Traps & Pelts - Arthur Joseph Fry

Olaf Svenson, a young, energetic Norwegian, felt that working on the family farm did not fulfil his burning desire for an adventurous life. For years he dreamt about leaving the farm and travelling to Canada in the hope of finding a way of life that was more adventurous and challenging than working day in and day out at predictable and boring, routine tasks. He announced to his family that he planned to move to Canada and hoped that they would give him their blessings. This they did but, firstly, tried to persuade him not to go. Olaf's father, Gustav, convinced the family that he should be allowed to leave. Thus, in the year of 1920, Olaf sailed off to Canada without knowing what awaited him. On the voyage, he met Stefan Yorgi who was going to Canada to become a fur trapper. The notion of becoming one greatly inspired Olaf to follow. In Northern Manitoba he faced the rigours, dangers and solitude of living in the woods. On several occasions he nearly lost his life. Trapping was an arduous pursuit and it was made more so because of a cunning adversary, Carcajou, the Devil Weasel. The Fox Lake Cree Indian Tribe with whom he bonded paid him homage and named him "Gentle Spirit." He fell in love and married beautiful Mary Hunter, the school teacher from Hall's Landing. From trapper to business entrepreneur, Olaf's dream was fulfilled.