Southern Cross Free Trappers

Favourite photos – Our cover girl is Jan Convey – seen here concentrating on her bead work.

Warm spring greetings to all… This will be our last Newsletter for calendar 2008 and we hope you find it both informative and entertaining. Please enjoy the read! We have pleasure in featuring pretty Jan Convey, seen here dressed in her best buckskins, and enjoying spring rendezvous camping. Thanks to Jan for sharing this super photograph. We wish all readers a safe, happy summer and good trappings over Xmas / New Year.

Collectables are the theme of this edition, but first there is a heritage event to be celebrated – before it’s completely forgotten – Guy Fawkes Day! Also remembered as Cracker Night – when we gathered to celebrate our parliament with fireworks and fun.

Parliament! Home of the politicians’ hell bent on obliterating this major Anglo-Saxon heritage festival from the Australian calendar, while seemingly supporting all other ethnic festivities, and boasting we are a multi-cultural society? John Williamson wrote and recorded a brilliant song about Cracker Night, and occasionally, obscure news columns have lamented the passing of the Guy Fawkes traditions. We’ve been double crossed by the same folks we elected, for you can buy fireworks in the ACT, so I’m told. Better make sure you get a “permit” before you light blue touch paper. Bunkum!

Please to remember,
The fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We know no reason,
Why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.

Opening a can of History

Dad smoked tobacco! It was inevitable that I would start collecting cigarette cards and those educational match box labels. I’d paste them into an album of sorts. His empty tobacco tins were handy storage containers for spare labels to swap with school mates. Didn’t every boy keep a folding knife and a tobacco tin of treasures in his pocket? Always hungry after school, my Grandma’s biscuit tin demanded attention, and the groundwork for a life-long interest in sheet metal containers was firmly laid.

Years later, I gained employment in a biscuit factory, in an era when biscuits were still sold in large returnable tins designed as store keeper’s bins. The grocer would weigh out a few ounces to sell repacked loose in a brown paper bag. The tins attracted a deposit to ensure their return to the supplying company – for washing, relabelling and re-use. The labels were works of art in themselves, designed to attract more sales, of course. Throwaway packaging has long replaced the tins, which are now collector items, as people cling fondly to solid familiar comforts, in our rapidly changing world.

Reversing change and learning old ways can be great fun. Turning back my shooting time clock and discovering black powder, I rekindled a former interest and passion for old tins. Black powder was, and still is, supplied in tins, although the soulless plastic jar has apparently dealt a death blow to any tin vessels from European sources.

My first black powder purchase was a can of Goex FFg. It appeared to be the only brand available back then, although several blokes at the old Seymour club range had some older cans of Curtis’s & Harvey’s powder. After the shoot they were happy enough to part with emptied tins and suddenly I’d become a collector. The fun didn’t end with the last grains of powder being shot off, because a new interest was growing.

Browsing in gun shops was another favourite pastime, always hopeful of spotting a tin of unusual historic label, gathering dust and stored out of sight, unloved and forgotten. Guess you could say I was hooked – to such an extent I even started to buy empty black powder tins, just for the labels. I had discovered older cans of differing shape and size, all painted a deep Prussian blue, and some even older tins painted bright orange, but of an elegant oval shape, similar to commercial copper measuring flasks.

Whilst writing this article, and with the dollar advantage of favourable exchange rates, I ordered some books from the States. Gun Powder Cans & Kegs by T&D Bacyk and T Rowe had been on my wanted list far too long. The book is a Collectors bible, an absolute gem, focusing on major American manufacturers. Unfortunately, these U.S. cans are rare here in Australia. Colonial shipping trade dictated that our black powder needs mostly came from the U.K. – produced at the Curtis & Harvey Hounslow mills.

The C&H flask-tins in our photograph are over 100 years old. The ½ lb size is the more common, but a larger 1lb and a diminutive ¼ lb tin were also marketed. The labels on these older tins are usually well-worn and tattered, or missing altogether, as their bellied shape leads to rubbing, wear and tear. The tins were often carried in the shooting pouch or coat pocket – serving as poor man’s powder flasks. Those labels still readable all denote FFF grade; Bacyk and Rowe suggest this is because the finer grades used in smaller calibres were not used up and thrown away, “so the can was put on the barn rafter or in an attic and forgotten”. Or is there some other explanation?

The black powder contents were sealed by a small cork and a sleeved tin lid. This lid could be used as both powder measure and shot measure, and is frequently missing in found samples. A C&H logo is embossed at the shoulder on both sides, and the can is constructed with two identical shell-like halves with folded soldered seam, a top spout and a rather small, unstable base, otherwise, formed rather like standard copper flasks.

Collectables

Sadly, the hydroscopic nature of black powder hastens the onset of rust to the metal, and foxing to the labels. Tins in average to better condition are nice collector items. Like the ½ lb can on the left, which has an added Australiana feature. Note the lower factory label which reads – McMicking & Co. Melbourne, Sole Agents for Victoria.

McMicking & Co. were hardware merchants located at 43 Elizabeth St., Melbourne. They are listed in Wise’s Post Office directory Victoria 1888-89, as sole agents for both Curtis’s & Harvey’s London, and Kames’ Gunpowder Co. London. Later entries show them as moved to 381 Little Collins Street.

The C&H powder mill on the River Crane at Hounslow (some 7 miles from London) started life as a medieval corn mill. Then in 1766, Edmund Hill converted it to become a profitable gunpowder mill. He’d retired a millionaire by 1800. Curtis and Harvey acquired the powder mill in 1820, expanding the site and the number of mills. The mills with associated buildings and bunkers eventually covered over 100 acres, suitably buffered with earth mounds and treed thickets for safety. However it is recorded that the Hounslow mills experienced at least 55 significant explosions during their operating period, and may have suffered many smaller undocumented explosions.

In 1898 C&H became a limited company and 20 years later (1918) merged to form a new company Explosive Trades Ltd. Two years later Nobel took control, followed by Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd in 1926. FFF is a registered trademark of ICI who continued to market the C&H brand, transferring production to other mills in the UK, and later to Germany, but manufacture of all gunpowder at Hounslow ceased in 1927.

We hold in our hand a strong link with history, and more than just a little nostalgia, when we examine these old tins.
Chook

Spring Buffler Shoot and Rondyvoo

Our traditional September Rendezvous held during the first week of gazetted school holidays turned on some mighty fine weather. Cool pleasant evenings at campfires contrasted with warmer afternoons consistently topping 28 C., when the shade along the picturesque Beaver Creek enticed lazing about in harmonious company of good friends and nature both.

Most pilgrims had arrived and set up camps by Friday afternoon to ensure a full weekend of fun. Some eye-opener shooting was in order early Saturday morning; that is, after the customary rush at the Trade Blankets. The best goodies always get snapped up quickly! Dick and Susan Schwer from Adelaide visited for the day’s fun.

Later in the morning a special trade blanket was laid out for all to see. It displayed many little treasures, donated to the Club by John and Elke Suardi of the Shooters Shack at Rosewhite. All items were sold in a no-holds-barred frenzied auction where a wink, or blink, or scratch of the nose was considered the next highest bid. The tally at the last hammer fall amounted to $75.00, a very welcome boost to the Club piggy bank. Our grateful thanks to John and Elke for their kind gesture.

During the afternoon we held a Skill ‘n Luck blanket shoot. Contestants shot at a simple playing card – a not too difficult target – at roughly 25 yards (by my measure). Those equalling the highest number of scoring shots then had to resort to luck at the turn of the card, with the higher face value card winning.

Participants in the Skill ‘n Luck blanket shoot

First pick off the blanket went to teen brave Indiana. And brave she was to compete with primitive bow and arrows against some skilled Longhunters’ with fine rifles. Club President, Ian earned second pick, but hang on, he always touts there can be no second or third at Primitive shoots. Actually, blanket shoots are really fun, and especially so, if a little Lady Luck is added to spice the match. And – everybody wins!

Following on after our Annual General Meeting, Saturday night’s feast was supposed to be prepared and cooked up by the blokes, but we suspect some Trappers bribed their brides. Whatever, there was more than an elegant sufficiency to go around the entire camp and supply Sunday breakfasts as well. Pumpkin soup or Pea and Ham, take your pick, or try both, followed by Pot roasts, spit roasts, beef, venison or rabbit stews – just to mention a portion of the wonderful cuisine.

Sundays are always special in camp, and Ian and Murray had certainly arranged a challenge for rifle or smoothbore in our Mountain Man Hunt shoot. Entry fee was just one or two vegetables into a basket. Then, following the lush green banks of Beaver Creek, each contestant had to seek out hidden game targets. Only one shot was allowed at each and a flash-in-the-pan was counted as lost game. The event was timed, and scored on targets observed, targets hit, and the ability to make fire at the close.

Richard turned out the winning performance, and was awarded a Turkey plate and the basket full of harvest vegetables, fruit and eggs. See our congratulatory photo and the group shot of participants happy to share Richard’s success.

Winners are grinners – Richard with the spoils.

Monday had a couple of Trappers breaking camp, heading for different pastures, while others just concerned with plinking or loafing. A rather unusual red dust storm manifested during the afternoon, creating an eerie atmosphere of low visibility, and bringing strong gusty winds carrying good overnight rains. The morning dawned clear and fine, as did the remainder of a warm balmy week.

Those staying the full week busied themselves relaxing and enjoying easy times. A second Mountain Man Hunt was organised, with game targets secreted in the shadows by the tricky wives. At about this time Kevin observed the level of his grog barrel sinking suspiciously. A trap was set and a certain rat was caught in that trap. Old Rattus was duly hanged, then as an after-thought – given a fair trial? We’re having fun!

The happy bunch who participated in the simulated Mountain Man Hunt.

Richard and Kevin went out with their Primitive bows, saw only a large Black snake, yet still had fun loosing a few arrows at imaginary beaver. Rolly and Jo were regular visitors of an evening when the moonshine glowed on each face around the camp fires. Evening meals were more like lavish feasts, and it was indeed a pleasure and honour to be invited out to dine at various camps. None of those tough old trapper boots or cooked saddle leather “wasting” diets. We’re having fun and dining like Lords too!

The youngsters in camp were continually doing what all kids do when camping – from dawn until well after dark; Playing near the creek, playing near the campfires, playing getting dirty. Both William and John asked 100s of questions each day, and that’s the job of all kids, and the easiest way to learn. We are one big extended family!

A relaxing afternoon as No Mocs contemplates the latest footwear catalogue from the East.

Camp numbers swelled again for the closing weekend, with the workers returning to their tents. Jeff and Katherine arrived to set up a small voyager tent; with a plunder laden trade blanket causing another stampede. They were in company of sweethearts John and Sarah from Sydney. Katherine is expecting her first babe soon, so our family of Trappers grows again. Oh, Sydney folk are alright – Really! Actually we may just entice John and Sarah to come south of the big river. Hope so!

It was another weekend of smoking flintlocks, fishing, not so much knife and hawk, but lots and lots of fun, before, sadly, it was time to start decamping and say goodbyes. See lots more photos on our website Events page.

Shot (Framed and Hung)

Pride of place on the wall of our President’s workshop-den is a remnant of Victorian history. Salvaged for its memorabilia interest, and nicely framed behind glass, hangs a small calico bag about 8 by 10 inches. The inked label tells us that the bag once contained lead shot produced at the Clifton Hill shot tower owned by the Coop family.

Far better known is Coop’s 50 metre tall shot tower, built in 1890, and enclosed in Melbourne Central’s steel and glass dome in 1991. Walter Coop demolished several small dwellings to make way for this square-sided tower, and four generations of Coops produced shot and various other lead products there until 1960.

Both the Clifton Hill and Melbourne Central shot towers are Heritage listed. However a third shot tower and Melbourne’s first, was built by Louis Hamel in Sackville St. Collingwood in 1878, and has long since been demolished. Interestingly, Ian’s framed calico bag depicts all three shot towers as background to the labelling.

Richard Hodgson erected the round tower at Clifton Hill in 1882. It is the world’s tallest brick shot tower at 77.6 metres, and it remains the tallest brick structure ever built in Australia. The base diameter is 7m and it has a 4m top level. Walter Coop bought Hodgson’s tower and surrounding works in 1896.The Coop family retained ownership until 1986, although production had ceased at Clifton Hill in 1947.

Referring just to the Melbourne Central tower, Heritage Victoria records – “Shooting was a popular pastime – six tons of shot a week was produced in this shot tower alone – and used in shooting for food, for sport and for defence.” Wow!

I know most of us like to hunt and shoot for our meat, and we all love to shoot for sport, and I’m still defending several acres against rabbit invasion – but together we shoot merely a few pounds of shot. Six ton a week seems a heritage well and truly lost!

Now for a serious final cautionary note – Ian originally had two of these little Coop’s shot bags, in somewhat grubby condition, but even the gentlest washing obliterated the ink signage on one. Be very careful handling our heritage – and guard it well.

Rare and very collectable.

Club Committee 2008 – 2009

President – Ian Convey, tel. 03 5367 8450
Vice Pres – Bob Ellis, tel. 03 5796 2753
Secretary – John Fowler, tel. 03 5753 4455 Email chookster@vfowler.com
Treasurer – Murray Convey, tel. 03 5346 1086
Committee – Kevin Norris, tel. 03 5753 4415
Committee – Jim Walker, tel. 03 9723 5868

Contributing articles welcomed. All correspondence and enquiries to the Secretary, 252 Pini Lane, Mudgegonga 3737. Email chookster@vfowler.com Tel. 03 5753 4455.

Le Reynard displays his fowling piece and a couple of birds it downed.
Gun built by Allan Vaisham.

Our photo is of Paul, obviously well pleased with his then new English style 12 gauge fowler built by Allan Vaisham of Green River Rifle Works. The gun performed well as evidenced by the two wood duck in the foreground and soon for the pot. Paul used 70 grains for FFg and used the same measure for loads of No. 4 shot to despatch both Woodies.

The hunting shirt Paul is wearing was completely hand sewn and then dyed using the seed pods from a Kurrajong tree in his garden. Paul says the weather was quite warm in spite of the early morning hour, and while hunting he was plagued by scores of bush flies enjoying the free ride on his back. But no flies on that Green River Rifle Works gun!

Events Calendar 2008

September :- Sat 20th to Sun 28th Spring Rendezvous & AGM coinciding with the first week of the school holidays. “Come to Beaver Creek” below that huge mountain called Buffalo. Enjoy our living history re-enactment of rendezvous camping, cooking, ad hoc shooting competitions, knife and hawk events, other shenanigans and more fun.

Shooters are requested to bring an era-authentic goodie of nominal value for a blanket shoot. As per Sept. 2007, we will again have special guests who support our primitive camp style. Mud maps, if needed, are available from the secretary. Why not make the most of your petrol dollars with a whole week of relaxed camping in great company?

Note: SCFT Annual General Meeting will be held Saturday 20th September 4pm.

Frozen to death overnight “guarding the horses” – Warm sunshine and a stiff drink might revive him!

Winter Quarters Historic Camp

Our Winter Quarters camp over the Queen’s Birthday long-weekend was one heck of a shining time. We didn’t have any snow-covered shining mountains, but we did have sun-shine and lots of it each day; and we had moon-shine each night, billions of stars all about the Southern Cross in a velvety sky. And we had a drop or two of silky- smooth bottled moonshine to pass among the Trappers about the evening camp fires.

Jim blazed the trail back to Bernard’s Cache on Friday, and was followed by Murray and Ian, then Bob leading John Morland, and then along came Chook. Slow walking Chook! We welcome John Morland back to rendezvous after spending a few years in the wilderness. Great to have you along! After devouring a huge kettle full of rabbit stew on Friday evening we stoked up a bonzer campfire to keep the chills of a clear winter’s night at bay; and the liquid moonshine eased away all the cares of beaver scarcity, and all those worries of high cost mule fuel common to modern-day trappers.

Saturday was again bright, warm and sunny, and some got down to a little shootin’ and some went hunting. It seems everybody had a jar of strawberry jam for breakfast toast or lunch snacks. Steve Mattison arrived, also Paul (after a slight mishap on the road) and finally Justin, Louise and Rohmi. Some of us had met Steve at the Gold Rush earlier this year and we now welcome him to his first rendezvous experience. As for young Rohmi – Justin and Louise’s 3 year old nephew – he was a delight to have in camp, and he thoroughly enjoyed his very first rondyvoo. Yo, ho! Little fishy ……

Mind you, it would be difficult not to enjoy the atmosphere around a happy camp with lots of friendly faces, pleasant sunshine, great food cooking over glowing coals, and with painted ponies grazing happily nearby, unperturbed about Immigrants or Crow.

John Morland displays the nice winter pelt of a fox taken with his flinter.

The hunters had some success with the rabbits and John bagged himself a nice red fox. Ian and Murray had set up a little Mountain Man Run shooting competition. Everyone entered into the spirit of the shoot which was spread over a leisurely two days. A trap had to be set at the start, then five marks were shot at, each from different locations and with differing ranges. Three shots were allowed for each target, but upon scoring one could immediately move on to the next. So between five and fifteen shots could be taken, but with time being the essence, the most accurate shooting would win the day. Time was completed when the set trap was sprung by each participant returning.

First up was Bob with some accurate shooting, but hobbling along on his gammy knee. Next, Paul set a sizzling pace with five well placed shots, so everyone else was under pressure from then on. With onlookers cheering and jeering, there were several good shots, and a few hurried and missed shots, some cussing and numerous rude remarks. Ian broke two flints, Chook broke his ramrod, and somebody broke wind. You know, it’s darned hard to shoot straight while laughing! Poor Justin had to contend with all this, while learning the foibles of his recent purchase of an 1803 Harper’s Ferry flinter.

Results: Paul Sly a clear winner on 8 min 30 sec; then John Morland on 9 min 32 sec; Bob Ellis, 11 min 55 sec; Murray Convey, 13 min 45 sec; Ian Convey, 14 min 05 sec; Jim Walker 14 min 40 sec; Chook 16 min 20 sec; and finally Justin, whose accuracy was handicapped by many wasted minutes tinkering with his lock, at 31 min 40 sec. Paul wins a beautiful hand-made knife – made and donated by Ian Convey, featuring a Sambar stag antler tip handle and a super sharp cutting blade. Congratulations to Paul.

Paul wins this knife made by Ian Convey, whilst Ian won the Curtis’s & Harvey ½ lb tin.

Entries for our Cross Winds crossword competition were placed in a hat, and we asked our guest, John Morland, to draw out the lucky winner. The first entry drawn was from Ian, and after a check revealed he had all correct answers he was declared the winner. The prize was a small, but very collectable, black powder tin wrapped in brown paper. Ian wins an original Curtis’s & Harvey’s ½ lb tin full of FFFg.

The sunshine continued through into Monday morning, but a change was blowing in the wind, bringing a few much-needed light showers. Conditions were then ideal for hunting, as in easy to sneak up on the game, crawling on hand and knee through wet scrub. But with a little overnight moisture in the barrel, all Murray could manage this morning were five straight flashes in the pan before giving the game away. Doh!

All this warranted rekindling a cooking fire for grilling beef steaks, lamb chops and venison sausages to serve with the heaps of pooled vegetables cooking in the kettles. Jim, Murray, Ian and Chook all extended the holiday weekend by staying over another night on Monday, testing their wet weather trim, before all falling asleep to the rhythmic murmur of soft steady rain on canvas. What bliss!

Everyone’s reluctance to break camp was obvious, but all good things do end, and we all left well-satisfied with times spent in good company. And so, the June holiday long weekend tradition of fantastic shining times continues! If you weren’t there you’ve missed out sorely, but we have all been welcomed back again next year.

A fine body of men – Yes! That’s all you need to know!

Other Traditions

Did you know – Club President Ian Convey made his first black powder muzzleloader when aged just 16, way back in 1962. Yep, he is that old! Of course he was messing with black powder and fire crackers long before that – in those good old days, when Golden Showers were pretty coloured fireworks, and kids could buy Catherine wheels, Jumping Jacks, Tom Thumbs, sky rockets, and penny bangers at any local store, all to celebrate Empire Day: Then again, later in the year, to remember Guy Fawkes on bonfire night each 5th of November – a 400 + year tradition. Now that’s really old!

Ian takes the prize for our Newsletter crossword competition.

A Valid Reason

Three of the various valid reasons for possessing an A&B Firearms Licence are:-

1. Performing Arts and Re-enactments;
2. Hunting;
3. Sport/Target Shooting.

Some members already have their licence endorsed with all these, whilst others may have only one or two. Renewal time for your firearms licence is an ideal time to obtain any added endorsements.

Being a member of SCFT is a valid reason for the first endorsement (re-enactments) and it is strongly recommended that you have all three on your licence. Upon request, the secretary can supply a verifying letter to accompany your renewal application seeking this additional endorsement. Of course the additions can be done during the life of existing licences, but in that case a replacement plastic card fee may apply.

Rendezvous-ers or Historic Re-enactors

Most of us are in the first category and we love to camp with canvas hiding all signs of the 21st Century. It’s a big step away from tin tipis, gas appliances and generators, and this is what makes it fascinating and so much fun. We must not loose sight of everyone’s entitlement of fun, and accept that parameters do vary within our creed of “If its post 1840 and someone else can see it, hear it, or smell it, then it has to go”.

But for those wishing historic re-enactment of the pre 1840 era, achieving the goal can be much more involved – not just adopting a persona, getting the right clothing, gear and abode appropriate for that person, but also developing the very daily lifestyle.

For what use all that good gear, if the dialogue around the camp fires centres on the politics of Brumby or Rudd, or the price of petrol and gas? And should we really be quoting favourite lines from the 20th C movies starring Redford, Heston and Keith? Shouldn’t we actually be talking the news from 170 years ago? Have we studied the events of that time that would have been topical in camp? Well, it’s just a thought! How authentic your fun is – is really up to you, but some suggest that conversation topics, music and song that fit the pre 1840 vogue might be attempted – if you dare.

Justin and Rohmi share an early morning hug.

Events 2009

March 7th – 9th Labor Day long weekend (tentative) Gold Rush at Holey Plains.
This weekend is generally too dry, and fire bans normally prevent any black powder activity. Out-of-season Trappers had a ball last March developing new personas for that ratified aberration of our time frame. Save the date in case a repeat is gazetted.

June 2009 – SSAA National Rendezvous, Millmerran
Yes its winter time, but Millmerran is in sunny Queensland and this bi-annual R’voo is the biggest you’ll see in Australia. Several members were considering the trip up north, but escalating fuel costs may have dampened desire. Anyone still interested?

Club Committee 2008

President: Ian Convey, tel. 03 5367 8450 Vice President: Bob Ellis, tel. 03 5796 2753
Secretary: John Fowler, tel. 03 5753 4455 Treasurer: Myrtle Barrett, tel. 02 6059 3951
Committee – Murray Convey, tel. 03 5346 1086; Kevin Norris, tel. 03 5753 4415

Contributing articles are always welcome – fwd all correspondence to the Secretary, John Fowler, 252 Pini Lane Mudgegonga 3737. Email chookster@vfowler.com

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

Peter Convey leads brother Ian up the creek (again) at Western Districts annual “Wet to the Arse” 2001

Now that’s more like it! Cradling their faithful firelocks, immersed in the hunt along a swollen beaver stream, reliving shining times. Bones will be chilled to the very core, yet this superb photo heralds a welcome return from gold diggings to mountain doings.

Ian Convey features in our “Pictures with Favourite Memories” cover segment, which by the way, has been rather neglected following our front-page of Richard and his donkey – Shamrock. This pic shows just why the “Wet to the Arse” weekend has won keen support and enviable reputation for the Western Districts Muzzle Loader Club.

Ian claims that Peter is leading the way “downstream” and that no brother could lead him up the creek without a paddle, but who would let the truth spoil a good story, eh?

Sadly, we note the passing of Charlton Heston on 5^th April, aged 84. Chuck earned mega-star legendary status for his many epic films, including his Oscar winning performance in Ben-Hur. But it was as a trapper, Bill Tyler, in “The Mountain Men” that we all love to replay over and over, and our source of so many favourite quotes.

Charlton was a staunch and proudly vocal supporter of the right to keep and bear arms. He was elected President of the National Rifle Association of America in 1998, holding that position until he resigned in 2003, after revealing he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer’s disease. Later in 2003 President George Bush awarded Charlton the Presidential Medal of Freedom – America’s highest civilian honour.

Charlton Heston held other leadership positions, serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild, and chairman of the American Film Institute. He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Lydia, a son and a daughter, and leaves to us his wonderful epic films. An eloquent speaker, his legacy of outspoken views is found in recorded public speeches.

Charlton’s now famous speech “Winning the Cultural War” delivered to law students at Austin Hall, Harvard Law School on 16th February 1999 is well worth reading and can be found at http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/charltonhestonculturalwar.htm Links to some of Chuck’s other notable oratory can be located on www search engines.

We salute Charlton Heston, may he rest in peace. Bill Tyler lives on!

Events Calendar 2008

4th Annual Winter Rendezvous – 7, 8 & 9th June.
Queen’s Birthday long weekend at Bernard’s Cache, Caveat.
Our strawberry jam and cream event, and we have oodles of good firewood in supply, and our scouts report no sign of hostile Crow! All the black powder shooting, knife & hawk chucking, fire lighting & trap setting comps, and campfire bull-dusting you can manage. Location mud maps available if required from the secretary.

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

Events 2009

March 7th – 9th Labor Day long weekend (tentative) Gold Rush at Holey Plains.
This weekend is generally too dry, and fire bans normally prevent any black powder activity. Out-of-season Trappers had a ball last March developing new personas for that ratified aberration of our time frame. Save the date in case a repeat is gazetted.

Tattler

Paul and Lisa announce the arrival of another Longhunter. Nicholas born on 22^nd April weighed in at 7lb7oz. Mother and son doing fine; Paul’s on firewood duties.

Justin and Louise have shifted base camp, to be closer to Justin’s scalping grounds.

Chook copped it sweet for eating more than a trapper’s rightful share of toast and jam, and was gently reproached for tying his mocs with modern cotton/nylon shoe laces. Reminded me that it is all too easy to sink back into the 21^st C. You know it too! But I’m left puzzled why a few club pilgrims shunned our April shining times – favouring the caravan and camping show, while more dedicated Trappers rendezvous-ed. Duh?

On the way home from the big smoke I called to see Bob Wounded-Knee, only to be berated for advertising free squaws with each tipi ordered through “Around the Traps”. Bob didn’t win any new custom, but I did wonder just who read the fine print to him?

Earlier, I mentioned the neglect I have allowed to our pictorial segment of Around the Traps. So here now is my gentle arm twist to all Longhunters, Trappers & partners to get your favourite Rondyvoo picture in our newsletter. Be assured all care taken and all photos sent to the editor will be returned upon request, eventually.

Murray explains the bag. “Rabbits are gettin’ mighty scarce, Penny.” Photo by Jim

April Rendezvous

Jim, Chook, Ian and Murray all arrived on Thursday afternoon (some much later than others) to set up our primitive encampment and cut and gather firewood. There was no shortage of fallen timber so we could get right down to the task and before long there was a sizeable stack next to a roaring campfire and dinner cooking in the kettles.

Overnight, the air did get a bit chilly but nothing like the sub-zero temperatures up on the high tops. Bob Wounded-Knee arrived sometime on Friday morning and a little more wood was cut before some story telling, lunch, and before you knew it the afternoon was fading fast. So we stoked up the fire, told more stories, news, and lies, and downed some medication. There was a smidgeon of moisture in the air so the night was much warmer than the previous.

Saturday brought a few showers in between pleasant sunshine bursts and we managed a little hunting. Several old collectable traps were repaired, and some friendly shooting at marked stakes occurred. I’m not sure who achieved the best results, and I don’t care. Neither does anyone else for that matter! Suffice it is to say that we always have great fun burning the black stuff in our firelocks – answering any challenge.

A sharp shower after dinner on Saturday evening saw us gather in Jim’s grand tent leaving a bonzer campfire to battle with the elements. The fire won! Meanwhile, we broke out the prize bottle of booze that Ian won for our photo caption competition. Yes, we did let him have a taste – just a nightcap, mind you. Several more light showers were heard softly on the canvas overnight. Don’t yer just love that sound?

Sunday dawned with sunshine, as it should; we leisurely breakfasted around a toasty rekindled fire, a little walk on the hunt for rabbits and foxes, more coffee, reminiscing, more lies, discussions on camp craft and gear, and how very little gear is absolutely necessary, and so on, and how less is more.

Good times always go faster than we like, and this weekend was no exception to the rule. Ian and Murray broke camp during the dry Sunday arvo leaving Jim and Chook to stay another night. Dang, if misty showers didn’t return on Monday, each time the canvas was nearly dry, resulting in us, reluctant to break camp anyway, finally giving-in to pack up our wet tents and say goodbye until Winter Rendezvous in June.

Short Sheeted?

We all know that shining times continue well after dark, but when told the reason for daylight saving time, an old Indian said …..
“Only a white man would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket and sew it to the bottom of the blanket and have a longer blanket.”

“Lighten Up!”

Such was the title of Rex Allen Norman’s article on reducing gear, appearing in the March/April edition of Muzzleloader magazine, which most appropriately arrived soon after our glimpse into the future – the 1850’s and the mad rush for gold. Without exception, all attending members of SCFT declared that Easter’s event would be the last time they hauled so many goodies along for the show-and-tell ride.

Actually those “goodies” were all little treasures, in their own right. Collectables won or traded at various rendezvous’ or Sunday markets. But when we keep adding more and more collectables to the treasure trove, there is a very real chance of it becoming just so much “stuff”. That kinda “stuff” is a bothersome chore to lug into camp, and worse yet, becomes a real pain to pack it all back on the homeward bound mule.

Mr Norman’s article is well worth perusing, and any follow-up actions to lessening the amount of gear hauled into camp will, I am sure, reward all efforts, and have you wondering why you previously went overboard to the lure of superfluous “goodies”.

Several members tried out this philosophy at the April Rendezvous and were quite delighted with the reductions. They realised that to “Lighten Up” even more would actually improve their Longhunter portrayal. Muzzleloader magazine continues to be recommended reading. Our “club library” has a few back issues to whet your appetite.

Tea and Coffee

Lifted straight out of Your Garden magazine: – “Did You Know – The amount of milk you add to your tea once indicated your social standing? When tea was first imported to Britain from the Orient it was very expensive. Milk, on the other hand, was very cheap. So the decision to add milk to your tea was purely economic. The wealthy drank tea without milk; the middle class added a splash of milk, while the lower class filled their cup with milk, before adding a splash of tea.”

Now Longhunters and Mountain Men were none too rich, nor upper class; mostly, they drank black tea or coffee due to a mild reluctance toward milking moose cows.

And “If I don’t get some whisky soon, I’m gonna die!”

Trading Post Values

Convalescing from knife wounds to the arm, Club President Ian has been holed up re-reading his scrapbook – a compendium from many years of various black powder magazine articles. He shares this snippet (possibly from an early Backwoodsman mag) on trade values.

“By 1840 there were over 150 trading posts in the west, with intense competition between white traders. Many traders would carry over credit (Kevin, take note!) in the manner of trade beads that had value compared to other things the Indian wanted. Besides such essentials as cloth, tools, and firearms, there were bells and mirrors from Leipzig, Germany, clay pipes from Cologne, beads from Europe’s major suppliers in Venice, London and Amsterdam.

Many Indians wanted such gewgaws and traded eagerly for them, but they knew value, and used the horse as a measuring stick against most other things. They also knew how to drive a hard bargain. Like all commodities, the value of horses and beads varied with the supply and demand. In the early 1800’s on the upper Missouri where horses were relatively scarce, a fine horse might be worth 10 buffalo robes or about 360 cobalt beads. Later the price dropped to as low as three robes or 100 beads.

The article listed a table of values from the mid 1800’s:
1 ordinary riding horse = 8 buffalo robes = 300 cobalt beads = 1 gun & 100 ball = 1 carrot of tobacco weighing 3 lbs = 15 eagle feathers = 10 weasel pelts = 5 tipi poles.
1 buffalo robe = 3 metal knives = 25 round ball = 36 to 40 beads = 1 x 1 gallon size tin kettle =3 dozen iron arrow points = 1&1/2 yards of calico = 1 small keg black powder = I frying pan & bottle rum.
Other values were: 1 racing pony with regalia = 10 guns;
1 fine buffalo horse = several pack animals; 10 ermine pelts = 100 elk teeth;
3 buffalo robes = 1 white 4 point blanket; 4 buffalo robes = 1 scarlet Hudson’s Bay blanket;
5 buffalo robes = 1 large Grizzly claw necklace.

Thanks to Ian, and acknowledgements to Backwoodsman magazine, for back-tracking with us. Oh yes, now about those knife wounds to the arm – well ah, nothing untoward, I assure, but no doubt Ian will conjure up a fine tale of high adventure for regular campfire story time at Winter Rondyvoo. Winter Rendezvous – for friendship, value trading & great shooting fun.

Southern Cross Free Trappers Crossword

Here’s something different and a bit of fun. Test your memory of our past newsletters by completing the crossword puzzle. It’s another competition, so write your name on the bottom, tear off or photocopy the page, and post your entries to
“Cross Winds” 252 Pini Lane, Mudgegonga 3737. First correct entry opened wins a nice little collector item prize.

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

Jimmy Walker blatantly plays a “sly grogger” under the weak guise of selling coffee and refreshments.

Accused, apprehended, intimidated, forced to undergo medical treatment, cheated at cards, doped and duped, no money, no gold, no prospects, but great friends, and all good fun, made for a fantastic Easter – no worries!

A very warm welcome to Around the Traps, Volume 10. Yep, that’s right “Ten” Volume 10 – We’ve reached double figures! Surely, it’s a milestone worth celebrating with a swig of your favourite tipple as you settle down for a bit of a read. And it’s congrats to all you contributor readers, for you have made our simple Newsletter the most interesting smoke-pole talk in all the Friendly Nations – and beyond.

So often at Easter we see that huge full moon glowing like a giant beach ball in clear starry skies. And that’s just how it was over the Holey Plains this year. The weather was warm and dry, albeit at times a trifle humid, but just perfect for camping and fortune hunting. The candle lanterns at night created the usual pleasing atmosphere, but they were hardly necessary, with the brightness from that big golden moon casting long deep shadows to rival those of the late afternoon sunshine.

And it was in the depth of those shadows where the mysteries and shame of the goldfields lurked. The lure of riches does things to men, and oh yes, to women also. But more of this later, just let it be announced here as front page news, that everyone attending this very first 1850’s Gold Rush re-enactment had an absolute whale of a time. Organisers can be justly proud of their achievements and we all look forward to a repeat event.

Our friends in The Blue & The Grey along with History Up Close had arranged the ideal gold fields tent village on the banks of the Latrobe River. Their most cordial welcome to us Trappers meant us changing our Longhunter duds – for 1850’s era miner’s costumes – but that was just half the fun. The second half was simply being there to participate in (and further develop) all the schemes and intrigue our hosts had planned, and more that they dreamed up on the run.

Changing personas, or for some of us, developing personas for the first time, turned out a lot easier than most expected and was all fun, fun, fun. What a Hoot! There were Shining Times aplenty during this Holey Plains jaunt. Lorraine’s clothes line full of sparkling white laundry advertised our hard working washer woman, right beside the ever increasing stock of trade goods at the Norris store and an abundance of fine cloth at Barrett’s the drapers.

A busy laundress! – (Photo by Richard)

The Scotsman Jimmy Walker had obviously paid off the Commissioner as the sly grog trade normally conducted in clandestine fashion at the rear of his Coffee and beverage tent was blatantly in operation right out front.

Now that Commissioner fellow was quite amenable to bribes (paid in gold, of course) and his enforcement officer, the Colour Sergeant of the 40th Regiment of Foot quickly slipped a one pound tip in his belt pouch whilst his Corporal wasn’t watching. I know!

And that rotund, jovial Undertaker come Medico chappie had some dastardly murderous reputation following after him like a faithful puppy dog.

And it wasn’t just the plethora of gold dust and nuggets that glittered, for Madame Sin Wy Fook was all aglow, but I just haven’t cottoned on as to the Wy. Why not? I say! Handsome profits from her gambling table at the Celestial Chinese Tea House, no doubt, as those innocent Chinese lanterns attracted customers like moths to a lamp.

Now, let me tell you about the gruesome murder of Lazarus Hobbs, and how I became a key suspect – merely as a result of Hobbs losing his stupid head, and with his outstretched fingers just inches from a lost weskit button of mine. Really, I mean to say! But hey, I’m stealing the thunder of all those who witnessed the resulting inquiries. You’ll just have to sit at our campfires to hear the full gory detail from the traumatised survivors of that dreadful den of iniquity.

And there will be stories around the camp-fires for years about History Up Close’s wonderful 1850’s Gold Rush premier. Re-enactment premier, that is! We can’t take it from the originals. But we did give it a damn good try – just for fun!

The Free Trappers pay tribute to History Up Close and The Blue & The Grey with special mention to Robert & Gina Brooks, Jenny Baker and Gary Mappin. Well done!

In this issue we feature Jim Walker in several different personas. Jim shows how simply changing one or two items of clothing can change a man’s outward appearance.

On front page we see Jim as a (semi) respectable refreshments vendor, who thinks nothing of relieving a miner of tools of trade for a cup of joy juice – anything for a quid! Jim then slips easily into that sneaking bushranger outfit with his double barrel percussion shotgun, and seen here with a shady accomplice removing wanted posters and lurking in the woods along the main routes to Melbourne town, two opportunists preying on any successful miners or careless traders.

“Dangerously suspicious”

Our next picture of Jim shows he has become the successful sporting type of gent with embroidered waistcoat and fob, just waiting for that half-after-eleven Cobb & Co coach to town.

All Jim’s personas are taken from S.T. Gill’s images actually drawn on the gold fields of Victoria. Jim’s outfits supplied by various Op shops at minimal outlay, proving that our hobby need not be an expensive one, whilst Op shopping can also be great fun.

After The Gold Rush

From around 1822 plains rifles made by Jake and Sam Hawken of St Louis, Missouri became the arm of choice of experienced mountain men, trappers, hunters and fur traders for many years. In 1859 Sam Hawken left the trade to seek his fortune in gold at diggings on Gregory Mountain near Denver, Colorado. Apparently his new venture was unsuccessful, for his foray into the mining business was short lived, and he set to gun smithing in Denver for a brief period before returning to the trade in St Louis.

Jake Hawken died of cholera early in the summer of 1849 at the peak of the gold rush.

Just like old Sam, we, who lusted briefly for gold and riches, revelling in sin, grog and debauchery on the gold fields, yet somehow surviving the hardships and the many deprivations, must now return to our usual trades of trapping and hunting and trading with associated supply wagons and stores.

There’s no better time to start planning for our next two events at Bernard’s Cache where a crystal clear brook flows ever abundant, and all the gold is the shining times we savour for keeps.

Events Calendar

It’s on! Coming very soon! April 25th – 27th Anzac day extended weekend
We received more than sufficient interest, so here y’are – A time machine magically returns us from the 1850’s gold bonanza to the pre 1840 American wilderness. We’ll rendezvous again at Bernard’s Cache on the Painted Pony Plains. Expect to help laying in stacks of firewood ready for our traditional annual Winter Rendezvous in June. We just wouldn’t want anyone going cold on that! Contact the secretary if you need a mud map.

June – 7, 8 & 9th Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
4th Annual Winter Rendezvous. Scouts report no sign of hostile Crow! Ample stores of timber for blockades or firewood have been laid in where the picturesque magic of Bernard’s Cache borders the Painted Pony Plains, central State. This is the event that binds us to the truth and to true primitive ideologies. You just wouldn’t miss this anniversary rendezvous for all the beaver in Bill Tyler’s dreams.

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

Jim, seen here as the dandy, with plenty of time on his hands and gold in his pocket, waiting for a Cobb & Co coach and a spree on the town.

“Say, didn’t old Lazarus Hobbs own a fob watch just like that one?”

Well, maybe you too have a little time on your hands? Could we suggest a good book to read? Richard has established our Club Lending Library. It stocks many choice books on the history of the fur trade and early exploration of North America, plus novels about the era, as well as many back issues of magazines, such as Muzzleloader, Muzzle Blasts, On The Trail, and The Buckskin Report. All these may be borrowed for a token fee to benefit Club finances. See Richard for some entertaining reading – fiction and non-fiction…

Tattler

Attractive 23 year old Lisa Matheson (daughter of our Beaver Creek hosts) has been dubbed “Victoria’s Lara Croft of the fire-fighting world” by the Herald Sun news-paper (Jan 21). Lisa is the only female “extreme fire-fighter” in an elite force of specialist volunteers protecting our state each summer. This dedicated team are trained to drop from helicopters into rugged mountain gullies to fight outbreaks that are inaccessible to regular methods of control. Demure and friendly, Lisa is also a dab hand with a smoothbore and shares our thrill of all the black powder shooting sports.

Psst! Bojo Products don’t really offer squaws with every tipi sold. The word processor keyboard typing up Bob’s advert last issue somehow picked up on my secret thoughts.
So don’t overlook our ads in each newsletter as they may sometimes contain specials. Like the special price deals Bob can offer on new canvas products right now!

Missed on the goldfields were Ian, Justin and Louise who all presented “sick” notes.
Spotted on the gold fields – some modern brassy medallion style belt buckles. Doh!

New Books

Primitive Fire Lighting – Flint and steel
by Keith H. Burgess
We mentioned Keith’s book in the last Around the Traps and feel the subject is well worth a second airing. Every modern Longhunter and Trapper should have this book!

Written for living historians and historical trekkers in Australia. Contains information not yet known by US living historians – Plant tinder, preparation, wet weather fire lighting, emergency fire lighting methods, reading glass fire lighting, and more. View index and purchase details at: http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com Cost is just $11 Aust plus $2 P&P from Keith H. Burgess, Wychwood Forest, MSF 2007, Armidale NSW 2350. Email: historicaltrekker@gmail.com

Club Committee 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 5346 1086

Bojo Products offers mid season specials on all new tents and tipis, primitive shelters, ground sheets & various canvas goods. Phone Bob Ellis 03 5796 2753 AH

Pioneer Forge for all your requirements in hand forged crafted black iron, fire irons, best quality throwing hawks & etc. Glenn and Anthea Mitchell phone 03 5729 5564

Northern Shooter’s Supplies a division of Stock, Lock Antique Arms, for black powder, ball, flints, and all the accoutrements for Buck- skinner enthusiasts. Contact Roger Mowbray tel. 03 5865 5440 or mob. 0427 451 911

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

All back issues of Around the Traps can be read at http://freetrappers.org.au/newsletters

Rocking the cradle – In search of Eldorado – Photo by Jim

Cradle snatcher?

Kevin & Richard panning for gold. (Photos by Richard)

Jim, Myrtle and Colin discuss fugitives and rewards.

The recently widowed Sin Wy Fook extols the virtues of herbal tea to Lorraine.

The image maker Mr Kodiak Eastman recording youngsters on the goldfields.

Lazarus Hobbs found murdered outside the Norris sutlers store.

The arrest of Commissioner Brooks by the 40th Reg of Foot Colour Sergeant and troops.

Eureka! Cripes, it’s as heavy as lead!

Due to the keen desire of members to return to our traditional Rendezvous, following the long hot summer, this edition of Around the Traps is rather rushed, as the Anzac Day weekend has received tremendous support and is now just three weeks away. We apologise to those not featured in our Gold Rush edition and advise that many additional photographs can be viewed on the website at www.australiangoldrush.info

Paul (Le Reynard) Sly at MMFAT Nov 2008 – photo by Val Rees

Longhunter Portrayal

In this first edition of Around the Traps for the New Year we feature Paul Sly, alias Le Reynard, dressed as an Eastern Longhunter of around 1760. Paul represented SCFT at the annual Melbourne Medieval Fayre and Tourney held in November. This is a universal living history display from the Ancients to Australian Colonial eras.

Here, Paul scans the horizon for a distant landmark and he is obviously prepared for a longish trek. He is wearing a black felted tricorn, common among Eastern gentlemen adventurer folk of the era. Paul has his hair tied back in a queue with a leather thong. His loose hunting shirt is of vegetable died linen, hand sewn in simple pullover style.
Paul is wearing stout linen breeches, with grey wool leggings drawn just below the knee with garters of brain tanned leather. His woodland style centre-seam moccasins of deerskin receive regular proofing with copious applications of a lard mixture.

In the picture below, we see Paul’s method of carry for his bedroll. This consists of a home made oil cloth tarp encasing a single wool blanket. Wrapped within the blanket Paul stores a spare shirt, stockings and dry mocs, plus a small sack of dried beans. The whole rests comfortably in the small of the back while above this Paul carries his Possibles knapsack. Made from vegetable tanned calf hide it holds a small kettle (billy) a tin cup, fire lighting kit, compass, plus clay pipe and tobacco and small personals. This is positioned high on the shoulders to lessen fatigue during a long hunt.

back packed – photo by Val Rees

With sleeves rolled for warm weather Paul wears his hunting pouch lower than usual, however the horn remains high to tuck safely under the elbow facilitating rapid movements should such be necessary. Paul made his hunting pouch from the same calf skin as his Possibles bag. For eyewear, Paul’s prescription lenses are fitted to correct period style frames to compliment the overall portrayal of his chosen persona.

Our thanks to Paul for the leading article contribution, and we are also indebted to photographer Val Rees, who supports the annual MMFAT events at Berwick.

Random Diary Notes

Ian Convey shares this general description of some 30 trappers as documented in the writings “Journal of a Trapper or Nine Years in the Rockies Mountains 1834-1843” by Osborne Russell, first published in book form 1914. (We reproduce spelling and minimal punctuation as per the original publication to preserve authenticity of style.)

21st April 1838
“Early next morning about 30 of us were armed equipped and mounted as circumstances required. A Trappers equipments in such cases is generally one Animal upon which is placed one or two Epishemores a riding saddle and bridle a sack containing six Beaver traps a blanket with an extra pair of Mocasins his powder horn and bullet pouch with a belt to which is attached a butcher Knife a small wooden box containing bait for Beaver a Tobacco sack with a pipe and implements for making fire with sometimes a hatchet fastened to the Pommel of his saddle his personal dress is a flannel or cotton shirt (if he is fortunate enough to obtain one, if not Antelope skin answers the purpose of over and under shirt) a pair of leather breeches with Blanket or smoked Buffaloe skin, leggings, a coat made of Blanket or Buffaloe robe a hat or Cap of wool, Buffaloe or Otter skin his hose are pieces of Blanket lapped round his feet which are covered with a pair of moccasins made of Dressed Deer Elk or Buffaloe skins with his long hair falling loosely over his shoulders complets his uniform. He then mounts and places his rifle before him on his saddle. Such was the dress equipage of the party myself included.

“…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 to Riding Mountain Superintendent 1932

The old timey look – photo by Val Rees

Trapping for Gold

It’s nearly 1853 and most of the die hard Trappers have taken what little they could get for their last meagre catch of plews, and also sold their traps for a pittance. They’ve left the shining mountains for the coast, and are now seeking work-passage on any sailing ships bound for Australia. They have gold fever. They have it bad! Will the smell of tar and wet sailcloth prepare them for the dry waterless gullies of Victoria’s gold fields? Better get one of them new fangled Colts – for protection – or as mayhap, for some other devious work.

Still proclaiming the enjoyment of developing a persona – Have you found yourself?

History Alive at Easter

Your clue to apparel whilst in search of Victoria’s gold.
In John Sherer’s book The Gold-finder of Australia, there is a brief description of the clothes he and his two mates wore or carried when they set out from Melbourne for the Forest Creek diggings near Castlemaine, in the late summer of 1851.

“We kept the bedding brought from England and used on board ship, also our sea-boots. We had a couple of blue flannel shirts apiece, half a dozen pairs of worsted half-hose, a pair of fustian trousers, two pair of canvass trousers, and a jacket and waistcoat of beaverteen. I also had a pilot coat and wore a black sombrero, or sometimes a Scotch cap.”

Peter L. Cox writing in 1998 for The Genealogist in an article entitled The Fabric of the Nineteenth Century and searching a contemporary encyclopaedia for those fabrics mentioned above by John Sherer provided the following descriptions : –

Beaverteen: a cotton twilled cloth in which the warp is drawn into loops to form a pile but not cut as with velvet. It is then dyed and shorn.
Canvass: a coarse, unbleached linen.
Flannel: a soft, open woollen cloth. Can be twilled, or plain and undressed, milled, coloured or checked.
Fustian: a coarse, twilled cloth made from cotton or a mixture of linen and cotton, with a shorter pile than velvet
Pilot Cloth: a heavy, indigo blue woollen cloth. Used for overcoats and seamen’s wear.
Worsted: a cloth made from worsted yarn.

Mr Cox lists many other descriptions for nineteenth century fabrics, the half dozen above are offered merely to assist our vision of the John Sherer trio travelling to the Victorian gold fields in 1851.

New Books

Primitive Fire Lighting – flint and steel by Keith H. Burgess
Written for living historians and historical trekkers in Australia. Contains information not yet known by US living historians – Plant tinders, preparation, wet weather fire lighting, emergency fire lighting methods, reading glass firee lighting, and more. View index and purchase details at http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com Cost is just $11 Aust plus $2 P&P from Keith H. Burgess, Wychwood Forest, MSF 2007, Armidale NSW 2350. Email: historicaltrekker@gmail.com

Beaver Babes

Did any readers follow up on our story about Grey Owl? I had meant to visit my local library to check out some of the book titles we listed, alas, it just didn’t happen. But in my Xmas stocking, to my great delight and appreciation, a DVD copy of the modern film “Grey Owl” starring Pierce Brosnan as Archie Grey Owl. It features magnificent Canadian scenery, camps, cabins and lodges, trapping, romance, and affinity with the beaver. Oh, and I really must tell you, that baby beavers (kits) are just so-ooo-so cute. Your local video hire should have it for weekly rent. You’ll watch it more than once.

An afterthought, – it is a pity we don’t have these critters here in Australia. If their dental gear could handle our hardwoods – I reckon they could build worthwhile dams a damn sight faster than our less worthy pipeline posturing politicians.

Photo Caption Competition

We have a Winner! Whoohoo! Perhaps you weren’t reading sign, the fine print, or maybe you can’t read at all. So, why are you staring at this page? Well, anyway, we did announce an easy competition where you only had to make up a suitable caption for the covered wagon shots featured in our Vol 6 newsletter. Now, entries had been very slow (read non-existent) until in my Christmas mail our President offered these:

Photo #1. “Got us bogged; lost the horses? Like Hell, I was guardin’ the stock.”

Photo #2. I know, the old “Lost the horses, have to stay the night” routine.

Dig out your Vol 6 August ’07 Around the Traps and see if you think Ian got it right!

Being the only entry arriving by the unannounced cut-off date of about 31/12/07, I declare Ian Convey is our winner. Yea! Unfortunately, Ian, being President, is ineligible to receive bootleg whisky, graft or remunerations (backyard cricket rules!). We will share his forfeited bottle around to all at the campfire next Winter Rondyvoo.

Ian was also kind enough to forward a poem entitled “Christmas Shoot 1990” written by the other Convey brother – Peter. But too late for Christmas ’07 newsletter! We may reserve it for next Xmas festive reading, or, perhaps Peter will saddle his mule in 2008 to join us at Rondyvoo, and recite the tale in person? That would be even nicer!

More 19^th C fabrics explained:

Beaverteen (2) deservedly tanned hide of moody, rude, rebellious, adolescent beaver?
Denim: A hard wearing cotton cloth originating from Nimes in southern France. Known firstly as “serge de Nimes”, this was shortened to “de Nimes” then denim. We find no reference to this material in Longhunter / Mountain Man era apparel. Avoid it!
Mull: (1) a thin cotton cloth, type of muslin. (2) Type of weed, can be used to make cloth, and may also be smoked. “Tastes like buffalo shit!” Avoidance recommended!

Tattler

I failed to notify you all earlier that our spring raffle netted $90 to Club funds. Thanks to all supporting our fund raiser, and thanks again to ticket sellers Louise and Myrtle.

Events Calendar

New listing…Tentative Event! April 25th – 27th long weekend? New listing! Several members have expressed interest in returning to our traditional style primitive rendezvous prior to Queen’s Birthday weekend. If we get enough takers we will request another camp at the Cache. Dates selected are the Anzac Day extended w’end, but you need to let us know, early, if you want this.

March 21st – 24th – the Rush is definitely on this Easter at Holey Plains, Rosedale. This event is an aberration from our stated aims with exception that we do support similar era re-enactment groups. And that was our decision back at our AGM in September. So we are advancing the years to the early 1850’s and swapping the long hunt, and the beaver traps, in a crazed rush to Victoria Australia, with dreams of getting rich quick. Fabulously rich! By what ever means, be it by panning, digging or cradling, tricking or trading, devious swindling, thieving or murderous intent. There is not much time left for the undecided to grasp their persona by the collar and choke out all inhibitions for the lure of gold. GOLD! Beautiful, shiny, yellow, GOLD!

Mud map directions to Holey Plains rich alluvial fields at Rosedale available on request.

June – 7, 8 & 9th long weekend. A time machine magically returns us to the pre 1840 American wilderness. We return also to the sheltered picturesque magic of Bernard’s Cache on Wild Pony Plains at Caveat for our fourth Annual Winter Rendezvous.

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 further ahead, don’t forget June/July 2009. We plan to rendezvous at the Australian capitol – Millmerran, Queensland. That’s 10 days, plus extra for travel!

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