Saturday, September 01
Got up at 06:30 and made breakfast. Left the house at 07:00 and started for Bill's. I met him near the hotel. He said he had been up to my place and seeing no smoke thought I was not going or had not got up. We went down the hill and although there was still a wind thought that we would start out and if things improved, OK and if not we could turn back. We left Smith at 09:00 and arrived at Bert Edge's at 11:30. There was no one home there. Bert and Len were away fishing their nets. We waited till noon and as we were both hungry we lit a fire on the beach and cooked dinner. We could not hear Bert with his Johnson so we didn't wait. When we got the fire going we discovered that we had left the bread at Lanouettes. I took some bannock from the cabin for the meal. We finished about 13:00 and Bert and Len arrived. They went up to the shack and cooked their dinner then came down and cleaned about a dozen conies. They are drying them. After they finished this they had to go across the river to change some nets. The wind yesterday had filled them all up with driftwood and weeds. Bill and I went over in our boat and watched them. Bill was very interested in the way they worked. He had his camera and took some snaps of them at work. They had a lot to do and apologized for not staying home and being sociable but we both understood that they have to work against this time of year. When they were thru, they told me how to get to their pet partridge grounds and Bill and I went while they got ready. Their loose dogs were out there hunting too so we didn't see a sign. When we got home supper was ready. We had fried moose meant, french fried potatoes, strawberries, bannock and coffee. We enjoyed it, too. Just before sundown there was a big flock of Grey geese that landed on the bar across the river. Bert and I paddles across in the 19 foot canoe with our rifles. The rifle was the only gun to take as the only shots we would get would be about 200-300 yards. We crawled up to them thru the willows to about 350 yards when the willows were so thin that we were seen and the geese took to the air. We both fired at them on the wing. I fired 3 and Bert fired 7 shots. Bert had a Winchester 30-30 and I had a Winchester 38-55. Of course we had no luck. We went to bed about 22:00, Bill and I in our feather robes on the floor.
Sunday, Sept. 02
We woke up at 04:00. I lit the fire and we all got up. While Len cooked breakfast, the rest of us packed the boat ready for the rest of the trip to the duck grounds. We pulled out of there at 05:40 and arrived at Grande de Tour at 08:00. I took a long shot at a bunch of geese on a sand bar on the way down but missed. We carried the canoe (Bert loaded up his) into the first slough about half a mile but the ducks had been shot at a lot lately and were too wild to get near. We went into the third slough and where there were plenty last year there were very few this year. We managed to get four but that was all. We discovered that we had four boxes out of the six of ball shot instead of duck shot. As there were few ducks and we only had a half box of number two shot left, we started back. On our way we stopped at the bar that I saw the geese on the down trip and decided to camp there for the night in hopes that a flock would land that night. We had the camp ready before sundown and waited there till after sundown and as there were no geese flying we started back . I could not stand Bill's grouching any longer. Bert had promised to start a fire after dark for us for a beacon in case we returned. When we had been on the way about an hour and a half, we saw a light and thinking that was Bert's beacon, pulled in. As we neared the shore I saw that it was not and had a mind to turn out and continue when I thought it might be a signal for help or something. It turned out to be Pete McCallum. He had turned in when he heard the engine. When we were near him he put out a light to show us that someone lived there and for us to stop for the night if we wanted to. He invited us to camp there for the night. He was living in a tent. We accepted his hospitality and had a good nights sleep. He and I laid there talking till after midnight. Pete had not been to the fort for a month and was eager to hear what was going on. I dropped off to sleep about midnight.
Monday, Sept. 03
Bill woke me at 05:00. We all got up and had breakfast and was on the water by 06:00. We arrived at Bert's at 07:15. Bert and Len were just getting up. Bert was going to Smith too, so we waited for him. He had to go and fish his nets first. He returned at noon and we had dinner right away. We had only gotten four ducks. We pulled away from there at 14:00 and a wind was just starting up. Before the hour was up, the wind was blowing about 30 mph and up stream. This chops the river into a very rough choppy sea. When we got to the lower end of Sawmill Island, that sea was real bad and necessitated running on half speed. We kept up like this till after passing Gravel Point. We had packed all our heavy stuff right up in the bow to hold the bow into the water for better time. That made it so that the waves would not live the boat till they were about a third of the way back. We seemed too low thruout them instead of riding them. We arrived at Smith at 18:05. That made it 28 miles in 4 hours, very good for that sea when we had to travel nearly an hour on half speed. As Bill was to take the ducks, Bert gave me some moose meat and a connie. Bert played a couple rubbers of bridge but everyone was so sleepy that they went to bed early. The mail arrived this morning and we got a letter from Mother and several business letters. The National Geographic came today. I went to bed at 23:00, Nona stayed with Lyall's while I was away.
Tuesday, Sept. 04
Up at 07:00. Nadene was sick again. Just before going to work the doctor happened in to get some films. He had a look at Nadene and later brought her some medicine. She has a large rash on her now. Jack Bowen, on of the truck drivers, brought a bunch of freight for us. There was several Eaton's parcels, incl. a banjo mandolin and battery etc, a big box of things from my mother and my liquor permit. As it is about the end of the month all our returns and reports must be fixed up. I worked all day up till 16:00 on the statements. I then went down to help Joe put in another net. When I got home Todd was here to try to trade my Elto for a Ford car. I wouldn't trade but as he is going on a mining trip, I loaned it to him for 3 weeks and am keeping the car for him. Made him sign an affidavit to the effect that he only had the loan of the motor and it was to be returned in good shape. I went to Fitz with them and brought the car back. I was back at 22:50. JT and the Dr. and Gerry Murphy were here when I got back. I tried the radio and it was good. The all left at midnight and as I was behind in this diary I went to work to bringing it UTD before going to bed. Gerry came over at 00:30 and asked me to come in and have a drink. I stayed there talking to him and Paul until 01:50. It is now 02:30 and I am going to bed now.
Wednesday, Sept. 05
Got up at 07:00. Got a fire going and had breakfast. Nona didn't get up until 09:00. Nadene seems worse this morning. She's covered with red blotches and pimples. There are about twice as many as last night. I went to the station about 10:00 and finished all the accounts. My accounts and Bills book were out a little over a dollar and it was 16:00 before we found it out. After they balanced, I went out and spent an hour fixing the bands on the car. It needs a lot of touching up and I will try and do a bit everyday. After supper JT came up and we went over to borrow Mrs. Conibear's sewing machine. She promised it to Nona but said she didn't have any needles for it. Our bill was not very big this month and I guess she didn't want to lend it. We all read this evening and then listened to the radio. When Nona and I went to bed we listened to KOMO until they signed off.
Thursday, August 06
Had a hard time getting the Lizzie started this morning. I tested the hot shot that is used to start ti and found it low. I used the car to collet most of the accounts. Took Nona and Nadene with me. Met Bill downtown and took him along. I finished up all the report on the station operation before going home. Had time to read a little while. On my way home I went down the hill and got a reflector for on of my headlights. There's an old car there that everyone helps themselves to parts of. After supper Joe came up and asked me to look after his dogs. He is going to Ft. Chipewyan to meet Freda and to get some geese. Nona and JT went out in the car about 4 miles to see if we could get a shot at a partridge-no luck. When we got home I developed 4 rolls of films. Nona made 2 lemon pies and mincemeat tarts. Was so sleepy that I couldn't keep awake. Went to bed at 23:00.
Friday, Sept. 07
Up at 08:00. While trying to start the car JT came along and helped me. That boat is sure hot stuff to start in the mornings. I went down and picked up the laundry, then went to the station. I finished all the letters and the money reports before coming home. Dora and Mrs Cameron were down cleaning up Joe's quarters. I brought them home when I left at 17:00. Forgot to feed Joe's dogs though. This afternoon I worked on the car for a couple of hours. I tightened up two connecting rods bearings that were loose. JT and the doctor were up this evening. Jack brought up a phonograph to try out the records that Mother had sent. There are some real good ones there. I intended doing some more photography tonight but didn't get a chance to get at it. Went to bed about midnight.
Saturday, Sept. 08
We both got up late this morning and went to Lanouettes for breakfast. We went for a little car ride before I went to work. I started on the DR's for Sept and did half of them. I worked around for an hour on the car before going home. I went uptown during the afternoon and posted all the official mail then got back at five in time to shut down for the night. After supper I developed a few rolls of films, JT was here. Nona worked on her new dresses and about 22:00 I fell asleep again. Went to bed at 23:00.
Sunday, Sept. 09
Nadene got me up at 07:30. I had breakfast and minded her till Nona got up. Then I started printing pictures. About noon we went for a ride and stopped around at Vic's for meat. Vic Ingraham now runs the meat shop in Mahoney's place. Mahoney is going outside on this boat. When we got home we had a dinner then put on a Hamburger stew for supper. I printed pictures for the greater part of the afternoon. JT was up and we worked a couple of hours on the car. I got the windshield off Red Cousins' old wreck at the bottom of the hill and put it on, the one I had was busted. I finished the lights too and put all new wires in. the old boat is taking on the form of a good looking car now. After supper we played a game of dummy bridge. The radio was fair tonight with spells of fading. JT left at 23:30 and Nona went to bed. I came about midnight.
Today is our 2nd anniversary. We celebrated quietly.
Monday, Sept. 10
The mail arrived about 03:00 so Nona and I went for it in the Ford about 10:00. We got a letter from Midge and several business letters. We took all the official mail out to the station then went for a small ride. When I got back to the station I worked on the DR's, I came uptown several times this afternoon. I was down the hill and met Sousie Marie, he is using my boat for a few days. I took his engine, and Elto speedster) out for a trial and it's in good shape. Makes about 20 mph. Just before supper Bert Edge came in and brought us 6 ducks and a five pound trout. We put the ducks on to roast and had supper about 20:30. JT had already had supper but arrived just before we sat down, so he came in and joined the feast. We had a duck a piece. After supper Bert and I talked and JT took Nona out in the car for half an hour. Then they washed up the dishes. We had a game of bridge, Bert and I whitewashed Nona and JT. We went to bed at midnight.
Tuesday, Sept. 11
I didn't get up till 09:00. JT was going by about 10:00 and gave me a hand to take Mrs Campbells sewing machine back. Nona had borrowed it and made a bunch of dresses. I worked on the ledgers today and brought the DR's up to the minute. This afternoon Mrs Leggo and Mrs Geddes came up. Mrs Geddes is from Regina and said that she was going home next boat. If there was anything that we wanted to send home she very kindly offered to take it for us. We had cold roast duck and fried potatoes for supper. After supper we called for JT and went for a car ride. We went out to mission trail ( about 6 miles out) and got 2 partridges on the way. Arriving home I got in and developed 5 rolls of films. JT went home about 22:00. Nona was working all day sewing. She lined her coat to get it ready for winter. The rats that we sent out this summer returned in the mail yesterday and Nona is putting them on. She had them make up the collar and cuffs.[photo] I went to bed about 22:45.
Wednesday, Sept 12
After breakfast we all went out for a ride. Nona did some shopping and I went on to the station. I came back with some messages about 12:30 and stopped off at the house long enough to have a cup of tea. In the afternoon I cleaned up one of the warehouses and finished up all the books. After supper I printed pictures. The radio was very poor all evening. The weather has been rotten lately for reception. Nona went to bed at 22:00 and I went about midnight.
Thursday, Sept 13
Up at 09:00 and had breakfast. Nona didn't get up till I had left for work at 10:20. I ran the Delco all day and finished up the DR's then repaired the warehouse light wires that were pulled down this spring by Lyall's truck bringing freight to the station. I fixed up Fred Raney's and R. Watson's personal documents and got them ready to send to the station that they have been transferred to. I brought up the question of our winter schedule today and Bill says that as soon as the station is cleaned up for the fall and the wood is cut, we can start. I came uptown with messages and while up here came home for a cup of tea. That Ford is sure handy for me. It is in very good mechanical shape, too. I sold the dining room table today to F. Campbell for $18.00. It was far too large for our place and we only used it three times last year and once this year. We will bank the money this winter and get something more suitable next spring. Nona and I went for a car ride out to the Mountain Portage after supper to see if we could raise a couple of partridges out but had no luck. When we returned I developed 8 films then cleaned up the house. The radio was no good in the early part of the evening. Retired about 01:00.
Friday, Sept. 14
Went to work and after fixed up the DR's. Started the Delco. I cleaned out the oil house for the winter. I fixed some official mail for posting, then read for a while. Worked on the car for a while. After supper, JT came in for a game of bridge. Gerry sent over his cocktail shaker and came over shortly afterwards and mixed us up a cocktail that was a beauty. He and Paul had one with us then went to a party. When they came back they called us over to their place and we stayed till 02:30. We had a couple of cocktails and I got a mixture that put me under. I had to go to bed early 03:00 before I lost my head.
Saturday, Sept. 15
JT came in at 08:30 and called me, then built the fire for me. We got up at 09:00 and had a big breakfast. We went out for a car ride at 10:00. Met Bill and took him home then we went to the station. Nona wanted to see Dexter's son. He looked smart, he is 6 weeks old now. I brought Nona and Nadene back home then went back. I didn't feel much like work today, so I didn't' do anything. I slept for a couple of hours. I read a storey out of the National Geographic and finished it at 17:00, then took Bill home and came home. After supper we waited till JT came along then we went for a car ride. We left the house at 20:00 and went to Fitz ( 16 miles and back), returned at 21:50. JT went home and I went over to Gerry's to get a permit to enter the Wood Buffalo Park tomorrow. JT, Nona, Nadene and I are going out there for a picnic, weather permitting. We want to get some snaps of it and as we have the car now and as this is the best time of the year with no pests, we are taking the opportunity. While over there I met Jim Woods, another old timer in the North. He has been in the North 31 years. He is a Shipmaster at the McMurray yards. He was overseas as a Lieut. We had a couple of whiskey and sodas with Gerry and Paul but I refused to have more than 3 very, very small ones. They couldn't press me to any more when I told them that I was off it tonight. When I came home Nona went to bed and I fixed up some money to send out on the mail tomorrow to the bank. I sent out $32.18 to the current account and $23:00 to the savings. Bed at 00:40.
Sunday, Sept. 16
We all got up at 06:30. JT woke us and while we were dressing, he lit the fire and started breakfast. We were ready for the picnic and got away about 08:00. We arrived at the mission farm 24 miles and stopped to talk with one of the brothers there. We went on and arrived at Salt Wells about 11:00. I took several pictures there. I took one of JT and Nona standing on one side of the well then fastened the camera to the side of the car and affixed the self timer and took one of all of us eating lunch. We left there about 13:00 and arrived back at the farm at 15:00. The brother there loaned me 3 gallons of gas and then we went out to see the farm. He came with us to show us the way. The cattle were all around in a close formation, so I took a view of them then when we returned back at the farm, I took one of the house. When we were ready to go it was discovered that we had left JT's moose hide gloves back at the wells. It was only 16:00 and about 5 miles back so we went back for them. We found a handkerchief that Nona had lost, too. The scenery was wonderful all the way. On the prairie it was especially pretty. The leaves were well turned and a lot had already fallen. The poplars were from a light bright yellow to an orange. The willows were brown and gold to a red and the evergreens showed up in a kind of background while the hay and prairie grass in the foreground was a golden yellow. We saw a coyote pup on the prairie about six months old. He had evidently never seen humans before because he was quite tame. He came to within 500 feet from the car and then discovering a mouse, proceeded to play with it. That was the first coyote that Nona had seen. She also saw her first flock of geese and ducks today. The car worked like a charm all the way thru. We returned home at 20:30. After returning, while Nona and Jack washed the dishes, I developed the two rolls of films that I took and they came out splendidly. We were all so tired we went to bed about 21:00.
Monday, Sept. 17
I met Bill on my way to work this morning. He had taken a walk up to my place to see if we had gotten home OK. He saw the car so started back. He was telling me that most of the town had thought that something had happened to us as several had noticed no lights at the house at 22:00 and Murphy had come home and stayed up till 02:00 and there were no lights yet when he went to bed. I guess that our going to bed at 21:30 was so unusual that the town took it for granted that we had not returned. Leggo and Lyall were both getting ready to go out when I came down. I started the Delco and brought the office work UTD (up to date). Then when all the hands were around, I changed one of the counterpoise ropes that had broken and just tied up. I cleaned up around the yard a bit and made Joe clean up some of the mess that his dogs made. I am trying to get the place all cleaned up before winter comes. Joe has tools scattered all over the place and I found the brace and bit outside. He was using it to make holes thru fish to string them up on the rack. Corp. (Pop) Walters, RCMP came down with some messages at 16:00 and stayed and talked to us till 17:00. I brought him home when I came. We had an early supper then started out to get some partridge. I called for JT and Bill Schaffer. We went out the Bell Rock trail about 7 miles and got 2. We ran into a bunch but they flew quite a ways and we only got two. We hunted for the rest for about 15 minutes but couldn't find them. They both came to the house with us and spent the evening. We played 3 rubbers of bridge then had lunch. The radio was fine all evening. They left at 02:30. It is now 03:12 and I am retiring immediately.
Tuesday, Sept. 18
This morning the N.A.M.E. plane G-CARK flew over the village at 08:00 and as they gained altitude the roar from the engine woke us up. I got up and cooked breakfast then went to work. Dusty Weaver came down from Simpson in the plane and came out to the station shortly after dinner. We talked all afternoon. McDonough, the pilot and Adams, the mining engineer from Frisco that brought him came out and spent a couple of hours with us. I brought Dusty up to the house for supper and he was to have gone down to Bills after supper but it started to rain so he stayed here till 01:00. JT came in, so we had a game of bridge. Dusty and I vrs JT and Nona. We won. I offered to take them home in the car but cranked the damn thing for about 10 minutes without any results, so I drained it and left if out on the road. I made a pull thru for JT and Bill Schaffer today. Bed at 01:30.
Wednesday, Sept. 19
After breakfast I went out and spent an hour trying to get the car started. Discovered that the trouble lay in the ignition circuit somewhere. There is a short there. I had to leave it till I had more time and walked to work. When Bill came over at 13:00 we talked for a couple of hours. He told me about several fellows in the great war. Dusty came in and stayed most of the afternoon. Barager, the other pilot of the N.A.M.E. and Humble, the mechanic came in and Dusty introduced them around.
When I got home I worked about an hour on the car and again left it to finish up some developing. Nona was over a Campbells' most of the afternoon. Nona was tired tonight so went to bed at nine. I sat up until midnight working on the pictures. JT and B. Schaffer came in for a minute about 23:30.
Thursday, Sept. 20
When I got up I met Jack Conibear and asked him if he would tow my car out to the station. When we got there I started to overhaul it and get the ignition into shape. It took me till 16:00 to get it OK. The coil box had gotten wet and the secondary circuit was shorting. I made a couple of trips uptown with it when it was working to try it out. I heard that Raney was back in town today. After supper at Campbell's I came back home and printed 180 prints. I didn't get to bed till 02:30. The radio was nil tonight. JT was here tonight and Gerry came in for a while.
Friday, Sept. 21
Up at 10:00 and went out without breakfast to look up Raney. Met him over at his shack and told him I was going duck hunting this weekend. He promised to have my Elto over to the Portage today. He asked me to look after his car for the winter while he was away. I agreed because it will mean that it will be just the same as my own. He will be away most of the time. I brought the DR's UTD today then talked to Bill. While he was working Edm and Simpson from 15:30 to 16:00, I had a pretty fair sleep. On my way home, I stopped at Godsell's with a letter for Jim Wood and while talking there my car ran out of gas. I had to take Woods' coupe and go home for a tin. Met Nona coming home and picked her up. Took her and Nadene out to the 3 mile bridge for a ride. Later on Raney came up for a while. Jack Conibear brought the Elto in about 22:30. Norman Welding came up and spent the evening. He left about 23:00 and I gathered up a few things that I wanted to take tomorrow. Went to bed at 23:45. Radio was nil again.
Saturday, Sept. 22
Got up at 08:00. After an early breakfast, I took my Elto down the hill and tried it out on the boat. It is apparently in perfect shape. It started right off and ran the same as it always did. Raney told me, however, that the gears needed grease. After trying it out I went up to the boat house and mixed a tin of oil and gas. Then after sorting out some things I would need on the trip I came back home. I did nothing at all at the station today, Bill told me that if I wanted an early start I could leave at 16:00 instead of 17:00. After the 15:00 call I took the messages uptown and delivered them. It was nearly 16:00 then so I went down the hill and got Sousie's "Speedster" and fixed it up on the boat. I called for JT and we came home. Supper was ready but there was so many small jobs to do that it was 17:20 when I finally got away. JT came down with us to take the car back home. My running time was as follows:
Left Smith at 17:40, arrived Gravel Point ( 10 miles) at 18:10.
At Gravel Point I had to look up a Mr. Leedman to deliver a message. He is the chief of a survey party that has been out on Great Slave Lake all summer. I talked with him for a while. He was interested in the Elto and I promised to stop in for a while on my return.
Left Gravel Point at 18:30 and arrived at Bert Edges cabin at 19:35 ( 18 miles). Bert and Len had both gone out to the Talston River so I went up to Johnnie Broomfield's. I stayed there all night. Shortly after getting to sleep I had a funny dream. I dreamt that a bolt on the Elto had worked loose and that as it was one that required to be tight, I proceeded to tighten it. Just as it was getting tight, the threads stripped and the nut flew off with a great force and struck me in the face together with a quantity of gas and fire. I jumped back with such force that I jumped clean off the floor and woke up. Johnnie had not yet gone to sleep and started to laugh. He wanted to know if a mouse had run over me.
Sunday, Sept. 23
Woke up at 05:00. Had breakfast and got away at 05:40. Arrived Grande-de-tour at 06:40 ( 20 miles), didn't stop. Arrived at lower end of island below Grande-de-tour at 06;55 and stopped till 07:30. While here I took a snap of the boat and did a little exploring. I found fresh bear tracks that were big ( 5 inches across) as well as wolf and fox tracks. There were innumerable goose tracks. I left there at 07:30 and arrived at Beaton's at 09:20. I had stopped on another island about Beaton's to mix some more gas and scout around. I heard a moose calling on the mainland and decided to have a look for him. No success, I had seen no ducks so far so I decided to turn back. I stopped at Grande-de-tour and talked to Gordon Cummings for a while then went on. A few miles about there, I sighted a flock of ducks on the water. I got the gun ready and let the engine go and steered by leaning on either side of the boat. When I got in range of the ducks, I fired one shot at them to raise them. I hit one duck and dropped 3 on the wing. I was so engrossed in the work of the battle that the boat ran into the sand bar and I had a time to get it off. While at this two of the ducks started flying away but I could see they were badly hit. They flew about a 100 yards and settled with the rest on the water. There were about 8 in the flock. I picked up the two and started after the others. I couldn't get in range after that. They flew about 100 yards at a time and would take to the wing just before I would get close enough to shoot. I tried a couple long shots but wouldn't waste much on that kind of shooting. They eventually went on the sand bar and I lost them in the willows. Ducks were so scarce that I wasted over an hour hunting that bunch and only got two. Later on at the upper end of Raspberry Island I ran into a long duck that took to the wing before I got close enough to shoot. It settled about a half mile above me and I changed the shell I was using ( #4) and frilled the magazine with #2 for better range, then went after him. When I got pretty close he rose and I shot. I brought him down but only wounded. I put back #4 shot and hat to shoot 3 more shots at him, just as I would shoot he would dive When I hit him he was upside down. That is all the ducks I got on the trip. I was back at Broomfield's at 15:00 and went on to Salt River. I went up Salt River a few miles and saw none, so turned back and went on to Gravel Point. I stopped and talked with Leadman and the crew till 18:00 then started home. I arrived at Smith at 18:50. My actual running time from Gravel Point was 40 minutes. I unloaded the outfit and took the engine back to Bill and when I got back to the landing JT was there with the car. He helped me put the stuff away and we came home.
After supper JT helped Nona with the dishes and then went home. We went to bed almost immediately.
Monday, Sept. 24
Got up at 08:30. Had breakfast and helped clean up and then went out to start the car. My starter, the side of a hill, failed to work so I had to crank. When I got to the station I found all the batteries dead. After chartings five days last week. The trouble is in Joe and his wife either purposely or not giving a damn and wasting it. They have a two burner electric stove, percolator, iron, etc and use them unnecessarily. I entered the DR's UTD and finishing that just as Bill came in. I spent most of the afternoon chinning with him. I went uptown this afternoon and brought back some peanuts. When I got home Nona had the ducks in the oven. JT was up for supper and we had a feed. Nadene was so full of life today. After supper F. Campbell came in and Red Cousins. We played bridge till about 21:00 and Frank had to go. The rest of us played till 22:30 then had lunch of coffee and duck sandwiches. They left at 23:00 and I started the fire in the furnace. The radio was poor in the early part of the evening but right now, 00:10, is fine, tuned into KOMO Seattle and they are good. At this instant they are singing "my Gypsy Love" song. Nona has gone to bed and I am getting the furnace going.
Tuesday, Sept 25
I woke up at 06:00 and Nona got up as soon as I go the fire going. We had breakfast then I took Nona, Nadene, Mrs. Campbell and her two boys out to the Three Mile bridge in the car. I went to work at 10:00 and started the Delco. I came uptown at noon and got my .22 rifle and went for a walk looking for partridge, but no luck. I believe there is a jinx on me this year. I never seem to run on anything when out with a gun. The other day Woods went out and got 14 birds where I had been shortly before and got none at all. After supper I developed 9 rolls of films while JT took Nona and Nadene out for a ride. It is getting cold now for evening drives. When the dishes were finished we played bridge for a couple of hours then JT went home. Nona went to bed early as she was tired. She was over at Campbells most of the day fixing curtains and things for Gerry and Paul's place. About midnight I was just going to enter up this diary and couldn't get the mill to work. Gerry and Paul came in to hear the radio. They heard it over at their place. It was good tonight but fading was bad.
Wednesday, Sept 26
It is now 01:00 and as soon as the fire gets going I am going to hit the hay. Up at 08:00, had breakfast and at 10:00 went to the station. Batteries low again. Joe started the Delco at 07:00 . The set is going so much these days with the relays that the days charge doesn't bring them up at all. At noon I took the car and went down the trail 3 miles looking for birds. No luck. Bill bought a new Browning single shot rifle from York's today and we did some shooting at a can. Works OK. I came uptown once then went out the trail again with the same luck as at noon. Joe got 2 birds today. Gibson came down to the station and I had him wire for a .25-20 Savage for me. He is going to take my .22 in on it. After supper F. Campbell, Bill Schaffer and JT came with Nona and I looking for birds. We went out the Portage road and got such a late start that it was dark before we got far. We went on to the Halfway for a ride, however. Bill got 45 of them on his way in and gave us 6. Shortly after we returned from the ride, Nona, Bill and JT took our new records over to Conibear's to try them out on their machine. I printed 80 snaps while they were over there. Bill and JT came in and spent the evening. We played bridge until midnight. When we went to get lunch we found that there was no bread, cake or biscuits, so had coffee alone. Radio was not so good tonight. Have a few more snaps before going to be 02:15.
Thursday, Sept. 27
Up at 08:00, I cooked breakfast and Nona got up when it was ready. I left for the station at 10:00 and started the Delco right away. I didn't do much today but read a magazine. I came uptown once with messages. After supper I developed a few rolls and printed a number of snaps. JT came up for a while. Radio was good all evening. Mrs Lyall came in for a few minutes. Nona bought a bed from Mrs F. Conibear for Nadene and JT and I went over and brought it home. Went to bed at 22:00.
Friday, Sept. 28
Up at 08:00 and cooked breakfast. When I got to the station I found the heavy traffic still holding the SG of the batteries down to 1120. Joe had the Delco going but it would not rev over 800 RPM. The charging rate was on only 12 amps, so I took it down, cleaned the carbon, reseated the valves and replaced the top piston ring. I was finished and had the Delco going by 12:15. The charging rate is now 24 amps. Traffic slightly slower today. Came uptown at 15:00 for a cup of tea but found Nona was over at Campbell's so I went down to Lanouette's and had a cup of coffee and a beef sandwich. After supper I printed over 100 pictures. Sent a deposit to the savings account and sent an order to Birks for a ring for JT's Christmas present. He left this morning for the Govn't Hay River camp. Weather still holds out well, no wind bright sky and quite warm in the day but frosty at night. Radio wasVG tonight from 20:00 on till I went to bed. Retired at 01:30.
Saturday, Sept. 29
Went to work as usual about 10:30 and started the Delco. I bought the DR's UTD then talked to Bill for the rest of the day. I read a couple of short stories before going home. Nona got home just as I did and Gerry and Paul had invited us over to supper. Gerry had brought some wire up so I ran wire from our place to his to put in a loud speaker. I finished running the line over just as supper was ready. The supper was curried partridge, mashed potatoes, turnips, etc. Callaghan was there, too. They had several bottles of light wine (sherry) that up played wholly with before retiring. After supper I tried the radio but the line is too long for a peanut tube I think. I will give it another try on a better night. We came home and went to bed about midnight.
Sunday, Sept. 30
Nadene woke up early but I did not get up till 10:00. Nona was up about 08:30. I went down to the station at 11:00 to start the Delco. After I got home I printed about 50 pictures and at 16:00 I went back to the station to see how things were going. No one was there so I filled the gas tank, put more oil in the engine and Nona and I started out for a short ride. About 5 miles out of Smith, I happened to think that Morie owed the station $23.25 and was going out on his boat, so I went on over to Fitz to collect it. We had a cup of coffee and a ham sandwich there and started back. I had been raining all night and most of this morning so the roads on the other side of the halfway were terrible. When we bot back to the halfway, I discovered that my gas was running low so I borrowed a tank full from Ryan's. Walter Johnson was there and wanted to come into town so we brought him in. We arrived here about 21:30. Walt had some business to attend to and I went out to the station and put Morie's money in the till. Shortly after we got home, Walt came in to spend the evening. The radio was real good. We listened to several stations. About 22:30, Cameron came in. He is also from the Halfway. We had coffee and they left at 01:20. I finished up the pictures that I had printed while Nona went to bed. I retired at 02:10.
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