Early in 1916, Forest & Stream magazine announced a new regular feature called "Nessmuk's Corner And Camp Fire." Its purpose was described (with feigned puffery) as being "For the Alleviation of the Woes and Troubles of the Camper and the Entertainment and Exchange of Views of Outdoor People Generally."The feature was named for Woodcraft author, Forest & Stream contributor and out-of-doors icon "Nessmuk" -- a.k.a. George Washington Sears, who'd died in 1890 -- and was hosted by the otherwise-unnamed "Old Camper." The magazine's readers were encouraged to provide the content:
By 1917, "Nessmuk's Corner And Camp Fire" had become simply "Nessmuk's Camp Fire." Its masthead would evolve, too -- the three examples below chart the changes through 1919, when The Camp Fire warranted a two-page opening spread."If you have any troubles or tangles growing out of your experiences, bring them to The Corner and we will endeavor to untrouble and untangle 'em. If you have had any curious adventures or have hit on some short-cut way of accomplishing things, let The Corner know about it, and the more 'cur'ouser' the story the better.
"Please remember that this is your Corner. The great army of Forest and Stream readers can keep it going only by contributing to it, for while 'Old Camper' may be able to stand up for a time under the burden of writing questions to himself and answering them, The Corner would quickly fizzle out under one man's editing."
Nessmuk's Camp Fire was a friendly, down-to-earth place in a magazine that strained to span the range from sophisticated to downright primitive. I've enjoyed every installment I've read.
I urge KintlaLake Blog readers to visit Google Books, dig up a volume of Forest & Stream and have a seat by The Camp Fire. You might, like me, learn a thing or two while you're there.
