the water and we clamored to see it from the steep bank. With the ground and snow melting a person had to be careful where they stepped lest they find themselves in the creek.

     It rained off and one later in the morning and afternoon. Despite that, Tod , Taylor and myself went off on a short scout to follow the creek and see what sign we could find, rifles in tow. I had brought along my single spring muskrat trap made by Allen Harrison. Rod had said that after he had gotten the beaver back in October that the muskrats had taken over.
     We found recent bird tracks in what was left of the snow and the mud. After some debate we concluded the particular bird was likely pheasant.  Came across some coon tracks as well. There was a place along the creek with bones spread out from a cow that had died probably a year past. Several places along the way we came to temporary streams from the melting snow that creative short “falls” down the bank that poured into the creek.
     My moccasins and feet were completely soaked and freezing. With addition of my wool leggings to my regular clothing, my legs and the rest of me was comfortably warm. I didn’t seem to notice my feet quite so much since the rest of me was fine. The leggings were doing their job well.
     Finally we made it to the dam. While there appeared to be some sign for muskrat, there

didn’t appear to be any recent enough sign to convince me to place my trap. Oh well. Another day. We decided take the overland route back to the site instead of following the creek back. Lots of good discussion and an enjoyable short scout.
     For lunch, more rabbit stew, and I set to roasting a rabbit leg. Kim arrive with Brynja to visit for a couple hours. This was their first time to the cabin. Brynja really like the rabbit.
     I started working on my version of the striped bag seen in AJ MILLER’s “Trappers Bride”. I was able to get red ticking, though, not quite the right material. I’ll try to find a better option later on. I will need to put a button on it and a strap at a later time. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.
     Mike Casler came for a spell as well. As I understand it has been some time since he had been out to the site. We all had some good conversation and then Tod, Mike and I conversed for a while. Mike talked to us about how his recent research had been coming along and some of the interesting things he’d discovered. ...
     ...Mike departed later. Kim did as well, taking Signe home with her. Signe was sad to leave. Now I have to find a time to take Garrick out with me.
     Tod and Taylor had to leave late afternoon.

     Rod returned as it was beginning to be dark. It had taken much longer than he had expected and said that they’d had problems with a cow.
     Supper was roasted beaver and roasted buffalo that I shared with what was left of our small party. Jerry Lassey stopped out for awhile, along with Briana, Christian and Anders.
     Played three games of cribbage with Dave F. It was good to play again. I won two of the three games. At the conclusion of the third game I crawled into my bedding, lulled by the candlelight, and slept.

WINTER CAMP – CHARBONNEU CREEK
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015
     I was up first this morning, followed by Rod. I had to leave right away this morning so I

mantied my gear and hiked it back to the truck, coming back a final time for my rifle, pouch and horn. I noticed that the creek was easily five to six feet higher this morning! It was a good thing I hadn’t set my muskrat trap! I would have going home without it if I had!
     I said goodbye to the party and hiked back to the truck. Rod was about to head out, too, to go check the cattle. We said our goodbyes and parted ways. I look forward to being out on the ground again this spring. 
-- Leifer

Signe

Pheasant tracks

The new cap works well

Two stews and a leg of rabbit

Dave Finders and Mark "Monk" Thorn

Signe opted to wear her boots

Snow runoff causing a small "fall" before draining into the creek

The bones

Working on the AJ Miller bag.
Photo by: Tod Fossetta

2014 December FUMLA Bunny Hunt

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 FUMLA Bunny Hunt in December of 2014

2014 FUMLA Bunny Hunt, Dore, ND
Sunday, December 28, 2014

     I was unsure if I was going to be able to attend the bunny shoot today. Just in case I put my 1790s contract rifle, bag and horn in the truck.  By the conclusion of church it looked like things were going to work out. Out the door and down the road I went. I unfortunately didn’t have my usual period garb with me. I was instead dressed in my usual well oiled work boots, jeans, undershirt, long sleeve buttoned shirt, light jacket, hooded black EMS jacket with reflective letters on top of that and a black wool winter cap. It wasn’t the way I wanted it to be, however, the important thing, the main thing, was being in the woods for even just a few hours.
     It was the first time I have been able to make this shoot. I had foolproof directions, that I managed to somehow still foul up. The muzzleloader area was at my right and there was a pickup parked there. That should have been my clue…instead I ended up following the edge of a sugar beet field, taking my two wheel drive pickup through drifts that I had no business going through. I managed to make the loop around the field, back onto the gravel county road and then back to where I suspected I should have stopped. By the time I got there I found several more trucks parked there. It was the guys.
     Tod Fossetta had arrived several hours before and had gotten a fire started where the party had assembled last year. He was in the woods right now. That truck I had first seen was his.
     I hopped out of my truck and greeted Dave Finders, Dave Evansen and Rod Lassey. Dave F. had brought a gray sled that had been made by former muzzleloader and scoutmaster Ron Tewalt (now on the other side.) On it he had loaded a wooden box of supplies to help keep the spirits up. After we crossed into the wooded area Rod took charge of the sled and led the way to the area where we would all meet up. As we got closer I could start to smell the smoke from Tod’s fire.
     The weather was starting to get cooler and the skies were starting to get cloudy. The warm fire was a nice welcome. Dave F opened up the box and pulled out a coffee pot and got some coffee going on the boil. Tod shared some parched corn he’d made. I thought he’d done a decent job at it.
     We heard a shot a little ways off followed by a second shot. We were apparently not alone. I kept scanning the area where the shots had come from and after awhile I saw someone making their way through the woods toward us. As the figure got closer to us we were able to recognize the person. It was Kelly Buxbaum. I haven’t seen him since Rendezvous at Fort Union this summer. Keely had with him a double barreled blackpowder shotgun. He explained that he’d taken a few shots to make sure everything was working properly. Kelly greeted the party with some wild game sausage. With the coffee, parched corn and sausage we were all feeling pretty good.
     After enjoying some of the coffee a grub we headed out deeper into the woods, our eyes peeled for sign of rabbit and squirrel.
     I paired off with Tod. To grew up hunting rabbits and squirrel in the woods. He’s eaten a lot of both. We found some sign of rabbit, but not much, and not all that recent. We stopped a few times as we came across juniper with some dead branches and collect some for tinder for later fires. At this point I was wishing I had an additional bag to put the tinder into. Instead I stuff it into the front of my jacket and zipped it back up.
     We began to hear the bark of a squirrel every so often. Then we came upon the edge of a dug canal. We followed the edge and then saw something come toward us. It took me a second to realize it was Rod, who was in brain tanned buck skin and a wolf eared cap.

     The three of us continued through the woods and Rod showed us a beaver dam that had been dynamited. It was a decent size dam for the area. Tod collected some cattails that were nearby. We also got to see the lodge itself. There were at least a dozen points of entry. We found sign that it was still in use, however, not by beaver. Tod told me I should just reach my hand in and grab whatever cat was in there. I declined, being of the persuasion that it was not your average size farm cat that had was now using the lodge.
     We continued to move toward the sound

of the squirrel that was barking occasionally and we ended up back at the camp site.  Tod lent me the use of his small lidded kettle to use as a cup for some coffee. It was then that Rod spotted the squirrel in a large cottonwood 30 some odd yards away. A second one was spotted. We quickly grabbed our flint locks and headed toward the tree, spreading out and surrounding it. The large tree had some hollow branches and into a hole the squirrel went. We waited for awhile and then went back to the fire. The rest of the party arrived as well and we enjoyed some more coffee, parched corn and sausage.

     The squirrel appeared again and back to the tree I went. I waited and waited until it showed itself again. I fired. I shot above the squirrel who was high up in the tree. Back into his hiding place he went. I loaded my rifle again, this time with #4 shot. I waited until it was almost dark and headed back to the party.  Oh well. I’ll get you next time Messr. Squirrel.
     After awhile we doused the fired, loaded the sled and hiked back to the vehicles. We started our trucks to let them warm up. It had been lightly snowing for a few hours now and had gotten significantly colder.
     We huddled and talked for a bit and loaded up Dave F. wooden box into the back of the

truck he came in. When I went to load the sled in the back Dave F said, “Leif, I won’t be pulling this sled anymore. As you knew Ron Tewalt when you were in Scouts, I think it’s fitting that his sled goes to you.” What an honor! Ron was one of the assistant scoutmasters for my troop when I was in high school. Each winter he would spend a lot of time working with us scouts on winter skills. I will see that the sled gets put to good use.
   After the trucks were sufficiently warmed we said our goodbyes and headed home. I’m glad it worked out to be able to be on this short afternoon hunt. It was good to be in the woods again with a great group of guys.

-- Leifer

Dynamited Beaver Dam

Tod and Rod

2014 Engage's Christmas

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 Engage’s Christmas in December of 2014. Photos courtesy of Rod Lassey.

Engages Christmas, Fort Union
Friday, December 5, 2014

     The sun was completely down by the time my daughter Brynja and I made it to the fort. The was a good bit of snow on the ground. Inside the walls we were greeted by Dave Finders and Paul Bauer. This evening we would be residing in Paul’s tent.
     I layed down the oilcloth where I would be putting our bedding. Much of the snow had been cleared, however, I’d rather not take any chances with dampness during the winter. In my usually fashion I spread out my canvas groundcloth, the blankets and then folder the other half of the ground cloth over the bedding.
     I set to making a small stew in my lidded copper kettle for Brynja and myself, who was now sitting with Paul and Dave, keeping us all entertained. She asked Paul if we could have a “lunch party” tomorrow where we would make lunch for everyone. Paul said yes.
     Rod popped his head in a bit later. He had secured his gear on his sledge and hiked into the site with it. He would be residing in the clerks office tonight. He’d also brought a green buffalo hide for me. I’ll need to stretch, flesh and dry it. I’ve decided I’m going to send it off to a tannery to be tanned rather than attempt to brain tan it.
     Brandon arrived later on. He would be staying in the tent tonight with us as well.
     The moon was so bright outside tonight with the snow on the ground that it was as bright as it is during late afternoon.
     The stew was good. I made us some Mexican chocolate as well for us. On cold nights like this it is comforting to have a hot meal and something warm to drink.
     With us all in the tent we spent  a good deal of time in conversation and laughter passing a few bottles around that several of us had  brought. Everyone approved of the shrub I’d made.
     Finally it was time to turn in for the evening. Bryn and I snuggled in to the beading for the night and went to sleep.

Engages Christmas, Fort Union
Friday, December 5, 2014

     I woke up during the night to find Dave trying to get the fire going in Paul’s stove.

Together we got the fire up and going again in short order.
     When we got up for the day I started to get our breakfast going. Some bread, cheese, and because Brynja was along, bacon, who was making her way around the tent pilfering food from everyone. She really does get spoiled out here.
     As the morning went on Ranger MacVaugh arrived along with Saywer and Ranger Carr.
     We had a surprising number of visitors at the Fort today for all the snow and low temps we had. It is good to see people still visiting the fort in the winter.
     Rod had gone on a hike around the fort. He’d found side of at least 5 moose and a number of coyotes…evidence that hadn’t been there yesterday. It’s good to see that moose are in the area.
     Ben and Amanda made it out during the afternoon. They are newer members to FUMLA and are fun.
     When it was time to get the clerk’s office to start warming up for the Engage’s Christmas meal we started to haul wood into the office. Sawyer and I took a couple 5 foot lengths of broken teepee poles and had Brandon load wood onto them. We and others made several trips into the office with wood.
     We played cribbage in the clerk’s office while keeping watch of the fire. Cribbage is one of my favorite games. I will always think of our Muzzleloaders when I play cribbage as it was during my first winter camp at Rod’s cabin that they taught me how to play it. Though I didn’t know it at the time, that first game at my first FUMLA Winter Camp would begin to forge lasting friendships.

     Before the rest of the crew began to arrive for the meal I headed into the Bourgeois house where I had left my guitar and did one final practice of my music for the evening. Only one piece was from outside of Fort Union’s time frame, “Deck The Halls” the first publication of which was 1881.
     The meal was great as always. Some of the food included: Ham, turkey, potatoes, squash, dressing, deer heart and beef tongue. Before Kim, the kids and I left for home I played and sang the music with everyone. I tried to combine humor and history for each piece. I don’t think I heard anyone say “boo”…
     Merry Christmas my fellow Engages of Fort Union.  See you in the New Year.

-- Leifer

2014 FUMLA Turkey Shoot Overnight

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 an overnight I was able to attend in November of 2014:

Turkey Shoot Overnight
Saturday, November 1, 2014
     I was driving home from the farm tonight. As I neared the town of Fairview, MT, from the North, I kept looking at the dash clock. It was 9:45pm. I decided to take a chance and see if the guys were still up. I turned east at the corner and headed to the Lassey cabin. With any luck there would still be a cribbage game in process. If I got to the cabin and saw no candle light I would hop back into the truck and head the rest of the way home. This was the weekend of our annual Turkey Shoot which had taken place earlier today.  I didn’t think my odds would be that good of making it with needing to take care of some end of season chores at the farm. Lastnight as I was about to head out to the farm Kim handed me a bag with my fur trade clothing in it and said, “In case it works out, you should try to make it.”
     Making the hike from my truck down the hill I saw candle light. Knocking on the door and opening it up I was heartily greeted by my fellow comrades of the Fur Trade. Dave Finders stated while shaking my hand,”Leif, normally I’d be in bed right now, but I decided to stay up just in case you’d make it.”  “I may only stay for a while and head back into Sidney,” I replied. Paul Bauer quipped,”There’s a bunk right there with your name on it. Sit down.” He handed me a bottle. “You better try that. Looks like you’re staying”, he said with a grin. I shook my head. “I’ll go call Kim.” There was a minor outburst of joy from the party. I hiked back to the truck and changed, grabbed my Russian sheeting saddle bag, a couple of my wool blankets, my 1790s contract rifle, pouch and horn and headed back to the group.
     Back at the cabin I was caught up on an idea that was suggested to potentially attempt to start a different style winter camp that could grow into something bigger.
     Rod had set some traps at a beaver dam that was currently on Charbonneau Creek. I had modified a few #5 Bridgers to set as well, however, it was way too late to do that now. He would check them tomorrow morning.
     The conversation ebbed and flowed, now history, now modern, now personal, now history, lulled by the candle light and the sound of crackling from the fire. Drowsiness was beginning to heavily set in. I crawled into the top bunk, warmed by my blankets and the spirits from a friend’s bottle, and for the time being, even for such a brief moment that it was all cares and burdens that had been troubling me were gone and all was right with the world.

Turkey Shoot Overnight

Sunday, November 2, 2014
     I had slept all through the night, which doesn't normally happen for me. I got up and took a walk outside. Rod was nowhere to be found. He must have been tending to the cows and checking his traps. He walked into camp a bit later and dropped two beaver on the ground. He had been successful! After breakfast Rod looked at the two animals and said, "Well, I suppose I should stop putting this off.”  He grabbed his knife and a stone and set to work skinning the animals. Shortly after I packed my gear, said goodbye and headed out feeling peaceful, thanks to a bag of clothing Kim handed me on my way out the door. It’s amazing how even just a short time out like this can refresh things for you.

-Leifer