J.C. WEBER
Along the banks of the roaring stream, the Marten, the mink and the weasel could be heard as they slipped down to the water’s edge for a drink of cooling water. All of these sounds and noises of the twilight and early nightfall James Oliver Curwood studied and loved. He loved nature and wildlife with a savage love, and hated those who dared to disrupt their silent, peaceful and happy abodes.
Jim Curwood fought for those animals throughout all his life and was even waging a valiant battle for them up until the time he died. Ed marvelled at his younger brother’s devotion for wildlife, and he, too, grew to love the wilderness and all it stood for with an undying love during the first trip of theirs together into “God’s Country.”
For three months the two brothers stayed away from civilization, taking in all the wonders of nature. Jim took countless photographs of wildlife during this trip, and these, together with others he took over a period of years he made into one of the largest and finest collections of its kind in the world.
With the publication of Jim’s first two books and the release of numerous articles and short stories in various magazines, all of which were based upon settings in Canada, the Canadian Government offered the now somewhat famous James Oliver Curwood the sum of $1800.00 a year with all his expenses if he would explore the distant wilds of the Dominion and use all he saw as a basis for material in his future writings.
This plan was primarily to induce tourists and vacationists into the picturesque provinces. It also was to be used in an effort to bring settlers into the wilderness to cultivate the soil and provide the citizens of the Dominion with an abundance of wheat and other fine crops. Jim was to write all he saw and was interested in for publication in any form he chose. Jim accepted the offer almost immediately. It was toward the latter part of 1908.
An exploration trip such as this had long been somewhat of a “far-fetched dream” of Jim’s, and now at last that dream was becoming a reality.
Plans were soon under way and he began conferring with government officials. The Canadian officials complied with Jim’s every request and within four short and eventful weeks, Jim Curwood was completely ready for his long journey into the wilderness.
Back in 1902, while employed at the News-Tribune in Detroit, Jim had become acquainted with M. V. MacInness. MacInness was then representing the Canadian Immigration Department in Detroit whose offices were located on Jefferson Avenue. He was affectionately known to all who knew him as just “Mac,” and Jim was one of his very best friends.