Celebrating the Fourth in style

Residents go back in time at David Thompson Days in TFalls

If you ever wanted to know how to make a bullet over an open flame or throw a tomahawk accurately into a pile of logs, then David Thompson Days is right up your alley.

Residents took a step back in time on Saturday for the third annual David Thompson Days as volunteers dressed up in traditional regalia to memorialize the explorer who set up a trading post in the Thompson Falls area over 200 years ago.

The reenactors fully encompassed what people did 200 years ago to survive by dressing up in old-style clothing, donning fur hats and weapons of old, showing spectators the things people ate, tools that were used to prepare meals, shelter and forms of entertainment used around during that time.

"It's primitive living and it's an example of how people lived and what they did to survive in those days," said Jennifer Fielder, President of the Thompson Falls Brigade, which is the organization that co-hosted the event alongside the Chamber of Commerce. "A lot of it is about David Thompson history and his story being told."

Following the morning parade, people were treated to reenactments and fun of all sorts. One volunteer spent the day showing spectators how bullets were made and how guns were loaded in the era of David Thompson.

Volunteer Charlie Patalon showed eager members of the crowd how to throw knives, a tomahawk and an ax into a pile of logs. Throughout the year, Patalon teaches people of all ages ranging from two to senior citizens how to throw these tools.

Kids were taught to throw by doing a regularly handshake. They then walk seven steps from the logs where they get in their throwing position. Patalon was so helpful that not one person went home before getting a tool into the stack of logs.

"It's all educational demonstrations here. Every camp has something different to show and tell," said Fielder.

In the afternoon, people had the chance to move to the Thompson Fall's theatre to view a documentary about David Thompson.

When Fielder moved to Thompson Falls, curiosity and an acute interest in David Thompson began to form leading her to research his history.

"I've been gobbling information up in that period of history. We probably have a volume of 20 to 30 books not only on David Thompson, but the general topic of exploration and early fur trade," said Fielder.

David Thompson was many things, but most of all an explorer with a desire to chart new territory in the western world.

"He (Thompson) was amazing. He went over 50,00 miles on foot, horse, canoe and snow shoe, most of the time it was on canoe and foot, using horses sometimes," said Fielder. "He spent 28 years in the wilderness dong this and he was the first to break across the Rocky Mountains and establish trade in this region."

David Thompson began his career at the age of 14 coming from England and working for the Hudson's Bay Company in a cold environment he had never faced before. Thompson worked his way up and was eventually given the opportunity to learn how to survey and navigate.

Thompson could not ignore his desire to chart new territory and once his contract was up with the Hudson's Bay Company, he moved on to work for the Northwest Company. The Northwest Company's flag could be seen flying at David Thompson Days on Saturday.

Once he started work for the Northwest Company, Thompson was sent to find the Columbia River. Fielder explained that Lewis and Clark only found part of the Columbia River and Thompson found the rest of it.

"He (Thompson) was the first one to actually navigate and actually chart the entire course of it (Columbia River)," said Fielder. "He then set up a trading post here in Thompson Falls. The exact location hasn't been found yet and it's kind of a mystery."

Thompson was met by the natives who were excited to begin trading with the east as they did not yet have things such as metals or pots. Thompson also set up trading posts in Hope, Idaho, British Columbia and one near Spokane.

"He was an amazing person and he needs to be recognized and remembered because he did so much and this is all in tribute to David Thompson and a community that celebrates that history," said Fielder.

The Northwest Company fur trading post set up by Thompson was in its hay days from the 1800s to 1840s. The area wasn't officially settled until the railroad came to the region in the late 1800s and the town was officially named after the explorer.