Former Supreme Court Justice rides again

Harrison drove buses in the 1930s

By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

When John Harrison approached his old friend Saturday evening he couldn't help but smile.

There she sat, spit-shined and gleaming.

112.

His car. His red bus. His summer job, a long time ago, was driving her.

Now he was going to sit behind her wheel again.

Welcome home.

Harrison, 92, drove red buses in Glacier in 1936, 37, 39 and 40. The Depression was on. On this day, however, Harrison is along for the ride. His granddaughter Aidan has just been married, and the party is going from the family home in Glacier National Park to the Belton Chalet.

In the 1930s, the gig was much different.

"You were lucky to get a job back then," he explained. But a fraternity brother who was a red bus driver got him on. Harrison was paid $65 a month back then which included room and board.

"You had to work for the tips," he said. "I had a pocket full of change and I'd shake it."

The shaking change reminded passengers he was a college student.

Harrison did his undergraduate work at Montana State University and University of Montana. He graduated George Washington University and would go on to be the longest running Montana Supreme Court Justice ever, serving from 1960 to 1994.

Still, driving the reds tugs at his heart.

He remembers a day in France during World War II. He was a colonel and had survived the invasion at Utah Beach.

Out of nowhere someone yelled.

"One-twelve, what the hell are you doing here?" Harrison recalled.

It was a fellow jammer driver serving fighting the war as well.

Today the red buses have been refurbished by the Ford Motor. Co. with automatic transmissions and electric headlights.

Harrison also drove other buses. He still remembers the numbers. 96. 90 and 62. Sixty-two started with a crank.

"If you weren't careful, it would break your wrist," he said.

The rig also had carbide lights that had to be lit.

The jammers have come a long way, Harrison noted as he sat in the driver's seat. Itching to take 112 for a spin. But not on this day. It was against some rule or another.

So he had to take a spot in the passenger seat, next to driver Justin Ahlbach.

"I hate to turn it over to this kid," Harrison said. "He doesn't realize what he's got. It's a gem."