The Johnson Journals, Chapter 70

• Don soliloquizes on the

personalities of several characters

• The fishing, square dancing

and socializing continue

6/8/56 Fred Woodward, Dubuque, a garrulous old hypochondriac in my boat. Jim Edwards a sympathetic listener which helped. He carried at least 1/2 of the burden of hearing all about — what the hell did he say anyhow? No fish.

6/10/56 96°. Woodward's back ailing to the point that we put him on train. McFadden has developed into one of outstanding Mando quests. A big shot in Philip Morris. A most interesting talker on many subjects. We could listen now that Woodward is gone.

6/12/56 Layna and I all set to go home after an hour's shopping so we dropped in at Browns for a drink. The upshot of all this was that we left Ranier at 6 p.m. in the cruiser with Moes, Browns & LaValleys. We had a fish feed at the island and square danced until midnight. Stu Sheldons here for a while and were interested spectators.

6/15/56 Old Hoffman a character who could be obnoxious — and he was working hard at it. Over a period of years I have developed a technique for handling such jerks and it seems to work. He was man handling everyone on party and when he jerked my neck I smacked him on his bare belly — and then immediately told him how much I loved him!

6/19/56 Directors planned on flying to Kenora but got fogged in so came back to Mando. We took the whole gang to Porter’s Inlet and filled up. Back to Mando where they changed clothes and we served them dinner on boat. A successful project.

6/20/56 To town and coincidentally walked into Ace Hardware where Paul Reuter was in a helluva stew. Health Dept. official was at Mabes and on way up to our place. We bought a chlorinator and went home. About 3 p.m. Mabes brought Bob Pinther to island. As she landed she said, “I certainly hate to do this to you, Don.” A damned fine remark! I told Mr. Pinther I was delighted to see him. Mabes had given him a rough time and I am sure he was mollified somewhat when he left us. God**** lot of money needed to meet his specifications.

6/21/56 To town and picked up fittings for chlorinator. I have made my first step toward complying with the law.

6/22/56 Met Al Fairfield and gang of Siding Manufacturers. I had heard that Al had lost weight but was not prepared to see that shrunken hulk of a man. The God**** doctors sure do things to people — and it isn’t all good. Fishing fair for all concerned. I am not, and never have been a very active participant in this party. They are unique guests in that they are either playing gin rummy (1 cent a point) or talking business. I can’t afford either.

6/26/56 Fairfield and Hoppe definitely of the same type. Very customer conscious — and prove it in every act. Hard for those jerks to understand our policy of treating all alike regardless if they buy 10 cents worth or are presidents of big companies.

7/1/56 Two anniversaries. Jaffray 91 years old — Johnson 27 years on Rainy Lake. The last much more important to us. Usual deluxe birthday dinner, champagne, speeches, presents and all. We all have a premonition that this is the last.

7/5/56 To town by 6 p.m. and me mad at every one because square dance plans all balled up. After much fooling around we got together at LaValleys at 10 p.m. A grand time followed which broke up at 2:45 which means I have been up 22 hours. Browns announced sale of drug store. We will miss them.

7/11/56 Worked around island all day. Selden party due at 7 p.m. Major Roberts came over at 2:30 and invited us for dinner. We accepted. Sally, Jim, Bernice well able to meet and take care of guests. Thank God for good help! A good evening at the Majors. Major in fine fettle.

7/15/56 When Layna brought party she had note saying that George Williams & Lardy Larson would be ready to go up lake at 3 p.m. after weeks of labor negotiation. No Strike!

7/16/56 Canadian Lands & Forest Beaver dropped in at noon (despite rain) with valuable cargo. Clare Mapledom, Minister of Lands & Forests and Todd Daley, Minister of Labor. Daly has been here twice before. A high class man despite the fact that he is a politician.

7/17/56 Back to Mando, joined by Bob Faegre. Bob, Louie & I left gang for an hour’s bass fishing. A long discussion with Bob on the evils of rotten language. Also the tendency of most men to let themselves fall apart physically at an early age. He said he admired the way I took care of myself — which made me tighten my belt.

7/24/56 Got rid of party by noon. Layna met me and we cleaned up business in Falls. Then the big social event of summer season. Browns invited Johnsons, Moes, & LaValleys to Weber’s place at Kabetogama where we dined and then put on square dance exhibition for assembled multitude. Much fun. Home at 1:30 Tired but most happy.

7/25/56 Layna and I up at 6:30 so we could get to island for breakfast. I got off on wrong foot by trying to give her hell for not getting enough rest. As usual I pressed my point too far and made her feel mighty blue. Still think I am right, even tho my approach is bad.

7/28/56 Took gang to Scott Island and trip a dud from a fishing standpoint but memorable in that I deliberately snubbed Lee Watson and did a fine job of it. Much comment. Said Bob when I failed to appear “What’s the matter, Don?”, said I, “I am trying to be rude.” said he, “You are doing a good job.”

7/31/56 Out at 5 p.m. with Simmons, Murray. Lost a few fish but spent most of time teaching Simmons to fly fish — I enjoyed it and I know he appreciated. Came in at 8 a.m. to see Bob. He now has 4 bass that weigh 21#. Surely some kind of a record. To town where we joined the square dancing gang and kept at it until 3 a.m. Fun!

8/1/56 Did a few odd jobs around the island and then off at 5:30 for dinner with Harrisons and Ed Hall. He is supposed to be dying of leukemia, and it is a grim business. We all completely ignored his condition and it was like old times to be with him, Carl & Grace in the blueprint stage of their new home, and Ed and I did our best to further confuse minds already a bit muddled.

8/2/56 Goodrich Lowry sent me Robert’s’ “Birds of Minnesota.” Was I happy! Wrote what I thot a good “thank you” note.

8/3/56 Layna and I in a mix-up over a proposed trip to Port William. We flubbed the deal thru a misunderstanding but it worked out very well because it made it possible for us to go to Major Roberts’ birthday party. It was a gala event — a sad note underlying it for the more thoughtful ones, due to the absence of Mrs. Roberts. Layna made the old boy happy by some well chosen words — and they were sincere. He likes us — but mostly Layna — and I don’t blame him!

8/9/56 To Mando with Sarvela party. Wisharts, Ordway — everything just too divine for women, men a bit peeved over poor fishing. Me too. I try not to resent these people but it is not easy. I can’t help but feel that our economics structure is a bit askew when men like these make so damned much more money than I do, and besides — their women aren’t near as smart nor charming as mine! Aw shut up.

8/10/56 Much amused by dinner conversation of this party. Tonight a great share of it went to comparing Florida & California fruit. They then got on the subject of travel and the main subject was bemoaning the fact that “Everyone, yes, I mean everyone, darling, can travel now days. The people one sees waiting to board the plane for Europe look exactly like the ones you see in any bus depot!”

8/11/56 Took a last fling for WE with Mrs. Swarth & Mrs. Ordway and much to my surprise we got 14 good ones. Got rid of them all at 4 p.m. and I’m not sorry. Layna busy at island. Rollie Johnson party came in with one helluva catch of bass.

8/12/56 Rain, hail, wind, off and on all day. Layna broke into Rainy Lake society by having Major Roberts & gang over for cocktails. Damned if I didn’t enjoy it myself.

8/15/56 Home to a batch of mail including a letter from Mickey in which we got an official invitation to come elk hunting.