Al and Fred Scherele will help complete an airstrip
1962, June 1
Letter written by Ina Erickson from Lae (Ampo) to Martin and Willa Tonn, 10316 Grand Ave, Minneapolis 20, Minnesota, USA
Dear Willa, Martin and family,
Got your letter today. It’s always so nice to hear from you. I wrote a letter telling mother about Tommy’s diarrhea this week. He is well and we are ready to go back to Malalo. Congratulations to Michelle on her graduation. Now your physical work with the kids will be nothing compared to the all the mental work you’ll have to do. They are exposed so much and will have many questions.
Ina had to take the kids into Lae for health problems and stays at the Ampo guest house. Newer guest house in Ampo near Lae. Lutheran Mission station. “The guest house is on Ampo, the mission station, and consists of two frame buildings and other small outbuildings. One house, in which there are bedrooms, huge dining room, and kitchen, was built before or during the war and so is older--drab and unbeautiful. The other house is down a long, wet sidewalk, and is new and nice.” from the JOURNALS OF KAREN McCANN. http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~mccannkin/misc/NGchiii.html
Dining room in the older guest house. Photo from JOURNALS OF KAREN McCANN. http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~mccannkin/misc/NGchiii.html
Paula saw her first movie the other night. She was so quiet and watch with big wide eyes. It was about African animals and natives. They were showing it to the native students. It was real interesting seeing their reactions to all the dancing and costumes of the African native which was very similar to their own costumes, but oh how they did laugh. Probably because it was so familiar. I’m real glad we don’t have Lions and Tigers roaring around our back door.
Believe me, we don’t put our appendages where we can’t see. Especially at night we need to use a torch as the Australians call it- which is a flashlight and our best friend. No one goes outside without it except Al when he goes to his office. That is until some natives killed a snake in the little dip in the path between the two buildings. The natives seem to have a sixth sense about snakes and they seem to be able to detect them even in almost dark places. There was one the bush by the veranda. I didn’t see it which was green just like the bush. But some natives walking by spotted it.
Al will be spending two weeks to a month with the Scherele’s later on this month and help complete an airstrip near their home.[1] That is in Al’s territory that Fred S started. It takes Al two weeks to make a walking trip in there (Buangs) [2]and 10 minutes to fly in so it will really save him a lot of walking so it will save him a lot of time walking.
There was a very small strip of flat land near the Buangs in Wagau to barely put in a grassy airstrip. The people had to move dirt into gunny sacks to move the dirt. They had hand dig the dirt with pick axes and shovels.
I had a scalpel handle but no blade. I promptly set about getting some gloves, blades and Zephiran disinfectant and more medicines like morphine for pain. Atropine for drying secretions and a de lee tube for sucking out the throat a little. ( I think Ina is referring to the absence of basic medical supplies in the dispensary)
So glad to hear that the Twins are doing alright. Hope they can hold out all season and not do something like they did last year.
The Australian government is quite concerned about the situation and Dutch New Guinea as they know very well that if Indonesia gets western New Guinea they will try to get Eastern New Guinea as well, even if they have signed promises not to. They made an agreement not to invade western New Guinea and did not hold up to their promise. New Guinea is quite important to Australia for defensive purposes otherwise they are a big headache and a very expensive headache at that. Trying to get a primitive people to govern themselves responsibly isn’t an easy matter. Especially here where they are content to let the government and missions do it for them. It’s a privilege to the mission in their minds to have their boys and girls go to school. They expect free medical attention or turn to magic. Search are the problems all over. The devil is so ingenious in using human weaknesses for directing souls from gods giving love.
May God dwell in your hearts and home. We love you all and our lonesome to see you all.
Love Al, Ina and the kids
Footnotes
[1] This refers to and airstrip built in Wagau in the Buangs. Alvin helped build an airstrip at the village of Wagau. In talking Alvin about this, he recalls that he only ever flew in once and the pilot took off before he could retrieve his suitcase from the plane. There was no other pace in Malalo circuit that had enough flat land to build an airstrip. More of Al’s recollection of building this airstrip in the next letter.
[2] Buangs Tribes – They were located south of Lae in a valley all the way up to the snake river towards the head waters near Mumeng. Some were in the mountains looking down at the river. Pastor Onasimus was in Biankon village in the Buangs. Alvin often went there, where they had a small house for him to stay in. Often this was where Alvin would go to other villages. There was a young woman from Ayoyok village which was on a mountain overlooking Biankon, who had a very strong voice. She sang hymns always in group. Alvin could hear her voice above everyone else. Solos were not a thing amoung the natives of PNG. Her talent was never really known outside her village. The village of Ayoyok was the only place that actually provided Alvin a bed, however he always woke up with lice. The village of Shyngol was 10,000 feet high.
The Buangs. Scenic mountains and waterfalls. Part of Alvins circuit so he had to climb and hike through these mountains multiple times.
Buang area toward top of this map and Wagua is near the coast just south of Lae.
Letter from Fred Scherle regarding the airstrip his is supervising in the Buangs.
1962 May 21
From Fred and Edna Scherle
Dear Al, Ina, and clan,
The time has come when I have to answer piled up correspondence ! It’s a dreadful undertaking, studded with embarrassments, and even a few pleasant surprises if in proper frame of mind. Unfortunately, no frame can frame mine. So I shall freelance it as you know, that will discover all too soon.
Where was Al for the Upper Watut trip? I think he would have enjoyed a nice wet, cold, slippery week’s outing. The goooo-lash was pretty good at the end of the trip. The fleas left me with enough blood to get back to Latep and a ride back to Muming. Thanks for at least sending that Malalo delegation. I felt they contributed a great deal on this visitation. Please convey my thanks to them again. Thanks to the Bingsu for getting them organized and permitting them to come along.
The New Tribes people invited me in for a cup of coffee as I passed through. I suspect it will have been the first and the last invitation! As I heard some of the uncomplimentary things they have said about Lutheran mission work to the people in the Watut, I told them what I thought of New Tribes, doctrine, and general procedures. No doubt it has gotten back to them by now. At least I hope so. I think I am going to enjoy locking horns with this group. At least I hope to give them a run for their money. They have had a field day all to themselves for too long. Whole New Tribes villages were beginning to follow us by the end of the trip – only to be forced back by their evangelist and long-long pastors. See what you missed. Four churches are in construction stage. I hope to return in a months time to see how they are progressing. Manki village asked my assistance to help procure materials for permanent church. I will have to drive back there yet this week.
Can we expect a teacher for Mangga village in the Buangs? They have dismantled the old church and rebuilt it. At present they are putting on the Kunai roof. The villages farther away are adding boards. Lagos village has helped clear the station site one day last week. Eventually, I hope to get them stirred into action. If Kauckesa from Buakup feels as he stated, I doubt whether he would do much good for Manggas. The head elder from Mangga said that if they would get a teacher, they will build him a new house quickly. Please keep me informed of latest developments. I would very much appreciate a teacher soon. I know it’s not a simple matter.
No sooner had I returned from the Watut trip, the ADO here asked me to accompany the airdrome inspector to Wagau. So I made another trip into the Buangs. We left Mumeng after breakfast, and we were at Biangkon by 1:30 PM the next morning we walked over to Wagau. I had sent word ahead that we were coming. 262 were cutting the grass the day we arrived at Biangkon. The following day there must’ve been 600 cutting grass. He began measuring by 7 AM and by eight there was a terrific tail wind already. Both the ADO and I told him that there is no wind up until 10 or 11 AM. My hopes really faded rapidly. His only comment was that with a wind like this, that strip will have to be 2000 feet long. When he reached the 1400 foot mark he laughed. His remark cut me to the quick: “now where are you going to get 600 feet more? “ I knew I could get 1800 but that was about all, but I bluffed and mostly said that’s easy without much difficulty at all. Again he grinned and told me to show him. So I got the mob busy cutting back further. Sure enough we got 2000 feet and with not too much work. He shook his head and commented that he would never have thought it possible before the rushes were down. In fact, he went so far as to say that this trip requires less work than most strips in New Guinea. After that he begins surveying. We drove 200 stakes getting sunrise, and 100 foot cross falls for the entire 2000 feet. He makes us widen the strip to 150 feet, meaning that 10 feet will have to be shifted from one side to the other. I believe 900 feet is OK as is. He figures that the strip can be ready for the first landing in two months. He himself wants to be on the first plane that lands. He is going to send the DAO or the complete survey report with stakes telling us how much fill and cuts are required over the entire strip. That will make it a lot simpler than how I had to work before. I told him that you would carry out the supervision of the work. He agreed that you could assist, but I would have to walk in again to drive the white stakes he is sending, show you how to proceed with the leveling and only on my personal OK would he sanction a plane to land. I tried to get him to approve the ADO also, but not even Smith was acceptable to him. He made it quite emphatic “you or no plane and I am not going to make this trip again “so whether I like it or not, I am saddled with at least two more trips to the Buangs, if we want that strip opened
Now here is my suggestion. Could you come up to Mumeng and the two of us walk in from here. The stakes should be here by then. I will get you started. When all goes well, I will leave you to it and return to my school, construction and other visitations. Since Smith is so keen on getting this strip built before Niall returns, I think you can be relieved by the local patrol officer or by himself. Then when the finishing touches are made, I will make another trip in there with a portable two-way radio set and call a plane for the first landing. After that, I wash my hands of Biangkon and Bimb! After all you are going to reap the fruits of the strip in the future. It will be a lot easier for you to visit the Buangs than I.
I have already asked Namasu to get a reliable native stationed there. For all I know, the man might already be building a bulk store and coffee shed by now. Fugmann may even station a European agricultural there for three months to show the natives how to grow European type vegetables. The ball is rolling, so we will have to pitch in and do our part. Smith is also very keen on getting a government agricultural man there. Lae will be flooded with field fruits from the Buangs someday.
As for the airstrip markers, the inspector promised me to get some from Finschhafen free of charge. I think he even promised to give us some wind socks as well. Not bad- eh? However, when you decide to come up, buy some flour bags at the Marobe bakery. 100 should do. The kiab has promised me some also. The more bags we have the quicker we will get the ground shifted. I have hopes that he will release both Mapos and the upper end from roadwork until the strip is completed. Should I ask him to supply some native people to get the group to stick to the job? I know I can get them if we think we have need of them.
The inspector and I walked out by way of Gabensis. Once, and never again. I almost killed Mr. Grimme and I was too proud to admit that I took a terrific beating also. For days, I felt like screaming every time I got up or sat down. Smith came down to pick me up and drive me back to Muming, Grimes‘s car was driven down to Gabesnis so that he could continue on to Lae. This whole airstrip affair just popped out of the blue one day. Smith asked for a survey and low and behold here he was in a day before the United Nations delegation was going to come to Muming. Chances are – in fact, I am certain that if Smith had gone, instead of myself, there would be no airstrip going in at Wagau. My 16 years of experience in the Buangs seem to impress the old boy. I gave him a real hard luck story of how these people have been slaving on a road for years, how they young people have all left home in despair, etc. How I personally slave to help them get an opening to market their excellent veggies. Toward the end, he was a bit as keen on getting a strip in there as I was. It was fun, and I enjoyed visiting with the old duffer.
I also want to thank you for visiting the schools for me. Now I think I have done my duty in this epistle. Today I got myself settled with a native truck. I paid the repair bill at BP and now the truck is under my direction and supervision until the debt is paid off. I needed a truck to haul over building material, sand, and gravel. We also bought a power driven cement mixer. Any day now we shall start slinging cement mud.
I have been hearing some very fine reports on how you are getting on at Malalo. Keep up the good work. We are pulling for you.
Greetings,
Fred and Edna.
This area was only about 12 miles from Lae but due to the terrain was very difficult to get back to these villages. The soil in the Buangs was wonderful to grow vegetables in but the soil on the coast was poor and very few good vegetables could grow in it so getting vegetables to the Lae market was a good idea
Interesting website with some historical information about flying in New Guinea. So much better technology now versus back then.
‘Al has been back in the mountains for 10 days helping with an airstrip’
1962 June 16 to Estelle
Letter written by Ina Erickson from the Malalo Mission station to Durward and Estelle Titus Box 224 Route1, Carlos MN USA
Dear mom and dad,
I am really glad the pictures arrived OK. Will have to get busy and take some around here at Malalo -be sure to send them on to Al’s mother soon. Happy Father’s Day dad. We hope you both are well and mother rested after frantically finishing the course and all that upset at school. Such busyness.
Al has been back in the mountains for 10 days helping with an airstrip[1]. I hope he will get home tomorrow. He thought he would be home yesterday but things weren’t progressing as rapidly as they had hoped.
The kids are real fine and happy now. Tommy is walking more and more. Yesterday especially he just took off. He is so funny because he always takes a deep breath, opens his eyes so wide, hold his hands straight out and takes off holding his breath, until he gets to his destination. Much to his dismay however, Paula still likes to help him and literally drags him around. I’ve been trying to sew a shirt for Al for Father’s Day and a small one for Tommy, so they can have a father and son pair of shirts. Our captain of the Victor, Salamo, is here waiting to take the mail so I must rush this letter.
We love you all so much. Paula says ‘granma’ to pictures of you and dad. We showed the pictures of snow at school. They are so thankful that they live in New Guinea where there isn’t any cold snow. Isn’t that a laugh.
God bless you and may the Holy Spirit work in Carlos. Give my sympathy to Edith and Francis. Are they living together now? Oh- we do love you write when you have time.
Love Al, Ina, Paula and Tommy.
Footnote
1 This refers to and airstrip built in Wagau in the Buangs.
Waterfall in the Buangs