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

2014 Crocus Blossom 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 Crocus Blossom Rendezvous.

 2014 Crocus Blossom Rendezvous
May 2, 2014

This is the second camp with Kim & Garrick…I had mantied up our gear this time, with the exception of Garrick’s. He had his bedroll in a tumpline & carried an additional blanket. I ran saddle straps through the rope on mine to be able to wear it with should straps. Kim’s was smaller & ran a belt through the pack to wear it tumpline style.
            We arrived to see Dave F, Paul B, Pilgrim, Bob & Ms. Stone were already there. The area was along a creek, wooded & surrounded by hills.
            After selecting our campsite I went to chop on some deadfall for a front support for our shelter. While chopping in my usual fashion I saw a quick blur & then felt an impact against the left lense of my glasses that set them off kilter. Upon examining I found the lense had been ha[d] been hit with such force from the flying chip of wood that the lense pivoted in the frames & I had to set it aright. I have few things to be thankful for in regards to my failing eyesight, however, if it wasn’t for my glasses I would have lost or injured my eyes on numerous occasions. This incident would not have been good had I not been wearing my glasses.
            Paul assisted me while I set up my shelter in a diamond shape. Ms. Stone, our host,

had prepared a hearty soup for all present so we did not have to prepare our dinner this night.
            Time was spent around the campfire of Paul & Dave F.’s camp discussing a variety of topics & it was decided that Paul would accompany me the next day while I scouted the creek for beaver sign & a good place to set traps. Before retiring for the evening Ms. Stone informed me & Kim that if we needed anything for us or Garrick all we need to do was ask.
            The diamond shaped shelter I decided to make this time proved to work fairly well throughout the night as it would drizzle throughout it. An extra piece of ground cloth would be tossed over our heads & we would be kepts dry. Garrick would end up being placed between Kim & I. My 2 ½ year old is a little furnace that puts off a lot of heat. The temp for Friday night would be a low of 44 deg. F.

SAT. MAY 3, 2014 CROCUS BLOSSOM RENDEZVOUS
Early morning Kim & I would be disturbed by Garrick trying to burrow himself down by our feet. This would be an ongoing battle for about 20 minutes or so until he would finally settle down snuggling into my arms.
            Starting a fire this morning would prove difficult, but successful There was a bit of moisture in the air. I split wood down to get to the dry inside part & was use a little wax to help keep the initial flame going.
            Breakfast would be oatmeal with a little cinimon & brown sugar & raisins with bannock type bread made roasted on the side of a quartered log placed next to the fire. After camp chores were finished I set about to making some char cloth to replace what I had used.
            I cleared a spot at the edge of the fire & buried some cut cloth with a little dirt & ashes & then move some fire back on top of it. I would check it several hours later.
            Shortly before going to scout the creek, Pilgrim came up, holding the broken handle of my axe & apologizing for it. Upon inspection it was obvious that shoddy craftsmanship was a factor in my axe breaking. I assured him it was all right. There were more axes available throughout the rest of the group.
            Shortly thereafter with rifle ball pouch & powder horn in hand, Paul & I set out to

scout the creek. Along the way I found a small piece of petrified wood. I had remembered reading about petrified wood being used as a wet stone, so into my vest pocket it went. I also found the head end of an exoskeleton of a crawfish. Useful information to have. If needed to I could make some baskets to catch crawfish if we were to stay here for any length of time.
            Then we found a lots of sign. The beaver had done quite a numbe on an area we had come across, & it was all recent. I found a good spot where the level dropped to a four foot depth or so after about a foot of shelf. Deciding on this spot we hiked back to the main camp & I finished preparing the traps & gear.

            We headed back out again about a hour later with the addition of Dave F. Paul lent me the use of his axe.  I brought along bait & two of the 7 traps I had along. One of the 7 was a replica of a 5lb. St. Louis type trap that needed a bit of work to function as smoothly as I wanted. I used ti to compare between the historic & modern Bridger #5 traps I would be using in the creek today. The beaver made finding appropriate limbs to drive into the creek bed for trap stakes easy. There were several to choos from that the beaver had gnawed down & eaten all the bark off of. Paul & Dave F observed as I broke both of the unmodified #5 Bridgers over my knee (I haven’t had a chance yet to put a square pan on.) placed the traps, drove the stakes out in the water & placed bait sticks. My legs & feet seamed to adapt to the water relatively quickly today.
            After we got back from the creek I didn’t have a chance to change pants & mocs as

Ms. Stone had arranged a hunting game for the group. She & her folks had tied a number of red strips of cloth throughout the woods to go & find. Knowing that Garrick was going to be there they purposely tied ones lower for him to be able to find. It was a fun time in the woods with Kim & Garrick finding the red strips. Paul would find ones & then place them lower for Garrick to find.
            When we arrived back at the main camp there was a blanket set out for people to choose prizes from. When it came to our turn we let Garrick choose. He picked out a crockery jug. We would also get a pair of deer antlers.
            We had a later lunch today. Again, we ended up not having to prepare a meal. Pilgrim had made a bunch of meat, Tod F, who arrived today prepared a bunch of beans & Ms. Stone & her family prepared a bunch of fry bread and Dave F made a bunch of corn bread. It was an excellent lunch which everyone enjoyed.
            After lunch I went out into the woods again & set some snares. I had left my brass

wire behind, so I had to use my usually trapping wire instead to make some squirrel snares on a limb. I also made a noose snare on a game trail using sticks to make a funnel towards the noose & then a spring snare by pulling down a limb as there were no saplings near a trail.
            Dinner was light for me, Kim & Garrick due to the large late lunch we had. We each had an apple & some cheese…
            Out of consideration for Kim & Garrick, I took up the offer from Ms. Stone to have our family sleep her tent tonight as it can be completely closed to the weather…It’s one thing if I get cold, it’s another if they do. It got down to 36 deg. F.

SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2014 CROCUS BLOSSOM RENDEZVOUS
Woke up this morning to what I though was the sound of rain. Upon exiting the tent I was relieved it was only sleet, though it had rained some throughout the night.
            Breakfast was leftover beans, fresh oatmeal & cheese. Garrick was crnaky this morning & finally just wanted to lay down & nap later on.
            After camp chores were done, Tod F & I went & checked the traps. The traps had

not been disturbed & no evidence of further activity in the area of the traps was found. I pulled the traps & we headed back to the camp.
            I changed my pants & mocs as it was much cooler today & then began to manty up the gear. Kim watched me pack mine & assisted with the other two packs. Shoudering mine & grabbing my rifle, shooting bag & horn I headed through the wood to take my load to the truck. By the time I completed loading everything the sleet had gotten much larger & wetter. We woke Garrick & got him loaded in the truck. He was much happier now. We said our good-byes & headed out. It was a fun camp for Kim, Garrick & me. Good company, good food & some quality time out in the woods. Hat’s off to Ms. Stone. Fine doin’s, Miss.
-- Leif

2014 FUMLA Spring Fever 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 the 2014 FUMLA Spring Fever Camp.

3/21/14 FRIDAY, SPRING FEVER CAMP
     I arrived the camp later than I wanted to but still with plenty of light to make camp. After presenting myself to Mssr. Lassey & the party I picked myself out a small area somewhat sheltered  by some small russian olives. It was a simple affair of a bedroll of canvas, six blankets, all wrapped up in my 10x10 canvas tarp.
     My supper consisted of beef, carrots, onion & some barley all tossed into my lidded copper kettle & brought to a boil over the flame. It was eaten straight from the kettle & washed down with some hot coffee. conversations & good natured humor ensued. This evening our party consisted of Messers. Jerry & Rod Lassey, our hosts … Messer. Finders, Messr. Brandon Delvo, who has recently served our great nation, & Messer. Aaron Nelson, a newer member to our party.
     When it was well dark & part way into our evening of frivolity & cribbage the was a knock on the door to the cabin. Upon it’s opening there appeared a great towering figure of a man with a red voyager’s cap, dark capote & full graying beard. “It’s Santa Claus!” I shouted as we welcomed in Messer. Monk (Mark Thorn) one of the canadien members of our party. It had been some time since we’ve seen him, being Rendezvous of the previous year. Then evening carried on with stories, laughing, cribbage & tasting of fine spirits. After one final game with Messrs. Finder & Delvo I retired for the evening in my secluded bedroll. I would toss & turn some throughout the night, realizing the errors of how I had compiled my blankets. I was cool mostly, cold partly, but none the worse for wear come morning. I was thankful to have my recently completed capot. Its dark blue with red welting, a collar & hood. The temperature would get down to 10 degrees F.

3/22/14 SATURDAY, SPRING FEVER CAMP
     I woke this morning to the voice of Delvo talking. I threw back the canvas & blankets to find a thin

layer of frost and ice covering the bedding. The glass of my lantern & my glasses had frost on them as well. The Charbonneau Creek not 30 feet from me was also iced over. It has been free running water the day before.
     My breakfast was a simple one of hard cheese & flat bread & and apple, which had frozen during the night in my market wallet. I cut slices off with my knife. It’s texture & flavor was reminiscent of eating a pear. Conversations & coffee ensued.
     The morning was cool & all wore capotes, save Messer. Nelson who draped a blanket about his shoulders in an effective manner.
     Again inspired by Russel I assumed the roll of party cook. With flint, fire steel, char & grass, with a few bits of hard candle wax mixed in I soon had a fire going. I was able to procure a larger  portion of pork ribs, still unable to get beef ribs. I believe I shall try to prepare beef tongue, buffalo if I can find it, during our parties next venture.

     Maintaining a fire was much easier today as melting snow was not threatening the coals. This did pose a different problem of not allowing the fire to get too big.
     Our party was joined by several others today. MSSR. Evanson & the Swede, Messer. Todd Fossetta & his wife & Messer. Bauer. Rod was not with us today as his stomach was not tolerant of the thing that were in it. While keeping watch of the ribs some of our party partook in the firing of rifles & pistols, taking aim at targets both near and far.
     I had a later lunch. Stew again, some as lastnights Stew. Messr. Bauer, who originally intended to say for only awhile, decided instead to spend the evening in the company of the party. He left to get the rest of his gear for the evening. Messer. Fossetta & his wife would leave, hoping to make it back tomorrow.
     When the ribs were done, I put the limb & all into my large pan. Upon Messr. Bauer’s

return I heated them once more, & to my horror the bottom of the ribs caught ablaze! Being a man of large lungs I managed to quickly blow the flames out. Amidst laughter I shouted “Meats done boys!” Jerry had returned shortly before this to report on Rod. With the party assembled I drew my butcher knife & began to slice through the charred ribs. We saved one for Rod. I appologised to the men for having burned the ribs, assuring them that next time they would be better. The men assured me, there being much meat on the ribs, that the ribs were fine & tasted well. The ribs would end up feeding nine men. After they were consumed we engaged again in conversation, some spirits & cribbage.
     I had reassembled my bedding earlier today, to provide for maximum warmth. I slept much better, though still fealt cool on occasion. Temp down to 5 degrees F.

3/23/14 SUNDAY, SPRING FEVER CAMP
     I woke up to more pebbled ice & frost on the canvas tarp & blankets than yesterday. I didn’t notice anyone up yet so I checked the cabin & found everyone up with coffee in hand. I filled my tin cup & ate the rst of my stew from yesterday along with an apple, hard cheese & flat bread. Rod & Jerry [came out to the camp] mid-morning. Rod said he was feeling better but that his stomach was still churning. Delvo informed him that we had been calling what he had “The Pox”. Rod offered to spit in his palm & shake our hands. The party declined.

     After washing out my kettle & pan I heated water & prepared to shave. This proved to be entertaining to the party. I was equipped with my razor box, made by Mark Morrain, Joseph Elliot wedge strait razor, boar brush, lard/lye soap & small trade mirror. The soap lathered to an extent, no where near the same as modern shave soaps, however, was still rather slick. The shave felt good & sufficient for it’s purpose. No nicks or cuts or “blood letting” as Rod was referring to it earlier in the week.
     With the shave complete, I began to pack my gear along with everyone else.
     Before leaving I was able to see Rod’s collection of period traps, both original & reproduction.
     Shaking hands with Messer. Finders & Messers. Rod and Jerry Lassey, the remaining men, I left the camp. -- Leif

 

 

2014 FUMLA Winter Camp

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

1/24/14
Friday – Winter Camp

     I arrived at camp later than I had wanted to. A situation at school put a couple hours behind schedule & I arrived to the site in the dark. The first thing I did was to pull out my fire kit I get the candle in my lantern lit with char cloth & some dead grass. I was greeted by Rod Lassey, Paul Bauer & David Finders. Rod had been roasting ribs on the fire & told me to help myself once I had my camp made. My camp was simple. I did not make a shelter. I found a spot between sagebrush & a pile of downed timber. I had brought with me my 10x10 ground canvas, ground roll & 12 blankets. Rod graciously lent me the use of a buffalo robe to put on top of everything & two hair on deer hides to insulate against the frozen ground. Paul also brought a heavy canvas to lay out on the ground first to guard against melting snow. All of the bedding was encased by the canvas. I lay on the bluff of the South bank of the Charbonnue Creek.
     The roasted ribs tasted great. After thing settled down the bottle was passed & Dave, Paul & I enjoyed a game of cribbage while Rod enjoyed his pipe. We were serious, we were jovial, we were happy. When it was time I got into my canvas wrapped bedding. It was very heavy on me. I slept for several hours & woke up, compelled by the excessive warmth of my bedding to strip down to my drawers.

1/25/14
     It was a balance of positioning my body around the lumps on the ground that I couldn’t see in the

My camp. Bedding wrapped in canvas

snow when I put my bedding down & pulling the groundcloth back to get sufficient air to sleep well. I also had to shed most of my clothing. About 4am I heard six or so coyotes howling.
     Around 7:30 am or so I awoke to the sound of sirens. I searched the horizon around me & saw a fire truck going down the highway & saw a sheriff’s vehicle parked marking an accident. I quickly dressed & sprinted to my truck to respond…
     …Today I decided to assume the roll of party cook [and camp keeper], much like Osborn Russell’s first experience when with a trapping party for Wyeth in 1834. After I had eaten a breakfast of cheese, bread & a apple I set about keeping the fire going. I used Paul’s axe & later mine to chop wood throughout the day. I am pleased with my axe.
     I was unable to procure beef ribs before the camp so I had to go with pork ribs. I cut a hole in each

end  between the first two ribs bones & skewered it on a limb. I put a light sprinkle of what littler pepper and salt I had left. The ribs would roast all afternoon & into the evening. The ground being frozen the height & angle of the ribs to the fire was achieved by tying on[e] end of the limb with cord from the tripod above the fire.
     I had to keep doctoring the fire all day. Due to the warmer temperature the snow was melting & kept threatening the bottom hotter coals of the fire.
     I built a little dam of firewood around the fire & had to keep building the fire vertically so there would be enough hot coals to keep the fire sustained. This battle was fought all day long.
     Continued chopping wood. Dave Finders told me “Leif, you’re making me tired from watching you work this hard!”
     Dave Evanson & the Swede arrived later afternoon/early evening. Conversation picked up some as

David Finders

the evening carried on the wind began to build. I made some stew in my copper lidded kettle from rib meat, barley, potatos & a little seasoning. about the time we had all finished our suppers I found that the ribs ere still not quite done. The inconsistent fire all day had not aided us in this. It was well dark now. There was just enough for everyone to have some once the ribs were finally finished. Everyone seemed happy with them. I felt I had done my job with the assumed roll of “party cook” in regards to the fires & the ribs.
     It is my goal to not have my fire fall victim to the “rising waters” next time & have the ribs done sooner for the men in our party.
     After we finished the ribs we conversed for some time & then played team cribbage. It was an exciting game the second game. There was lots of laughing.
     When it was time for me to repose I found it to be much cooler.
     I slept fitfully throughout the night before some rest was had. It has been quite some time since claustrobia has been this bad. I believe the weight of the bedding may have spurred it on. I woke up several times in a sweat, gasping for air & frantically threw off the covers, exposing my head & bare chest to the open air. Breathing in & feeling the cold wind on my skin calmed me & maid me feel alive. I would eventually have a patch of restful sleep.

1/26/14
     I awoke early to find my canvas on top of my bedding covered with a light layer of snow. It had rained lightly  during the night & then turned to snow. Some of it had made its way inside of my bedding. Thanks to my tuque I was not bothered.
     The wind was blowing steadily at a stiff pace & [it] was difficult to dress. I[n] case the weather got like this I had borrowed a blanket pin from one of my daughters to wear a blanket like a match-coat as I don’t have a capote made yet. With the pin in place by the neck to make a hood & my belt wrapped around my waist to keep the blanket closed this worked rather well.
     It took several trips to pack my gear out. I discovered that the snow under my bedding had melted & had soaked thru the several layers of canvas but stopped at the deer hides. I need to make an oil cloth. After leaving the deer hides & buffalo robe for Rod I headed out.
     I had good conversations with friends, experienced life, learned some things for next time. What I left this camp appreciating the most was the friends who want to see me succeed at this. I am a blessed man.
-- Leif

Paul Bauer having dinner

The many layers of my bedding

2013 FUMLA Turkey Shoot

The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos and misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entree is from the 2013 FUMLA Turkey Shoot.

10/25/13 – Friday

I arrived at Rod’s cabin & was greeted by Dave Finders & Mike Schweitzer. I was originally to share a tent with Mike but it turned out that only us three would be here tonight. We were suprised that Rod didn’t come out. Since there would be ample room in the cabin I decided that I would make a shelter instead as Mike would be staying in the cabin. I made my shelter from my 10x10 ground cloth for tent. My shelter is slightly north and more west of the cabin, by the Charbonou Creek. It’s a leen to with the open side facing East. I’m wearing my tuque as it is rather cool outside right now. I have two extra shirts I’ll us as a pillow & 5 wool blankets [some thinner than others] to cover me. I’m writing by candle light from my lantern from Village Tinsmiths. My market wallet with rations is hanging in the tree above me that my shelter is built against. I also have a beaver trap hanging from a limb.
                After I got my shelter squared away I went to the cabin & ate cheese and thick whole grain crackers. Mike Dave & I shared some liquid cheer & enjoyed comraderie. Dave & I played cribbage. He taught me to play 2 years ago here at the cabin. Dave won. We spent several hours talking about Fur Trade, Indians wars & FT. UNION. [Another enterprise I’m involved with] was brought up some. The guys offered words of encouragement & congratulations on [my current status]. After we concluded Rod was not going to show tonight, it was time for sleep. I’m going to make a hot breakfast in the morning.

10/26/13 – Saturday

It got cold lastnight, even with the 5 blankets. It was comfortable to lay down however. Tonight I will try to arrange the blankets different. Am very thankful for my tuque. Woke up several times throughout the night & looked at the sky. The moon & stars were bright. Feet got cold. I need to fix that. REalizied that I took of without extra socks.
                When I woke up this morning I straightened out my bedroll, grabbed my hatchet & fire kit and prepped wood for a fire. As soon as I got flame I lit the candle stub I keep in the kit. That proved advantageous to getting the fire going.
                Sawyer Flynn arrived as I was getting a green limb of Russian Olive to roast my meant for breakfast. He brought his new rifle. I had an apple & roasted meat for breakfast. Schweitzer brought me a wheel cap. He knew I had been looking for one. It is Russet in color, is well made & he was more than fair in his price. We groused around the campfire I’d made for sever hours. I read some of “Journal of a Trapper.” Swede arrived. The conversation that was already comedic became more so. I had cheese & something like pilot bread for lunch. Tim Soyseth (SWEDE) brought my turkey from last year.

                After we had eaten we set up the steel targets for the turkey shoot, comprising of ones for pistol & muzzleloader. We were wondering if Rod Lassey was going to make it out. As we were walking back to the cabin we saw the familiar figure of Rod walking across the prairie, bedroll in tow, rifle in hand, & then cross the creek. “Impecable timing…” a Halvorson family expression J, as he was just in time to start the shoot.
                I did poorly, only hitting one target & nearly firing my new wiping stick from the muzzle of my loaded rifle. Rod won the turkey. Dave Finders & I tied for the SPAM.

                I made a stew for supper from carrots, potatoe, meant, pearl barly & salt & pepper in my copper lidded kettle. Rod’s father Jerry stopped by for a couple of hours to see how the shoot had gone & catch up with everyone. I played a game of cribbage with Dave again by candle & lantern light…I won this time. We sat talking for a couple more hours & then we decided to shut things down for the evening. I went back to my shelter by the light of my lantern & went to sleep.

10/27/13 – Sunday

Slept much better lastnight. I arranged the blankets in a much better fashion. What was an annoyance the night before was that parts of my body were warm & parts were cold. My shoulder, knee & feet would be cold but the rest of me was warm. There was no frost on the glass of my lantern this morning. I have no idea if that was because it was warmer or because I’d waken up later. I do not have a watch. 

          When I opened my fire tin this morning I realized I had one piece of char cloth left. I found a few small sections of dead juniper to use in starting my fire this morning in addition to the usual tinder & kindling to make sure I’d get a fire going. There were no coals left from the previous night’s fire to assist in getting a fire going. It was a good thing this was my last day here. How foolish I was to not check my fire tin before I left for the camp. It took a lot of work this morning but was able to finally start & keep the fire going with that one small piece of char cloth. I will refill the tine when I get home.
                Ate an apple & roasted my last piece of meat for breakfast. Had some good conversation with Dave this morning…
                Knowing that coming home smelling smoky & dirty I decided to shave. This was an item of interest for all. I washed out my lidded kettle & heated water. The heated water was poured into my tin pan & allowed to cool a little while my brush soaked in it & I stropped my razor. The strop is on the back of my razor box. It was made by Mark Morain of Kootenai River Traders. It’s lid slides open to reveal an open oval cavity, the

bottom of which is lined with what I believe is red wool flannel. The razor rests inside. I was able to fit both my modern hollow ground DOVO straight razor & my 1830s Joseph Elliot wedge style straight razor in it. I used my DOVO as I haven’t sterilized or hat had it [my Joseph Elliot razor] honed yet. I used a modern badger hair brush & my modern 1911 shave soap made by Wm. Newmann & Co. I used a small trade mirror reproduction of an original found near Mandan, ND, dated to 1800-1850. I performed a 3-PASS shave, rinsing between each pass. I did not use any after shave or balm. We talked about shaving & hygien while I shaved. My EMT kit was up at the truck & I had an extra large handkerchief with me just in case problems arose. Shortly after my shave we began to break camp.
                During the daylight hours the top red blanket of my bedroll became a location for hundreds of the remaining box elder bugs to sun themselves. Despite trying my best to flap them off my bedroll gear, Signe, Brynja & I still removed about 20 of them from my bedroll & ground cloth after I got home.
                Just before the rest of us departed, Ben Gjorven arrived to say high & show us his Browning 30 cal….
                It was getting pretty cold at that point & we all headed out. I enjoy the Lassey cabin site along the Charbanue Creek. Fond memories of comraderie, conversations of history & getting to experience a little bit of the life of the men we portray. This camp was a nice change of pace to everyday life.
--Leif