Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-02-14
Major Andrew Dawson Was One of
Most Gifted Early-Day Fur Traders

of them had Indian wives, and their
children were among the best of mixed
bloods.
On the upper Missouri, three Scotch
| fur traders made enviable records. The
first of these, who was formerly an
employee of the Hudson's Bay Co., was
Kenneth Mckenzie. He it was who
conceived the plan of winning the
trade of the Blackfeet for the Ameri-
cans and sent Berger north to nego-
tate with them.
The second. Alexander Culbertson.
was of Scottish ancestry. His record
is fair page In the history Of this
region. His relations with the Indians
were remarkably friendly. They trust
ed him implicitly, as did his employers.
The third, Mai. Andrew Dawson,
came of a distinguished Scotch fam
lily Born April IS, 1917, in the little
town Of Dalkeith, he claimed descent
on his mothers side, from the kings
Of Scotland, and from one Of the most
noted families of the Land o. Cakes"
the Erskines. Many of the Erskines
were ministers who dared to be in
advance Of their day. One Erskine was
lord advocate Of Scotland, and another,
lord chancellor Of England
Andrew received a good education,
and after leaving school, studied law
with his uncle, a famous lawyer Of
Edinburgh. During his stay in Edin-
burgh, he attended the university. On
the completion of his law course, he
decided it was not his vocation, and
leaving Scotland, went to England.
where he became confidential clerk Of
large manufacturing firm.
Wearying Of England, and possessed
of a desire for travel, he crossed the
took a boat for st. Louis. 1t is said
of him, that when he reached this
city. he had but rs cents. Two-thirds
of this he gave to a cabman, and the
remaining third was expended to open
his trunk, he having lost the key
He was not a handsome man; tall.
freckle-faced, with blue eyes and red |
hair, but his pictures prove that he 1
had a winsome smile. Perhaps it was
the smile that won the heart of his |
landlady, and made her willing TO /
grant a months credit to the penni- !
less youth. There were other Scotch /
men in st. Louis then, and with their I
proverbial clannishness, they did all
they could to aid their fellow country
man.
In st. Louis he heard much of the 1
Missouri fur trade. and the life APP
pealing to his love of adventure, he
set out for one Of the posts together
with a man named Morgan. For
time all went well but as they neared
the Indian country, Dawson returned
to camp one evening to find his part
ner had departed, and taken the
horses with him, although he consid-
erately left a note stating that he
was afraid to go on; as for Dawson,
he could do as he pleased. Dawson
pleased to continue the journey
northward for six weeks, subsisttng
on berries and what else
the country afforded In the food line.
until at length he reached Fort Pierre,
and delivered the dispatches he carried.
From Fort Pierre he went to Fort
Clarke, where he lived several years,
and married the daughter Of Pierre
5arreau Here he gained the name OF
Long Knife" on account Of his car
-ying a sword he had inherited from
MS ancestors, who were strong adj
1erents Of the Stuarts.
Because Of his tact and ability In
dealing with the Indians. Dawson
rapidly rose in the fur business, filling
me responsible post after another, un-
IL he finally became a partner. Many
instances are given Of his resourceful-
ness and daring. Once he went alone
rom Fort Clarke to Fort Union-200
with him copper kettle
o be repaired; this serving to cloak
MS real mission, which was to carry
dispatches he did not wish should be
suspected by anyone connected with
he Hudson's Bay Co.
Whether as a result Of the success
II this mission or not, Dawson was
ent to Fort Benton In 1854, where he
completed the building Of the fort, and
named 1t for his friend, Senator Thorn
IS n. Benton Of Missouri, author Of