Journal Entry: 2014 Fort Union Rendezvous
Aug 28, 2014 14:12:48 GMT -7
Post by Leifer on Aug 28, 2014 14:12:48 GMT -7
It's taken me awhile to get to this, but here it is. Here's the link to see it with pictures: www.montanandakotan.blogspot.com/2014/08/2014-fort-union-rendezvous.html
The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from the 2014 Fort Union Rendezvous.
2014 FT. UNION RENDEZVOUS
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
We arrived at the Fort this afternoon & immediately began setting up our wedge tent. The kids now have a small tent of their own that will pop out of the back door of our main tent. We set up next to Paul’s camp.
Helped Paul get Dave F’s tent set up.
The sky’s opened up for a while & I got soaked. I had set up a tripod to use to cook my & Garrick’s supper over the fire. Garrick & I would stay by ourselves tonight & Kim & the girls would join us tomorrow. I managed to keep our fire going through the downpour. We were invited to enjoy our meal at the shelter of our friends in the Canadien contingent. Mark & Chris & their daughter & son-in-law & grandson Megan & Mike & Rhett. I was good to enjoy our meal in the company of friends sheltered from the rain. It had been the better part of a year since we had been able to see our Canadian brethren. Garrick, for being 2 ½ acted as a nice young gentleman should. We said goodnight & retired for the evening.
Thursday, June 19, 2014 FT. UNION RONDY
I woke up to Garrick’s face in mine & him saying “Dad, time to get up.” After tidying up
the tent I mantied up the gear I would need for today. I would be setting up a trapper’s camp demo for “kids” day. AMM sponsor Rod Lassey would be joining me. I would be portraying a camp keeper & would have a few reproduction period traps for viewing, including my new muskrat trap made by Allen Harrison. Rod also brought over his beaver gin trap also made by Allen. During the demo Garrick played in the shelter I set up & Rod & I answered questions. I roasted ribs & had our supper, a stew, cooking over the fire. Rod roasted coffee beans, ground them & made coffee. One of the visitors pointed at the ribs & asked “Is that real meat?” I smiled & said “Yes, it is.”, then pointed at Garrick & said “& that’s a real baby!” All parties involved had a nice chuckle & we talked about A.J. MILLER & the roasting of hump ribs. I was also able to work on some cordage with an eye end out of some very short yucca plant.
Kim and the girls came out later this afternoon. I found out that I messed up her menu plans when I pulled out the cheese and apples today as they were planned for a different meal later on. The stew that had been cooking at the trapper camp demo turned out good, at least my family didn’t seem to mind it too much. I ran to the camps of friends and shared the ribs that I’d been working on as well.
Tonight I was able to enjoy some time with the Morains, Kim Koenig and Rod Lassey for awhile and had some of the best shrub I’ve ever tasted. Kim was willing to share his “general” recipe with me as it varies some from batch to batch based upon the sweetness and size of the fruit he is able to get.
Spent some time over at Paul Bauer’s tent talking with friends with Kim for awhile before going to bed for the evening.
Friday, June 20, 2014 Ft. Union Rendezvous
Woke up and got a fire going for Kim. She made a variation on hasty pudding that is wrapped in cloth, tied and boiled in water. She was so frustrated when it was done that she thought it was awful. The kids and I thought it was great.
I spent most of the day in blacksmith shop today. Paul wanted to do some work in it but he kept getting recruited to take care of other projects. He lent me the use of his tools. I really like his hammer. I made a bunch of nail hooks that were given to visitors who stopped by the blacksmith shop and talked to me about the fort and made a special one for Kim to use in our tent. I tried a couple other things too. I made an oval fire steel, without forge welding, and made several eye ended screw drivers for shooting bags. I was also make up a batch of tent stakes for Gordan and Susan Lucht. Gordan is quite the pottery artisan and does pottery demos during Rendezvous. We worked out a trade.
Supper was leftover stew and a bread that Kim made in her dutch oven. The bread turned out similar to ciabatta bread. It was really good. Spent more time talking to friends tonight at different camps. I began to formulate a plan on getting an English Pattern J. Henry rifle made.
Saturday, June 21, 2014 Ft. Union Rendezvous
Oatmeal for breakfast today. Kim has really gotten a lot of use out of her tin covered nesting kettle set that the kids and I got for her for mother’s day/anniversary. She has now used three of the six pieces in the set.
While eating breakfast, Rod entered our camp with a smile on his face and excitedly
said, “Tod Fossetta just found freshly killed beaver on the size of the road. You want to help skin and hoop a beaver?” Rod and I looked at Kim, she rolled her eyes and resignedly said,”I’ll see you some time tonight.” Turns out the beaver had gotten hit in the face by a car, as we discovered after Rod, Tod and I had finished skinning it. Saved the hind quarters and removed the back straps and then set to work hooping the beaver.
Today was the day I got to go around to the different suttlers and just enjoy Rendezvous. I do enjoy doing the demos and talking and teaching people about the fur trade era, but it’s nice to be able to just soak everything in as well. Was able to watch Gordon make some pottery and got to sit in and listen to Badger’s talk about the fort hunters. I was also able to listen to Rex Allen Norman speak about the material culture of the fur trade as well.
Tod roasted part of the beaver over his fire and brought some around for us to try. I didn’t think it was all that bad. I have a recipe in mind where the meat is marinated for awhile that I think will work well with this meat. He gave me the remaining uncooked beaver meat to take home.
I talked with Mark Morain today and was able to commission him to build me an English Pattern J. Henry trade rifle. I’m very excited about this. Mark does excellent work. I was also able to get a razor hone, small hand vise and a burning lens for Kim. Was going to buy a red flannel shirt from Mark and Charlotte as well, but someone else had purchased it by the time I had decided I wanted to get it. Was able to get a shirt made of an 1830s pattern cotton from Kathy Elijah and a few small cloth bags from her for Kim.
Friends and family came to see us and visit the fort today. I decided to grab the
mormon cart and give the kids rides through the large camp. I had to give several different rides for kids in camp as well. They seemed to have a fun time.
Right before the camp meeting tonight one of the young boys in the Madden clan could not be found. A number of us combed the fort, scanned the area from the fort walls and checked along the river band. The young lad was found hiding under bedding in his family’s camp. Though his mother and grandmother were less than enthused we were all grateful that he had been found safe and unharmed.
Mike Schweitzer and Brandon Delvo, our Borgeois and assistant Borgeois, did a wonderful job of the door prizes and entertaining the camp after all the visitors had left for the day. They even auctioned off the young Sawyer Flynn as an indentured servant. I took several minutes for people to realize no real money was involved and finally began to interact. Paul Bauer acted as auctioneer.
The fiddler did a wonderful job for the dance, however, the clerks office got very warm and people started to leave the dance early. Paul was able to convince the fiddler to come to his camp and play for a group that had gathered there. We loaded all the benches into the mormon cart and set them up at Paul’s camp. People came and went the rest of the evening. It was a very enjoyable time and we were grateful for how accommodating the fiddler was.
We retired for the night.
Sunday, June 22, 2014 Ft. Union Rendezvous
This morning Kim wanted to make a fire with her burning lense. We pulled out the char cloth and I got a nest of dried tinder and some kindling ready for her. She quickly got the char to take from her lens and put it into the nest. I instructed her to hold it up and to blow into it. "It's not going to flare up in my face is it?" I responded,"Nope, you'll be fine." She began to blow and after about 15 seconds or so it flared up in her face. Kim glared at me and dropped the burning nest into the fire pit. I quickly handed her some kindling to put on the nest and she got a small fire going. "You said it wouldn't do that." I sheepishly said,"Yeah, I guess I was wrong this time. You did a great job though." Even though she was a bit irriated with me she was pleased that she'd gotten the fire started. I'm very proud of my wife.
After breakfast I made the rounds to people who were packing up and said goodbye to them.
At one point while we were packing things up in our camp, Yukon, a Cheyenne, stopped into camp and we talked for a couple of hours about his culture and his fears for the future of his culture. When he found out I was a teacher we brainstormed some ideas of things that could be done in school to help preserve his people’s culture. He invited me to his tipi to see how a tipi would be traditionally set up and adorned. I was amazed. I really appreciated the time I got to spend with Yukon. I learned a lot from him and hope to see him again. I think he would be a wonderful person to have involved with the Indian Arts Showcase that the Fort puts on every August. I got his contact information and will give it to the Rangers.
Kim and I finished mantying up the gear and got everything loaded. One last trip to fill my gourd canteen, said goodbye to a few more friends and we departed. It was a great several days with family and friends and with few worries.
-Leif
The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from the 2014 Fort Union Rendezvous.
2014 FT. UNION RENDEZVOUS
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
We arrived at the Fort this afternoon & immediately began setting up our wedge tent. The kids now have a small tent of their own that will pop out of the back door of our main tent. We set up next to Paul’s camp.
Helped Paul get Dave F’s tent set up.
The sky’s opened up for a while & I got soaked. I had set up a tripod to use to cook my & Garrick’s supper over the fire. Garrick & I would stay by ourselves tonight & Kim & the girls would join us tomorrow. I managed to keep our fire going through the downpour. We were invited to enjoy our meal at the shelter of our friends in the Canadien contingent. Mark & Chris & their daughter & son-in-law & grandson Megan & Mike & Rhett. I was good to enjoy our meal in the company of friends sheltered from the rain. It had been the better part of a year since we had been able to see our Canadian brethren. Garrick, for being 2 ½ acted as a nice young gentleman should. We said goodnight & retired for the evening.
Thursday, June 19, 2014 FT. UNION RONDY
I woke up to Garrick’s face in mine & him saying “Dad, time to get up.” After tidying up
the tent I mantied up the gear I would need for today. I would be setting up a trapper’s camp demo for “kids” day. AMM sponsor Rod Lassey would be joining me. I would be portraying a camp keeper & would have a few reproduction period traps for viewing, including my new muskrat trap made by Allen Harrison. Rod also brought over his beaver gin trap also made by Allen. During the demo Garrick played in the shelter I set up & Rod & I answered questions. I roasted ribs & had our supper, a stew, cooking over the fire. Rod roasted coffee beans, ground them & made coffee. One of the visitors pointed at the ribs & asked “Is that real meat?” I smiled & said “Yes, it is.”, then pointed at Garrick & said “& that’s a real baby!” All parties involved had a nice chuckle & we talked about A.J. MILLER & the roasting of hump ribs. I was also able to work on some cordage with an eye end out of some very short yucca plant.
Kim and the girls came out later this afternoon. I found out that I messed up her menu plans when I pulled out the cheese and apples today as they were planned for a different meal later on. The stew that had been cooking at the trapper camp demo turned out good, at least my family didn’t seem to mind it too much. I ran to the camps of friends and shared the ribs that I’d been working on as well.
Tonight I was able to enjoy some time with the Morains, Kim Koenig and Rod Lassey for awhile and had some of the best shrub I’ve ever tasted. Kim was willing to share his “general” recipe with me as it varies some from batch to batch based upon the sweetness and size of the fruit he is able to get.
Spent some time over at Paul Bauer’s tent talking with friends with Kim for awhile before going to bed for the evening.
Friday, June 20, 2014 Ft. Union Rendezvous
Woke up and got a fire going for Kim. She made a variation on hasty pudding that is wrapped in cloth, tied and boiled in water. She was so frustrated when it was done that she thought it was awful. The kids and I thought it was great.
I spent most of the day in blacksmith shop today. Paul wanted to do some work in it but he kept getting recruited to take care of other projects. He lent me the use of his tools. I really like his hammer. I made a bunch of nail hooks that were given to visitors who stopped by the blacksmith shop and talked to me about the fort and made a special one for Kim to use in our tent. I tried a couple other things too. I made an oval fire steel, without forge welding, and made several eye ended screw drivers for shooting bags. I was also make up a batch of tent stakes for Gordan and Susan Lucht. Gordan is quite the pottery artisan and does pottery demos during Rendezvous. We worked out a trade.
Supper was leftover stew and a bread that Kim made in her dutch oven. The bread turned out similar to ciabatta bread. It was really good. Spent more time talking to friends tonight at different camps. I began to formulate a plan on getting an English Pattern J. Henry rifle made.
Saturday, June 21, 2014 Ft. Union Rendezvous
Oatmeal for breakfast today. Kim has really gotten a lot of use out of her tin covered nesting kettle set that the kids and I got for her for mother’s day/anniversary. She has now used three of the six pieces in the set.
While eating breakfast, Rod entered our camp with a smile on his face and excitedly
said, “Tod Fossetta just found freshly killed beaver on the size of the road. You want to help skin and hoop a beaver?” Rod and I looked at Kim, she rolled her eyes and resignedly said,”I’ll see you some time tonight.” Turns out the beaver had gotten hit in the face by a car, as we discovered after Rod, Tod and I had finished skinning it. Saved the hind quarters and removed the back straps and then set to work hooping the beaver.
Today was the day I got to go around to the different suttlers and just enjoy Rendezvous. I do enjoy doing the demos and talking and teaching people about the fur trade era, but it’s nice to be able to just soak everything in as well. Was able to watch Gordon make some pottery and got to sit in and listen to Badger’s talk about the fort hunters. I was also able to listen to Rex Allen Norman speak about the material culture of the fur trade as well.
Tod roasted part of the beaver over his fire and brought some around for us to try. I didn’t think it was all that bad. I have a recipe in mind where the meat is marinated for awhile that I think will work well with this meat. He gave me the remaining uncooked beaver meat to take home.
I talked with Mark Morain today and was able to commission him to build me an English Pattern J. Henry trade rifle. I’m very excited about this. Mark does excellent work. I was also able to get a razor hone, small hand vise and a burning lens for Kim. Was going to buy a red flannel shirt from Mark and Charlotte as well, but someone else had purchased it by the time I had decided I wanted to get it. Was able to get a shirt made of an 1830s pattern cotton from Kathy Elijah and a few small cloth bags from her for Kim.
Friends and family came to see us and visit the fort today. I decided to grab the
mormon cart and give the kids rides through the large camp. I had to give several different rides for kids in camp as well. They seemed to have a fun time.
Right before the camp meeting tonight one of the young boys in the Madden clan could not be found. A number of us combed the fort, scanned the area from the fort walls and checked along the river band. The young lad was found hiding under bedding in his family’s camp. Though his mother and grandmother were less than enthused we were all grateful that he had been found safe and unharmed.
Mike Schweitzer and Brandon Delvo, our Borgeois and assistant Borgeois, did a wonderful job of the door prizes and entertaining the camp after all the visitors had left for the day. They even auctioned off the young Sawyer Flynn as an indentured servant. I took several minutes for people to realize no real money was involved and finally began to interact. Paul Bauer acted as auctioneer.
The fiddler did a wonderful job for the dance, however, the clerks office got very warm and people started to leave the dance early. Paul was able to convince the fiddler to come to his camp and play for a group that had gathered there. We loaded all the benches into the mormon cart and set them up at Paul’s camp. People came and went the rest of the evening. It was a very enjoyable time and we were grateful for how accommodating the fiddler was.
We retired for the night.
Sunday, June 22, 2014 Ft. Union Rendezvous
This morning Kim wanted to make a fire with her burning lense. We pulled out the char cloth and I got a nest of dried tinder and some kindling ready for her. She quickly got the char to take from her lens and put it into the nest. I instructed her to hold it up and to blow into it. "It's not going to flare up in my face is it?" I responded,"Nope, you'll be fine." She began to blow and after about 15 seconds or so it flared up in her face. Kim glared at me and dropped the burning nest into the fire pit. I quickly handed her some kindling to put on the nest and she got a small fire going. "You said it wouldn't do that." I sheepishly said,"Yeah, I guess I was wrong this time. You did a great job though." Even though she was a bit irriated with me she was pleased that she'd gotten the fire started. I'm very proud of my wife.
After breakfast I made the rounds to people who were packing up and said goodbye to them.
At one point while we were packing things up in our camp, Yukon, a Cheyenne, stopped into camp and we talked for a couple of hours about his culture and his fears for the future of his culture. When he found out I was a teacher we brainstormed some ideas of things that could be done in school to help preserve his people’s culture. He invited me to his tipi to see how a tipi would be traditionally set up and adorned. I was amazed. I really appreciated the time I got to spend with Yukon. I learned a lot from him and hope to see him again. I think he would be a wonderful person to have involved with the Indian Arts Showcase that the Fort puts on every August. I got his contact information and will give it to the Rangers.
Kim and I finished mantying up the gear and got everything loaded. One last trip to fill my gourd canteen, said goodbye to a few more friends and we departed. It was a great several days with family and friends and with few worries.
-Leif
