Monday, Oct 01
Woke up at 09:00, to work at 10:00. After starting the Delco, I brought the DR's UTD so that the monthly reports ca be got out. At noon I went out about 5 miles with the car and got 2 partridges. Jack Bowen game me two and I got another later on in the day when I made a second trip. I had to take 3 dells out of the bank of the station batteries this afternoon. They are in need of repair. It started to snow today, so I went down the hill and turned my boat over. While there Balser was fishing and had more than he could carry home so he gave me a couple of whitefish. I didn't get home till nearly 18:00 tonight. We had boiled potatoes and baked whitefish for supper. When we were nearly finished the Loverocks' boys came up and told me that Joe had not returned and Freda wanted to know if I would go and look for him. She thought that he may be out of gas. He left hunting at 16:00 and never goes for than 2-3 miles down the road and had to be back at 17:00 to send the Meteors. He didn't say anything to us about going, so Bill and I thought that he had an accident, so I went immediately. I stopped at the station and found Bill taking Joe's trick. I went down the trail about 5 miles when I met him. He was walking and had just found the road. He had followed 2 birds and the dark overtook him and he was lost. The country there is a kind of prairie with small willows all over it. We got back at 20:00. When I got home I developed 10 rolls of films then went over to invite Paul and Gerry over for supper tomorrow night. Gerry was not home but Paul was. Nona and I listened to the radio for a while, then she went to bed. I hung up the films, fixed the furnace and went to bed at 23:45.
Tuesday, Oct 02
I intended getting up at 07:00 to get in some early shooting but did not wake up until 09:00. I had breakfast and started out. I went about 4 miles out on a new trail behind Burkes but found nothing, so I went out the back trail to the Burwasn farm and came back the River trail. I had a blow out on the River trail and arrived on the rim at the station at 10:30. I fixed the blow out then fixed up the accounts. I was busy until bout 16:30 then started to read a story in the Red book. At 17:30 Bill was thru so I took him home and came home. I cleaned the partridges and when the spuds and carrots were done fried the birds. Gerry Murphy, Paul Trudel and Callaghan came for supper. We had fried partridge, mashed spuds, creamed carrots, plum pudding with Brandy sauce and coffee. After supper we had a few rounds of wine and talked and listened to the radio. The radio was not extra good tonight, but it was fair. We had a real good evening. The gang left at 01:05. We retired afterwards.
Wednesday, Oct 03
Up early and went to work at 10:00. I worked most of the day getting the accounts balanced. When I finished with them it was too late to start on anything else so read till 17:15 then took Bill as far as his house. After supper we cleaned up part of the dishes and things F. Campbell came in for a rubber of bridge. He went home at 21:30 and Gerry called us over to his place. There was a short session there of celebration. Syd Leggo fell off the wagon tonight and was there. He gave me a bottle of Grande Best Procurable. We got home at 02:00.
Thursday, Oct 04
I worked on the books and reports till nearly 16:00. Simpson came back on the air today at 15:00 and when taking messages uptown re the departure from Simpson, the boat arrived here. I went back and told Bill that the "Distributor" was here and we cleaned up in case Lt. Cluff came out. Then I went down the hill to see him. On my way back I met Nona going out to the station. She got into the car with me. Watson was at the station when I got there. This is Dexter's first anniversary, so there was a party going on there. Bill & Mrs Loverock, Fred York, Nona and I were invited. Joe had to go uptown to get the daily milk and brought back Gerry and Lt. Cluff. Watson had been there for supper, too. There was a big time and most of us drank, maybe unwisely. Gerry was well away by 03:00 and wanted to make a speech but couldn't get started. There was a good time there and we all sure enjoyed it the upmost. We broke up at 03:15 and I brought Gerry and Lt. Cluff home in the car. I went down to the boat for Lt. Cluff's baggage on the way home. I found the front spring shackle broken on the car today and used the good old hay wire remedy for the time being.
Friday, Oct. 05
I went to work at 10:30 and worked on reports for a while but didn't feel much like work. I was too sleepy and had a snooze at noon. Lt. Cluff came down after dinner and we talked most of the afternoon. I came home at 17:00 and took Nona for a car ride. We went out the Mission farm road (8 miles). We saw no birds. After supper Dave Watson ( of the RCCS from Resolution) came in and spent the evening. He brought his Uke up and we had a few tunes, Uke and Mandolin. Mrs Cameron came up and invited us to the dance at Lanouettes. Nona and Dave went but only for an hour. We listened to the radio and told Dave Watson stories till after midnight. Nona went to bed as soon as he left and I followed at 01:15.
Saturday, Oct 06
I went to the station at 10:40. After clearing up some odd jobs that were standing out, I started to fix the car. The shock absorbers on the front spring was broken on one side so I had to take them off and put the spring back 'a La Ford'. I had an accident while doing it. While trying to take the radius rod off one side, the car slid off the jacks and crashed on me. My right arm about half way between he elbow and wrist was pinned between the axle and the spring. I couldn't move so shouted for Joe. The Delco was running and Joe was receiving a message from Edmonton at the time and did not hear me. Freda finally heard me and went down and told Joe. He came out and lifted the car enough for me to get my arm out. It was badly crushed but not broken. I immediately bathed it in hot water for a while then swabbed iodine on it. Freda put a bandage on it. One of the bolts on the tie clamp of the spring sunk in a long ways in the flesh but did not cut deeply into the flesh. When Bill came down he had to put another bandage on because of the swelling. I went back and finished the job and was finished about 14:30. I fixed up some accounts and a letter to go to Ottawa and came home. I left there at 17:00 and brought Dave Watson home with me. We had decided to go and get some birds so we called for Nona. We went to the Mountain Portage then on to the Halfway. Never saw but one and he got away. Was shot at before, I guess, anyway he was wild. It was supper time at the Halfway so we stayed there. I got a rat on the way home. J. Bowen was coming in the dodge sedan with Mrs Walters, so Nona came with them. We got home first and had the fire going. Bowen came in for a while and showed me how to skin the rat properly. I let it dry on the back porch. Dave Watson, Nona and I had 2 rubbers of dummy bridge. I won both rubbers. Dave left at midnight and Nona went to bed. I followed at 01:00. Radio was VG tonight.
Sunday, Oct. 07
We planned a hunting trip this afternoon for Dave Watson but I had to do some prints first. I finished them up and went down to start the Delco but found that it was completely on the rocks. The engine would not go properly and the ammeter showed 0 instead of 24 amps. I came back home and had my dinner and when Dave Watson came. I had him drive me back to the station then. He and Nona went out, they got 2 partridges. I pulled the engine completely down then took the generator off and took it down. I tested every coil, connection and mechanical part and cleaned it thoroughly. In assembling I tested each part for fit, ground the valves, removed all the carbon and had it running at 16:40. I had the engine running for about 15 minutes and found that everything was OK when Nona and Watson came in all excited and said that Charlie Cooper was being married and that Gerry wanted me to come up at once. I left the Delco running and beat it. They were just coming out of the church when we came by. I got all cleaned up and was about finished when Callaghan came in and invited us over to Gerry's to the wedding supper. It was such a sudden affair that there had been no preparation at all so we took the spuds that were cooking, 2 bottles liquor, some plates, cutlery, etc., and went over. Watson was excited as he had never seen a wedding nor the affair afterwards. When we got there the crowd had assembled. Charlie and Flo, Mr & Mrs Wagenitz, Mr & Mrs Leggo, Paul, Gerry, Callaghan, Jack Bowen, ourselves, Watson, Mr & Mrs Vic Ingraham, Cpl. Walters RCMP , were all there. Most of the men were nearly steamed up by then and they were trying to dance while the women were trying to set the table. This is a great combination in a one room house. Paul, Mrs Leggo and I went for Mrs Gagnon, but she couldn't come as she was entertaining Lt. Cluff and several of the missionaries. When we got back Captain Smallie, HBC had arrived and supper was on the way. Supper was in 2 instalments. I was in on the second. The supper consisted of mashed spuds, partridge, moose meat, beef, canned peas, canned roast beef, corn, canned strawberries and cake. Coffee too of course. About 21:00 I had to come home to fix the fire. When I got back I was very much surprised to find out most of the gang gone. Gerry, Paul, Pop Walters, Callaghan and Nona were all that was left. They decided that the only right thing to do now was to beat it to Fitz and fix the house up for them. Gerry wanted to get McNeil's car but I proposed to go over in my car. I wound it up and put on our duds but Charlie passed just before just before we pulled out. They had about 2 miles head start on us. I opened out and caught up to them just past the Halfway. Charlie had run over a red fox and killed it. It was a beauty too. After examining it, we started on. Gerry got into the front seat of my car and insisted that he drive, he was so tight that I was afraid of him getting quarrelsome, so I gave in. He ran us into the ditch, then into the bushes and finally into the swamp where he couldn't get out. He admitted then that he couldn't drive my car as the steering was too loose. I got it out after about 10 minutes and we landed at Fitz about half an hour after them. We went to the house and found it dark. We thought that they were at Wagenitz's and were going to have a hell of a good time. To make sure that they were not hiding in the dark, we opened the door and threw in some rice. We were greeted with "What the hell do you want?". This was fine. We struck into a male quartette singing " I"m in the jailhouse now". I was sober enough to note the fine harmony. I never had so much fun in my life and never listened to an opera that I got such a kick out of. Gerry was screaming. Callaghan was shouting and Pop thought he was singing base. Gerry went over to Dick Wynn's and borrowed a bottle of Burkes Irish and returned and we went inside and lit the lamp. They were in bed and had to keep covered, so the house was ours. We were there till 01:30. Gerry was well away then, so I finally got him out and started for home. He insisted in going over and hauling Sid Porter out of bed because he wouldn't come with us, so we went. Porter wanted to know what the celebration was all about. He asked if the train from NewYork had got in and if Al Smith was elected. We got away a little after 02:00 and started out. About 4 miles out from Fitz, Gerry, in trying to climb over to the front seat, fell overboard. I was doing about 30 mph and Pop hollered to stop. I had not seen the action so pulled up. We ran back and found him in the middle of the road. Was scared stiff that he was dead or badly hurt. Callaghan sobered up immediately although he was not far gone. Pop was not very bad but he sobered completely too. We lifted Gerry up to carry him to the front of the car to examine him when he started to laugh. We found that he was not hurt and that took a load off our minds. The rest of the trip was fast but uneventful. It started to snow before we reached Smith. As soon as we got to Smith and got Gerry home I went home to bed. Nona was still awake and I told her all about the trip. I was soon asleep after telling her about it.
Monday, Oct. 08
I was up at 08:00 but didn't feel very good. I went to work and cleaned up a bunch of things that I wanted to get out on the mail to Ottawa and finished up the accounts. After starting the Delco I went uptown and collected the rest of the money owing the station. While I was uptown the mail came over. I got the official mail and then took my mail home. My new camera came today and it sure is a beauty. It's a Zeiss Icon model Trona with f. 4.5. lens and it's complete with pack adapter plate holders supplementary lens case, etc. Lt. Cluff was at the PO and told me that he had tried to fix Mr. McDougal's set but after looking at the wiring it was easier to give them his set and take the parts outside with him and fix them up for himself. Cluff asked me to come in and see his set and showed me the circuit so that I could service it in the future should anything go wrong. Mr Hastings must have figured that it would last forever because he never showed anyone anything about it and it was impossible to follow his wiring and it was all over the place. We found a few connections broken in transit and as Lt. Cluff had to go across the Portage to the boat, I promised to come up this evening to fix it up. After supper I went over and found that his two B batts read about 20 volts instead of 180. I put them on his charger and went home. Gerry came in and asked me over. He was alone so I stayed and talked with him till 02:30.
Tuesday, Oct. 09
Nona got up first and got breakfast. I left early and stopped at the Govn't house to show Campbell how to look after the charging of the B batteries. When I got to the station I started the Delco and finished up all the station reports ready for the mail. I did not write the covering letters. At noon Freda was frying beefsteak and the smell drifted downstairs and made my mouth water so bad that I got my hat and went home to get a bite too. Nona had the house all cleaned up and put some spuds on while I cleaned a partridge and we had dinner then I went back. I stopped on the way back to look at the Govn't B Batteries. They were coming OK. Bill and I talked most of the afternoon then he went out with the 22 and did a little practice. I fell asleep and slept a half hour. Paul had supper with us tonight. We had partridge, mashed spuds, pineapple cake and coffee. After supper I went back to Mr McDougal's and worked on his set. The B's were not up yet so I tried out some dry B's that he had and they were fairly up. I got the set so that it sounded normal but couldn't get anything. I told McDougal that the batteries might be too low and I would come back tomorrow and try it. If I can't get anything then I told him I would bring my set down for him and take his home where I could work on it better. I don't like to muss their front room. Gerry came in for a half hour to listen to the radio, it was real good tonight. After I developed a film I took with my new camera today. It is one of the station and is far better than I had expected. It was snowing this afternoon when I took them, but the detail is perfect. I had a dozen film packs for it but they are too big. The camera is advertised as taking a 9 X 12 pack and it takes a quarterplate, 8 X 10.5. I found that the films fit the film adapters so I opened up one and will use them as they work fine that way. Nona went to bed early. I stayed up listening to the radio and looking after the fire till 01:15. Word came thru from Edmonton today that Joe Dexter is Staff Sgt.
Wednesday, Oct 10
Snowing this morning, ground white. Up at 08:00. After breakfast I went down to the Govn't house to see Campbell and put their B batteries on again. Their B's are still very low. When I got to the station I started the Delco and put the Resolution batteries on charge. I spent the rest of the day writing all correspondence and reports that were still to be fixed up. I got all but a few done by 17:00 then cut a little wood. There was a pile of wood cut into stove lengths on the back of the lot and as I have the trailer for the car out at the station I hooked it to the car and carried the wood with it. After supper Campbell came in for a few minutes and I had to go to the Govn't house to work on Lt. Cluff's set. I put the new batteries on and it worked jake. There is still a loose connection somewhere but it can wait. Some time when I have nothing to do I will go and hunt it up. I connected their pump motor as far as I could go. They were putting in a partition close to it and I am waiting till it is done so that I can put the switches, etc on the wall. I blew a fuse in starting the pump motor. Their fuses are all 10 amps. I think it requires about 20 amp fuses. Mrs McDougal served cocoa and I sat and talked till 23:00 then came home. My radio was frozen but not seriously. Nona was in bed when I arrived so I fixed the fire and turned on the radio. It was real swell tonight. I went to bed about 00:30 and left the radio on for a while.
Thursday, Oct 11
I went to the station at 10:00 and found Hastings had sent an SOS for Sulphuric acid. Don Naylor was leaving at noon for a point about 80 miles south of Simpson so I rustled up a gallon of acid from the HBC and sent it down then advised Hastings that it was on the way and that he would have to come down to get it from Naylor. He has a "Flying Cloud" of his own and can do a little shooting on the way. I worked on the DR's till 16:00 and finished all the correspondence today. Bill and I talked for a while then I went up to the N.T.Co. and got my new rifle. I had Gibson send for a 25-29 Savage for me. It came today and is a beauty. Bill, Nona and I took a shot at a can with it then Nona and I came home. I had to stop at Godsell's on the way and they invited us down tomorrow night. After supper I printed some snaps and developed a negative that I took with my new camera. It turned out perfectly. Nona was tired tonight so went to bed early. I stayed up and listened to the radio. It was good too. The northern lights are bright out now. It was freezing all day but no more snow.
Friday Oct. 12
Both of us were up early. After breakfast I took Nona and Nadene out to the 3 mile bridge for a ride. I went then to the station and started the Delco. I had to get out the accounts for the A&AT Co. as they are closing out for the season. I tried a few shots with the new rifle and found its accuracy perfect. About 15:00 I took a message uptown then went down to the rapids and took a couple of snaps with my new camera. The water is lower than I ever saw it before. When I got home Nona had the place all cleaned up and was getting ready to go out to Godsell's. Just before we were ready Gerry came in . He just returned from the Hay camp. We arrived at Godsell's about 20:00. We played the piano for a while then played a rubber of bridge. Nona and Jim Woods vrs. Mrs Godsell and I. We lost the rubber. Jim brought us home in the coupe. We arrived at 01:05. I built a fire in the furnace while Nona went to bed. I turned the radio on. It was real good. Little static tonight. I went to bed about 01:45.
Saturday, Oct 13
We were both up at 08:00 and left at 09:00 for a car ride. We went to the Halfway and back, getting 4 grouse on the trip. I went to the station and finished a couple of covering letters for Ottawa then went up to the Bay and got the drafts made out. I had to go back to the station as I found one letter was not signed. It was a swell day out so we piled some more wood. We cleaned up all the small piles and piled them in one big pile near the door. I went out and put the storm windows on the office and at 16:40 left to post the letters but the PO was closed. The PO crew are now observing the Sat. half day off up here. After supper Frank Campbell came in and talked for a while. We planned a trip across the river tomorrow. We sat up and listened to the radio till 01:00.
Sunday, Oct. 14
Up at 09:00. Weather slightly misty and looks like rain. I started out with the car but Frank Campbell had gone to the PO. I met him there. We went down the hill but found that the Elto had not been returned. York borrowed it 2 weeks ago to take an outfit to Salt River but as Swanson is in the hospital Lyall had to stay there himself and has had no chance to get back with it and they were stuck for an engine. We came back to his place and decided to go down the Big Rock Road. He was going to show me the road to a good slew of rats. We went down and got four partridges on the way. We went as far as the Mission farm road and back. We had a blow out on the return trip. I developed a bunch of snaps this afternoon and about 14:00 Bert Edge came in. he talked till we were ready to go out to a duck supper at Godsell's, then I drove him as far as Lyall's. Jim Woods was at the supper also. It was splendid. After supper I played the piano while a game of bridge was in progress. We left there a 02:15 and while Nona fixed the bed and Nadene, I fixed the fire for the night. Vic and Mrs Ingraham were up for an hour this afternoon. Weather tonight is damp and cloudy but the temp is about 36. What little snow we had was gone by today.
Monday, Oct 15
Up at 08:00 and as we are going to cut wood at the station I left for there at 09:00. I had to stop and register some mail to Ottawa, then Gibson at the NTCo. stopped me for a while. I arrived there and found that I had left a message given me uptown so had to go back for it. I returned and got the saw working at 10:00. We cut till 11:00 and as Joe had to call Edmonton and had an hours work ahead of him, Bill and I went hunting. We got 2 partridges. I gave them both to him. I met Raney on my way home. He wanted the car to go to Fitz. I got back to the station at 14:30 and as there was work there we did not get at the wood till 15:00. We cut till 16:00. Bill was going to be busy until 16:30 so I said we could cut no more today. That seemed to suit all. I read till 17:00 then walked home with Bill. Joe met me at Bill's place and took me home. After supper Frank Campbell came in and we went down to the Govn't house to fix their pump. It is a new Delco electric pump. I did all the electrical work and it went of OK on the first crack. We pumped to 20 pounds pressure and sprung a leak, turned off the line from pump to tank. I told Frank to come down to the station and I would give him some shellac. Frank and I left there about 20:30 and went to his place. Nona was there. Frank gave me a Popular Mechanics Nov. issue. We left there at 21:15. Seeing a light at Gerry's we went over. Paul was there and just making coffee. We were having it when Gerry came home. They started dancing and I came home and got a bottle of Gin and took it over. We had a small party and killed it. We all felt pretty good. We got home at 01:10 and while Nona went to bed, I got the furnace going for the night. I went to bed at 01:45. The Northern lights were bright streamers tonight. Raney got back and left the car in the usual place when he got back.
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Up and to work at 09:00. Bill and Joe were ready when I got there so I started the F-M and we sawed wood till noon. After dinner we got it again and cut till 16:00. We finished about half the pile today. Freda Dexter was uptown this afternoon and brought Nona and Nadene back to the station with her. They got there just as I was getting ready to leave. They came home with me. After supper Nona and I wrote letters till 22:00 then went to bed.
Wednesday, Oct 17
Went to work at 09:00. Nona got up with me as Mrs Godsell, Mrs Leggo and Mrs Ingraham are coming up for the afternoon and she had a lot to do. We sawed wood all day at the station. Bill had an accident this morning. He got his finger caught in the saw and tore a big gash into it. I took a snap of the outfit with the auto-timer. On my way home I got a case of eggs at the Bay and brought Billy Berens up to pile wood. Shortly afterwards he disappeared till after dark then came back for a few minutes. I developed 5 rolls of films tonight while Nona washed the dishes. The radio was rotten tonight. Went to bed at 22:30.
Thursday, Oct 18
Up at 07:30 and cooked breakfast. Nona was too tired to get up so I put Nadene in bed with her and went to work. We sawed wood till nearly noon. I went to see if I could get an odd bird. I saw a partridge but missed it. I knocked a few feathers out of it though. On my way home I ran into a flock of ptarmigan. These are the first I've seen here this year. I didn't get one as there is no snow and they are wild as can be. I told Joe about it and he went out and got one. He said he only saw 3. It started snowing at noon but it stopped and was gone by 14:00 and started raining. After supper we wrote a few letters and packed up some presents that we are sending out for Crook's and Coombe's at Simpson. Frank came in about 20:00 and stayed till 23:45. We played a rubber of bridge. The radio was real good tonight. We listened to Rochester, NY, Hollywood, KOMO and CNRW. Nadene was fine all day.
Friday, Oct 19
At the station today we finished sawing the wood by 17:00. There was very little business today. It was colder today and quite windy. After supper we sat and listened to the radio till 23:00 and went to bed. Micky Ryan was over today and asked Nona if she would go over to the Halfway with Mrs Ryan for a few days. She cannot be left alone at present and he had to go to the Hay camp. She said OK.
Saturday Oct 20
This morning we piled wood. I had the trailer belonging to my car at the station and we used it to haul for where it was cut to where we were piling. At noon I thought that Nona would be gone to the Halfway so I went to the restaurant for dinner. After dinner I came home to pile a little wood and found Nona still there. She was waiting for the sedan to come for her. I took her to Joe's and got her dinner. We piled wood all afternoon. When I got home for supper Nona was gone. I had a light supper and developed some films. I listened to the radio for a while and then went to bed.
Sunday, Oct 21
Up at 09;00. Had breakfast with Gerry and Paul. Had liver, sausage, grouse , coffee and toast. I printed pictures until 01:30 then Frank and I went to the Mountain Portage to get some snaps. We walked around the Hogsback and got 6. We went from there to the Halfway to see Nona but everybody was away. We found out from B. Lyall that they had all gone to Smith. Billy got stuck on the hill there and I pulled him up. We came on to Smith then. Brought Sousie King with us. We made it from the Halfway to Smith in 15 minutes. Not bad for an old 1918 Ford. (8 miles) Nona was here when we got home. She stayed till 18:00 then thought that the rest were not going back till after supper. We were starting to get ours when Mrs Ryan and J. Lacombe came in. We all went to Joe's and had supper. Walter Johnson was with them but had been invited to Godsell's for supper. When the party was ready to go back, Gerry and party was just sitting down to supper. I told them to tell Walt to stay and I would take him home. He came up about 21:30 and stayed here till 22:30 then I took him home. I was back at 23:30. I saw a red fox coming home and tried to run him down with the car but my lights were not bright enough to hold him on the road. I went to bed as soon as I got home. Mail arrived today.
Monday, Oct 22
Today we started our winter working hours. Joe is off today and Thursdays. I am off Tuesdays and Fridays and Bill is off Wednesday and Saturdays. I worked on the car most of the morning and worked on the DR's all afternoon. I am behind on them. Frank invited me over to supper. Joe and Freda were there too. After supper we had a rubber of bridge then I came home to do some developing. Went to bed at 24:00 listening to the radio and reading popular mechanics.
Tuesday, Oct 23
Frank Campbell and I planned a hunting party for today. I had breakfast with Gerry and Paul. Frank was here when I got home and had the car ready. We left at 09:30. I took a shotgun, two 22's and my 25-20. It snowed and rained and had a few spells of sunshine during the day. We went to Bell Rock, then down the Salt River trail about 6 miles and came back to the Forks and went out the Mission Farm Road about 6 miles and came back by the Burwash Farm. We bagged 10 Ptarmigan, 1 Prairie chicken, 7 Grouse and 1 rabbit. Had supper at Frank's. Just after supper Mrs Ryan, J. Lacombe and Nona came home. I came over and they stayed till 20:30 then had to go over to the hospital for a while. I looked after Nadene. She played with me until about ten minutes before they returned and then began to get sleepy. They returned at 21:15 but didn't stay. I went to the car with Nona then came back. The radio was good in the early part of the evening but was NG from 21:00 on. I went to bed at 23:00.
Wednesday, Oct 24
Up as usual at 08:30 and had breakfast with Gerry and Paul. The snow was about 2 inches deep this morning and the back wheels of the car slid down the hill without turning the engine over. I had to crank it and a Ford is an ornery damn rig to start in such weather. I was lucky and got it going in fair time. Arriving at the station I started the Delco then worked all morning on the DR's. Bill was off today and after dinner he came over to the station and asked me to go hunting with him. We never saw a thing. When I got back to the station I entered up another days business then took the car and got Bill and went out again. We got one Ptarmigan. I had promised to go to the Halfway for supper tonight so went straight there from the station. I kept my eyes peeled for an odd bird along the way but saw nothing. I got to the Halfway at 17:30 to find that Mrs Ryan, Nona and the kiddies and J. Lacombe were all at Smith. When supper was ready Lacombe told me not to wait as they would not be back for hours yet. I just sat down to eat when they arrived. We all had supper together then went up to the house. I stayed till 21:30 and then left as I had a date here with Pat Knowles at 21:45. I arrived here at 22:00 after making the old Ford engine sound like an airplane. That old boat sure is a go getter for putting miles behind it. I never saw a living thing on the way back. Pat was here reading the National Geographic's when I arrived. We sat and talked for a while then I took a photo of him. It turned out pretty fair too for an interior. We sat and talked and listened to the radio till 01:00. I went to bed shortly after he left.
Thursday, Oct 25
After breakfast with Gerry and Paul, I got the car going and took them to work then went on to the station. I worked on the DR's all morning. Had dinner at Lanouettes then came home for a while. After dinner I went to the station and took the carburator off the car and cleaned it. From the looks of the inside I'd say that was the first time that it was ever cleaned. It sure needed it. It had so much dirt in it that the float was stuck and the gas poured out. Four gallons ran out during the night and as gasoline is $1:00/gallon here so I decided to spend 15 minutes and fix it. The Ford only gets about 15 mph. I entered up 2 more days of business then talked to Bill for a while then had a sleep. After I got home I cooked a can of kidney beans and fried the breast and legs of a partridge for supper. Frank Campbell came in while I was eating and told me that I should have come over to his place for supper and that I better until Nona comes home. I wrote to R. Gourley at Aklavak and asked him to get me a polar bear skin and wrote to George Bremner at Rae and asked him to get me 2 grizzly's, a black and a brown bear skin to make rugs out of. I printed a bunch of pictures and then came up and talked to Frank. I started on his set but couldn't find any of my tools. He left at 21:00 I remembered that I had promised Godsell to come over and fix his radio. I went over at 21:30 and found the C battery connected in backwards. I fixed that and got it going. The tone and volume is much better in that set than I thought it was. I stayed and talked with them till 02:00. We had a good time talking about the funny side of events that were going on here. We had some fun talking about the charging plant that Cpl. Walters has fixed up to charge his radio battery to save the cost of 2 gallons per charge at the station. He has a Ford generator connected to a 3 HP FM engine and runs the outfit 3 days to charge his battery at about 5 gallons per day and believes that he is saving money. We reviewed the radio war between Hastings, Leggo and myself at many laughs. When I started to leave I found the oil in the transmission so cold and thick that I couldn't crank the car. It would creep too much. Jacked it up and it started right off inspire of the fact that it was frozen up, although not bad. I sure have a time with that bus these days. I have a blister on the rear left tire as big as a coffee pot and as soon as that tire blows out I am going to put it away I have about 3 boots in it now but the tire is rotten and everyday the hold in it creeps a little further. I will have to get the entire new set in the spring. After I got home, I put some of the snaps on the ferrotype and some that I am going to tint I put out on a towel to dry. Went to bed at 03:30.
Friday, Oct 26.
"HEY, it's 09:05!!" thus Paul lifted me 3 feet out of the bed this morning. After I saw that the house was not on fire nor that the end of the world had come, I remembered that this was Friday. " The hell with the clock" I answered but got up just the same ". " Your breakfast is on the table waiting for you", then Paul left me, I was over there in about 3 minutes. Gerry was sick in bed but woke up just as I got in. I got him something to eat and the hot coffee helped him a lot. I showed him some snaps that I printed last night. They were good. He ordered 40 of the drawing of himself by Cpn. Perfilieff. I tinted a number of the rapid scenes that I took last Sunday and then printed a few more. About noon I decided to work on JT's set but when I got at it I found that I needed some more tools. I went down the hill and got some out of my boathouse and had a hell of a time coming up the hill. I had one good chain and wrapped the remains of the other one around a wheel and managed to get up. I tore the old set to pieces and started to work on the new one but lost my ambition. Mickey came over about 15:00 and Nona came over with him. They said that they were not going to be long so we did not go out. Nona washed up the dishes and fixed up the kitchen while I straightened up the front room and looked after Nadene. Mrs Campbell had asked me to come over to supper tonight and while at the store I saw her. She told me to come over in 20 minutes. When the time had come we both went over as Mickey had not returned and we thought he may be staying for supper. We had just started when he came. It appears that the engine froze up and his battery went dead. He borrowed one from the station to see him home. I came home at 21:00 and Frank came over for a while. We tried the radio but it was not good tonight. We played 4 games of crib. I lost 3 of them. After Frank went I started to practice on the Uke and the mandolin. About 22:00 Gerry comes in in his pyjamas with a " That damn racket woke me up". He is still pretty shaky and sat here for a while talking. We played a hand of crib for 2 bits. I am now 2 bits richer. Gerry left at 23:45. I went to bed at midnight.
Saturday, Oct 27
Woke up at 08:45. Went over to breakfast but Paul had gone to work. I brought the DR's to date when I got to the station and then started on the ledgers to close them out for the fiscal year. About 15:00 I hear that the mail was in so I went up for it. This is an extra mail that Conibear brought down with him. There was 2 parcels with sweaters for Nadene and a few things for Nona. We got a Sat. Evening Post, too and a letter from Nona's mother and one from Midge. I ate supper at Campbells then came home and printed pictures till 21:00. While they were washing the dishes, I listened to the radio. It was good tonight. I practised on the Uke for an hour and a half then began drying pictures. I was at that till 00:20 then fixed the fire and went to bed.
Sunday, Oct 28
Got up at 08:15 and tinted a number of pictures. Then I worked for a couple of hours on JT's radio. At 11:45 I went down to the Rapids and shot a couple of snaps while the water was low but still unfrozen. I had dinner at the Cameron's then stopped at the hotel and talked to Mrs F. Conibear till nearly 14:00. I fixed the fire then started for the halfway. I spent the afternoon there and had supper. After supper Joe had to come to Smith so I came back first. Got the fire going and Nona came in. Frank Campbell came in too. As Joe had 9 to take back, I said that I would take some over as far as the Halfway for him. He came in for Nona about 22:00. E. Mills came in and we went for Cameron. Got there in 30 minutes. I stayed at the house talking to Mrs Ryan, Nona and Jimmie Donavon who is back working there. I left at 23:50 and arrived home at 24:05. The moon was full tonight and sky's clear. Nice night for drying. Joe gave me a couple of gallons of gas for bringing the 2 over for him. Bed 00:30.
Monday, Oct 29
Paul woke me up and I had breakfast with him. I had a beauty of a cold in my head this morning. I could hardly breath. At the station I brought the DR's UTD then started the Delco. I talked with Bill till noon then went to dinner. After dinner I took a Popular Mechanics and Popular Science to the station and Bill and I read all afternoon. Lacombe was over and brought Nona with him. She came for a dress to wear tomorrow to Mrs Godsell's Tea night. They went back at 17:45 and I went to Campbell's for supper. After supper I worked on JT's set for a while but felt so punk that I couldn't work. I gave it up finally till I feel better. Walt came in a 22:30 and stayed till 23:00. The armature of their Westinghouse plant burned out. It is a brand new outfit and had only run for an hour. Caused by defective workmanship. He wanted to know if I had anything to effect a repair. I promised to come over in the morning. The radio was fair tonight. Billie was here piling wood and came in to listen to the set. Shaking him is like getting rid of cholera. I mixed up a hot toddy of lemon and gin and went to bed.
Tuesday, Oct 30
Woke up at 08:00. My cold loosened up considerably. Went next door and found Paul and Gerry both asleep. Had the satisfaction of unceremoniously waking them up as Paul did me the other day. Lit their fire and helped with breakfast. There was little doing this morning. I tried to work on JT's set but couldn't seem to work steady. I coloured a couple of snaps then about 10:00 I decided to go hunting. I borrowed Frank's shotgun and went out the back road to Bell Rock and returned by way of the Burwash farm. Only got one grouse. Saw a flock of ptarmigan but could not get in range of them. I went over to Walt's to inspect a burned out armature. It was defective so I advised him to return it to the agents and wire for a replacement. I promised to take him to the Halfway after dinner as I wanted to go that way and have a hunt anyway, so he came up at 14:00 and we started out. About a half mile from town we saw a flock of ptarmigan just off the road. I started after them but they went farther into the bush. I could see one quite plainly so I decided to shoot him on the ground with the chance of getting more when on the wing. I hit the one on the ground but the others did not raise above the trees. They did not go far so I went after them but could not find them. I also lost the one that I had hit as I thought it was hit worse than it was but it got away. On the way to the Halfway, I didn't see anything else. They were all busy there so I brought Nona home. Mickey said he was going back tomorrow to the Hay camp to bring in the batteries to charge here while awaiting the new armature and he would send the sedan for Nona. We came home about 17:00 and got supper. Frank came over after supper. After the fire was going I went over to bring Nona home. She had been there for an hour. I worked a little while on JT's set but there was so many things to do that I didn't stay at it long. The radio was rotten. Pop Walters came in about 21:00 and stayed till 23:00. He came up to get some information on charging batteries. His plant consists of a 3 HP Fairbanks morse engine turning an autolight 6 volt generator.
I went to bed at 23:45, Nona had been so tired that she retired at 23:00.
Wednesday, Oct 31
I went to work at 09:15. Entered up the DR's then started the Delco. I read about 280 pages of "Stepson's of France" by P.C. Wren. That's about all I did in fact. My cold is about the same. Nona went to bed at 21:00. Frank came in to watch me build that set. After we quit, Gagnon came in to get some pictures of the rapids and stayed for about an hour. I read a few stories from the National Geographic. At 23:15 I mixed another stiff hot toddy and went to bed.