This time I got an old book out of the library. Sometimes (a lot of times) the dusty pages of an old book have a lot to offer. This book was first published in 1972. I like history and the one of my country even more. My friend Neil suggested me this reading as he also like his Canadian history. I know I can trust Neil when it comes to good books. So I headed to my online library and ordered this book. The first one to come was from the High Prairie Municipal Library.
The “Mad Trapper of Rat River” by Dick North takes place in the north country in the Yukon Territories and North West Territories from the late 1920’s to 1932. The book is devised in three parts. First one is about Albert Johnson, the second about Arthur Nelson and the third about their similarities and the rumors while tracking Johnson/Nelson’s tracks. While reading about the Johnson history I was amazed about the super powers of the guy. He carried a loaded pack with snowshoes weighing 10 pounds each on 85 miles in three days! The mounties were after him and the chase lasted for a total of 52 days in the crude winter with temperature averaging 45 below 0. While being chased Johnson couldn’t do any fire to not mark his position. No one knows how he did to survive that long without food. No one knows his real identity.The Nelson’s story is not as flamboyant as the Johnson’s one but it seems like the two guys were related as they are trying to make the relation in part three of the book. A total mystery.
A book to read. It’s a short one but well made. Very interesting until the last part.
The Mad Trapper of Rat River
Bike in Time 