Joe Anstett - Part 1

The vast area north of civilization, beyond the last city, was referred to as "The North Country". Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, the "Saskatchewan River" and a few scattered farms formed the last boundary. There were no roads, the country had not been surveyed when Joe and his trapper friends were there. Leaving for the north in early September, returning to civilization in late June or early July.

The "North Country" covered hundreds of square miles, beautiful forests, lakes and rivers and swamps. Jackpine, blue spruce, tamarack, poplar and willow trees grew along the rivers and lakes. Young willow tree branches were the favourite food of the moose. That wild north country was home to bear, caribou, foxes, elk, deer, coyote and timber wolves. The lakes and rivers were heavily populated with beaver and muskrat, ermine, marten and fisher.

We never tired of hearing the true stories of Joe's faithful dog teams! The leader, of course, was Major - the beautiful black and white husky, broad-chested and never happier than when he was in harness! One day while talking about the intelligence of animals, particularly dogs, Joe told them this true story. One day Joe left the "fish station" on Candle Lake with a loaded toboggan hitched to his dog team. Their destination was their camp on the other side of the lake where Slim awaited them.

Candle Lake is about nine miles long, or that should be nine miles wide and eighteen miles long. It was the trappers' custom to just follow the shoreline around, this Joe proceeded to do. Quite suddenly, one of the worst blizzards Joe had ever seen erupted. The wind and snow cut off visibility to just a few feet. The dogs kept going and Joe decided to just let them have their way. In what seemed hours, the dogs stopped, they were at the camp door!

Slim who had been watching and listening for them, greeted them happily and told Joe his cheeks were both frozen. During the long winter, Candle Lake was frozen over to a depth of seven feet. Spring came late to that northern country and Joe and his trapper friends came back to civilization in late June, or early July.

Although definite plans had not been made, the next fall would see the general preparation. Old toboggans were repaired and new ones built etc. The dogs had been having the best of care all summer and some had been "boarded out" while their owners worked out. Joe's parents took care of several dogs besides Joe's.

Employment within the town (Prince Albert) was scarce, Joe was fortunate to have worked at the Northern Brickyard, then on the farms, ploughing, planting and harvesting, working sometimes till 10 pm to beat the frost, Joe said they hung lanterns on the combine feeder to see! This went on for seven days a week until the harvest was in. The men were not paid for the extra hours, just $4.00 a day and room and board.

Dogs are very intelligent Joe said. It was uncanny how watchful and excited the dogs would get at the first sign of preparation for the journey north. When the toboggans were first lined up, before being loaded, the dogs would just lie on the ground in formation as much as to say, "You can't go without me". Warm clothing, blankets, and essential personal items were all carefully packed. Non-perishable food, rice, beans, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and dried fruits. The men took turns hunting for just enough meat for themselves and the dogs to take along.

Click the Green Navigation Arrow for Part Two of Joe Anstett's Story.