Transcription

Old Crow Feb. 6 th , [19]45

Might as well start in one of our Writ Pads – since I have no other writing material I can use as a diary. Rather late in the year to be starting in too but Mary urges me to use something so here goes.

At this stage of affairs, we are all now awaiting the next plane which is expected in or around the 20 th of this month. I hope it doesn't come any sooner – we've been fooled twice before – with the plane coming earlier than we expected with the resultant “rush” to get things ready – work not finished! No letters ready. I do have a few ready this time – to Frank Chappie, Creighton Boyd and HR Snyder, so I'm hoping to get them all done during the next week or so. My work is pretty well caught up too: last months Repts [receipts] are ready to wrap up. My Inv + Req [Invoices and Requisitions?] is just about completed: and I have one big sack of fur ready for checking by the Police. The weather during the last three days has been positively awful – with thermometer at around -20 and half a gale of wind for the whole 24 hrs. a day: and it's almost one mans job to keep firing up – with dam little satisfaction as a result – as nowhere is it even remotely comfortable. I don't ever remember such filthy, miserable weather or being so uncomfortable indoors as it is here. Our kitchen is positively painful to be in – at almost any time. Mary has to wear caribou-skin boots all day in the house and even then has cold feet. The Store is the same – only worse – much. Whatinell [what in hell] I'll do for next winter will be a problem. As for the work – well there seems to be absolutely no end to it – ever! I've never been really caught up ever since we landed.

The ‘office' end of it is quite a job in itself – let along running the Store, buying fur, lugging stuff in from the caches, firing up, filling lamps, packing ice, making kindling – and so on. Ye Gads I've never been busier at any time that I can recollect. Yet – I'm not sorry I came – tho I think the business will get even more pressing than it is now. I ought to have a steady helper: I can realize that now. I miss old Paul and his steady wood-saw: could always depend on my wood supply – which I can't at present.

So far, I've had no response from Fairbanks to my long letters to Boyd. And what are the plans for the coming season I haven't the faintest idea. I hope we don't have to put in another winter like this again.

At this time several of the men are out hunting – Peter T. and Bully Joe left a few days ago. Bruce and Moses are 2 days to the south with Frost, C. Peter and Big Joe ready to go. Yesterday and today I worked like a maniac putting up their outfits ready to get them out. W.T. + Johnny R. are also expected to go. Martha and John Kendi left a cuppla days ago. Siwash Dan is away and Elias is ready to follow suit. Maybe most of them will be away inside a week. I hope so.

Annie Shaffer bought her outfit saft [this afternoon] – she's expecting her baby at any time.

Mrs. Ellis doesn't get out much nowadays: she too expects to leave on the next plane. M. [Mary] was down to see her saft. Kirk pops in occasionally. Tom is away out south.

Peter Moses is still here and Neil came in this evening. Effie and her family are out on the Flats alone somewhere.

I am to try a few snaps of Ellis on the first bright decent day. I went down last Sat. afternoon [?] but it was so blasted cold that we put it off. I'm terribly disappointed to not do any photos at all! But I certainly couldn't use my room back of the Store: much too cold and crowded out as a fur storage, and too, there is no possible chance to take pictures in such poor light. The sun tho' is now really showing up – for about 6 hrs. a day – or it was about 3 days ago when we saw it last. There ought to be plenty of shots around a little later on. I haven't really tested my “Black” camera yet tho I have plenty of film.

I'm very anxious to know something of the Co. 's plans for next summer. I hope the spring ratting turns out well.

Ch. Peter brought me a very nice small piece of meat today – outside of P. Moses, the first we've had as a gift.

Wed. 7 th .

Another horrible day –cold and windy all day. But several of the boys left – meat camp and trap-lines. C. Peter, M. T., Frost (I think)[,] John Joe: Meat shortage bothering them all now. Joe and Ruth visited the Store saft – to get a saw-set. Kinda slack. Neil wants a small outfit – [the] rest casuals. I changed ribbon on the adding machine today and totaled the Inventory. Nearly finished, too. Mebbe [maybe] I'd better wire re the Fur [?] – I dunno yet. I'm sending three Pens [pension?] Cheques to Dawson Sept Nov + Dec. Less wind tonite I think – around -15 all day.

Sat. 10 th

Missed a cuppla days but it seems as though I haven't got into the habit of writing again in a diary. M. is again busy in the kitchen as usual – making a birthday cake for Mrs. Ellis of all things – at this hour.

Wash Day ystrdy [yesterday] – and what a time we had! The whole day went wrong. I had to do my own splitting this morning for Store-wood. – No body here even to bring it home. The weather did let up Friday [?] morning again – but blew half a gale again in the afternoon.

Today better. Sarah Abel in with a martin and cuppla mink saft. Very quiet today in Store – not even one of the Frosts in. Now have my clerical work ready to go – Req and last months repts all ready to wrap up.

Put new typewriter ribbon in yesterday. Had to do another session of digging out this morning – this certainly is one helluva hole for wind – and snow drifted in to the back porch and front. Never had such a Goddam mess anywhere else I ever lived that I can remember – and life – generally – is pretty miserable. What with the wood, and ice, and water, and ashes, and lamps, and toilet bucket and one dam thing and another in addition to my job worries – I'm pretty sick of it. I can't settle at home during the evening to write or read – or do anything: it's either too hot, or the radio is on or I'm too tired and sleepy – always something.

Sun. Feb 11 th

An easy day. Down to Ellis' with the birthday first thing. Brot [brought] a load of wood down from the Store and fooled around up till lunch. Then wrote home + to Aggie [?] this morning. Wild afternoon[,] this evening more wind and snow.

Monday Feb 12 th

What a day – it was 30 below saft and a terrible wind with it: I cud [could] scarcely stand to be out at all. And besides it was v. cold in the house – and the Store – impossible to warm it up at all. Johnny Porcupine died this morning. I packed up my last months repts and got in a bunch of stuff from the cache.

Got Jeremy + Jorum to haul me home enuf wood to last me a day or two. […] Got some ice-cream salt from Mrs. Kirk. Ellis called at Store saft – for no special reason apparently. Wind gone down a bit tonite.

Friday 16 th

I'm all tangled up this week with days and dates. Figured I'd make this thing a Diary ! We've had another real session of cold – two days just nosing the 60 below – this a.m. just around 30 and some light soft snow during the nite again – now all we need is wind ! We've had a full week – but why bring that up? Ellis's came and had supper on Wed – with the usual scramble to be ready, altho we made it without very much unpleasantness and a pleasant evening – nothing but chat – I enjoyed it though. We shall miss them – very much I'm afraid.

I'm getting short on sawed wood – and nobody in to do anything. Had to split it myself for a cuppla days.

Wired Boyd re Fur [film?] etc – yesterday

Got Jim + Ellis to help with the boat Insurance Form

Tom returned ystrdy – not much meat over there.

No fur coming in now. Have two sx [sacks?] ready to go on the plane when it comes.

Made some additions to the Req and am keeping as [?] a list for the Supp. Get ideas from some of the women now + again. Wrote Dad and Agg – also to Mark, so I'm getting some personal letters done. No photography yet. Too cold to do a thing outdoors but absolute essentials.

Ellis suggests that we make one room out of our house – cut out kitchen – but that doesn't suit tho it surely wud [would] save wood. Perhaps it wouldn't be very convenient or comfortable, so I guess we'll muddle along as we're doing. But I dread the soft days of spring – the leaky roof probably – and the filthy river water, and no ice – and the inevitable mosquitoes – and no screens and the immovable windows – What a time we'll have. I can see it coming bigosh!

At 8 p.m. it is now around -20 – a glorious change – soft snow is going to be had if more wind. I had to split more wood again – to keep us going.

Alec, Eliza Ben left yesterday. Camp is very quiet. Peter Moses got an outfit today to do down below somewhere. Annie's baby born this morning.

Sunday Afternoon 19 th – No – 18 th

A very pleasant day – VERY! I was just settling to read Thoreau lasnite [last night] when Tom came in with the news that the plane was to arrive today! What a life! But it hasn't come yet! But of course it meant that I had to get up early + get things all ready. I was up here at work before 9 – and had the fur all ready when Tom came in. Then of course Bully Joe came in atsamtim [at the same time] so it was all rush for an hour or so. I got Joe's fur + have packed it up with the rest of it: it's now all packed + ready – also the Req and last months reports – letters to HRS, Chappie, Frank, Boyd and Creighton: one home and one to Agg. So I managed fairly well – not many perhaps – but some of ‘em really letters – no foolin'!

Terribly cold + windy again all day – and I'm almost out of sawed wood too. Mary very nervous and on edge all day too – and still of course hasn't nearly done her writing. I don't suppose she ever will. I think Neil must have gone this morning – to the Flats. J. Ross and Abraham are still here – the only men I think. Mary P. Ben is in I see. Siwash Dan went cuppla days ago. Bull Joe in – I got his fur and shipped it today.

Mon. 19 th

And still no plane and filthy weather all day – wind + drifting snow – and I had to saw wood this a.m. too! Dammitall. Certainly no flying weather. However I'm as ready for it now as I can be – more so than I've been yet. Kirk changed our radio batts [batteries] tonight and its been first class this morning. Quite a change

Wed 21 st

Well – the rush is over again for a while. Plane landed and left again ystrdy with Ruth for F. Y. [ Ft. Yukon] Big bunch of mail for everybody also stuff for us from FBks [Fairbanks] also mags and a real good collection. Looks as tho' I shall be dam busy at office work for a while now. Long letters from Boyds and info. req freighting this summer too.

Thursday 22

Got Johnny Ross sawing wood today – so have quite a little pile ahead. Had a useful session in the office all morning, and a busy afternoon with the Frost outfit again who hope to leave tomorrow – I hope so! P.M. Tizya came in lasnite with Frost. Kirk and Jim up safternoon[,] K. to discuss the Customs. Old Dan in for a little stuff too. It was a most beautiful day – bright and clear – and NO WIND !! M. washed this morning and is now busy preparing the bread.

Fri. 23

Fairly mild again. Not really clear tho. Finished up Ellis acct and did a number of odds and ends at office work as well as brot in 200 flour, 100 sugar and so on. Saft was hectic again in spite of only a few here. Johnny Ross, Abel, N. Cadzow and a little fur to be bot [bought?] – brot to a close a very busy day again.

There's never a dull moment here. I never saw the last of it – then Kirk up with a message from Maston to be attended to. So I had to take that down to the Barracks this evening. M. ironed and baked all day – and so is now feeling all washed out again and feels pretty miserable too. It would appear that it's very necessary to have this stuff shipped in by plane – from all I hear.

Wrote the Bish [Bishop] lasnite about the Ellis house – but that's all the mail we have done so far. And I supposed that dam plane is liable to be in at any fine day – so – more concern.

Sat Feb. 24 th

Another weekend. Thermometer up around 10 above and v. mild all day. Not so rushed in the Store this aft. Big Joe, Tabitha, Siwash Dan in, and small outfits so I was pleasantly busy. Left Store about 5:15 and hauled home a cuppla loads of wood. P.M. Tizya left again this aft. with a small outfit. Philip returned saft.

Always in a state of flux here – coming + going – tho' most of the men appear to be out most of the time. Have about got Ellis ac [account?] squared up. T'would have been a good day for a snap or two if there had been more sun.

Friday Mch 2

A busy week. Had the Johnson Creek bunch – John Charlie, Lazarus , Ch. Thomas and Amos in – all with a good bunch of fur which I have been busy getting together: it is now all ready for the plane which may be in tomorrow. My Req (Supp) is also ready to go. Both M. and I spent several evenings getting this finished. Amos has been helping me for this two days – with the wood and in the Store – a grand help too. And most important M. hopes to go to F. [ Ft. Yukon or Fairbanks?] to have her teeth attended to.

Had two beautiful days and altho I was very busy I was at last tempted to make a shot or two – but I oughtn't to have done it without the filter – it was really brilliant and a fairly good sky. Got one of the Store, our house, the Barrax and the Mission .

Tom left – on Monday I think it was – for the Blackstone with my friend Charlie Abel so, thank Goodness he'll be away for a spell.

Saturday

Evening of course! And another strenuous week over. Amos came in and certainly is a great help in the Store and around the place – no foolin'. Today, I finished off my mail – closed it up, and this morning typed my first letter to the H/O with a little talk on general conditions here – ‘debt' and so on.

Safternoon we had sorta expected the plane – there was a remote poss.[possibility] that he might turn up, but weather forecast lasnite from FBks [Fairbanks] wasn't promising, and it was dull all day with a little snow.

However, because he didn't come didn't mean that there was nothing to do. There's plenty! There always is – it seems. Never saw the lack [?] of it [at?] this Siwash little bitty store. Whaddo [What do] I do with my self all the time – I bet that's what they all think.

And I haven't even looked at my February Reports yet – not sent a thing to ‘em yet – nuthin'. But I've got another 2500 worth of fur ready to go – and that blasted Supp Req finished – thank Goodness! Now – if I can concentrate a few days on my Feb. returns I ought to clean up some. But now some of ‘em are beginning to prepare for the Flats – already. Philip gave me a list about a foot long tonite – for Monday.

So now it's a matter of some concern to know if I'll have enuf to go round before anything arrives by the plane.

There still doesn't look many chances for much photography – or finishing at any rate. However will hope for the best. Cleaned the Store stovepipe thoroughly ystrdy – Amos and I must do this one tomorrow. I think it burnt a little tonite at the top joint.

Tues 6 th March

One of the meanest days this year I think – almost a gale at 20 below – our kitchen is terrible and I can hardly stand it to be outside our back door even to split wood.

Yesterday just about as bad too. Both Amos and I had a very busy day yesterday. We put up Philip's outfit. John Moses' and this morning Martha Kendi's. John brought in over 50 rats and a fox. Quite a bunch of ‘em are in now. Abraham, C. Peter and others. There seems to be absolutely no let-up – always going out. I had a little spell on the monthly repts ystrdy and all day Sunday as it wasn't fit to go out anywhere. Now of course the worry is – will I have enough to outfit everybody?

We're running short of so many things which, it seems, we really ought to have – so many: yet I'm sure we can't get them all from Ft. Y. And what an enormous amount of work there is to do – always! I never seem to be really ‘level' with the game somehow.

Sent a wire ystrdy to Chappie asking for rat prices – and a note to Ferguson asking him to send grease etc. on first load. Tho I'm not sure if Kirk got through lasnite. M. has been busy trying to fix up the place, cook, bake + wash too. The kitchen is most uncomfortable in this wind – but I surely am glad to have Amos here just now. He has got both dry + green wood cut ahead and it certainly is not fit to be out this morning to do anything hardly. We surely will get no plane in this weather!

Wed. Mar. 7 th

And STILL the wind is blowing half a gale – and as cold as ever – 24 below this morning. Positively miserable to be out-of-doors doing any kind of chores. I feel sort out of temper rather tonite. I fancy I'm getting v. [very] much of a crank since I came here: there isn't much relaxation at any time. Goddam the luck anyway.

Amos and I put up Ch. Peter's outfit this morning and a small bunch for J. Ross. Was busy doing my wood chores at home when Ellis came in so I had to split my wood after supper in the biting wind. Wrote a note to Ferguson asking about more stuff that I may need. Wire from Richmund saft wanting the boat specifications soons [soon as] possible so that means another half days delay. And my Feb. Repts not done yet !

Thurs. 8 th

Positively a vile day again – really the worst of the winter I really think – temp around -25 and a gale blowing the whole dam day. Made a run to see Ellis + Jim re Richmund's wire and wrote him at once. Rather quieter today all round: nobody stirring much anywhere. I spent the aft doing the odd chore – billing and posting to the Ledger + think I'm just about caught up – now a few odds'n'ends to finish.

So far there isn't much prospect of a plan tomorrow either – M. has been washing today and several visitors – Rachel and Martha with her caribou boots. Got a bunch of Ellis surplus stock ystrdy – about 250 worth.

Wrote a note to Ferguson today asking about a few other essentials beside the flour – rice, bacon etc. Kirk tested the batteries – OK –

Saturday 10 th

And still no plane.

It has again been a filthy day – cold and still windy and now blowing half a gale at 8 p.m. We had a mild celebration at home lasnite figuring that the plane might be here today perhaps. But altho' the preparation has been going on for a week or more – the bags are still being packed! However, there is a goodly supply of eats prepared – cookies, do-nuts, meatballs, pies, and so on, all ready for my delectation when I'm alone. And of course the washing is done too. Our mail is still accumulating – letters to Boyd and to Chappie much in evidence amongst them. Have written none home. One to the Bishop re Ellis' house.

Today I finished up – and wrapped up – my Feb. Reports at long last. I cleaned up the Store this morning. This aft was really one of the easiest we've had. Big Joe and P. Tizya were in – and have killed a big bunch of caribou – tickled of course. They're out again on Monday – in fact I think Joe has gone already. Practically all the men are away now – everybody that can drive a dog team. Amos still a big help – wood and ice specially – and in Store too. No news from Kirk today: in fact I haven't even seen him. We've had a horrible week of weather indeed. I never have seen the like of the wind here – and around the 20 below mark too.

Some days almost impossible to face it. The Store is miserably cold and draughty too – mornings especially – not fit to work in really. And my 16 cds [cords] of green wood is almost all gone.

John C. and sick boy are still here – latter expects to go to F. Y,. by the first plane. I think I'll take him half a dozen eggs down.

This is Monday again – the 12 th . And still the wind blows and no plane – or any news of it either. Wottalife! [What a life]

Mary busy now preparing another batch of bread – after working on a cuppla apple piece and a cuppla cinnamon flops.

Jack Frost and Moses in today. Neil “off again” tomorrow. Maggie and Alec have their lists in too. So I suppose I will gradually get ‘em away – won-by-won. [One by one.]

Made out P. Tizya's list saft and wrote to Chappie.

Wired Boyd tonite re Mary's trip.

Have been already feeling much benefit from Amos's being here – it's a tremendous relief to me. I spent quite a lazy day ystrdy – the laziest since I've been here I'm quite sure. I tried a walk around noon but could get no further than the edge of the slough on account of the dam wind. T'was nice and bright all day tho, and today again but so cold. Elli up for a ‘home' supper lasnite but left around 9:30 . I dropped Frank a note today and started one to Agg + Ted lasnite but didn't finish as I got too drowsy + dropped off to sleep on the couch.

Thurs. 15 th

¼ to 9 p.m. and of course no plane yet. The weather is still dull and cloudy and down 15-10 with a wind. Sun now rises before 8 tho' we don't see it much it's true. I have letters written to Frank Chappie, Boyd (of course): to H/O Agg + Ted, to Photoshop. Am sending the latter my first completed film pack.

I took No. 10 in the Store ystrdy – with Amos' help – the remaining two I took at home – nearly having a row over it too – as usual. Exposures No. 10 at f16 in Store, No. 11 at f11 Home, No. 12 f11 Home. Used No. 11A – and No. 12 was a foil lamp. Had a v. quiet day in the Store. Settled up with Fred Johnson saft who took his rubbers. Moses L. came in ystrdy with a load of meat. No grease for first time today – Don F. was the first man to be refused. P. Moses, Joan + Rachel left for meat camp today – also Maggie – tho' I believe she's back as I saw her kids saft. Amos cleaned out the back places ystrdy. Looks much better. A few rats keep coming in but there's no word from Chappie – yet – about prices. Jack F. in with a cuppla martin tother [the other] day – and Don with 2 mink and a bum X [?] this mrng. [morning]

I took old Ledger Leaves out today. And I separated and filed some of my correspondence ystrdy. This business of being “out of things” if continued very long, will make it awkward to outfit any body. Saw my first flock of snowbirds today. Ptarmigan are very numerous around the camp now. Saw three run in front of Siwash Dan's cabin this aft and 2 ravens over the river. Checked up on the 22 ammo problem ystrdy + think I'll have enuf.

March 16 Friday

Colder than ever – and windier! Gosh – what weather! I cleaned up the lower part of my desk cupboard today – and started another letter to Chappie asking for more things – toboggans, phonographs, etc. Very quiet in the Store: there just isn't anyone here scarcely. All out – the men anyway. At last – long last – we've decided to invite Kirks and Joe to supper on Sunday – momentous decision. Gosh – mite's'well [might as well] get the dam business over with. Packed up my exposed Pack this evening. Ptarmigan are around here by the hundred – literally.

Monday 19 th

Once more alone in the house – seems dam quiet + lonesome too. My poor little sweetheart got away around 2:30 this afternoon and I heard around 6 that she had landed safely at Ft. Yukon .

Had the Kirks – and Tom – and Ellis lasnite to supper – and got that over with at any rate Thank Goodness. Plane in ystrdy + again of course today. Plane in with Bully Joe ystrdy aft when I was out for a walk up river. Have a v. busy aft today – Petersen in for quite a big outfit: Joe Martin in too with quite a bunch of fur. Wire from Chappie on Sat re rat prices and Little Bros.

Several of the gang are in now. I see Peter Moses in tonite. Mary Netro sent me in some liver by him. Plane brot just flour and rice today.

Snap of Mary 1/50 at f11 No. 2 on pack. Not much more to comment on. I'll try a Y Filter from FBks. Bully Joe want to know about buying him out next spring. He wants to go over to McPherson.

Tues. 20 th

Another v. busy day – Joe Martin in with fur and a Store full all afternoon – J. Moses, J. Charley, etc etc. Kept fire going all morning but let it out this aft + and the dam place is now at 10:15 like an ice house literally. Had supper (steak) with Joe tonite. Home around 9 since then choring around but must wait for Tundra Topics. Not so cold – about – 14 but windy again and the house has been cold all day. Joe brot 3 huge loaves [?] today. Not much else to write. I've certainly been busy – the dam firing up takes so long. Have made up the sourdough tonite. Am now wondering if Mary got to FBks today. Later – T.T. came in A.1. and Mary landed O.K.

Thurs 22

This was the easiest day – at Store – I ever spent I think. Hardly anyone in – in fact. There isn't anybody in camp now to come in. Down to Kirks with Joe to celebrate his birthday lasnite and had a marvellous feed: the memories of that cake will last long I'm sure, and the ham too. I came home around 9 – place gets so cold.

Had supper at home tonite quite early as I was in before 5. Washed up and then washed by [my?] overalls, towels, dish-towels + hankies, which dried fine during the night. I don't feel v. ambitious in the evening – get so darned sleepy. We sorta expected plane today but no luck.

This morning I got another sack of fur ready for checking.

I hear Moses T. killed a moose – so Martha has gone out.

Sent my Annuity Check to Dawson + wrote the Dept. re chg [change] of address.

Radio from FBks is still poor and no comm[unication] from Ft. Y. either.

Now using the last batch of green wood – used 16 cds in 6 months at Store and house – besides dry.

Most of the gang are still out at the meat camp. The Kendis, Effie + Neil and Ch. Peter + Abrah. T. are in the Flats – also Philip Joseph.

Friday 23 rd

T'is now 7 p.m. – a really glorious evening tho' still on the chilly side. I have just returned from a walk back across the little lake behind. Never saw so many ptarmigan in my life around there must have been hundreds of them. But it's disappointing so far as a view is concerned. Can't see anything from the trail.

Got Sack #9 ready this afternoon and the necessary mail finished too. I got back home around 5 as the place was deserted. Had liver and chicken gravy for supper with a patty and peas and topped off with jello, hard sauce + oatmeal cookies. Some feed too!

Jack Frost blew in saft for half an hour and we were entertained in the usual dog-driving manner – same old stuff. M. P. Ben in with 62 rats again.

I must go + wash up the days debris . Having quite some reading sessions now – at meal-times – and in bed.

Sun now – 7:20 – gone down behind the hill. Lots dalite now. [Lots of daylight now.]

Sunday Mch 25 th a.m. 10:30

Glorious morning – 18 below and lots of sunlite. I've got the place all cleaned up and warm. Radio from London – all Sports new tho' – coming in Fair.

Up around 7:30 or so – Busy day ystrdy. I have a sack of martin and mink all ready to go but it was dull and nothing happened. There is quite a bunch of the [men] in now – J. Ross with a toe off, Kendis, Ab. Tizya, Lazarus, Big Joe, to send Titus to F. Y. Now what to do they mean to do? I bought the accumulated rats ystrdy tho they were a bunch of small skins generally. Have been doing quite a bit of reading – Digests lately at meals – and in bed. Quite enjoyed it. Had my bath lasnite again which I also enjoyed.

It's still too cold for any monkeyin' around outside with the camera. Tho it's beautifully bright and just makes me long to get out. There is little that can be done out of doors just now though: it's too cold. There are several trails though that I'd like to explore a bit, but there is little pleasure in being out on account of the cold – yet. It is the same old repetition – on Sunday as well as week days – of jobs – up and chores – then up to the Store + start again with fire and chores. But however, when we hear of the sort of life our folks are living Outside, it seems tranquil here by comparison – even if it is somewhat devoid of variety and I suppose we shouldn't kick at the sameness of it.

Tues. morn – in the Store 9 a.m.

Glorious morning about -15 + clear. I think it was John Charlie who just pulled out. Glad he's gone at last altho he's no nuisance at that.

I got Ab. T. and Kendi's rats ystrdy – also Lynx from Elias. Verville [?] was up, he's planning on leaving for his place again. The plane landed on Sunday (of course!) around 3 as I was returning form a short stroll to the Lake . Good thing I went up no further. Heard that Mary may be coming back next trip – which will be making for a quite a quick trip if she does. Had mail from her – and some prints – not specially good – from the Kodak rolls. Boyds were at home apparently. No other mail of any account. I spruced up around the house lasnite – washed behind kitchen stove, etc. The place isn't too bad-looking – but then it ought not in a single week. Having lots of grub prepared has made it pretty simple for me to get my meals, and usually I'm not so rushed in the morning but what I can get home to keep a fire going – tho I usually let it go out in the p.m.

Ellis got away at last on Sunday's plane – the one Verville came up on. I don't know yet – what the popular plan is – to get away or not. But at present I don't have half enuf flour to outfit them.

The weather is still cold as a rule, tho' it is clear and fine and not much wind. Still seem to burn lots of wood too.