Fur Trapping and the Corps of Discovery
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Colter's Run -- Private John Newman -- LCTHF 40th Annual Meeting Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation I www.lewisandclark.org November 2008 Volume 34, No. 4 Fur Trapping and the Corps of Discovery I d \\I It H I I KARL BOOMER, BEAVER ~UTDNTHE MISSOURI, ENGRAVING WITH AQUA.TINT. HANO-COLORED lVIGNETTE XVIII COURTESY OF JOSLYN ART MUSEUM, OMAHA, NEBRASKA Contents President's Message: Trail is at the heart of our focus on the future 2 Letters: A motive for Lewis's murder; the Experiment 4 The Life of John Colter 6 Colter"s Race, p. 7 Better known for his exploits after the expedition, Colter's heart remained in the West he explored with the Corps of Discovery Bylany E. Morris Moonlighting on the Lewis and Clark Expedition 16 In the early days of the expedition, Corps of Discovery members realized trapping was a lucrative industry By Jim Hardee John Newman: "A Man of Uncommon 24 Activity and Bodily Strength" "Mutinous" activity put an early end to his service with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but he later enjoyed a successful fur trade / '"" career in the shadow of their 1804-1805 winter encampment American beaver, p. 17 By Richard K. Stenberg ' Dispatches 30 Brooke to serve as president in 2008-2009; three elected to board of directors; awards at 40th annual meeting recognize and honor members' achievements Annual Meeting 34 Foundation headquarters, Portage Route Chapter host 40th annual meeting Soundings 36 Native Voices Endowment announces first five awards Fort Clark, p. 27 On the cover Artist Karl Bodmer depicted beaver and their lodge on July 17, 1833, on his way up the Missouri River from Fort Union to Fore McKenzie. Swiss-born Bodmer was engaged by Prince Alexander Philipp Maximiliam specifically to provide a record of his travels in North America, principally among the Plains Indians. President's Message Trail is at the heart of our focus on the future N ovember 2008 • Volume 34, Number 4 We Proceeded On is the official pu blication of the Lewis and Clark Trail H eritage - love this trail! It's why I became new chapter charters to renewing our Foundation, Inc. Its name derives from a Foundation member in the partnership with the National Park a phrase that appears repeatedly in the first place. The trail has meant Service and actively participating collective journals of the expedition. © 2008 L E. G. Chuinard, M.D., Founder so much to my family over the years. in our Third Century Campaign, ISSN 02275-6706 In fact, we're a closer family because Karen worked tirelessly to ensure of it. I became a Foundation member our actions were Editor .-i Wendy M. Raney when I saw a fellow in a convenience done correctly P.O . Box 3434 store m Fort Benton, Montana, and in accordance Great Falls, MT 59403 wearing a vest with the Lewis and with our by-laws. 361-221-9322 C lark Trail H eritage Foundation logo. H aving worked [email protected] Later I learned that man was Ron closely with Karen Volunteer Proofreaders Laycock, a former president of this the past two years H. Carl Camp Jerry Garren Foundation. I "Googled" the name on the board, I I saw on Ron's vest and immediately can say that she Printed by PRISM Color Corporation, became an LCTH F member through loves this trail Moorestown, New Jersey Brooke the Web site. That was six years ago, passionately. I am EDITORIAL BOARD and I have enj oyed my membership grateful she will be on our board for James J. Holmberg, leader immensely ever since. another year as past-president. Thank Louisville, Kentucky I bet there are many of you reading you, Karen-from all of us-for your Robert C. C arriker Spok ane, Washington this column who have a similar story service. I know I have very large shoes Glen Lindeman about how you became a Foundation to fill! Pullman, Washington member, and how you encouraged As we enthusiastically enter the others to join. The trail offers so much: Membership Information Third C entury since the Corps of a fantastic story, beautiful scenery, D iscovery, it is important to consider Membership in the Lewis and C lark Trail a history rich with legacies and fun where we need to go from here. Dur H eritage Foundation, Inc. is open to the public. Information and applications anecdotes, strong links to our N ative ing my term as p resident, I w ill focus are available by writing Membership American heritage and more. The trail like a laser on the four major elements Coordinator, Lewis and Clark Trail H eritage represents a true common bond for all that make our Foundation a success Foundation, P.O. Box 3434, Great Falls, MT of us. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ in carrying out our 59403. So, it is with a ... being on the trail ... literally v1s10n: Membership, We Proceeded On, the quarterly magazine humble but passion Foundation Chapters, of the Foundation, is mailed to current Finances, and Trail members in February, May, August, and ate heart that I assume changedt hed irectionO f my life. November. Articles appearing in this journal the office of president Stewardship and Edu are abstracted and indexed in HISTORICAL of the Foundation's board of direc cation. Nothing else happens unless ABSTRACTS and Afy[ERI CA: H ISTORY AN D tors. The trail is an important national those maj or pillars of our Foundation LIFE. treasure. Our Foundation vision state are successful, healthy and vibrant. Annual Membership Categories: ment is clear and unfettered: to pro Your board meetings and activities Student $30 vide "national leadership as keepers of will be structured to make those four Libr ary/Nonprofit $40 the story, stewards of the Lewis and areas the focus of all we do. Individual $49 Clark National Historic Trail ... " I Ensuring the Foundation's growth Family/International $65 H eritage Club $100 view this as no less important to our will require effort from everyone. This Explorer C lub $150 country than the mission of the Corps is not just a board function. To grow, J efferson Club $250 of Discovery. They accomplished we must-asweused to say in my N avy Discovery C lub $500 their mission. O ur sacred duty now is flying days - "push the envelope." We Expedicioo Club $1,000 Leadership Club $2,500 to ensure their legacy is preserved and will call upon the best and brightest nurtured for all who follow us. in our Foundation to help us along The Lewis and Clark Trail H eritage Foundation, Inc. is a taX-exempt nonprofit corporation. We have been so fortunate this past the way. We have wonderful resources Individual membership dues are not tax deductible. year to have Karen Seaberg as our within our Foundation, and I intend The portion of premium dues over $49 is tax deductible. president to guide us in placing the to tap them. I am grateful that we Foundation on solid legal and financial have a very active and engaged board footing. From the development of of directors and dedicated staff to 2 ~ We Proceeded On November 2008 Jim Brooke floated the upper Missouri River through the White Cliffs region with his sons and has been passionate about the trail and the Foundation ever since. ~ provide the leadership necessary to Foundation President Jim Brooke Why Sacagawea ensure success. recently announced the organization's ... Deserves Of course, underpinning our committees and key leaders for 2008- the DaY. Off activities will be fun and enjoyment of , 2009. They are as follows: " and Other ..,'!' Lessons from the trail. There is a special joy I know Annual Meeting the Lewis & all of us share in our experiences on Barb Kubik, [email protected] this fantastic trail. All the books and Clark Trail Awards videos about this important historical Ken J utzi, [email protected] event are wonderful, but nothing compares to being on the trail. I Diversity Ad'Visory know that first hand. That experience Chris Howell, [email protected] literally changed the direction of Education my life. Along the way, I have met Jay Buckley, [email protected] the dearest friends I have-you, our Financial Affairs Foundation members! Jerry Robertson, I encourage each of us to take time [email protected] to enjoy the trail during the com_ing Governance year, and convince our friends to jo!n ~ Jane Weber, [email protected] us. I'll report on the progress of our LCNHT Completion four major pillars in subsequent \VPO Jim Mallory, [email protected] editions. Meantime, please feel free to Membership contact me by e-mail at jamesrbrooke@ Jim Rosenberger, [email protected] aol.com or by telephone at 719- Past Presidents 963-8528 with any suggestions or Ron Laycock, [email protected] comments. Living History I look forward to serving to the best Bud Clark, [email protected] of my abilities and to working with all of you, while having fun, to achieve Third Century Campaign our goals. Jim Brooke, [email protected] -Jim Brooke Trail Stewardship President, LCTHF Dick Fichtler, [email protected] November 2008 We Proceeded On ~ 3 Letters The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc. Amotive for Lewis's murder: the Experiment P.O. Box 3434, Great Falls, MT 59403 406-454-1234 I 1-888-701-3434 I have believed that Meriwether Lewis Austin, a mine operator from Virginia, Fax: 406-771-9237 www.lewisandclark.org was murdered ever since I read Vardis had established his land claim under the The mission of the LCTHF is: Fisher's book, Suicide or Murder? For Spanish government.