From bush camps to brawls: Mountain Jack’s stories live on
Deborah Powell
Published in the Pontiac Journal on March 26, 2025.
SHAWVILLE – Storyteller Mike Lamothe from L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet visited the Pontiac Archives in Shawville on March 12 to share stories about Mountain Jack Thomson, a legendary character of the region. Thomson grew up on L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet and began working in the bush at just 14 years old. Although a large man, he earned the nickname “Mountain” not for his size, but because he came from the “mountain.” Big, strong, agile and smart, Thomson quickly took on jobs with more responsibility, and his collection of stories grew over time.
Several of Mountain Jack’s tales were recounted by Thomson himself in the 1920s after George Bryson suggested to the Ottawa Citizen that they speak with him. Stories of Mountain Jack are also included in Joan Finnegan’s book Giants of Canada’s Ottawa Valley.
The timber trade years of the 1800s were rough and tumble, and the many hotels in the area often became sites for brawls. Legend has it that Mountain Jack, armed with a “stick” of wood, chased 15 men out the door of Rattray’s Hotel in Portage-du-Fort before winning
a one-on-one fight with a rival foreman to maintain order.
Lamothe concluded his talk with some history about the Dumoine River hiking trail. First established in the 1840s, the trail, or “tote road,” was used to haul supplies to the region’s numerous logging camps. “It’s quite unique in a lot of ways,” said Lamothe, explaining that unlike many forest trails, it has “never seen a bulldozer.” The mature forest surrounding the trail adds to its character. The hiking trail is a project of the Friends of the Dumoine, and Lamothe himself has spent many hours clearing the trail and has extensive knowledge of its history.
Photo – L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet storyteller Mike Lamothe regales a crowd at the Pontiac Archives with tales of Mountain Jack Thomson. (DP)
