The recording begins with Dr. Harold T. Hagg addressing a group about his interest in Beltrami County history; his writing on the topic for a state historical society's magazine; and his interest in the lumberjack sky pilot Frank Higgins. The recording then cuts to a children's piano recital. The conversation with Harry Carlson begins at about 21:15, preceded by Dr. Vandersluis' thoughts on the importance of collecting personal histories. Harry Carlson discusses his arrival in Bemidji; his memories of early Bemidji; helping Ed Kaiser run off copies of the Bemidji Pioneer; the Mississippi Boom Company; and his dad's idea to construct the steamboat Ida. Earl Geil is also present during the interview. The interview, possibly from 1952, is continued from BCHS104b.
The following oral history was recorded by Dr. Charles Vandersluis. Harry Carlson discusses the steamboat Ida, which his father built; early Bemidji; stumps in Third Street; eating wild meat and salt pork before the railroad came in; Gustav Hinsch's idea to build a statue of Chief Bemidji; Hinsch's disappearance and possible death; Hinsch losing everything in a fire at Phillips, Wisconsin; and when the village and county were organized. Earl Geil is also present during the interview. The recording jumps twice to unidentified musical performances. The recording, possibly from 1952, is continued from bchs104b.
Harry Carlson discusses businesses in early Bemidji; the early Bemidji Pioneer newspaper; El Carson losing his grocery store; early doctors; helping Doc Henderson stitch up a man's wound; being in the Great Northern wreck of 1898; Tom Joy's homestead; Freeman Doud; the athletic field; early cemeteries; the early jail; and Charlie Miles. The interview is continued from BCHS 104a. The recording is dated June 1955.
