Taking a whack at re-enactment

Arguably the biggest draw at David Thompson Days: A Community Rendezvous was the re-enactment camp, which was set up at the Rose Garden along Main Street. Visitors to the camp were sent back to the early 1800s as re-enactors showed them how to make authentic beaded jewelry, how to throw a tomahawk and how to cook with the tools of the day. The camp also displayed a 25-foot-long replica of the canoe David Thompson used to travel the rivers on the area when he was first exploring.

“The rendezvousers are absolutely great, and I’m just so excited for them to be here,” said Cindy Bronner, the co-President of the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Bronner said several of the re-enactors had previous engagements and weren’t able to make it, so she hopes next year they’ll be able to get a larger group to take part in the camp.

Two of the people who really enjoyed the re-enactment camp were Lucas and Gage Fuhrman. Lucas, 7, and Gage, 5, were decked out in their own 1800s regalia, complete with raccoon skin hats. The boys took part in the tomahawk throw, and after a quick lesson and a few tosses they really seemed to get a handle on it.

“This is fun,” Gage exclaimed after throwing a tomahawk at a large circular piece of wood.

Charlie Patalon, from Maryville, Calif., demonstrated the tomahawk throw to some very interested spectators. Patalon is currently in the process of building a cabin in Thompson Falls. He said he loves the area and was happy to be a part of this event.

“I’ve been doing this for about 25 years,” he said. “It is something I really enjoy and any time you can get other people to share in your passion, well that’s just great.”

Patalon’s area was busy all day as everyone from young children to grandmothers wanted their chance to chuck a tomahawk at the target. Patalon was obviously skilled in his craft, as it took him very little effort to get the tomahawk to go where he wanted it. He even upgraded at one point during the afternoon to a large, razor-sharp ax which he heaved right into the target before a circle of awed spectators.

Hamilton resident Scott Cameron demonstrated cooking and eating in the 19th century. He is a veteran re-enactor and said he often spends months on the road traveling like a member of Thompson’s crew under the name “Francois LaBiche.” At one Hamilton re-enactment, he was in a canoe for three months and three days. He said the group travelled 30-50 miles a day. He only took two showers the entire time.

“The river was our shower, we’d grab a bar of soap and take turns jumping off into the river,” he said.

During this adventure, Cameron said that they would give demonstrations at every stop they made, sometimes to 16 or more busloads of school-aged children.

Cameron said that most people traveling through Montana in the 19th century would be limited to one small pot and one frying pan. The pan would usually be reserved for meats and nothing else while the pot could be used for anything. Cameron also showed off beading work, animal hides and pictures of him as LeBiche decked out for other re-enactments.

“This is just a really fun thing to do,” he said. “Especially when you’re passionate about it.”