Don Johnson Letters and Journals
Part 89

CLARIFICATIONS FOR THIS INSTALLMENT:
• Don’s entries continue to illustrate the growing tension regarding changes in Canadian water/fishing regulations which at that time threatened Don and Layna’s resort business on the family’s Norway Island.

Don had first met Crawford Johnson when Crawford arrived as a guest on the Mando. Over a period of years he was a regular guest at Norway Island. Because of the Canadian regulations the Johnsons were trying to find someone who would lease the island, thereby removing it from status as a commercial resort. It looked at that time that Crawford might be the one to do this.

• “Klinker” was a beloved black Lab runt who was Don’s all-time favorite dog.

• When Don refers to the possibility of working in Minneapolis (4/24/59), it regards M&O’s realization that his people skills were being inadequately used writing checks at the pulp yard, but a plan to use him in public relations never came to fruition.

• The reference to the “Weavers” (4/26/59) regards some of the folk songs which were a significant part of the Johnson family’s sing fests.

• Entries about the International Falls Chamber of Commerce or “C.C.,” shows that the organization was seriously concerned about the effect that proposed changes in Canadian regulations was having on a number of its members.

4/2/59 Layna, Karen and I to see “Old Man and the Sea.” Powerful stuff! We sat fascinated thru it all. What photography & acting.

4/5/59 There were some real rough, knotty, over ripe poplar cuts in the yard which I had whittled on the last few days. Decided to let off a little steam by splitting them. Out in wet snow and knocked hell out of all (about a dozen) of them. People going to church must have thot I was nuts to be out in such weather. I wasn’t too sure of their sanity, either.

4/11/59 Off for Duluth at 1 p.m. Burrocks, Moes, Seegerts, Johnsons — all in our station wagon. A happy gang. When we got to Duluth, we called Jim Higgins and were invited to dance at their club. Pot luck and all. Fun. A minor crises when Morrison invited us to go with them to another club. Lou accepted and I turned them down. Felt obligated to stay, and did. Back to motel at 1 a.m. A full day.

4/12/59 Much to surprise of all concerned, I went to 9 a.m. mass with Burrocks. I wanted to see what it was that would pull people like Sally & them out of bed to go to church. By sheer coincidence, a young priest gave a sermon on just that. He said that all religions were based on sacrifice and attending mass was a form of same. I had no argument. They are no worse than the Lutherans.

4/13/59 Morrie Cline here. Much upset about Canadian situation. Me too — but I feel we have a good ace in the hole. We can say “To Hell with whole deal!” Sure would hate to do it, tho.

4/14/59 Put our income tax, both state and federal in their respective envelopes and sent them on their way. What a kick in the ass that is — and all we hear is new schemes for making them higher. Layna and I in an almost full afternoon and evening discussion of plan for island. We have come to a turning of the ways for sure. Not sure if we can locate the signs on the right one. We are able to discuss this miserable situation quite calmly, without any radically divergent opinions. I am sure we will both agree when we finally hit on a solution.

4/15/59 Woke up with head full of thots about fate of Norway Island. Layna suggestion of going to Minneapolis looked better this morning. I called her to say so.

4/16/59 Got Karen off to school, and as it froze pretty hard during the night, I decided to go to island. Took ice at Fitzgerald’s. About half way to Thumb, I found a crack where I could measure ice. It was 32” thick. As I neared the narrows, it began to squeak under my weight. From there on, it was a pussy foot chance all the way home. I leveled sawdust in icehouse, hung up end of small dock and hit for the mainland. My last trip on foot!

4/17/59 Wrought iron for entrance came and I “pounced on it like a dog at a bone.” A lot of cutting and drilling. I am still able to do work and get much satisfaction out of seeing it develop. That is compensation in itself. I have hated that damned entrance for 5 years. Maybe that explains the extra satisfaction in getting it done.

4/19/59 Layna home at 7 p.m. Full of news of trip. We have new problems but at the moment, it looks as if we can make a deal with Crawford. Sure glad to have her back. Carl here at noon. Poor bastard, almost ecstatic over fact that Grace had called and was in a good mood. Their relationship reminds me of me and Klinker. I could put her in the dumps with a cross word.

4/21/59 I built the shed 18 months ago but never found time to paint it. I got the walls done today. Can see one reason why M&O primed siding has gone over so big. Sure easy to paint. My “Sonar” depth finder came for the boat. If it works, it will open a new vista for me.

4/22/59 [Wayne] Judy called at 8 a.m. to say Collins had talked to him on Canadian regulations. I went to see Collins. He showed me copy of directive which Ottawa had sent Fort Frances (DelGatti). If they enforce it, and Ed says they must, we are out of business at Norway Island. I just walked in door when Morrie Cline called. He feels same about fishing in Canada, which is a helluva kick in tail for him.

4/24/59 To Fort and talked over wage schedule for Mando for coming season. I am to get another $25.00. MacKellar gave me food for thot when he said Bob Faegre is playing (and seriously) with idea of taking me to Minneapolis to work during winter seasons. This had been in the wind for some time.

4/26/59 To Burrocks for a couple of quick, and badly needed, drinks and on to LaValleys for Federation meeting. Much talk about friction in all square dance clubs. I made most philosophical statement. Said that the trouble with square dancers is that they are people first and dancers after. People love to fight.

4/27/59 Buck, Dale & kids here in evening. We sat for full hour listening to the “Weavers.” I never felt closer to the whole gang. Buck & Dale’s tastes run close to ours. The kids well behaved.

4/28/59 Layna and I to town to read letter that Northernaire’s Kuluvar wrote to congressmen in endeavor to get situation eased along border. It was very well done. My thots ran thus: “He is doing what he can to clear up a mess, but by God, there was no mess until he got up on Rainy Lake!”

4/29/59 Talked to Harry Davey on phone in morning. He suggested I come in to see him at 2:30. Did. I then brought him out here where we discussed every angle of Canadian situation. I am sure that, for better or for worse, I gave him a lot of information that he did not have before. He went up in my estimation during our conversation and I hope I lost no ground either.

5/4/59 Town full of talk on Canadian deal. Hard to say what will come of it. We are in mood to dish whole deal and let Layna take a well earned rest. We will know, one way or other, in a few days.

5/5/59 We can discuss little else than the damned Canadian mix-up. To town to talk to Davey, Wagness and Judy. Davey optimistic, Wagness on verge of dumps with his island. He is in as bad (or worse) spot as spot we are in. So far it should be about even. His island is worth more, if he can sell it, but I have a better paying job, if I can keep it! Judy brot up an interesting point. If Johnsons quit operating NWI it will put sharp focus on problem. We are so well liked! In other words, we will be martyrs to the cause. Well, I’m in the mood.

5/6/59 Don Trompeter here early to report on C.C. (Chamber of Commerce) meeting concerning Canadian problem. Those guys have talked themselves into believing something can, and is being done. I talked to Harry Davey soon after and he most optimistic. Gave report of his meeting yesterday — sounded good. I am reserving judgment. Layna back up in air. We had about decided to chuck whole thing. Layna and I out to put lights on lake in commission. Froze out at Roberts and blew off at Franzen. An abortive try all around. Stopped at Wagness to find Olive in tears. She had just finished talking to her dear mother — no wonder. Layna looked over their setup and decided she would not trade. Home at 5:30 — cold. Morrie Cline called to give his version of C.C. meeting. It coincided with Don’s. Therefore we begin and end the day with yah, yah, yah on Canadian situation.

5/11/59 Don Trompeter stopped in to review Canadian situation. Decided we would write to our guests and cancel all reservations. Wrote a fair letter, then in to see Judy. I outlined our whole case, which of course he was acquainted with, and much to my surprise, he agreed that we were possibly doing the right thing in folding up. What a turmoil in the minds of Layna and me.

5/12/59 NW wind still going like mad so unable to launch Barthell. To see MacKellar. He is concerned but not too worried. Seems to feel that Johnson will muddle thru somehow.

5/13/59 At 12:30 I picked up Ernie Dobbs and Lyle Christianson and over to Fort for clearance. Back to Ranier by 6 p.m. Earl Kirk and wife stopped in and told us we should not have canceled reservations — said all was to be as before. We shall see. To Collins for a pleasant evening. They say we did right to cancel. So there!