Southern Cross Free Trappers

Still looking after Murray – Ian Convey prepares tea for two. Sept 2007

Summer Workshops

So, how’re all your preps for the Holey Plains gold rush? Have you already adopted a persona that shines like gold? Are you a pick & shovel digger, a pan washer or a puddler? Or a fossicker with bowie knife and a sharp eye? Oh, I know two folks retraining at cradling. Perhaps you will be a rogue, a pick-pocket or sly grog seller?

Holiday Reading

Jenny Baker, our good friend from The Blue & the Grey, discovered this website with a pertinent article on a (relatively) modern Trapper, and with a few interesting facets on “developed persona”. Thanks to Jenny for the lead to this fascinating summer read.

Grey Owl (1931) http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/mb/riding/natcul/natcul2.aspx#go

“The safety of the beaver would be guaranteed as long as they would live,… Further I would be given every opportunity to carry out my conservation ideas in a dignified and constructive manner, without the necessity for anxiety as to the means … I myself would become a servant to the government of Canada” – Grey Owl in Pilgrims of the Wild 1935

Introduction
Grey Owl, the famous trapper – turned – conservationist, began work as a “keeper of native animals” on April 17, 1931 in the newly declared Riding Mountain National Park. He, and his pet beaver, Jelly Roll and Rawhide, would spend only six months in the park; however Grey Owl’s stay in Riding Mountain represented a significant turning point in his career and life.

Grey Owl is a legend, well known for his love of nature and his dedication to the preservation of wilderness. In the depressed world of the 1930′s, he received international acclaim as a great naturalist, a successful author, a gifted orator and a respected native spokesman.

Grey Owl’s Early Life
Grey Owl was born Archibald Stansfeld Belaney at Hastings, England on September 18, 1888. Abandoned by her husband, Archie’s mother remarried and left Archie to be reared by his two maiden aunts when he was 4 years old.

Because his father had gone to America, Archie grew up believing his father was living with Indians and as a child, he became fascinated by nature, wild animals, far-away lands and Indian braves.

After leaving school at sixteen Archie worked briefly in an office in Hastings but the lure of the wilds of North America was too much for him. On 29th March 1906 Archie Belaney boarded the steamship SS Canada bound for Halifax.

In 1907, after spending some time in Toronto, Archie ended up working at a small resort near Temiskaming in Northern Ontario. Here, he gave himself a new history, growing up an Indian in the America southwest, the son of a Scottish trader and an Apache girl.

In Temiskaming, a native prospector took Archie in and trained him as a wilderness guide. He learned the language and ways of the Ojibway people. In 1910 he married an Ojibway girl, Angele. But Archie, like his father, was prone to wander. In 1912 he left Angele and guided, trapped and worked as forest ranger in various locations in northern Ontario.
In 1915 he Archie ended up in Nova Scotia, enlisted in the Canadian Army and was sent overseas to France during the First World War. He was wounded there and returned to England to convalesce.
In England, Archie married his childhood sweet-heart, Constance Holmes. They were soon divorced, as after his discharge from the army, Archie headed back to the northern Ontario wilderness.

Back in the bush, Archie was befriended by another Ojibway family and he leaned more and more towards the Indian lifestyle. Clad in buckskins with his dyed black hair hanging in braids, he became known as Wa-Sha-Quon-Asin (He-who-walks-by-night) – Grey Owl.

Grey Owl’s Conversion
In 1925 he moved to northern Quebec where he continued to trap and guide. Here he met and married a young Mohawk girl, Gertrude Bernard. He called her Anahareo and she would play a major role in changing his lifestyle from trapper to conservationist and author.

When two beaver kittens were left orphaned because their mother had died in one of Grey Owl’s traps, Anahareo convinced Grey Owl to rescue them. The two orphans were adopted and named McGuiness and McGinty.

In 1929, Grey Owl and Anahareo moved to a place near Cabano, Quebec where they hoped to establish a beaver colony. At this time, because of over-trapping, the Canadian beaver population was reaching near extinction.

The orphan beaver had left Grey Owl more concerned with finding ways of protecting beaver than in devising better ways of trapping them. The two beavers stayed with Grey Owl and Anahareo for about a year and than disappeared.

While in Cabano, Grey Owl had his first nature article published in the British magazine called “Country Life”. This led to requests for more articles, a book and lectures. Grey Owl moved on to a Quebec resort town called Metis-Sur-Mer and he soon became known for his tales as well as his new beaver kitten, Jelly Roll.

Coming to Riding Mountain National Park
Grey Owl was becoming well known across the country as the “beaver man”, and in February, 1931, he was offered employment as a naturalist in Riding Mountain National Park. The national park system felt that his beaver conservation work and his positive publicity would be beneficial to their program.

By this time Grey Owl had acquired a mate (Rawhide) for Jelly Roll. He accepted the position but declined an offer to visit the park to select a site for his new home. He dared not leave while Rawhide and Jelly Roll were under the ice in a “country swarming with illegal hunters”.

After several months of writing letters back and forth, the Park staff of Riding Mountain selected a site that met with the requirements of Grey Owl.
“I would clear a trail to any selected place. Isolation means nothing to me, beyond what accessibility is necessary to allow for the carrying out of any project such as demonstration or the taking of moving pictures, inspection, etc.”
Grey Owl to Riding Mountain Park Superintendent, March 2, 1931.

On April 17, 1931, Grey Owl, Jelly Roll and Rawhide arrived by train in Neepawa, Manitoba and were transported by truck to a small lake, seven miles northeast of Wasagaming.

The beaver arrived in good condition, having made the 2000-mile; weeklong train trip in a large galvanized sheet-iron box. This box had been specifically designed by Grey Owl to resemble a real beaver lodge, with a water-filled swimming tank, a drying platform and raised sleeping area. Upon release, the beaver immediately took to the water and explored the lake.

“Well sir, this was some trip. The beaver made the grade and are now happy and contented with two beaver houses, in a land of coyotes, elk, jumping deer, and some darned good view…. The Parks people, who have been wonderful to us, are building a palatial house for us near the beaver….I want to tell you the world is a different place this last few months mister.” – Grey Owl to his friend, Spring of 1931.

In Riding Mountain
The lake were Grey Owl and his beaver were installed became known as Beaver Lodge Lake and a cabin was built on the lake’s edge by Park staff. The cabin, which was divided into two areas (a main room and an annex), met the needs of both Grey Owl and the beavers. Entranceways were made in the main room so that the beavers could come and go as they wished. Grey Owl often found Jelly Roll and Rawhide curled up beside him as he slept, safe in the protected wilderness of a National Park.

The Park staff provided the necessary supplies to insure that both Grey Owl and the beavers were content in their new home. A special chestnut canoe was purchased so Grey Owl could paddle around the lake and watch for beaver activity.

Now that Grey Owl and his beavers were settled Grey Owl began his work with the beavers and the public in earnest. His job was to re-establish beaver colonies in areas where they were exterminated. It was also thought Grey Owl would attract visitors to this new park with his tame beaver and his dynamic personality.
In the spring Grey Owl obtained some new beaver kittens and Jelly Roll gave birth to four new kittens. Grey Owl became pre-occupied with training the young and adult beavers. The training was done during the night when the beavers were active. Grey Owl slept from 5:30 am until 12:30 noon then rose to greet visitors. His days were filled with caring for the beaver as well as two sets of elk and moose that had been placed in his care. On several occasions, Grey Owl would come into the townsite of Wasagaming and tell a few stories at the Wigwam Restaurant.

Although Grey Owl did not have time to continue his writing while in Riding Mountain, two sets of movies were filmed and he posed for a number of still shots with Parks photographer Bill Oliver. Used in his books and on his lecture tours, the photo’s and film’s taken during his time in Riding Mountain would make him famous and spread his message around the world. Visitor Centre staff can show you his 1931 Beaver Family movie.

Leaving Riding Mountain
“It was an ideal beaver pond and they were well established; if there had only been sufficient water for their migrations and to satisfy my bull headed ideas for a canoe” – Grey Owl from Prince Albert Nat’l. Park to Riding Mountain Superintendent 1932

Grey Owl and his pet beaver Jellyroll – Photo courtesy Parks Canada

1931 was a drought year in Manitoba, and in July, the water in Beaver Lodge Lake had gone down by two feet. Grey Owl stated that the conditions (shallow water table and little snow) did not make Riding Mountain suitable for the beaver. That in future years, when the beaver population had increased and the young beaver were forced to move on, there would not be enough water for their travel.

Grey Owl was also upset because, several of the young beaver Grey Owl had been training had died. Being an avid and skilled canoeist, Grey Owl also found little comfort and enjoyment at the isolated slough that was Beaver Lodge Lake.

Grey Owl requested a transfer west, and on October 26, 1931, together with Anahareo, Rawhide, Jelly Roll and four beaver kittens (Wakanee, Wakanoo, Silver Bells and Buckshot), he left Riding Mountain National Park and arrived safely at Ajawaan Lake in Prince Albert National Park.

Grey Owl would spend seven years in Prince Albert National Park completing his major literary works. The last two years of this time was spent touring and lecturing in North America and England.

On April 13, 1938, Grey Owl died of pneumonia. His body was laid to rest on the hillside overlooking the cabin on Ajawaan Lake.

Conclusion
Grey Owl will always be remembered in Riding Mountain National Park as “keeper of native animals”. He launched the first beaver conservation project in the Park and partly because of his efforts Riding Mountain now has an abundant beaver population.
Despite Grey Owl’s dissatisfaction with Riding Mountain National Park, his six-month stay here would be an important turning point in his life. It was a time when he fully embraced his public persona as Grey Owl, “protector of the Beaver People”. It was the first opportunity he had to carry out his beaver studies in a protected environment. It was also the beginning of his life in western Canada, a period that would bring him fame, recognition and financial security.

Grey Owl’s Cabin Today
Grey Owl’s cabin on Beaver Lodge Lake still stands, a tribute to the skills of early Park staff and craftsmen. Grey Owl’s cabin is a popular destination for hikers, cyclists and cross-country skiers. The 17.8 km return trip off Highway #19 is a quiet trail that passes through a forest of aspen, balsam poplar, jack pine and white spruce. Displayed at the cabin are photos, letters and correspondences from Grey Owl’s stay in Riding Mountain National Park. The cabin was recognized as a Federal Heritage Building on November 17, 1988. If you look closely you can see where Grey Owl’s beaver chewed into the cabin walls.
…Just the same I am kind of lonesome for the little old pond, for all I was in such a hurry to get away from it. -Grey Owl from Prince Albert National Park to Riding Mountain Superintendent 1932

Books By Grey Owl:
The Men of the Last Frontier , 1931
Pilgrims of the Wild, 1935
Adventures of Sajo and Her Beaver People, 1935
Tales of an Empty Cabin, 1937
Book of Grey Owl, 1940

Books About Grey Owl:
Devil in Deerskins: My life with Grey Owl, Anahero, 1972
Wilderness Man: The Strange Story Of Grey Owl, Lovat Dickson, 1973.
From The Land of Shadows: The Making Of Grey Owl, Donald Smith, 1990.
Grey Owl: The Mystery of Archie Belaney, Armand Ruffo, 1997.
Grey Owl: The Many Faces of Archie Belaney, June Billinghurst, 1999.

DVD – Grey Owl

Random Diary Notes

1774 Captain Patrick Ferguson began designing his breech-loading flintlock rifle. He subsequently demonstrated it before the King at Windsor, and before ordnance officers at Woolwich, authorising orders for 100 rifles.
1777 Ferguson had supervised the manufacture of the rifles and then trained a company of men in the use of his rifle, before sailing with the men to America.
1780 Ferguson who had attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel was killed in action at King’s Mountain on 7th October, his rifle design subsequently abandoned by the army. It was, however, copied by gunsmiths who made many beautiful guns for private sale.

For Sale / Trade

Readers interested in a quality custom made Ferguson should contact the secretary for further details on this hard to find firearm. Photographs available.

Tattler

An unexpected pleasure out of the wide blue during November, I enjoyed a Telecom style Rendezvous with Bill Wilson. Bill and wife Beryl live up Bundaberg way – the home of fine rum, drop bears and girls that camp. I do carry on, don’t I?

I had met Bill and Beryl at the Fraser Coast Rendezvous back in 2004. My voyager cap still sports a nice Rainbow Creek Muzzleloaders keepsake given me by Bill. Anyway, it seems Bill and Beryl were having a little tidy-up and Bill thought I might appreciate a looksee at some older Rondyvoo videos that he’d had stashed away. Would I ever! – There are always some new tricks to learn from the old days.

We exchanged news, and as Bill and Beryl are not into mod fads like computers, it was my pleasure to mail copies of all our newsletters, just so they could see how well you pilgrims have been travelling lately.

Simultaneously, Bill forwarded a small collection of videos together with several pair of period style spectacles. These later will be available on a trade blanket with proceeds to our club kitty, while I will endeavour to transpose the video material to DVD to make copies available to interested members. Bill also has that beautiful custom made Ferguson breech loading flintlock for sale – details of which I emailed members at the time.

Our thanks to Bill and Beryl for sharing the pleasures of Rendezvous – we wish them both good health and continued shining times through the years ahead.

It’s no rumour that Norrisville Trading Post had bundles of diapers on display among the concrete totems. Not for trade though, as Kev and Robyn are now the proud grand parents of a beautiful baby girl named Elizabeth. Congratulations all around!

Events for 2008

March 21st – 24th Easter at Rosedale. Just this once we depart the American streams and woods to support gold seeking Colonial friends. There are fortunes to be won and lost and mountains of fun to be had as we adopt new personas and learn new trades.

June 7, 8 & 9th long weekend. A time machine magically returns us to the pre 1840 American wilderness. We return also to the magic allure of Bernard’s Cache at Caveat.

September, Sat 20th – Sun 28th Spring Rendezvous coinciding with the first week of the Victorian school holidays. We push through hostile Crow lands and over the Wind River Range to “Beaver Creek” below the mountain called Buffalo.

And looking quite a bit further ahead to June / July 2009. We plan to rendezvous at the Australian capitol – Millmerran, Queensland. That’s 10 days, plus extra for travel.

Important message to ALL licensed firearm users

New firearm regulations came into effect late 2007. It is strongly urged that you make yourself familiar with all aspects / changes. It is also suggested that you diarise a personal memo for some weeks before the due date of your license, and ensure that you receive and process the renewal documentation well BEFORE the expiry date. Believe me; you will not want the hassle should Licensing Branch for any reason not receive your renewal application by the due date.

Beaver Creek Camp, Sept 2007

Paul (Le Reynard) – comfortable at any black tie function.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Sundbloom.

Paul Sly (pictured) won our President’s first prize shooting award of a one year free subscription certificate to Muzzleloader magazine by “endeavouring to persevere”.

2007 Spring Rendezvous Success

Stretching over 10 days allowed great flexibility for Trappers to attend as much as desired, and more than 40 pilgrims shared the fun times. Wow! The circle of friends in primitive style canvas is certainly growing, as evidenced in our pictures this edition.

Some could only be with us during the first weekend, and others laden down with heavy plews could not arrive until the last few days. Part of the increase in numbers over the last five days were members of the Blue & the Grey, American Civil War re-enactors who were invited to dress “up” as Buck-skinners and to enjoy our fun.

Special mention is also made of the attendance of Glenn Mitchell. Glenn, who trekked in via the South Pass, is regarded as the father of Rendezvous in the North-East. His arrival on foot in full costume was very significant, and appreciated by all present, he being most warmly welcomed back into all camps.

Immigrants!

Nope, just kidding – Guests actually – At Beaver Creek camp, we were favoured with visits from Chips, and from Dick & Susan Schwer. Now the wily Chips coaxed his ox wagon along the Ovens River and Beaver flats, but Dick & Sue were not so fortunate. Someone had said “Ya can’t take wagons across the mountains” and Dick’s wagon indeed succumbed to the rigors of travel. Fortunately, Justin and Louise came to the rescue with their mule to fetch Dick and Susan swift as a falcon. Everyone enjoyed these visits and appreciated the opportunities of renewing old friendships.

Beaver Creek

Did I say Beaver Creek above there? Yep, you read correctly! Our hosts Rolly and Jo were rather enamoured by our re-enactment lifestyle and fun loving ways. They have decided to re-name their “Back Creek”, the winding water course where we camped, and it’s now “Beaver Creek”. Now that’s support for yer. Named especially for us! Beaver Creek, with the horn of Mt Buffalo shining in the snow clouds on the horizon.

Free Subscription to Muzzleloader magazine

Club President, Ian Convey, awarded the coveted Muzzleloader magazine 12 months free Subscription Certificate to Paul Sly for his flinty persistence to succeed and win our long gong target shoots. Paul eventually homed in “on target” and then continued to batter the gong a merry old tune to win the president’s admiration. Congratulations to Paul, and appreciative thanks to Scurlock Publishers for making possible the award.

Acknowledgement from Muzzleloader staff
“Congratulations to Paul Sly, and I will certainly be waiting to see the pictures. I’m glad we are able to contribute to your Rendezvous, after all…us Skinners have to stick together, however far away we may be!!” Diana – Scurlock Publishing Co., Texarkana, Texas.

Summertime Planning

When the heat and dry of summer signals us to stow away the charcoal burners for a bit, we have this golden opportunity to work on clothing or accoutrements and camp gear. It is not too soon for tentative thought toward our Autumn Rendezvous next year when Easter will be as early as March 21st – March 24th. What will be your persona?

The Blue and The Grey March West to Rendezvous

A tribute to members of the B&G who have supported us from inception. Whilst our respective eras can be as close as only twenty years apart, some significant advances had been made to firearms, weapons and travel as hunters and settlers forged across the American wilderness during that period.

Looking down on part of the spring encampment, viewed from the slopes opposite. Sept. ’07

Defending the west banks of Beaver Creek, Sept 2007

The B&G made excellent efforts at developing new persona and dressing more to Backwoods costume whilst maintaining their own excellent portrayals. At all times they blended into our scenario and showed a willing readiness to join in the fun with friendly disposition and bearing.
Saturday evening’s gathering around the roaring campfire took on an aura reminiscent of Tyler and Frapp arriving at Popo Agie. I kept looking over my shoulder expecting to see Justin in flaming capote light up the night in blazing style, but I dared not check out the bumping in back of the Bob Ellis’ covered wagon.

Also visiting us, and guest of The Blue and The Grey, was Gordon Jones, head of the Atlanta History Centre, Georgia, USA. http://www.atlantahistorycenter.org/
A hard core pilgrim / re-enactor / author who is travelling abroad gathering data for a forthcoming book on US Civil War re-enacting around the globe. Gordon showed a great interest in the how and why of ACW events here Down Under, and questioning Trappers all too anxious to tell some home grown know-how and maybe a few lies.

Gordon’s example of what “hard core” is all about was his spending the night in the open air, sleeping on the cold hard ground, with just an oil cloth to keep out a bitter wind. Given more time, I’m sure we could all learn much from Gordon, who is most welcome to return any time. He continues his pilgrimage with our very best wishes.

Out in the open field, the Blue & Grey camps withstood a heavy battering from several wind squalls, as did our presidents camp. Funny, it is coping with these little hardships that we generally remember much later among the highlights of an event. No one seemed troubled, and the tents were soon restored along with the fine weather.
The weekend had a plethora of shooting opportunities at all sorts of marks, cut-outs and gongs. For those who like to take their firelock for a walk there were rabbits just dying to hop on someone’s dinner plate. “Shoot me, shoot me! The Knife and Hawk block received only little attention but just because everyone was too busy – or was it the creek bank and deep pools behind that had the chuckers doubting their skills?

As with all our camps, there is just never enough time for sitting down on a bundle of plews around the fires, and swapping news, information, tall stories or down right lies. The days are always so relaxed but they never drag. After meals, the evenings slip away all too quickly and pleasantly, and before you know it, the time to pack up and go home arrives far too soon. Don’t you agree?

Beaver Creek Camp, Sept 2007

Random Diary Notes

1810: Frenchman, Nicholas Appert devised a way of preserving food in sealed containers. He heated the food in glass jars and sealed the top with cork. Peter Durand developed this idea further, and, in 1811, produced the first tinned food. Baked Beans were in the wind – pull my finger!

1838: Trappers Rendezvous held on banks of Popo Agie River. Who cares whether any tinned tucker or baked beans were being traded? This is the rendezvous portrayed by Hollywood in Charlton Heston’s film – The Mountain Men. Great summer viewing!

2006: Fletcherwood Films presented a Deliverence / Rendezvous film portraying our Grey Wolf full of beans and making bacon; will we ever let him forget? …Nah!

The Last Trapper – another film release in 2006 is deserving of a second viewing too!

Trapping for Gold

The club has received an invitation from History Up Close and The Blue & The Grey jointly to spend Easter 2008 at Rosedale in Gippsland re-enacting Early 1850’s Victorian Gold Rush. Whilst this is outside both our era and normal activity, the club does “generally support all persons, associations or clubs with interests of a similar nature to those of this association.” The invite was fully discussed at our AGM and it was unanimously agreed that we should support this event, amending our persona, clothing and accoutrements to suit Australiana gold diggings. Making the change should not be too difficult, and it will be a terrific opportunity for us to develop our persona skills, support our friends, and to camp in totally different countryside.

Coming up for 2008

March 21st – 24th Easter at Rosedale. It’s now 1850 and there are few Trappers left in the mountains, prime beaver plews are down below $3 and gold has been discovered in far away Australia. We leave the Shining Mountains to seek our fortune in gold.

Raffle

The club organised a small raffle fund raiser at spring Rendezvous. Three members donated prizes consisting of salt & pepper horns nicely scrimmed, an Indian garden totem, and a period style bottle containing fine port. Louise kindly assisted Myrtle with ticket sales, and fittingly, all prizes went home with our guests from the B&G.

Minutes of Annual General Meeting

Our AGM was held at September Rendezvous and minutes were forwarded to all members. The new committee elected at the AGM is as follows.

Club Committee 2007 – 2008
President – Ian Convey, telephone 03 5367 8450
Vice Pres – Bob Ellis, telephone 03 5796 2753
Secretary – John Fowler, tel. 03 5753 4455 Email chookster@vfowler.com
Treasurer – Myrtle Barrett, tel. 02 6059 3951
Committee – Kevin Norris, tel. 03 5753 4415
Committee – Murray Convey, tel. 03 5594 5337

Some odd random shots, Sept 2007

Bojo Products for all kinds of Tents and Shelters, ground sheets, tarpaulins and all canvas goods. Phone Bob Ellis 03 5796 2753 AH

Glenn and Anthea Mitchell trading as Pioneer Forge phone 03 5729 5564 for all your requirements in hand forged black iron, including fire irons and best quality hawks.

Stock, Lock Antique Arms, black powder supplies, ball and all accoutrements for black powder enthusiasts. Contact Roger Mowbray tel. 03 5865 5440 or mob. 0427 451 911

Thought For The Day

Writing for The Book of Buckskinning viii, Richard Patton is quoted “My thousands of hours spent in abject primitive circumstances taught me that the comforts of technology have nothing to do with happiness, contentment or fulfilment.” And “……nothing that really matters is much altered by technology.”

2007
Sept 22nd – Oct. 7th Spring Rendezvous at Buff Bluff, Whorouly.

Kevin (Blind Fox) Norris on target at Winter Rendezvous.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Sundbloom

Relive a glorious past – Experience the revelry of the heydays of Rondivoo – Dress the part – Camp the era – Cook on open campfires – Shoot with flint on steel using powder and round ball – Smell like black powder – Re-acquaint with old friends – Leave all the drudgery of the 21st century behind for just one week – Come to Spring Rendezvous!

Rendezvous, September 22nd – September 30th. A re-enactment of the 1830′s era.

First week of Vic. School holidays, a full week and including both weekends (or just do the weekends) at the Rolly Plains – Whorouly – Just 34 kms south of Glenrowan, or 16 kms north of the Myrtleford shops. (see Vic Roads Map 49, B2 for general area. Detailed directions supplied to those registering attendance – contact the secretary).

Main events are planned for the latter part of the week, being from Thurs 27th Sept through to Monday 1st October, however those wanting a full 10 days may arrive on Saturday 22nd Sept and help setting up long drops, cut and gather firewood etc. Each camp should fetch 20 litres of drinking water. There will be ample clean fresh water for washing or boiling available on site. And plenty shining times for everyone!

Beer n Beaver Waltz

Twas a Rocky Mountain Trapper of whom I’ve been told,
Who died, it is said, on account of the cold,
As he lay on his death bed and wrestled with fate,
He called on his children, to share his estate.

Let Jeff have my skinning knife and the pet Grizzly bear,
The hound dog with fleas can be Katherine’s share.
Let Murray have the Racoon that comes when he’s called,
And John, the eagle, although he’s gone bald.

To Justin I’m leaving a tipi made from real buffler skin,
Louise can keep the rabbit-fur blanket – fret not where its bin;
Let Kevin have the red fox, and the tame water-rat,
They’re all blind with old age and it’s sad about that.

There’s two pair of dry moccasins I leave to Colin,
For Myrtle, the Dutch oven, and three cups made of tin,
Give Chris my tobacco and the peace pipe as well,
And let Jim have the hatchet, and the scalps it did fell.

Let Paul have my traps with double springs that do fold,
Give Lisa the good books, both the new and the old;
My sewing kit to Robyn I leave with needles and waxed thread,
And a half-pint of southern whiskey stashed under the bed.

Give Richard the mule and pack saddle, and the harness too
They should all be retired, being long past brand new;
For Lorraine – there’s nothing left, but a tattered silk purse,
It might hold some silver, if the seams haven’t burst.

Let Bob have my firelock, my old fifty cal Hawkin,
Although his crook knee won’t allow for much stalking,
It’ll shoot dead straight, the ball, true and far,
And it’s powerful enough to kill the meanest of bar.

To Ian I leave a bullet pouch with my scratched powder horn,
The scrimshaw tells a history of our nation new born;
There’s fish in the river, and wild fowl on the lake,
Such as are the scenes on each horn he does scrape.

Farewell, my dear children, no more can I leave,
Don’t quarrel, or else my poor spirit will grieve;
And if you should marry, and ever children be born,
Remember, I reared you on beer, beaver and corn.

(Adapted & extended from a Traditional – Iron Rooster)

Note – There are as many beaver as stars in the sky – all hollering “Take me, Take me”

Prickle, Ian and Murray waiting for the kettle to boil. Winter Rendezvous 2007. Photo by Kevin.

Attending Rendezvous

It needs to be stated again, that our Free Trappers rondivoo happenings are not actually “open” events. To attend you must be a member of the SCFT Inc or an Invited Guest. To join the SCFT contact the Secretary or other Committee member (see listing in this newsletter). Invited Guests are those individuals or groups who have received SCFT Committee official invitation. Camp location directions are supplied only to those people registering for attendance. We take pains to re-enact a particular period of early American hunters, trappers and woodsmen, and their lifestyle, hence, we do not encourage visits from uninvited non-conformists.

As previously, our invitations to Rendezvous on private properties are not to be construed in any way as an open invite to re-visit these properties at any other times.
(Note also – We choose our event dates to align with the Victorian school holidays, therefore we cannot help it if these dates clash with other activities, either on any individual’s calendar of events or with other clubs programs.)

Council

A great man once said: “The only requirement for evil to be done is for good men to remain silent.” Justin has fashioned a traditional style “talking” stick for use at our meetings, to ensure that each may have their equal opportunity to speak and be heard.

Now Seriously!

Just how earnest are we over this “authentic” business? Several among us have expressed concerns that getting too serious about our portrayal of chosen persona means mortgaging one’s soul. And I have heard “Well, I am not forking out 300 bucks for eyewear that may only be used several times a year!” and “What about footwear? A pair of Carl Dyer’s moccasins cost as much as a week’s rent!”

Whoa, there Dobbin! We are getting the cart before the horse again. How serious we get depends entirely on the individual. What the club suggests is that we all try to improve our portrayal just a little, from one event to the next. Some of the easiest and cheapest ways is to manufacture your own gear. Other cost savers may be purchased at local Opportunity shops. Example, a pair of good, but second hand, shoes of close style, or that might easily be altered to the period style may cost less than five dollars. Other Op shop bargains to watch for are wooden bowls & black iron frypans and etc.

Now prescription eyewear is a different matter, and it is never cheap. However, really passionate re-enactors will organise period style frames ready for their next prescription change, and then happily use these for everyday wear. Eyewear fashions can change so rapidly that hardly anyone bothers to compliment your style anyway.

Yes, we are playing a serious game; adults simply cannot throw a Whitney blanket over the sofa and call it a western plains tipi. Youthful imagination has been replaced by the same responsibility that insists we watch our dollars. The best way to save is to look, ask and learn at every Rendezvous. We often buy stuff without proper research to confirm that it is truly appropriate for our era. Hands up who started off with army disposal items vintage WW2. We have all done something similar, I’m sure.

Few, are the affluent, who can buy the complete re-enactment package before their first Rendezvous. We are not asking beginners to forego meals for weeks on end just to meet the high cost of another’s expectations. Remember this is a hobby after all. We do appreciate it when beginners make an effort to improve their portrayal with gradual understanding and learning and from camp to camp. Yes, seriously!

Trading Post

Bell-end Wedge Tent sold, another needed, or any other items for our Trading Post.

2007-2008 Subscriptions Now Due

The Annual Subscription remains at $20.00 per person (which includes the Public Liability insurance premium of $16). Most members have already paid but please note; we do not want a tax collector pushing a barrow at our rendezvous, nor do we have Bpay facilities. Please use the less modern facility of Australia Post and a 50 cent stamp and mail ASAP your cheque or money order direct to treasurer:- Myrtle Barrett, 342 Lawrence Street, Wodonga 3690.

Diary Notes

1697: Patriotic Scotsman, Andrew Fletcher, recorded “Arms are the only true badges of liberty. The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave.”

1837: Scottish nobleman Captain William Drummond Stewart hires the artist Alfred Jacob Miller to sketch and paint a record of camp life, both at, and on route to, the Free Trapper’s Rendezvous on the Green River.

2007: Justin Fletcher invites good friend Marek Felinski of Action Replay to capture on DVD the essence of the 1837 Rendezvous as re-enacted in the 21st century by the Southern Cross Free Trappers.

Around The Traps Tattler

Seen at Ballarat Arms Fair – Justin, trading all his plews on Harper’s Ferry stock.

Tattler did recount being caught out having the wrong variety of fresh apples on a trencher at a Napoleonic re-enact. And we acknowledge the remote possibility of dried fruits finding their way to Rendezvous; but fresh bananas – on display? Doh!

Buckskinner’s Shuffle, – a slightly different line-up of group featured in Vol. 5. Photo by Jim Walker.

1700’s Meal Times, East and West

Back east, meals were Spartan affairs. Most folks ate with fingers or wooden spoons as proper cutlery was scarce. The dining table was usually a rough plank of timber hewn from the forest and was called “the board”. Women and children sat on rough bench seats (if they sat at all) and the man, being head of the family, might sit at the only chair in the house. Hence “chair-man” and “chairman of the board” (head of the family table) and this is also where that other phrase “bed and board” originates.

Food would be ladled from the cook pot onto pewter plates or wooden trenchers. Beverages might be milk, cider or beer, and were usually shared from a common tankard passed around the board on request (children included – yes, beer too!)

Out west, things were even more primitive – trappers might sit around a blanket or tarp spread on the ground and using their skinning knife hack off chunks of buffalo hump roasting by the camp fire. Tin cups were the common drink vessels, and the only cutlery would be those skinner knives, and fingers seldom saw soap and water.

Write a “Caption” for each of these 2 pics Competition. Good prize! Send your entries to the Editor. Photos by Bob Ellis.

Write a “Caption” for each of these 2 pics Competition. Good prize! Send your entries to the Editor. Photos by Bob Ellis. Covered Wagon by Bojo Products. Contact Bob Ellis for all tentage. 03 5796 2753

Annual General Meeting

Notice of Meeting. The Southern Cross Free Trappers Inc will hold our 1st Annual General Meeting at 9.30am on Sunday 30th September ’07 at the Spring Rendezvous. Please forward any Agenda items to the Secretary prior to Wednesday 12th September.

Who says “Ya can’t take wagons over the mountains” Bob Ellis thinks different.
Photo by Kevin
L to R – Richard, Prickle, Chook, Ian, Robyn, Myrtle, Jim, Colin, Bob, Murray.

First Rondyvoo for Free Trappers group! This past Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend would certainly rate among the very best Voos for most of us. The faces were familiar, of course, but we were camped together at a very different location, and for the first time as the Southern Cross Free Trappers. There was indeed a keen air of excitement at the experience we have all strived so very hard to achieve.

Welcome to the latest Around The Traps. Particularly to those who couldn’t make it to Winter R’voo. We missed you! You missed a sensational Rondyvoo with a happy atmosphere at a spectacular campsite, as well as some stimulating shooting challenges.

The good weather immediately prior to our event certainly dried out those muddied sections of track winding through the wallows leading to Bernard’s Cache. Booshway Joe Walker had blazed the trail and repaired some gates. An excellent axeman, he had also cut a huge supply of firewood in preparation for the wagon train and entourage.

And Bernard’s Cache – a hidden hole-out with ample protection for a Trading Post, wall tents, voyager tents, bell-end wedge tents, a tipi and a covered wagon. We had ample firewood, ample fresh water, Indian ponies, and plenty of sign for the hunters, and a safe range for burning black powder. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday were all beautiful sunny winter days and good camp fires made for toasty warm nights.

To hear more – just ask anyone who was there – make sure you have a spare hour or so.

No Squaw

Inspired by a resin Kaw Liga

Some Trappers sing songs of romancing their belle,
Whilst others recount battles from a past war,
That’s all very well, if you’ve known the joy or the hell,
But what if you’ve never known a squaw?

Now the Trappers song is his pleasure along
With the campfire and good coffee in store,
And with beaver a plenty, but only in trap and song,
Mountains attract neither white woman, nor whore.

When Trappers tell of clashes with the brave Blackfeet,
We’ve enjoyed their exploits o’er and o’er,
But, methinks for a different treat – Life could be so sweet,
Sipping whisky n’ watching, a hard-toiling squaw.

Longhunters trading a pony, or the hide off a nice buck
Exchange for ladies with plump bosoms to adore,
While I sit at the camp fire, brooding misfortune of luck,
Yet admiring their cleavage, I’m spellbound with awe.

Well it’s amazing how often some little thing said,
Can manifest into severe pain, blood, and gore,
I merely offered a blanket, and a warm place to bed,
She called me “Chauvin Swine”, and a bore.

So, was it witchcraft, or some other vexing brew?
Changed her sweet little hand to a grizzly bear’s claw,
Now my nose is all bloody, bruised, black and blue
And I’m spitting the teeth from my jaw.

While history will forget many Mountain Men and loons,
I could be written forever in Trapper folklore,
Remembered at winter through long nights of cold moons,
The only Trapper who couldn’t trap squaw!

Copyright 2007. Iron Rooster

Next Event – Spring Rendezvous, September 22nd – September 30th

First week of Vic. School holidays, a full week and including both weekends (or just do the weekends) at the Rolling Plains – Whorouly – Just 34 kms south of Glenrowan, or 16 kms north of the Myrtleford shops. (see VicRoads Map 49, B2 for general area. Detailed directions supplied to those confirming attendance – contact the secretary).

Early morning sunshine at Bernard’s Cache, Winter R’voo 2007

As previously, our invitations to Rendezvous on private properties are not to be construed in any way as an open invite to re-visit these properties at any other times.
(Note also – We choose our event dates to align with the Victorian school holidays, therefore we cannot help it if these dates clash with other activities, either on any individual’s calendar of events or with any other club’s program.)

A Quick Outdoor Tan

No, it’s nothing to do with stripping your body to wash your only duds on a hot day. We’re talking of making leather here. It doesn’t have to be done outdoors, but it is not recommended you do this inside the house. This is Booshway Joe’s method for tanning Hopping Deer and should be commenced within hours of skinning the animal. Joe recommends keeping a few pounds of alum (available at garden suppliers) plus a few pounds of coarse salt ready for the task.

Sprinkle the alum liberally over the skin and rub in with your hands to ensure a complete coverage, then do likewise with the coarse salt (common table salt will do) straight on top of the alum. Remember, apply both liberally! Next, fold the skin in half, with the fur out, and then roll it up as it were a carpet mat.

Store the roll in a cool place for 3 to 4 days to allow the chemicals to pickle the hide.
Do not leave much longer, and then unravel the hide and using a rack, rail or saddle to support the skin, start scraping off all the alum and any fat or meat bits with a block of wood or any suitable blunted scraper. The skin will become quite white and should be free of any debris or flesh. Those attending the Queen’s Birthday R’voo would have witnessed Booshway Joe demonstrating this technique. When completely clean, hang the hide in a cool place for several more days during which it should be stretched and pummelled (even chewed) from time to time until it becomes really supple, white and plush. Well, it’s that easy!

Around the Traps Tattler

You saw it in the Sharpe movies, where the pretty girl is enamoured by the poetic cad; now how about Louise having a restless night writing limericks to another man? Oooh!

Winter R’voo tattles were mostly about non-authentic goodies being used, or left unattended outside the confines of closed tents. Eg., An idle chain saw was spotted by former host, Andrew, out early, walking his new-fangled rifle; then there was talk of modern spades, various galvanised vessels, some with plastic, a brown Esky, and one deceased covered-wagon driver wearing Blundstones, hair, and an arrow to the heart. No self-respecting Injun would have left that scalp untouched!

Remember too, stowing modern gizmos behind your tent ain’t hiding nothin’ at all – Mountain men can approach from any direction. And photographs taken for the good memories also show up all that bad extra paraphernalia that would never be loaded on a trusty mule, let alone a cantankerous stolen beast unsure of its rightful owner.

Breaking camp, and after filling-in the latrine, our last-task emu bob around the sites turned up a number of bits of foil-like wrapping, some shiny brass washer discs, quite a few globs of melted candle wax and some nylon string? Tut, tut!! Blue glass bead awards to Ian & Murray who left nothing behind except some slightly flattened grass.

Diary Notes

1757: Thadeus Bennitt decorates his fine powder horn with the following rhyme

The Rowse is Red
the Vilet Blue
and A fols Love
Cannot Be Tru”

1777: Some 20 years later, Valentine Prentice engraved his horn with the following account. Of course, his reference to Lobsters refers to the British red-coated enemy.

My horn and I have wandred far
For Lobsters, redskins, der & bar
From Mass to here in Ohia
We kept ye powdr dry

2007: Two hundred & fifty years after Thadeus Bennitt, I procured a fine carved horn from Ian Convey’s trade blanket. Days later, having a wet tent lying, drying, spread-eagled all over the lounge floor for days on end stirred some action. I finally got weary of looking at those tatty tent ties with the crappy .22 rimfire shells I’d crimped on the ends, years ago, as quick fix whipping, that I at last did something about them. Removing the offending brass hulls, I reflected – Happiness is authenticating your tent, and other gear – before the next camp; and it’s also in possessing a mighty fine horn!

Frizzen, Chop, Hammer or Steel ?

We use the first of these four words the most. But frequent use does not make it right. In fact, the word “Frizzen” was not one used in our historical time frame. I have read of the word “Chop” being used for this part, but I am unable to say just when that was in vogue. “Chop” does vaguely describe the shape, and I suppose the red hot sparks the flint scrapes from it have helped put lean cuts on the table often enough.

But the Frizzen word simply does not exist in the English or French languages during the contemporary period of firelock usage. Perhaps it is a modern bastardisation of the French frise` (to curl) thus attempting to describe the shape, as does “chop”.

That leaves “Hammer” or “Steel” and both of these are correct and most appropriate for our use. Re-enacting is learning history & we should encourage the general use of correct terminology. Frizzen is out! Now don’t say OK, because that wasn’t in vogue for our time either. Correct? Let’s try to drop the use of “frizzen” from our vocabulary.

“Trail’s End” – canvas convenience from Bojo Products.

Trading Post

Woodsy Runner has not had any success finding a supply of Apple Juice other than as might be brought in by traders attending rondy-voo. Moral – Don’t buy cheap booze!

Almost new Bell-end Wedge Tent. 8 ft H x 8 ft W x 7 ft L plus 4 ft bell end. Complete with poles and pegs, and heavily water proofed, it is quick & easy to erect. Made to highest standard by Bojo. $300 ono. Contact John Fowler 03 5753 4455

Subscriptions Due

Our fiscal year ended on 30th June and Myrtle has supplied the attached financial report covering our initial set-up, and costs to date. You will note that we have some liabilities for insurance premiums for 2008. This is because several members kindly paid their 2008 subscriptions well in advance, providing group a little working capital.

Now it is time for the rest of us to meet our membership obligations, thus providing for our insurance premiums. The major part of our subs goes straight to the Australian Living History Federation under whose umbrella we maintain our very necessary public liability insurance.

The Annual Subscription remains at $20.00 per person. Would those who have not already paid the 2008 subscription please forward, ASAP, your cheques or money orders direct to Myrtle Barrett, 342 Lawrence Street, Wodonga 3690. Receipts will be forwarded with your next newsletter. All committee tasks are performed voluntarily and your prompt attention to dues is both helpful and appreciated.

Contributing articles most welcome. All correspondence and enquiries to John Fowler 252 Pini Lane, Mudgegonga 3737. Email chookster@vfowler.com Tel. 03 5753 4455.

2007
June 30th – July 15th School mid-year holidays. Gunbower Ponds. (abandoned)