In the summer of 1931, a mysterious stranger arrived in the Fort McPherson area, apparently having travelled overland from the Yukon. He was a tough, competent bush man who clearly wanted to be left alone. He told Constable Edgar Millen of Arctic Red River that his name was Albert Johnson and he planned to go to the Rat River country northwest of Fort McPherson, but he revealed little else.
In December, an Indian trapper complained that Johnson had sprung his traps. When the police tried to investigate, Johnson shot Constable A.W. King, gravely wounding him.
