Diary of a forester, Eugene William Langdon
This is an ongoing, weekly series featuring text from the handwritten diary of a former Forest Ranger, Eugene William Langdon (1883 – 1967).
Langdon was born in Missouri and moved to Idaho in 1890. His diary spans the time period from May 15, 1913 through May 31, 1914 and was furnished to the Clearwater Tribune by his grandson, Pete Curfman – retired Commissioner of Clearwater County.
[Editorial note: diary is taken verbatim except where clarification is needed for reader understanding.]
Friday August 15 –1913
Finished the roof on the Salmon Mt. R.S. cabin then started work on the door casing worked with Guard Dennis and Prettyman Guard Griffith arrived here in the evening from Burnt Knob R.S. Guard McCarthy left Burnt Knob R.S. for Grangeville. He left the property he was charged with at Burnt Knob R.S. cabin except his badge.
Talked to Supervisor Ring.
Saturday August 16-1913
Finished the door in the cabin and fixed up a table and bedstead in the cabin. Griffith and Dennis swamped out telephone right away. Prettyman assisted me. Talked to Supervisor Ring.
Sunday August 17 – 1913
At Salmon Mt. R.S. preparing to move camp to the Selway side to swamp out telephone right way and make trail.
Dennis went down in the East Forl of Sabe Cr to get his crippled horse and outfit.
Monday August 18 – 1913
Moved camp down on the Selwa side and looked out a place for the trail and where the telephone line is to be constructed in company with Prettyman, Dennis and Griffith went on to make camp.
Talked to Supervisor Ring in A.M.
Left Geo W. Hill on look out at Salmon Mt R.S.
Tuesday August 19 – 1913
Looked out telephone line right away in A.M. Cut trail in PM with the three Guards.
The day was very hot.
Wednesday August 20 – 1913
Looked out more telephone line right away and also for the trail in A.M. Cut trail in P.M. in company with Prettyman and Griffith. Dennis went up on Salmon Mt. after his crippled horse.
Weather hot
Thursday August 21 – 1913
Left the camp between the Selwa and Salmon Mt. and went to the 365 mile post on the Idaho Montana state boundary. Looking over the country for the Munden trail and to cut out a telephone line right away as soon as possible to Deep Cr.
I found where Munden had blazed some young trees where he was going to make a trail for a few yards and then he quit and I couldn’t find any more trace of the trail.