Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-04-18

man Of the Lewis and Clark eX-
petition, after the commanders.
lie was an adventurous spirit, con-
cerning whose proves and
achievements many stories were
told in the west Of the old days.
When the famous expedition TO ex-
plore the unknown northwest was be-
Ing organized, Golfer enlisted under
Lewis and Clark as common soldier.
and the heart-breaking trip across the
continent by these intrepid explorers
was to him a great adventure. He was
a frontiersman of the Daniel Boone
type and because of his knowledge OF
woodcraft and his devotion to duty,
proved invaluable to the leaders OF
that undertaking.
Loved Western Frontier
On the return trip, when the expe-
dition reached Fort Mandan, Golfer
applied to Lewis and CLARK for his
discharge. The arduous part Of the long
Journey to and from the Pacific was
about over, and all that remained TO
negotiate the last leg of the journey
was to float down the Missouri and
Mississippi rivers to st. Louis. Golfers
good record had won for him a high
place in the esteem of his superiors,
and although they were surprised at
his request, it was granted. This was
in 1906.
The upper Missouri river country
then abounded in peltry wealth, par
ticularly beaver, the pelts of which
went current for cash in all the west
ern settlements. Golfer proposed to
remain in this paradise of the trapper,
with two frontiersmen who had fol-
lowed up the expedition, and trap los
beaver And when they turned their
backs on Lewis and Clark these three
were the only men of the white race
in all the northwestern country within
the confines of what is now the
United States.
Explored Upper Missouri
Much of the time alone and always
on foot. carrying his arms and pro-
visions with him wherever he Travelled
Golfer explored the upper missouri
country, always going where no white
man had been before him, and IN MS
migrations discovered the Yellowstone
wonderland and the Big Horn river,
was the first white man to cross the
passes at the head Of Wind river, OF
to see the country in which the Colo
RADIO river heads, and was llrst 10
penetrate the JackSon's Hole country.
When Golfer and the TWO ,rap ISaT
separated from Lewis and Clark tney
went into the Yellowstone country.
They took many pelts that first winter;
and when spring came Golfer DECIDED
to return to st. Louis. He bullI LOT
himself a dugout canoe. fashloned OUT
Of a LOG. and, loading part OF his 1urs,
launched his craft and started OH iiis
long Journey to clVlllZalloh.
Golfer Meets Lisa
F1lr trading in those days was one
of the first sources of wealth. and the
stories told by the men OF the Lewis
and Clark expedition, when they re-
turned to st. Louis, OF the opporIui,,
tiles in the fur trade, mad eHGiteu
many. and among others Manuel Lisa
-f
afterwards to become noted tfaoer;
lisa organized a company alu
eoIipped an expedition to penetrate
the upper Missouri country ana es-
tablish trading posts. This expeolIloiii
was on its way up the river Wheh, az
the mouth of the Plat1e. LISA n u.
Golfer. Golfers fame had reacned %.
Touis in the meantime and Lisa kne"
him for a woodcraftsman OF ablll.y.
He persuaded Golfer to return 10 ths
northwest. Golfer led Lisa and ms keei
boats to the mouth of the Big Horn,
on the Yellowstone, where on Coiter 5
advice Lisa built his first posi-, w'i t,,a
first habitation of n white man 10 De
built west of Fort Mandan.
Trade Guns for Furs co,+s-
His most established, Lisa sent Colter
out into the Indian country 10 ADVISE
fine red men that the white traoeIS
were ready to do business, ana Wouiu
trade guns and goods and trnkets' an
dear to the heart OF the lnaiair, Nc LGs
nelts and furs. With his pack on ms
back and carrying his gun and am
munition. and perhaps some samples
~ Goods to excite the curiosity OF tle
red men. Golfer Jared forth on ms
walk of 1000 miles through the wlluSar
ness. the pioneer commercial Ca'elei
of the northwest. wi, oo,,,+r,,
coIter met a war party of Crow IN
dians manipulating for the BlacSieet.
Golfer had been with Captain, CiaIk
IN the MariaS river when ne lio 70
kin a Piegan, an ally OF the biach.
feet so Golfer, who could not Keep
out of a fight, cast his iot VIII utaJ
crows and in the battle that follower
fhe Blackfeet were defeated. They at.
trih,ted their defeat to the proves OF
The white warrior who was tlghtmg
with their enemies. Perhaps this mel
dent, following the tragedy OF the
Marias helped to start the 70 Year,
of warfare between the Black1eet ana
the whites. soa l.,
the leo and although the wound was
severe one he continued his journey
in Iisa,s interests, travelling seVeral
hundred miles. visiting. various tribes
and finally arriving at Fort Manuel.
It was on this return journey tnat nS
discovered Yellowstone geysers anu
lake.
Riackfeet Were Hostile
There are many romantic stories on
the exploits of Golfer, and perhaps Inc
most interesting one has TO 40 WIZ
Thrilling adventure, the scene OF
wh,ch was in the country where the
Jefferson and Madison rivers, joining
form the Missouri. This country was
claimed by the Blackfeet. who were
always ready to fight trespassers. Col
ter and a man named PotS hao eS-