The Johnson Journals, Chapter 205

• Don continues attending Spanish classes

• Don and Layna spend time on the houseboat

• Don writes that Nixon wins election

10/20/68 Karen, Robin and I hunted partridge on Dahlbergs (me standing on Narrow Place with .308) but got only 2 birds. We moved over to Deer Island. I was not located when a big doe got by me. I was ready when a fawn came and I plunked him. I stood perfectly still and in a few minutes, the doe came back. I got her, too. Then the second fawn took off and I made it a clean sweep. The rest were rather impressed by my shooting. So was I!

10/21/68 To Spanish class, taught by Mr. Hernandez. Some doubt if enough people to make it worthwhile. I hope we can do it. He sounds interesting.

10/23/68 Buck and I met Jim at island at 8:30. On to Sand Point and drove Cabin Point again but nothing there. Jim and I still hunted to Goose Portage, Buck taking boat around. When I was almost there, I sat down to rest my weary old legs. I was not there two minutes before a doe came right to me on the run and I plunked her. In a few minutes another came and I got her too, That makes 6 for the fall and I may call it quits! Buck and I drove the south point and Jim knocked over a doe and fawn. I asked Jim when the last time was when someone drove a deer to him and he answered, “Never.” Back to island by 4 p.m. In 4 days of hunting (off and on) I shot 6 deer. Never did much better in “olden days”.

10/24/68 Sally and Jim and family pulled in at 4 p.m. Sure good to see them. Much to talk about. This should be a good visit. No Bernice to interfere.

10/25/68 To island for a short run which we all enjoyed. We then got a ride in Buck’s houseboat as well as a full tour of their new home. Much to do there but they don’t seem to shirk from it. Sally and Jim full of talk concerning their summer in North Carolina. Very interesting. The kids must have received a lot from the experience. We are glad to have them home.

10/27/68 Up early so Sally & Jim could get an early start. It worked out well, they were on road by 8 a.m. We have thoroly enjoyed their visit. Their kids have reached the point where they are all definite individuals. They show the good care they have had - lucky little ones.

10/28/68 George Finstad called at 7:30 to say he thot we could pull out the houseboat. That put a fire under us. Layna and I to island where we put most of shutters on boat, loaded up miscellaneous motors, batteries, etc., changed oil and had boat in town by 2 p.m. Everything worked out fine and we had her out and ready for winter by 4:30. Only buoy job facing me.

10/29/68 Layna came with news that Buck due to go to work for BCC next Monday. That gave him a chill, as well it may. He has many jobs starring him in the face, one of which is helping me with the buoys. I know how he feels. Lord, how often I have had that closed in feeling. Called Irene MacKellar at hospital. Fred not at all well. This is the first time that she ever gave me any indication that this might be it. What a helluva struggle it has been for both of them.

10/30/68 To island alone to assemble catamaran for buoy job. This annual buoy operation is like putting up ice used to be. We knew it had to be done, and would be done. We also knew that altho a lot of hard physical work was involved, it could be rather pleasant or plain hell, depending on conditions.

10/31/68 Jim Banks called at 7:30 to say he would be available for buoy job. That put Buck off the hook and I am glad. He has many irons in the fire that need tending. I know he would come running if I needed him, which is a great comfort to this old man. Jim and I did well. We finished up catamaran and back to island by 5 p.m. after pulling everything from here through Brule Narrows. Home, well pleased with myself to learn that Fred MacKellar had died this morning. No shock, it was expected, but God, what an empty feeling I have. Called Irene who asked me to be an active pallbearer. When I hung up I broke up completely. Surely I was never closer to any man in my lifetime - and that goes for my father and Buck.

11/1/68 Met Jim at island at 6:30 - still dark. We were on our way by 6:45. Waves pretty high but we got the 3 out of big lake and in Kettle River by 9:00. An hour at Kettle Falls and off for home. Jim led way thru Friendly Passage and on down north shore to Brule Narrows. The 4 - 5 foot waves hit us there and we had quite a battle until we got on inside channel on south shore. Karen and Robin at #265 when I arrived. A good visit, supper and off for Masonic Memorial service for Fred. On to MacKellars’ house for “wake” and left there at 10:30 with Gerry & Bill. We “made the town,” joined by Gladys and Lil. Home at 2:30, which meant I had been going steady for 22 hours!

11/2/68 Many, many old friends at mortuary including Bob & J.B. Faegre. The minister droned on and on and it was with great difficulty that I kept awake. I kept thinking “If Fred were alive he would say ‘For Christ sake, get on with the show!’” To MacKellars’ house where the only two who showed any emotion were Beverly and me. The rest made of firmer stuff. George and I made our exit by 4:30 and off for Red Lake by 5:30.

11/3/68 George almost blew a fuse when he found another group on “his” point. All worked out well enough and altho ducks mighty scarce, we picked up 19 by 5 p.m. As we drove along Ponema Point we passed many Indian graves which consisted of a rough box sitting on stilts about a foot high. George commented on the “pagan” custom. I asked him what he thot one of these pagans would say if he saw a $2000 casket lowered into the cold, cold ground.

11/4/68 Out and cleared broken trees behind house. It felt good. Nothing on TV but politicians giving last minute pitch. The Harris Poll gave Humphrey an edge over Nixon. We shall see tomorrow.

11/5/68 I went to island, brought back a few things - including a deer, and pulled one Cadillac out of water. We are about wound up altho I left one Cadillac in water. I sure love my Rainy Lake and hate to give up, despite the cold. To Davey’s for “election supper.” We left at midnight with Nixon and Humphrey running neck and neck, with Wallace a very poor third.

11/6/68 Up at 7 a.m. to learn election results. Nixon was not declared winner until 10:30 when the votes from California and Illinois put him over. I voted for him but cannot say I am exactly elated. He has a Democratic congress and altho Humphrey and Johnson pledge their support in these trying times, I fear they are more politician than statesman and will hope he bollixes the job so they can get in in 1972.

11/7/68 Up at 5 a.m. so Wayne and I could leave Falls by 6:00. Our annual “last trip” for ducks and we were not very optimistic. The net result was 1 bluebill, 1 goldeneye and 14 butterballs. Not bad. This has been a lousy duck season - all over, apparently.

11/10/68 Met Buck, the 3 boys and Jim and Scott Duncan at dock at 7 a.m. We made two unproductive drives on Stop Island. On to Deer Island where the boys and I drove the west end with no results altho signs plentiful. Buck and I then drove east end and all hell broke loose. Jayme shot a big doe at the start. Shortly after we had two deer between the drivers and standers and after 9 shots we had one down. The other had whirled back past me and I thot I had a chance at it but no blood. As I crossed point to pick up boat, I found a yearling doe dead near water. #7 for me this fall! At 6 p.m. Terry called to say that he and Jayme shot huge buck in water at end of Dahlberg’s. It developed that Timmy had shot at it with the 20 gauge at the barn just a few minutes previous. I would say that the Johnsons, junior & senior, are well fixed for meat.

11/11/68 Today the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the armistice that was signed after the war to end all wars. 13,000,000 men died it that one and as many more since. We are not far from the stone age.