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FIRST FORT IN NEBRASKA COUNTRY

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necessary for the expedition during the winter, while the intercourse by river is closed."

Letters to anyone on the expedition should be directed to Franklin, "where an express from the Council Bluffs will arrive once a month for the purpose of receiving all letters, papers &c. for the expedition."

Jan. 12, 1820. Monroe's message, Dec. 7, 1819, says that the troops "ordered to the mouth of the Yellow Stone on the Missouri have ascended that river to the Council Bluffs, where they will remain until next spring [the next spring], when they will proceed to the place of their destination."

COUNCIL BLUFFS AND FORT ATKINSON DESCRIBED

Jan. 19. Prints a letter "from a gentleman attached to the Yellow Stone expedition to his friend in this place," dated "Fort Missouri, Council Bluffs, Nov. 16.”

"... This fort is situated eight hundred miles above the mouth of the Missouri, and one mile above the place called the Council Bluffs, the place where Lewis and Clark held a general council with all the Indians in this quarter of the world. It is a bluff of about 100 feet higher than the surface of the water, and perpendicular on the side adjoining the river, which flows at its base, but it gradually descends to the distance of three fourths of a mile on all other sides. . . . The fort that is now built is only temporary; but next year there will be one built of brick on the top of the bluff." The timber above and below "renders it the most beautiful spot I have ever seen for a fort...

"I expect to ascend the Missouri next year, several hundred miles higher, but I do not think the troops will ever reach the Yellow Stone. All the Indians have become quite submissive & friendly."

February 23. Mr. Daugherty," just arrived from

"John Dougherty was distinguished as agent among the Upper Missouri Indians and for his intelligent activity in politics. He was

Council Bluffs, reports that "the troops are fast recovering from their great fatigue in errecting barracks, &c. Several had died of dysentery and fever."

"About the first of January, the Sioux's murdered ten lodges of the Ponkar indians, amounting to sixty souls, with Mr. Vandeburg, a trader, formerly of Vincennes, and a Frenchman, in Mr. V's employ. The massacre took place south of the river Platte, on the margin of a stream called Fourche de Loup.

"The steam boats Expedition and Johnson are expected daily, as they were preparing to descend the river as Mr. D. passed them".

Missouri Gazette & Public Advertiser, Aug. 23, 1820.

STEAMBOATS.

Washington-advertisement that after returning from the mouth of the Ohio in about ten days, "she will proceed for Franklin on the Missouri provided that sufficient freight offers."

From September 13, 1820, to March 20, 1822, James C. Cummins was owner and publisher of the Missouri Gazette & Public Advertiser.

Ibid., Jan. 17, 1821. Advertisement: "If seventy tons or more of freight shall offer for the Council Bluffs, a steam boat of the first class can be had on application to John Shackford & Co."

The Washington apparently did not get satisfactory offers of freight for Franklin.

Ibid., June 6, 1821. Notes the arrival on June 3, of the Expedition, Captain M'Guire, from Council Bluffs, "where she has been lying aground for some time."

Aug. 15. The Mars is in from Shippingport, and the Dolphin has made trips between St. Louis and New Orleans. The Paragon also has been running this season to

subagent, under Manuel Lisa, for the Indians above the Kansas as early as 1813 and continued in that office under Benjamin O'Fallon until he became agent in 1827. He began to act as interpreter also in 1816. He was afterward associated with Robert Campbell in carrying on his business as sutler at Fort Kearny.

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SANTA FE TRAIL STARTED

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the mouth of the Ohio and to Shippingport and Cincinnati.

Nov. 21. The Memoranda, Rapide, United States, Maid of Orelans, Dolphin, and Missouri running to the Ohio and to New Orleans.

Feb. 27, 1822. "Corn wanted"-by the editor, on subscription. Hopes by this method to catch farmers who are in arrears.

March 20, 1822, new name, "Missouri Republican", new proprietor, "Printed by Edward Charless", Josiah Spalding, editor. June 5. Capt. Craig is captain of the Calhoun, which has arrived at St. Louis from Louisville.

June 12. Speech of T. H. Benton, in senate, about illegal leases of lead mines, showing that upon the application of Richard M. Johnson two such leases, 160 acres each, had been made to James Johnson and others, of Kentucky, to be taken anywhere between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi river, for three years.

Aug. 14, 1822. Aug. Choteau, Wm. Clark, Ber'd Pratte, John O' Fallon, Rob't Wash, as trustees of the Bank of Missouri, give notice that makers of notes to the bank, which have been assigned to the trustees, must pay up, for the purpose of raising a fund to redeem the notes of the bank in circulation and pay its depositors.

"Prominent" names, an indication of unstable banking.

Sept. 4. Notes editorially, that "Numerous boats are preparing both up the Mississippi and Missouri, to convey produce down." There is much activity among fur dealers. Retrenchment and economy have taken the place of profusion.

Notes that, "Wilson P. Hunt, Esq., has been appointed Post Master at this place."

SANTA FE TRAIL

Nov. 13. In his message at the opening of the second general assembly, Governor Alexander M'Nair said that

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