Alaska Highway, Company C. In an interview with author Donna Blasor Bernhardt, Russell tells this story:
During February and March of 1943, Russell, Kenneth Anderson and Eddie Reichow had been ‘loaned out’ to Alaska Defense to operate heavy equipment. The equipment was located at several gold mines.
Bush pilots flew them to each location. The machinery had been idle for several months. They built fires under the motors and gears to liquefy the congealed lubricating oil. It took four to five days for this to occur before the engineers could attempt to start the motors.
While waiting at Ruby, Alaska for a plane to transport them to another location, they met and became friends with the local natives of this small community. The natives decided to hold a dance. One of the older Indians played the accordion, but only knew a few songs. The men didn’t mind.
One of the songs sounded very familiar and Rube asked Anderson if he recognized the song. Anderson did not so Rube told him that they were playing “Old Rugged Cross”. They laughed and continued to dance.