Writings

Journal written by E. C. Oberholtzer, 1953 and 1954

July 3, 1954

Showers, cool.  Temperature 50. Had spent two nights with Pete and Louise Reuter at their little home in Kieleher (?).  On July 2, Pete drove me to various points in Red Lake, Minnesota and surroundings first to see a boat owned by Miss Beth Bergquist, then to look for wild grape vines, then to Ponema (So changed.  The most striking feature the graves in the front yards), then after supper to Washkesh at the mouth of the broad, serene Tamarack River—an attractive place.  

Reached Carlsons at noon on July 3, Oscar was waiting with the boat.  

That afternoon planted a small basswood tree on boulders near ridge of Mallard, wild grape east edge of Root House, south side of Bird House, and a number of roots or plants at or near east end of cloud garden on the Hawk.  

All wild flowers and fruits have bloomed profusely.  Bunch berry and Solomon’s Seal just finished. Spirea and high bush cranberry following and one Rojosa rose in full bloom.  Cultured iris past their < > but (saw many wild iris, blue flag in the drainage ditches, while driving July 2 with Pete). White water lily leaves just reaching the surface.  

July 4

Took Oscar (Gilbertson) to Carlsons at 11:30 in the morning, heard and saw a cat bird singing brilliantly in a tall choke cherry tree, had a fine chicken dinner with Carlsons, then went by boat to Roberts (no one home) then past Michael’s for a while until I saw the “S.S. Virginia” returning to Roberts.  Adam Turner and others there. Had supper. Then back to the Mallard at sunset just in time to see the Newhearts. At 10:15 p.m. hearing fireworks at the Boy’s Camp, went on the roof in the hope of seeing something. Instead saw a tall crescent moon setting far in the north-west, open side toward the south.  

Brilliant Blackburnian Warbler, male, found dead in front of main house about June 1.  Had probably flown into the house and broken its neck.  

Vivid orange throat and neck.  Dash of orange on forehead and down centre of back.  Tail black but with soft white down near rump on each side.  Wings black except one lateral white feather mid-way. Underbody white but streaked with black near wings and shoulders.  

Buried him in Snippie’s grave on July 7, 1954.  

It was such a thing of beauty that I could hardly believe it dead and always wished I had had it mounted.  

The Sweet William is in bloom today and the yellow rose.  The bittersweet vines are more loaded with blossoms than ever before.  

Transcribed 4-29-14 by Beth Waterhouse from 5×8 inch red bound book with “Permanent Record and Data” and a small sticker on the front regarding “Canoe Trip 1953 with Frederic Dalldorf” written not in Ober’s pencil.  Canoe trip notes also exist here in pencil. Trip was July 24–August 17, 1953. Ober was 69.  

A letter from Ober to Ted Hall

Hand-written on French’s Island but on green 1218 Flour Exchange letterhead for the Quetico-Superior-Council “associated with Izaak Walton League of America”.  

Dated:  October 13, 1937 / Ober is 53.

French’s Island, Rainy Lake

Wednesday morning, Oct 13, 1937

Dear Teddy, 

Harry French leaves for Philadelphia tonight, so there will be a chance to send mail by his boat. I have been here overnight but am returning to the Mallard right after breakfast.  

The weather is cold and stormy. I was drenched when I arrived last night, and the spray and snow had frozen all over my clothes. This morning there’s an inch or so of snow over everything.  

It has interfered with the work at the Mallard, which isn’t anywhere near finished. When he is sober, Emil is trying to build a fireplace, but the cement won’t set (in) this weather. He has had Oscar Gilbertson helping him and the two of them sleep and eat most of the time at the Mallard.  Right now they are at Emil’s. I am to go this morning to Tilson Creek for a barge load of cedar poles. Old Man River house isn’t even enclosed yet. I’d like to have the doors and windows in place before winter. 

It looks as if I’ll be leaving about November first or a little earlier. I may have to go to Winnipeg and Port Arthur first, and then to Minneapolis for a day or so, then to Toronto and other points in Canada for some weeks or longer. I am planning some months of intensive work again for the Council, if we can find funds for railway fare.  

I have been up several times to see Billy. The last time I took him clothes for his funeral. He was in the wigwam near Mudge’s and considerably improved. He sat outside in the sun and answered my questions. I took some excellent pictures of him with the Graflex, also some colored movies, which haven’t yet been developed. I haven’t a print of the best snapshot but am enclosing one of the others. They were all a little light-struck at one corner because of damage to the mirror of the camera, but they are so sharp and clear that I’ll be able to make excellent enlargements. Of course, they do not show Billy at his best. He is too sick a man for that, but I’m delighted to have them. I’ll send you a good enlargement later. 

Billy has been moved now to Bad Vermillion. I’m hoping somehow to see him again before I leave. 

Had a fine letter from Laurie. Thinking of you today because of your birthday. I may not be able to send you any present ‘till I reach the city but I want you to know how devotedly I’m thinking of you and wishing all happiness and best fortune.  

As ever, Ober.  

Footnotes to the Ernest C. Oberholtzer Foundation

In the “Declaration of Trust” for the Ernest C. Oberholtzer Foundation, signed by all parties in 1962 and ‘63, Ernest C. Oberholtzer had the following to say about his intent.  These thoughts were his footnotes to the Foundation documents that set up the Oberholtzer Foundation in 1964.

“The main purpose of this Trust is to help bridge the gap, both economic and cultural, between aboriginal Indians of the continent and the more sophisticated [sic] white inhabitants of the present day—and, it is hoped, to their mutual advantage.  In order to discover, proclaim, and encourage endeavors to that end AWARDS shall be made from time to time under this Trust for significant contributions, particularly by Indians, to their own special economy or to a better understanding in general of Indian culture, talents and ideals.  These AWARDS may be for exemplary leadership in these fields, for works of art or creative productions of any sort that reveal, as seldom or never before, the special genius of the Indian, or even for exceptional acts of mercy or of valor that redown to the self-respect, pride and dignity of the Indian.  

“An example, among others, of the opportunity for creative leadership of this sort, which this Trust is intended to encourage, lies in the protection of primitive wilderness such as Indians knew before the advent of white men.  No natural resource of the continent today is vanishing so fast or hopelessly as the original primitive scene and its living creatures. It is a basic problem of today for both white men and red. Out of the wilderness sprang the Indians.  They are an integral part of it. They were its custodians for untold centuries. Today they offer a main hope for its future—one that lies above all within the scope of their genius and traditions. Their very mode of life was as creative as the wilderness itself.  

“Much of the cream of the primitive American wilderness remains today on Indian tribal lands all over the continent, including Alaska.  These lands present an unrivaled creative opportunity even at this late moment for the survival of the living wilderness and its creatures in a form and on a scale commensurate with future needs of all our people.  These lands, however, belong wholly to the Indians and are theirs not only legally but by every tenet of justice. A plan to meet the need of all Americans for wilderness of this type, if initiated on their own lands by the Indians themselves but with just compensation by the government for the proposed use, would establish what might well be called “Universities of the Wilderness;” the Indians themselves, with their centuries of primitive wisdom, might well qualify for the faculty.  Such areas, while remaining the homeland of the Indians, would not only serve the common need for primitive travel and inspiration but should prove permanent, undefiled sources for the study of the creative processes of nature.  

“For the purposes of this trust Eskimos shall be regarded as the same as Indians.  Moreover, nothing in the Trust shall be interpreted to prevent the granting of AWARDS to others than Indians themselves, if in the judgment of the Trustees the same or better results are likely to be achieved by so doing.  Nor shall it be obligatory to grant AWARDS where none seems to be merited.  

“Furthermore, whatever contributes toward solving the great problem of the American Indian and of the waste of his human gifts and of his wilderness endowment is pertinent to this Trust and worthy of scrutiny for remedies based on wiser policies.  The wasteful and unseemly conflict both in human values and in the use of primitive natural resources is world-wide. Tolerance, understanding, recognition that all races, out of their special genius and experience, have something to give for the common good were never more needed.  Therefore any outstanding contribution in the world that seeks recognition of primitive virtues and of their historical physical basis and thus opens new vistas for collaboration between the dominant race and the minority, submerged or outcast race, may to that extent become pertinent to the objectives of this Trust.  Even such partial but highly significant work as Dr. Schweitzer’s in Africa may have value, particularly if equal or better contributions are not available in our own country.” 

___signed_____________________________________________________________

Ernest C. Oberholtzer, settlor

[end of Ober’s statement]  

Additional language found on the original:  

“For accomplishing the purposes of this Trust, considering that its awards are in recognition of achievements rather than Grants for particular tasks still to be carried out, the size of the Award seems less important than the quality of the contributions.” E.C.O.

The Lakes of Verendrye

A Practical Peace Proprosal

To Perpetuate by Treaty, Under a Balanced Program of Conservation, the Forested Lakeland of the Ontario-Minnesota Border — A Historic Portion of the Continent — As It Originally Was with Its Forest, Its Game, Its Lakes, and Its Richly Romantic Past.

President Roosevelt Acts to Save
THE PEOPLE’S FOREST
Among the Border Lakes

By Ernest C. Oberholtzer,
President, Quetico Superior Council
September 1934

In this piece Oberholtzer discusses and quotes the executive order put forth by Franklin D. Roosevelt to create a president’s committee, thereafter known as the “Quetico-Superior Committee” to consult and advise both federal and state level leaders concerned with this region. First committee members: Ernest Oberholtzer, Sewell Tyng, Charles S. Kelly and two others then yet to be named.

Attention, Please, for Quetico-Superior

By Ernest C. Oberholtzer, President
Quetico-Superior Council
1218 Flour Exchange
Minneapolis 15, Minnesota

Pages and images re-printed from the July-September 1944 issue of National Parks Magazine. In this writing, Ernest Oberholtzer teaches readers about the Quetico-Superior wilderness and about the “Program” that he and other leaders were still advocating for in 1944. This is also a good look back at the history leading up to that time with regard to laws that had impacted the Q-S Region.