was waiting for laborers, all burned with a desire to go and help him gather in the harvest."

Father De Smet returned to the mountains again in the early spring of 1841, following once more the North Platte, the Sweetwater, and was met at the south point of the Wind River Range (South Pass) by ten lodges of the Flathead Indians. He was conducted through Wyoming by a noted trapper and guide named John Gray, who will be remembered by many of our pioneers even to this day. His interpreter was another well known character, Gabriel Prudhomme, a half-breed, also two brothers, Charles and Francis Ignace. The priest spent some little time in southwestern Wyoming and then went on to Fort Hall and finally to old Fort Owen in Montana. His services among the Flatheads to all appearances were productive of great good. Lieutenant John Mullan of the United States army, who accompanied Isaac J. Stephens on an expedition into Montana thirteen years afterwards, thus writes of the condition of these Indians at that time, a condition brought about by the labors of Father De Smet.

"When I arrived at the camp, with my guide, three or four men came to meet me and we were invited to enter the lodge of the great chief. With much eagerness they took care of our horses and unsaddled them and led them to drink. As soon as all the camp had been informed of the arrival of the white man among them, the principal men of the tribe collected at the lodge of the chief. All being assembled, at a signal given by the chief they prayed aloud. I was struck with astonishment, for I had not the least expectation of such conduct on their part. The whole assembly knelt in the most solemn manner and with the greatest reverence they adored the Lord. I asked myself, 'Am I among Indians? Am I among people whom all the world call savages?' I could scarcely believe my eyes. thought that these men were penetrated with religious sentiment so profound and beautiful overwhelmed me with amazement."

The

Father De Smet was in and out of Wyoming for many years. He paid a number of visits to the Crows and passed over all that country lying north of Big Wind River on both sides of the Big Horn River. He visited the Powder River

country and many times passed over the ground where Buffalo now stands. Ten miles north of Buffalo is a beautiful lake which is named after him. The Crows at first received him as the other Indians had done, with courtesy and kindness, but after a time the awe and veneration inspired by his black gown and large gold cross, which hung on his breast, wore off and they became slightly sceptical in regard to his being a direct representative of the Great Spirit. One day a prominent chief of the tribe showed his scepticism to the good father, in a marked manner, by saying to him that if he would go out on the prairie where an old buffalo bull was grazing and put his hands on the animal's head, it would be proof to the tribe that he was the Great Spirit, but if the buffalo should kill him they would know that he was not protected by supernatural power. The priest saw that he must run the risk of attempting to perform what seemed very near a miracle. He boldly advanced toward the old bull, who as he approached continued to graze. Nearer and nearer to the animal he advanced, and finally when only a few yards distant the huge creature raised his head and gazed intently at the black gown and flashing cross, and finally the priest placed his hand on the bull's head, the animal the while seeming to be transfixed to the spot. Having accomplished his mission, Father De Smet turned and walked back to the group of Indians, who were awaiting the test. The savages received him as they would one possessing Divine power. They verily believed from that moment that he was under the protection of the Great Spirit, and quickly the incident spread through the entire Crow nation and even to adjoining tribes. Many Indians in the northwest, I am told, still relate this story in proof of the God-given power of Father De Smet.

Many old residents of Wyoming today remember this good priest and are ever anxious to testify to his worthy deeds. During his travels in this state he investigated and became acquainted with the geological formation of the country. He visited extensively in Montana, Idaho, and even to the mouth of the Columbia, but he seemed to find

much more in Wyoming to interest him than in any other place. His name is inseparably connected with the Big Horn country. Reverend Father Meaphlie, a chaplain in the United States army, is authority for a story which has often been related, in which the Father told of the Indians showing him handfuls of nuggets which they proposed manufacturing into bullets for an old pistol which the Father had given to a prominent chief. De Smet was really taken to the spot from whence the nuggets were obtained, and found it to be immensely rich. But he taught the sav ages the value of it, told them their beautiful country would soon be desecrated by white miners if the facts became known, and in return was compelled to promise never to reveal the secret of its location. To the question once asked him by the Bishop of his church at Omaha, "Are those mines on the Pacific coast the ones you have told about?" the Father answered in the negative, and then sorrowfully added, "but I fear it will not be many years until they are discovered, and then what will become of my poor Indians?" To army officers and others he has often admitted his knowledge of those mines in the northwest, when closely pressed to do so, and many persons are now living who have tried in various ways to extract more definite knowledge from him. Most of these believe that a careful prospecting of the Big Horn and Wind River regions will certainly reveal the terra incognito, because it is understood that the old Montana mines were not meant, and that no spot yet discovered in the Black Hills answers to his glowing description.

Says Strayhorn in his "Handbook of Wyoming": "On Father De Smet's return from one of his long trips, just as the discovery of gold in California was made known, he heard some acquaintances expressing doubt as to the wonderful stories from the west. Turing to them, he said: 'I do not doubt it. I am sure there is gold in California;' and after a moment's pause he quietly added: 'I know where gold exists in the Rocky Mountains in such abundance that, if made known, it would astonish the world. It is even richer than California! Among those who knew him best

his statements were taken for literal truth, and when asked to corroborate the assertion quoted he would make no explanation, merely adhering to it and saying that he had promised the Indians never to describe the location of this wealth."

In 1868 Father De Smet visited Cheyenne and remained for some days, and while there gave an interesting account of northern Wyoming. Said he: "There are many lovely valleys in that section, capable of sustaining a large population. The mountain scenery is truly grand, and the vast forests of timber wonderful and invaluable. Often have I seen evidences of mineral wealth in this wonderful country at different places. The whole range of the Rocky Mountains, from New Mexico to British America, is mineral bearing. In many places the streams are stocked with trout, and game was abundant wherever I went. The climate is delightful, often reminding me of the climate of the south of France, near the Pyrenees. I have ridden through some of these rich valleys where the grass was so rank and tall that my head was not visible above its top when seated on horseback."

Father Peter De Smet died at St. Louis, May 23, 1873, in which city his remains were interred. This pious priest possessed many qualities which go to make up the man, and his memory will long be cherished not only in Wyoming but in the adjoining state of Montana and along the full length of the Columbia River. Let no one have the idea that Father De Smet was not fond of telling of his experiences among the Indians and of describing the country through which he traveled. He rode on horseback thousands of miles, and the whole territory of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington was clearly mapped out in his mind. He wrote many letters which were published in Belgium. In 1843 these letters were re-edited and appeared in book form under the title of "Letters and Sketches." In 1847 another volume appeared under the title "Oregon Missions." He published at least two volumes in America which are said to contain much valuable information. I

have met many people who were intimately acquainted with this remarkable man, and they one and all speak of him as possessing generous and genial qualities. Some regret that he gave himself up to the missionary cause, claiming that in other walks of life he would have become a giant among men.

CHAPTER XIX.

FREMONT'S EXPLORATIONS IN WYOMING.

THE FIRST MILITARY EXPEDITION TO VISIT Our State-THE MAIN DETACHMENT FOLLOWS THE NORTH PLATTE TO FORT LARAMIE-FREMONT WITH a Small ParTY VISITS Fort St. Vrain and Passes NORTH TO FORT Laramie-DESCRIPTION OF THE FORT AS IT APPEARED IN 1842-INDIANS INVITE THEM TO PARTAKE OF A DOG FEAST-INDIAN CHIEFS WARN THE PARTY THAT IF THEY GO FURTHER WEST, WILL KILLED-FREMONT'S SPEECH OF DEFIANCE-EXPEDITION GOES FORWARD OBSERVATIONS REGARDING FORMATIONS, SOIL, CLIMATE, ETC.

BE

The exploring expedition of Lieutenant John C. Fremont into Wyoming in 1842 was an important event in our early history. The commander of the expedition, though only twenty-nine years old, was a ripe scholar, a keen observer, and withal possessed the genius of an explorer. He left throughout Wyoming and the Rocky Mountains indelible footprints and gave to the world a comprehensive knowledge of things as they were in our country at that time. Not only did he bring to his task full and complete preparation for the great work which was to make his name imperishable and give him a place on the brightest pages of the western half of the Republic, but with his superior ability charmed the masses by his written reports published by the government in 1845. The cloud of mystery which had covered mountain and plain in Wyoming was cleared away by this intrepid explorer, and the locality was given its proper place on the map of the west.