CALVIN FRITHIOF RUTSTRUM AND FAMILY:

An Inventory of Their Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Expand/CollapseOVERVIEW

Creator: Rutstrum, Calvin, creator.
Title:Calvin Frithiof Rutstrum and family papers.
Dates:1918-2009.
Language:Materials in English.
Abstract:Papers of Calvin Rutstrum (1895-1982), author of books on wilderness living and wilderness philosophy, with a few relating to his wife Florence (Merth) Rutstrum (1904-1986). They consist largely of texts, drafts, and illustrations for his books and articles on wilderness life and techniques and on contemporary society. Several books were illustrated by noted wildlife artists Les Kouba and Gary Jones, and many of their ink drawings are present as originals or as photographic copies, There are unpublished book-length drafts on his life with Florence; on the life of Frank Kugler, an Austrian immigrant who was tried in Cook County for murder in 1919; and on the work of a private detective, based in part on his own experiences. Also present are biographical materials; information on his property holdings along the St. Croix River and elsewhere; files on the book awards given by the Rutstrum Wilderness Trust; miscellaneous correspondence with friends and collaborators and regarding his designs for a tent and a camera mount; photographs taken to illustrate his books; personal and family photographs; audio recordings of interviews with Rutstrum; and a few original water-colors by Kouba, Jones, and Jerry Fearing.
Quantity:5.5 cubic feet (7 boxes, including 6 oversize folders) and 8 master audio files: WAV (2.2 GB) and 8 user audio files: MP3 (0.29 GB).
Location: See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseBIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Calvin Rutstrum, undatedCalvin Rutstrum was born October 26, 1895 in Hobart, Indiana, son of Swedish immigrants Tiofil and Emily (Carlson) Rutstrum. When he was two years old, the family moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. His father died when he was 3 years old and his mother eventually remarried. He attended elementary school in Minneapolis and St. Paul, but eventually left school and went to work at age 13, first doing odd jobs, then as a cowboy in Montana from ages 16 to 18. Rutstrum subsequently served in the U.S. Navy during World War I as a hospital corpsman. Upon discharge, he returned to Minnesota and went into real estate sales and development, selling waterfront properties on commission in northern Minnesota and on the St. Croix River. He also began extensive travels on foot and by canoe in the northern Minnesota and Canadian wilderness areas. Rutstrum also built outpost canoe bases for organized youth camps and led wilderness canoe trips for the youths. He additionally set up two businesses, a canoe outfitting business and a trading post resort business, on the U.S.-Canada border, and then sold them to their managers after they were well-established. From 1925 to 1940 he worked part-time for the William J. Burns International Detective Agency, an agency of the American Bankers Association, investigating bank robberies.

When he left bank robbery investigation work, he found himself uncomfortable when he was not writing something, and turned to writing magazine articles for American Forests magazine and others. His success in this area evolved into a career as a magazine article contributor, newspaper columnist, wilderness expedition consultant, lecturer on wilderness subjects, and author of several books on wilderness life and his personal philosophy on life and contemporary society.

Calvin Rutstrum married Florence Mae Merth on June 27, 1964, in Barron, Wisconsin, when he was 68 and she was 60. She was born May 21, 1904, in St. Paul, the daughter of Leopold Merth and Wilhelmina Burmeister, and graduated in 1923 from Central High School, St. Paul.

The Rutstrums’ principal home was one he built for himself near Marine-on-St. Croix, Minnesota. The Rutstrums also owned and seasonally occupied a cabin on the shore of Thunder Bay, a wilderness outpost cabin at Ghost River, Ontario, and a ranch in the Pecos River Valley, New Mexico.

Calvin Rutstrum died February 5, 1982 in Osceola, Wisconsin. Florence Rutstrum died December 24, 1986.


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Expand/CollapseARRANGEMENT

These papers are organized into the following sections:

Biographical and family materials
Correspondence and miscellany
Property holdings
Calvin Rutstrum writings
Newspaper columns
The Rutstrum Trust
Photographs and illustrations for books
Personal photographs
Oversize artwork
Interviews with Calvin Rutstrum


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Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Rutstrum, Calvin. Calvin Frithiof Rutstrum and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 17,638

Processing Information:

Processed by: Lydia Lucas and Leif Kopietz, May 2019.

Catalog ID number: 9989754237504294


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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Expand/CollapseBIOGRAPHICAL AND FAMILY MATERIALS

LocationBox
107.H.1.5B1Calvin Rutstrum biographical materials, 1918-1990.
Biographical and autobiographical data, commentary on building a career as a writer, newspaper and magazine articles about him, his U.S. Navy service and discharge certificates (1919, 1921), certificate of marriage to Florence M. Merth (1964); certificates of membership in the National Geographic Society (1959) and the Stillwater Lions' Club (1978).
Explorers Club, 1977-1979, 1986.
Membership certificate, a club roster (1978), letter of condolence on his death.
Florence Rutstrum biographical materials, 1919-1986.
Her parents' marriage certificate; her father's naturalization certificate; three reunion rosters of the St. Paul Central High School Class of 1923; a letter from Florence to Calvin regarding typing of North American Canoe Country; a poem on birchbark, apparently written to her from Calvin; miscellany relating to Marie Burmeister, a relative of her mother who worked at the Minnesota State Training School for Boys; and other miscellany.
Central High School Class of 1923 yearbook. 1 volume.
With signatures and personal notes to Florence.
Letters, Calvin to Florence, 1961.
Florence Rutstrum annuity, 1953-1964.
Deaths of Calvin and Florence Rutstrum, 1982-1986.
Death and cremation certificates for Calvin (1982) and Florence (1986); flyer advertising their Marine on St. Croix property; and related miscellany.
Calvin Rutstrum will and estate, 1963-1982.
Newspaper clippings, 1959-1982.
Research on Anders Carl Rutström, 1966-1976.
Biographical sketches (some in Swedish), and Calvin's correspondence with Swedish sources. Anders Carl Rutström (1721-1772) was believed by Calvin's parents to be an ancestor.

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Expand/CollapseCORRESPONDENCE AND MISCELLANY

LocationBox
107.H.1.5B1Letters from Russell E. Blankenburg, 1950-1951.
Owner of Sea Gull Lodge at Grand Marais, writing regarding Sea Gull Lake shore properties for sale. With a Sea Gull Lodge brochure.
Correspondence with Charles Horn, 1961-1966.
Correspondence with the Nelson family, 1965-1984.
Victoria (Mrs. H. W.) Nelson seems to be Calvin's sister. There is also an Elaine Nelson (Mrs. Gerald E.).
Correspondence with Walter McFarlane, 1969-1978.
Walter McFarlane article and related correspondence, 1971-1973.
Typescript of an article, "Walter McFarlane, Wilderness Artist," by Calvin Rutstrum, to be published in The Beaver, with related correspondence and photographs.
Correspondence with Alice and Raymond Lindquist, 1974-1978.
Alice Lindquist was Florence Rutstrum's sister.
Hunters Unlimited, 1975.
A facetious article by Spencer Brown in Harper's Magazine (May 1975), proposing an organization similar to Ducks Unlimited but with hunters as the object; a supportive letter to the editor from Rutstrum; and responses from the magazine and the author.
Correspondence with William Forgey, 1976-1979.
Forgey, a physician, was the author of Wilderness Medicine.
William Forgey miscellany, 1976-1978.
Forgey's The Complete Guide to Trail Food Use (1976); two clippings on him; a flyer for his course on Fundamentals of Camping and Backpacking; his application for The Rolex Awards for Enterprise (approximately 1974); the Rutstrums' correspondence with Ralph Ehresman, one of Forgey's campers (1977-1978); four photographs of Forgey, his campers and cabin; packet of twelve photographs that at one time had been enclosed with letters from Forgey.
Christmas cards, 1970, 1974. 3 folders.
Cards with personal notes and letters to the Rutstrums.
Fan mail, 1975-1977. 2 folders.
Brown Photograph, 1966.
Letters from Rutstrum ordering prints for an unspecified book, possibly Wilderness Route Finder, and photoprints of Calvin, Florence(?), a cabin, and a tripod-mounted compass/sextant unit.
Contracts with Les Kouba, 1955-1976.
Rutstrum's contracts with Kouba for illustrations for several of his books; accompanied by a list of contracts, with possibly Rutstrum's notes and summaries.
Les Kouba miscellany.
Sourdough research, 1973.
Rutstrum's correspondence, research material, and notes for a proposed article for The Beaver on sourdough production and use.
Universipod correspondence, 1972-1973.
Rutstrum's correspondence with Quick-Set Inc. (Northbrook, Illinois) seeking a manufacturer for a photography tripod modification he had designed, with photographs and handwritten instructions on its use.
Tent inquiries and testimonials, 1976-1977.
Regarding a convertible A-tent Rutstrum designed.
Miscellaneous papers, 1953-1981.
Mainly a variety of letters and commentary on wilderness, religion, and contemporary society, including one from Sigurd Olson (1976). Also includes Rutstrum's customs statement for entry into Ontario (1960), listing his major furnishings and equipment.

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Expand/CollapsePROPERTY HOLDINGS

LocationBox
107.H.1.5B1St. Croix River property, 1938-1969.
Abstract of title, deeds, assignment certificates for tax-forfeit land, and correspondence regarding parcels of Washington County/St. Croix riverfront land acquired by Rutstrum.
Marine on St. Croix property, 1960-1972.
Regarding sale of Marine on St. Croix property by Rutstrum to Lyle A. Abrahamson, comprising drafts and versions of a contract for deed; correspondence and notes regarding the contract and tax payments; application to Washington County for tax relief on a flooded portion of the property; and correspondence related to final transfer of ownership.
Fred Blumers, St. Croix riverfront land bought from Rutstrum, 1947-1972.
Land in T32N R19W bought from Rutstrum on contract for deed.
Alfred R. Sundberg, New Scandia Township property, 1952-1973.
Maps, legal descriptions, tax statements, contracts for deed, and correspondence for St. Croix river frontage land in Washington County sold by Rutstrum to Sundberg and others.
Land deeded to Department of Conservation, 1954-1968.
Quit-claim deed, map, and correspondence regarding the St. Croix River land donated by Rutstrum to the Minnesota Department of Conservation for use as a wood-duck sanctuary. Additional information is in the Alfred Sundberg file.
Cook County, Govt. Lot 5, Sec. 6, T65N R4W, land near Grand Marais, 1948 and 1960-1961.
Deeds and letter.
Abstract of title, Sec. 18 T62N R4E, Cook County (Hovland-Flute Reed River), 1928.
Map of Arizona and New Mexico showing location of the Rutstrums' New Mexico residence.
Rolf Skrien, Grand Marais, 1962 and 1970.
Contract for deed (1962) and correspondence regarding tax delinquency on Way of the Wilderness Canoe Outfitters property bought from the Rutstrums. With a Way of the Wilderness brochure.
Way of the Wilderness Trading Post property, 1956-1975.
Operating agreements, deeds, correspondence, and miscellany.

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Expand/CollapseCALVIN RUTSTRUM WRITINGS

LocationBox
107.H.1.6F2Correspondence and contracts with publishers, 1947-1980.
Backcountry:
Draft, annotated. 2 folders.
Typed manuscript, lightly annotated. 2 folders.
Permissions and contracts, 1977-1980.
Chips From a Wilderness Log:
Rough draft. 4 folders.
Typed carbon copy, lightly annotated. 4 folders.
Deleted chapters.
Not present in the carbon copy.
Manuscript and illustration notes. 2 folders.
Greenhorns in the Southwest, January 1970.
Typescript.
The Hell's Fire Delusion and Other Matters.
Typescript. Apparently never published.
Hiking Back to Health:
Typescript, November 4, 1972-February 21, 1973.
Hike Back to Health correspondence, 1973.
Proposed title page, table of contents, and list of illustrations; Rutstrum's correspondence with Mountain Press Publishing Co. regarding possible interest in publishing it; and a book review.
The Kugler Story:
Unpublished biography of Frank Kugler, an Austrian immigrant, who was tried and acquitted in Cook County District Court for the murder of a man who had been terrorizing Kugler and his wife.
Typed manuscript.
Clippings, letters, photographs, and notes, 1919-1950.
Includes Kugler's permission to Rutstrum to write his story.
Murder trial, transcript of testimony of witnesses, 1919.
LocationBox
107.H.1.7B3The Modern Reformation. 6 folders.
Typed copies of chapters 1-19, some in more than one version, some heavily annotated. Chapters 1 and 2 were identified on the transfer list as "The Philosophy of a Woodsman," but they seem to be part of this work. Some segments are also titled "The Hippy Primer." Apparently never published.
The New Way of the Wilderness:
Book reviews, 1958.
Revisions, correspondence, 1972.
With texts and instructions for revisions (21 pages), and copies of revised illustrations.
North American Canoe Country, 1963-1965.
Correspondence, contract, and book reviews.
Once Upon a Wilderness:
Typed draft, with edits, 1970. 2 folders.
Final draft, lightly edited. 3 folders.
One Man House. 2 folders.
Typescript, lightly edited. Apparently never published.
Paradise Below Zero, correspondence with Les Kouba, 1967.
List of illustrations; Calvin's letters to Kouba regarding illustrations; a packet of the slides referred to in the letters; a few photographs.
A Private Detective's Chronicle. 4 folders.
Typescript. Appears to be based in part on his experiences as a bank detective. Apparently never published.
The Wilderness Cabin and Paradise Below Zero notes and correspondence, 1967-1972.
The Wilderness Life:
Draft. 4 folders.
Typescript, annotated.
Correspondence, contract, and reviews, 1973-1976.
The Wilderness Route Finder:
Agreements, 1966.
Correspondence with MacMillan, 1966-1969.
Rutstrum's correspondence with editors at The MacMillan Company regarding production of the book, accompanied by drafts of the index and of the book flap text.
Correspondence and miscellany, 1966-1968.
LocationBox
107.H.1.8F4Wife Fantastic. 3 folders.
Rutstrum's encomium to his wife Florence and their life together.
Articles:
An Exegesis on Canoe Country, 1974-1975.
Manuscript and correspondence.
Can He Live Alone?
Typescript, annotated.
Some Biblical Editorializing.
Typescript, annotated.
Will Draft Dodger Amnesty Work?
Typescript.
Miscellaneous articles, 1958-1970.
Introduction to The Artist's Wilderness, 1973.
There does not appear to have been a work published under this title.
Biographical sketch of Les Kouba, 1966.
Challenge of the Wilderness, original screenplay by Barry Clark, June 24, 1977.
Revised draft, 118 pages. The connection to Rutstrum's book of the same title is not evident.
Royalty statements, 1982-1991. 2 folders.
Letters to the editor, 1960s.

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Expand/CollapseNEWSPAPER COLUMNS

Drafts, mainly handwritten (9-11 pages), some typed (4 pages), apparently of the opinion column Rutstrum wrote for the Osceola Sun (Osceola, Wisconsin), approximately 1979-1981.


LocationBox
107.H.1.8F4The Administrative Transition.
The Assassination of John Lennon.
The Booboos of 1980.
Bunco Advertising.
A Case for Intellectual Honesty.
The Censoring and Burning of Public School Books.
Computerization.
The Cycles of Life.
The Disparagement of a President.
Eventual Civilization?
The Exiled She.
Fire.
The Golden Years.
Henry Louis Mencken, 1880-1956.
The Historic Folly of Persecution.
Histrionics.
The Human Aspect of Government.
The Immoral Majority.
The Irresolvables.
Japan--Guru of Industry.
The Kremlin's Canadian Broadcasts.
The "Law" of Compensation.
Man's Place in Nature.
The Modern Trend.
The Money Market Explosion.
The Mootness of Propriety.
National Hoodlumism.
On Human Conduct Books.
Our Aspiring Ups and Downs.
Our Cosmic Enterprise.
Our Cultural Aspirations.
Our Economic Renaissance.
The Outgoing President/The Capricious Electorate.
The People Have Spoken.
The Political Aftermath.
Political Party Distinction.
Post-Election Reflections.
Presidential Post-Mortems.
The Public Weal.
The Pull Versus Push Principle.
The Quest for Euphoria.
The Religious Jungle.
Shoestring Economy.
Sleeping Giants.
Sports Spats.
Spring.
The Sword of Damocles.
A Time for Reappraisal.
Toward Political Paradox.
Trust as a Utilitarian Need.
The Way of Life.
Where Do We Go From Here?

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Expand/CollapseTHE RUTSTRUM TRUST

The Rutstrum Wilderness Trust, established by Calvin Rutstrum, sponsored an Author's Award every five years -- $10,000 in 1995, $14,000 in 2000, and $10,000 in 2005, plus a small bronze sculpture of a soaring eagle -- to the author of the book that its panel of judges deemed to be the most significant environmental or wilderness book published during the preceding five years. The awardees were Bernd Heinrich, A Year in the Maine Woods (1995), Roy MacGregor, A Life in the Bush (2000), and Ted Kerasote, Out There (2005). The trust was administered by St. Paul Park attorney E. Lee Armstrong.


LocationBox
107.H.1.8F4Press release letters, 1995. 2 folders.
Press release letters, 2000.
Trust and author's award miscellany.
Correspondence with award judge Tricia Brown, 1996-2000.
Correspondence with award judge Nick Jans, 2001-2006.
Correspondence with award judge Wallace Kaufman, 1990-2008.
Correspondence with award judge Charles Little, 1990-1996.
Correspondence with authors, 1993-2005.
Correspondence, 1995 award, 1995-1996.
Correspondence, 2000 award, 1998-2001.
Roy MacGregor photographs and articles, 1999-2001.
Correspondence, 2005 award, 2004-2006.
Requests for review copies for 2010 award, 2006-2009.
Photographs of author's award sculpture, 1995 and 2000.

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Expand/CollapsePHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR BOOKS

Most of the photographs are 8 x 10 black-and-white glossy prints; many are mounted. Most of the illustrations are pen-and-ink drawings, done by Les Kouba, Gary Jones, and unidentified others.


LocationBox
107.H.1.9B5The Challenge of the Wilderness, photographs with captions. 2 folders.
Chips from a Wilderness Log, photographs with captions. 2 folders.
Chips from a Wilderness Log, ink drawings with captions. 2 folders.
Most are by Gary Jones, one by Les Kouba.
Greenhorns in the Southwest, photograph with caption.
Hike, photograph with caption.
The New Way of the Wilderness, illustrations with captions.
North American Canoe Country, by Les Kouba, ink drawings (photographs).
Once Upon a Wilderness, photographs. 4 folders.
Most include captions.
Photographs found among those for Once Upon a Wilderness.
Paradise Below Zero, illustration with caption.
The Wilderness Cabin, by Les Kouba, ink drawings.
Photographs for or related to The Wilderness Cabin.
The Wilderness Route Finder, illustrations.
Photographs, probably for book illustrations.
Ink drawings, Les Kouba.
A couple are unattributed.
Photographs of ink drawings.
Some are by Gary Jones; some are unattributed.
Les Kouba transparencies, 1973.
Ink drawings, Karl S.

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Expand/CollapsePERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Of Calvin and Florence Rutstrum, a few other family members, their homes, wilderness cabins and activities.


LocationBox
107.H.1.9B5Calvin Rutstrum, 1918-approximately 1979.
Florence (Merth) Rutstrum.
Calvin and Florence Rutstrum.
Rutstrum and Merth relatives.
Cabin photographs.
Tent photographs.
Hunting and fishing photographs.
Miscellaneous cabin and wilderness photographs.
Most are groups of snapshots mounted on manila sheets.
Photographs, canoes and toboggans.
Snapshots, construction of the Rutstrums' house.
Snapshots, Rutstrum home and possessions.
Likely taken after Florence Rutstrum's death, in connection with the disposition of their estate.
Photograph of Leslie C. Kouba.
Photograph album, approximately 1970s. 1 volume.
Snapshots of the Rutstrums, their home, activities, and miscellany.

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Expand/CollapseOVERSIZE ARTWORK

LocationBox
144.C.14.5B-26Unfinished watercolor painting of Rutstrum by Gary Jones.
Pencil sketches by Garnet Hazard.
Boat and trees, wolf head, tent with 2 men, rock island with trees.
Matted ink and water-color editorial cartoon on Rutstrum's death by Jerry Fearing that ran in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Ink drawing of man with axe, from the back, by Ed Morris.
Ink drawing of log cabin, by Walt McFarlane.
Ink drawing of a moose, by Karl S.
Ink drawings, apparently all for Chips From a Wilderness Log.
Twelve by Gary Jones, one by Les Kouba.
Watercolor of moose, by Les Kouba.
LocationBox
142.C.2.27Watercolor of man in campsite with canoe beside river, by Les Kouba.
Mat is inscribed "Best wishes to my good friend Calvin Rutstrum."

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Expand/CollapseINTERVIEWS WITH CALVIN RUTSTRUM

Location
InternetCalvin Rutstrum interview, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 9 minutes): WAV (352 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (46.7 MB).
Calvin Rutstrum interview, undated Digital audio
Calvin Rutstrum, undated. 1 master audio file (2 hours, 49 minutes): WAV (854 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (111 MB).
Calvin Rutstrum, undated Digital audio
Interview of Calvin Rutstrum by high school student, undated. 1 master audio file (8 minutes, 35 seconds): WAV (43.4 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (5.8 MB).
Interview of Calvin Rutstrum by high school student, undated Digital audio
Interview on WAVN, Stillwater, Minnesota, 1973. 1 master audio file (32 minutes, 0 seconds): WAV (162 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (23.2 MB).
Interview on WAVN, Stillwater, Minnesota, 1973 Digital audio
Radio interview, 1972. 1 master audio file (14 minutes, 47 seconds): WAV (74.6 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (10.1 MB).
Radio interview, 1972 Digital audio
Rutstrum episode, undated. 1 master audio file (58 minutes, 37 seconds): WAV (296 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (37.7 MB).
Rutstrum episode, undated Digital audio
WAVN interview on book The Wilderness Life, undated. 1 master audio file (56 minutes, 41 seconds): WAV (286 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (35.6 MB).
WAVN interview on book The Wilderness Life, undated Digital audio
WAVN interview, December 11, 1973. 1 master audio file (28 minutes, 54 seconds): WAV (146 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (20.8 MB).
WAVN interview, December 11, 1973 Digital audio

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Expand/CollapseCATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:
Camping.
Canoes and canoeing.
Hiking.
Log cabins.
Natural history -- North America.
Outdoor life -- North America.
Wilderness areas -- Minnesota.
Wilderness areas -- Ontario.
Wilderness survival.
Wildlife artists -- Minnesota.
Winter.
Persons:
Kugler, Frank.
Fearing, Jerry, illustrator.
Jones, Gary, illustrator.
Kouba, Leslie C., 1917- illustrator.
Rutstrum family.
Rutstrum, Florence Merth, 1904-1986, author.
Places:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Minn.)
Marine on Saint Croix (Minn.) -- Family relationships.
Pecos River Valley (N.M. and Tex.)
Quetico Provincial Park (Ont.)
Quetico-Superior Country (Ont. and Minn.)
Document Types:
Deeds.
Manuscripts for publication.
Newspaper columns.
Pen and ink drawings.
Personal correspondence.
Photographs.
Sound recordings.
Watercolors (paintings).
Occupations:
Authors -- Minnesota.
Outdoor writers -- Minnesota.
Private investigators -- Minnesota.

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