PREFACE. In the preparation of this work I have endeavored to trace the early explorers who came to Wyoming. It will be observed that, with a single exception, every account given is based upon authentic history; the exception being the chapter devoted to "Spanish Occupation." While it must be admitted that these traditions are reasonable and interesting, I have deemed it better to utilize only a small portion of the Spanish claims. It would have been possible to have gone back to 1591 and traced the expedition of Don Juan de Onate from Mexico through Colorado and the northwest. It is believed that he explored the South and North Platte and if he did he must have reached Wyoming. While interesting speculations might be indulged in regarding numerous Spanish expeditions to the north, I have refrained from this for the reason that these are tradition and not history. The more modern explorations and occupations are quite as interesting as those of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The searcher after facts will find many surprises in regard to the early occupation of this country by white men. When Robert Stuart passed down the Sweetwater and North Platte in 1812-13, he met Dornin and Roi, two white traders, not far below Grand Island on the Platte River. At that early date there were many white trappers in this part of the west. John B. Sarpey, his brother Peter A. Sarpey, Godfrey Gerry and Elbridge Gerry, two brothers, came during the twenties and remained permanently. The Gerrys were grandsons of Elbridge Gerry, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. I have every reason to believe that Manuel Lisa's trappers also visited eastern Wyoming as early as 1809. The Chouteau brothers of St. Louis sent their men into this part of the west at an early date, that is previous to 1815. Just what time they reached the upper waters of the Platte, it is impossible to say with any degree of certainty. Desiring to confine this work to matters of known record, I have carefully avoided entering the realm of tradition. The fur trading period forms a distinct epoch in the history of Wyoming. The prosecution of this business, to a large extent, changed the conditions of the Indians, the white men and the country. Few of the great leaders in the fur trade cared to interest themselves in explorations. Previous to 1832 only General W. H. Ashley, of all the fur traders and trappers, took an interest in exploring the country. Following this renowned leader, came the first official explorer, Captain B. L. E. Bonneville. Much care has been taken to point out the official character of this, the first expedition to enter Wyoming under instructions of the government. Irving's charming story of Captain Bonneville, to some extent, was regarded as a romance at the time of its publication, but I hope I have succeeded in showing that the expedition was intended to accomplish a scientific and useful purpose. Because of the official character of Captain Bonneville, I have made copious extracts from his report and it must be admitted that his investigations in this country form a reliable part of our early history. Fremont came ten years later and the scientific nature of his work in this section, as well as its high official character and importance, has demanded at my hands no less space than is accorded it. Great pains have been taken to search out all that relates to the Overland trail, including the depredations committed by Indians along this famous highway, the Oregon, Mormon and California emigration, the establishing of the mail line across the mountains, the starting of the Pony Express, the building of the telegraph line and all the incidents of a public nature which contribute to the history of the times. The Indian wars which followed are covered by offi cial reports, which have been used and which form the basis of the history of all military operations connected with the protection of emigrants. I make no claim that this history is entirely free from error, but I will assure the reader that every precaution has been taken in its preparation, and, as far as possible, dates, incidents and circumstances have been secured from official reports and from other reliable sources. The illustrations in this volume, for the most part, have intrinsic value, and some of them have been secured with difficulty. The portrait of Captain B. L. E. Bonneville was kindly furnished me by the Hon. N. P. Langford. That of Father De Smet was secured through the kindness of Bishop Lenihan. T. Jeff Carr presented the portrait of General Connor. These are rare portraits and difficult to obtain at this late day. Most of the illustrations along the Overland trail are by the Wyoming artist, M. D. Houghton, who produced them after much study and investigation. They are not mere ideal drawings, but were made with the assistance of pioneers who took the trouble to visit, with the artist, the locality, and explain the forts, buildings, bridges, etc. These drawings have stood the test of critical examinations on the part of many old timers who were familiar with the appearance of everything along the Overland road in the old days. This work will be completed in three volumes, each of which will have a table of contents, and the last book will contain a full index covering the subjects treated upon in the three volumes and these subjects will be subdivided and indexed for the convenience of those in search of information. The index will also give names, battles, incidents and all matter connected with the history of the State, so that the reader will be enabled to find, without delay, any subject, incident or name mentioned in the work. I owe it to myself to say that the undertaking has grown on my hands and has become of greater magnitude than was contemplated. Other states have histories that simply re late to events which are a part only of their occupation and settlement; while Wyoming was the highway where converged all roads leading across the plains to the territories beyond. This made our State the theater of bloody wars from the time of the discovery of South Pass, for more than seventy years. Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado each have histories filled with thrilling tales of the border; while our State had to bear the concentrated warfare engendered in the territories named. Our mountain passes afforded opportunity for ambush suited to the character of the savage tribes who disputed the passage of white men through the country. This holds good from the earliest record of trappers and traders, down through the emigrant days, the building of the railroad, and only ended when the government succeeded in utterly crushing the red warriors. This volume covers many startling situations and yet the happenings of the territorial period, which are told in the second volume, are no less dramatic. This is now in preparation and will be completed in a few months. It opens with the history of the founding of Cheyenne, the organization of Laramie County, the founding of Laramie City, the organization of Albany and other counties, together with the commencement of the Territorial Government. These events were intended for the first volume, but a proper division of the matter, after it was prepared forced me to assign these subjects to the second volume. By this change a large number of illustrations, which go with the matter mentioned, are left out of this volume, but will appear in the next. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. Grand Possibilities-Mineral Wealth-Backbone of the The Claims of the Spaniards Regarding the Northwest― What Different Writers Say-Where Did the White Blood of the Mandans Come From?-Relics of Iron Tools Found in Northern Wyoming and Montana-Evidences of Mining and French Canadian Explorations.... The De la Verendryes Lead an Expedition from Canada to the Headwaters of the Mississippi Across to the Missouri into the Yellowstone and Wind River Countries-Turned Back by the Shoshones, Who Persuade the Explorers That They Will be Killed by the Sioux at South Pass-Eleven Years Spent in the Wilderness-Return to Montreal-Second Expedition Is Prevented by the Death of De la Verendrye -Unprincipled Politicians Rob the De la Verendrye Family and Get Their Hands in the Coffers of the King--Fur Trade |