Brotherhood of the Broadaxe

These people saying how hard these days were. If only they lived a day in my life, they wouldn't talk so much.

Happened upon this when researching firewood. One of the most fascinating documentaries I've ever watched. Kept my interest from beginning to end. There is a tremendous amount of wisdom that could be learned from their communal lifestyle.

There's nothing like a good PBS documentary.

My grandfather and my father worked in the woods in California, Oregon, and Washington. When I was 15 I won a physical fitness contest over 3000 other kids. Of course I didn't tell them that my dad who was a woodsman and 55 years old two days earlier had out ran me, oh did i forget to mention He was running backwards and he gave me a head start . Ya he was pretty tough alright. Thanks for the story. good job.

3.40 - where do I get me an outfit like that?!
11.58 - 🤣

🪓. 🙂

A time almost forgotten, a trade nearly lost. A time when ships were made of wood and men and woman were made of IRON. We, man, have grown weak and now use machinery to do what the strong did by hand. A history and legacy they leave behind, only to be forgotten and or tossed aside by our youth and what we call progress.

Fantastic . .. thank you for the upload

I appreciate your documentary, thank you

🪓🙂

This was possible because a man could live off $5.00/day. Our money is worthless now.

I wish America still held these values. 😢

Should be shown in schools, instead of filling kids heads with how right they are at 12 yrs old... Learn a skill and move forward.

And we think we have it hard in 2022!.

I love listening to the old men speak. Their voices remind me of my grandpa and how he would talk.

Beautiful,

That tool that he would roll and then log over and not called a “can’t hook” it’s called the “can’t dog” made right here in central Maine by Peavey manufacturing still in operation today

Such a great video! - @Wyoming PBS, Where can I get more documentation about the people working at Tie Company.
My great grandfather Hans Nelson (Hans Alfred Nilsson) came from Sweden 1911 and I have traced him here probably around 1930-1942, but know nothing of his life. I would love to know about it.

This sounds like it was a hugely hard way to earn a living, but also a idilic way of life, I don’t think it was as easy life as it would appear for the younger generations coming to America from the Nordic nations, skiing ⛷ to school and living in the wilderness, I bet it was a very hard but interesting way of life, thanks for sharing it with us all.

I spent a year on a job

Once upon a time Men were made of steel and boats were made of wood..... we're heading back to these days wether you believe it or not... just wait and see.....

Hey Wyoming PBS, thanks for the great content. I'm Texan, but this is my favorite channel, and my favorite state. Can't wait to return!
On another note, I bet there were a lot of Scandinavian's missing toes in those crosstie camps.

So much work! When did people have the time to protest public health measures?

It’s hard to believe the difficulty and amount of work that these puny humans could do. Those ties are stacked so deep and so high! Just remarkable. Thank you PBS Wyoming.

Fascinating documentary. Thank you for this! It is a wonderful tribute to some hardworking people.

really good history. thank you.

Hey I know Joe!

"you either got better or died" doesnt get anymore real than that

Great video. A look at the past.

We sure have devolved.

The guy who is wearing the Red petticoat junction cracks me up being so serious😂🤣

North park to woods landing to Laramie? I'm a fool for not knowing how that happened..... Please someone clue me in.

The log turner he was using was a peavy, not a cant hook.

My mother was born on a ranch in Saratoga on the South Platte. I remember her talking about my grandfather floating ties down the Platte to build their home.

"We didn't go do the doctor, you either got well or died." I feel you lady.

Last that I saw Big Eddie in the back ety and I thought we went out with 4 or 5 guys. Old world stress or lack there of sounds good to me.

Amazing. Makes one appreciate what those men built that laid the groundwork for modern life. Thank you.

What kind of person would rate this a thumb down?
This is a privilege to see.

I was a pro fighter logger and commercial fisherman. And I ain’t half the man these old farts are and probably never could be. Luca

The can't hook also known as the Peavy stick was invented in my neighboring sister town Brewer Maineby a man known as Joseph Peavy pretty sweet if u asked me

Now you understand why in a few short years old growth trees and forest systems were pretty wiped out.....

Posted this to Axe Junkies on FB

What a great watch, back when men were men

How come they didn't use Chainsaws? I know, they didn't have them back then!
Watching this makes me realize how posh I have it!
My hat goes off to All of them, men, women and children, oh, and horses too!
Love 4Truth!