Billy Newman
Billy was a trapper who worked at several places along the lake super coast. He visited Gargantua several times in 1903 and 1904 and in October 1906 with plans to stay alone for the entire winter. That first December he trapped a wolf. Louis Miron loaned him 10 steel traps and other equipment to help get him started. That spring Billy moved to Michipicoten River but kept in touch with Miron as he passed through on his way to Brule, Lizard Island and Agawa. In 1915 he was working out of Sand River. In January 1920 he was trapping at Indian Harbour, fifteen miles north of Gargantua, where fur buyers paid him about $3300.00 for a large load of fur which included the skins of 60 beaver, 14 weasels, 12 fishers, and 6 otters. In the winter of 1921, he moved back to Sand River where he visited the Bussineaus at Agawa Bay. Whenever Newman visited the Bussineaus, he was asked to play the violin for them after supper. He had quite a reputation as a violin maker. Dave Bussineau bought at least two violins from him; one for his son, Clem, and another for Mr. Matthew of A.C.R. at Frater. Shortly after 1921 he moved his entire operation north to the Pukaskwa region where he worked out of Swallow River and eventually Newman Bay. No date is given but he passed away at Otter Cove. Olie Bjornaa said, “He had been making his bannock by a little fire there [and died]".
Details
Nickname or Alternate Names: Bill
Birth Date: Unknown?Birth certainty: Low
Death Date: Unknown?Death certainty: Low
Occupations: Fisherman, Trapper
Companies: Self-Employed
Notes
He was vary talented at construction of fiddles. He grew potatoes in the sand fertilized with fish. Mrs. Cormier provided this quote: "He made his own violins. When he was out he picked up a piece of driftwood - different ones - and I guess he made several violins during his years down there. I suppose being alone he would walk the beach and find different pieces of driftwood."
Sources and Further Learning
Sources and Further Learning
- Superior’s East Shore: Mamainse to Gargantua by Don Steer – Page 11