ARCHIE DEGRAF

I first went in the CCC in April 1935, search for one year at camp F. -- 182 at Coeur d'Alene. In the summer and fall we worked on blister rust control, pulling wild gooseberry and currant bushes which carry the disease. In the winter and spring we did roadside cleanup and thinning of trees. Most of this was done up through Fourth of July Canyon. I was the company bugler and also did some KP duty.

In July 1938 I joined up again and served one year at French Creek, 20 miles up the Salmon River from Riggins. I was several years older then and had worked in logging camps and gained some experience. I was soon promoted to assistant leader and wasn't long until I was promoted to Leader. I drove Cat for a while skidding logs for fuel at camp. The CCC's built the road up the main Salmon River from Riggins as far as it goes. We also built a road to Burgdorf. I was powder foreman under my Forest Service foreman on the Burgdorf project. There were lots of rattlesnakes in those hills and canyons, but I don't think anyone was bitten.

I was also the bugler at French Creek. While I was there we were called up two or three times to fight forest fires in the foothills of the Seven Devils country. That was pretty rugged country. It was more difficult and took longer to get to the fire than to get them under control.

I had a lot of good times and learned a lot in the CCC. It would be a good thing if they would bring them back.