''Jigger'' Johnson

By Crusader1307

 His real name was Albert Johnson, but friends called Him ‘’Jigger Johnson’’. Perhaps seen by many as a real life ‘’Tall Tale’’, Jigger’s Life was full of exploits – many seen as ‘’hard to believe’’ (for some). Born in Maine (US) in 1871, Family ‘’Legend’’ states he ‘’came out of His Mother, Pipe in Mouth – wearing logging boots and holding an axe’’. In reality, Jigger was born into a hard working, poor – but loving Family. An Outdoorsman, Jigger learned early – every facet of Lumberjacking, Hunting and Mountaineering. At 12, Jigger took a job helping The Cook of a Lumber Company. But some of The Men poked fun at The Lad. Jigger, as His Legend states, took ‘’issue’’ with One in particular – and got into a fight. Naturally, a skinny 12 year old Boy would become short work to a 200-lb. Man. Jigger jumped on the Man and ‘’fought like a wildcat’’. When They pulled Him off His opponent, Jigger had ‘’bit off’’ The Man’s Ear! Jigger was respected after that.

From there, Jigger’s ‘’Legend’’ began. He survived ‘’freezing Winter’s’’, ate ‘’Tree Bark’’ to survive – even caught Bobcat’s with His ‘’bare hands’’. Jigger would eventually become a Fire Warden with The US National Park Service and helped establish The Civilian Conservation Corps. (still in existence). Despite His ‘’hard drinking and Hard fighting’’, Jigger was loved and respected by all – regardless IF you believed the many ‘’Tall Tales’’ of His Life. In His later life, Jigger turned into a Fur Trapper. True to His ‘’Legend’’, many of His Beaver, Fox and other catches – were done with ‘’His bare hands’’. It was in Southern New Hampshire (US) in 1935 that Jigger was driving back from checking His Fur Traps when He lost control of His vehicle and crashed. Found hours later and taken to a Hospital, he unfortunately passed away from His injuries at 63 years of age. Several Books and Films were made later about Jigger Johnson. The State so honored Him by naming a Memorial Campground after Him. Johnson is often cited as a true example of what a ‘’Tall Tale’’ was.