Albert Johnson, the Mad Trapper of Rat River

In the early1930s, Albert Johnson,who had a cabin on the Rat River was accused of trapping on native traplines. When Constable A.W. (Alfred) King and Special Constable Joseph Bernard attempted to serve Johnson with a search warrant Johnson shot and wounded Constable King and fled into the mountains. Constable Edgar Millen was then killed in another attempt to arrest Albert Johnson. A manhunt was immediately organized by the Commander of the RCMP division at Aklavik A.N. Eames. Johnson was finally tracked down with the help of Wop May a legendary bush pilot and was killed resisting arrest.

. The Commander of the RCMP detachment at Aklavik, personally took over the manhunt, bringing in W.R. "Wop" May to pilot the group which eventually tracked down and killed Johnson.

Featured on the recording are:
· John Millen, brother of slain RCMP Constable Edgar Millen.
· Alfred King, a Constable who was shot, later to recover.
· R. Frank Riddell, of the Royal Canadian Signals, stationed at Aklavik. A member of the second group to pursue, and finally kill, Johnson.
· Earl Hersey, another member of the final group who also was shot but later recovered.
· Jack Bowen, a member of the final group.

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Click for a brief (1:53) clip of an episode of the CBC Northern Service radio program "Between Ourselves". In it, host Dave Nichols tells the complete story of the circumstances surrounding the manhunt for Albert Johnson, the Mad Trapper of Rat River. Les McLaughlin produced. (Credit :CBC/NWT Archives/N-1998-030: 0203)
Mad Trapper intro:
Quicktime
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Listen to the entire episode. (56:23)
Mad Trapper Part I (27:52):
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Windows Media

Mad Trapper Part II (28:29):
Quicktime
Windows Media