Mclelland

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

“LIVER-EATING JOHNSON: THE TRUE STORY OF JEREMIAH JOHNSON”

BY DR. DENNIS MCLELLAND

“Liver-Eating Johnson: The True Story of Jeremiah Johnson,” presents a factual, heavily referenced, honest representation of the life of Montana mountain man John “Liver-Eating” Johnston, as portrayed by Robert Redford in the 1972 movie, Jeremiah Johnson.

The legends and myths about Liver-Eating Johnston evolved from two sources: a book entitled Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver Eating Johnson, by authors' Raymond W. Thorpe and Robert Bunker, (upon which Johnston's bloated reputation was created); and the above referenced movie (Jeremiah Johnson). Both are historical fiction.

When exposed against the true mirror of historical fact as detailed in my Johnston biography, Thorpe and Bunkers' Crow Killer novel turns out to be a most wonderful read. However, virtually nothing in their entertaining book rings of historical fact. Many fans of the old west remain fascinated with the character of Liver Eating Johnston. They seek the truth about the wilderness exploits of this most extraordinary frontiersman.
The wilderness experiences of the real Jeremiah Johnson, John Johnston (a.k.a. John Garrison) were perhaps as impressive as were those of Jim Bridger and Kit Carson. Yet Johnston never achieved their level of fame and notoriety. This was apparently by design because he never purposefully sought the spotlight except but for one time - when he decided to join the Hardwick's "Great Rocky Mountain Wild West Show” in 1884, where he was billed (most appropriately) as The Avenging Fury of The Plains.

Johnston sought no glory except in the delight he took at running a knife over the throat of his Indian foe. Granted, he was clearly the master of a thousand woodland skills. No one could control his limitless avenging fury but himself. Fresh scars judged his wilderness deeds and multitudes of bloodied scalps; proud trophies of countless combat victories.