And when did you interview Cressman?
I talked with him at various times during the 1930’s and otherwise, like telephone calls. I have interviewed Mel Aikens, who is head of the Department [of Anthropology at the University of Oregon]. I have been in touch with him and helped him map archeological sites. He was doing excavations last summer and he sent some maps down and wanted me to located sites on them for him. There was a man named Jenkins, who has their university collections there, and he showed them to me and I have interviewed him. In terms of history, all the people in Sagebrush to Shakespeare [were memorable interviews].Some of them were very good friends of mine and practically all of them are dead now. Some of them, like Ed Geary and Nelson Reed, played a very important part in the history of this country here. Nelson Reed was the head of the water study commission that came up with the Klamath River Compact. Jim Kerns, who I think is still living, was on that commission. But that is a very, very important document as far as Klamath County is concerned.
That’s the one which apportioned the water from upstream?
That gave the priority [dates] on the Klamath River water. And it was ratified by two states and the Congress. So it’s pretty solid document, and of course, they’re picking at it all the time in one way or another.
Some of the fisheries controversies would affect it.
Who knows snail darters? I don’t think there was ever any sucker fishery on the Klamath River after it left Klamath Lake. But that’s neither here nor there. It is a very important document. Jim Kerns is still living, and he is the only one I know who was on that. But Hal Ogle was a good friend of mine. He was born and was raised on the Indian reservation. I have interviews with some Indians, and three of them are in this next book that’s coming out. Dibbon Cook was tribal secretary and he’s friend of mine. I interviewed him. I have interviewed the tribal chief, the head of it, Seldon Kirk. And a lady by the name of Ima Jiminez, [who] was a 100 percent Klamath Indian. She’s the only person I’ve ever interviewed who actually was in subterranean pit house when she was a girl. I have a story about that in this book called Unconquered, Uncontrolled.
