Episode 111: Frontier Justice: The Mystery of the Mad Trapper

In the remote wilderness of Canada’s Yukon Territory, in January 1932, one of the most extraordinary manhunts in history unfolded. A fugitive known only as Albert Johnson, or the “Mad Trapper of Rat River,” was on the run, and the RCMP was hot on his heels. For six long weeks, Johnson outwitted and outlasted his pursuers in one of the most brutal environments on earth. This wasn’t just a man against the law—it was a battle against nature itself.

The story began in the summer of 1931 when Johnson appeared seemingly out of nowhere in the small outpost of Fort McPherson. He was a man of few words, carrying more cash than anyone in the area had seen in years and with a reputation for being a crack shot. His presence raised suspicion from the start, and things took a darker turn when complaints started filtering in about his interference with Indigenous trappers’ lines along the Rat River.

By Christmas of 1931, the RCMP had reason to confront Johnson, and they did so with little idea of what they were walking into. When they arrived at his small cabin on December 28th, Johnson fired the first shot, wounding Constable Edgar Millen and sending the RCMP team scrambling to get him to safety. But the manhunt was far from over.

On New Year’s Day 1932, the RCMP prepared to return with reinforcements, and when they arrived on January 9th, they were ready for a siege. They rigged the cabin with dynamite, and when the explosion echoed across the land, it seemed like an end to the standoff. But against all odds, Johnson survived. He retaliated with deadly accuracy, proving that this man was no ordinary fugitive.

For weeks, Johnson slipped deeper into the wilderness, evading capture by using his intimate knowledge of the land. The RCMP, desperate to catch him, enlisted the help of bush pilot Wop May, who scoured the skies above, using aerial reconnaissance to track Johnson’s movements. Despite their best efforts, Johnson continued to stay one step ahead, covering more than 137 kilometers through the icy terrain. His skills as a survivalist were extraordinary, and his ability to endure the bitter cold and evade capture made him seem almost supernatural.

The pursuit continued into February, with the RCMP closing in on Johnson near the confluence of the Eagle and Bell Rivers. Finally, on February 17th, the chase reached its bloody conclusion. Johnson, weakened but still formidable, engaged in a firefight with the RCMP. He managed to shoot Constable Alfred Hersey before he was hit multiple times, the final bullet ending his legendary flight from the law.

When the RCMP searched Johnson’s body, they found a strange mix of personal items—everything from fishhooks to $2,000 in cash—further adding to the mystery of who he truly was. Despite extensive investigations, Johnson’s identity was never fully confirmed. Theories have swirled for decades, with some suggesting he was a prospector, others proposing he was a fugitive from the American Midwest or even Scandinavia. But to this day, no one knows for sure who Albert Johnson was or why he chose to vanish into the Yukon wilderness.

His story continues to captivate us because it’s not just about the chase. It’s about survival, mystery, and a man whose identity has become part of the wilderness itself. The Mad Trapper of Rat River remains a legend—an enigmatic figure whose story, filled with danger and suspense, defies explanation.

Join us in this episode of Historical True Crime as we dive into one of the most gripping and mysterious manhunts in history. The case of Albert Johnson still leaves unanswered questions, and his story remains an enduring puzzle for historians and crime enthusiasts alike.