BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 



THOMAS JOHNSON. 



With the field-trial matters of the United States and Canada, Thomas Johnson 

 has been one of the most active participants since about 1886. He has owned kennels 

 of setters and pointers constantly and has spared no pains or expense to secure, accord- 

 ing to his judgment, the very best blood obtainable. Sport aheld with dog and gun, 

 and good competition at field trials, all in a true sportsmanlike manner, are subjects 

 which ever stir his enthusiasm. Largely through his energy and initiative the Mani- 

 toba Field Trial Club was organized. It gave its first trials in 1886. Even at that 

 early day of competition, he was prepared and owned dogs which were winners. Since 

 then he has owned and bred numbers of dogs, many of which have displayed field-trial 

 excellence, and their names appear in the records of the winners. Of the number, 

 Champion Alberta Joe, renowned both as a field dog and field-trial contestant, achieved 

 ■probably the greatest victories, the brilliancy of his work, and the number of his wins. 

 meriting deservedly the high place he holds in the "records and in public esteem, secur- 

 ing the warmest spot, also, in the heart of his owner. 



Mr. Johnson has many times acted as a field-trial judge both at trials on prairie 

 chickens and on quails. His activities have covered a wide field also. On the Atlantic 

 Coast, the Pacific Coast, and in the great chicken country of the Middle West, he has 

 in the aggregate judged many times, so that his experience has been "from the center 

 all round to the sea." 



He also has been conspicuous as a writer, and has published many valuable con- 

 tributions in the interest of breeding, training, hunting and field-trial competition. His 

 writings are distinguished by a broad, accurate knowledge of his subjects, skilful and 

 fearless presentations of his facts and all adorned by a graceful diction. 



To the visiting sportsman he is princely in his hospitality. He seems to be hap- 

 piest when sharing his pleasures with his friends. 



Physically he is a man of magnificent proportions, a true athlete. All forms of 

 wholesome sport win his approval. He. besides his fame as a sportsman, has great re- 

 nown as a curler, a favorite winter sport on the ice in the North. His curling team 

 has been a successful contestant a number of times at the great yearly curling tourna- 

 ments. 



In the columns of the Manitoba Free Press, in 1906, there was a column treat- 

 ing of the Manitoba sport of "Twenty years ago," and mention was made that Mr. 

 Johnson's Dash B won the Derby in 1886, and his Manitoba Mike won the cham- 

 pionship, under the auspices of the same club, in 1906. On this matter being brought 

 to his attention, he remarked: "Yes, it is quite a record; twenty years in the field-trial 

 game and still solvent." Those who know how great are the expenses and how small 

 the receipts of the average contestant at trials, will best appreciate the point of the re- 

 mark. 



In a business way, Mr. Johnson has been with the pioneer firm of Messrs. G. F. 

 and J. Gait, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, since its beginning. He was one of the founders 

 of the Northwest Commercial Travelers Association, and was elected president of the 

 organization in 1885. For a long time he held Certificate No. 1 on its roll. His of- 

 ficial energy- and influence secured many valuable concessions from the railroads, and 

 the organization was recognized as being of great dignity and importance. 



As an entertainer Mr. Johnson has few equals. He has an inexhaustible stock 

 of bright stories, which he tells well, reminiscences of sport, witty sayings, &c. which 

 serve to drive awav dull care. 



