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