William Drummond Stewart hired Antoine, a “half-breed,”  to accompany him on his adventures into the fur trade wilderness. Antoine was loyal and by Stewart’s side at all times. Artist Alfred Jacob Miller used Antoine in several of his depictions of the Drummond expedition and the American West. “The subject of the sketch is a half-breed (that … Continue reading Antoine →

Although Miller, the painter, did not see this scene after it occurred during one of Captain Stewart’s earlier trips to the mountains,  the witnesses recounted it to him in detail and he painted several versions of it. The story goes that a  band of young Crows invaded the camp while Stewart was in charge. They carried off … Continue reading Attack by Crow Indians →

Jacques Laramie (also known as Jacques La Remy and LaRamie) was a French Canadian who worked as a fur trapper and trader for the North West Company, which traded furs out of Canada. In 1815 or 1816, LaRamie and a small group of fellow trappers settled in the area where Fort Laramie would later be located … Continue reading Jacques La Ramie →

Chief Washakie, c.1804-1900, a chief of the Eastern Shoshone tribe of Wyoming, was noted for his exploits in fighting and also for his friendship with the white pioneers. When wagon trains were passing through Shoshone country in the 1850s, Washakie and his people aided the overland travelers in fording streams and recovering strayed cattle. He … Continue reading Chief Washakie & the Shoshone Wind River Reservation →

John Jacob Astor (1763 – 1848) was a German-born American businessman, merchant, fur trader, and investor who was the first prominent member of the Astor family.  He was the first multi-millionaire in the United States and as such,  created the first family trust in America. His commercial connections extended over the entire globe and his ships were found in … Continue reading John Jacob Astor/American Fur Company →

John Coulter (c.1774 –1812) was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806). Though party to one of the more famous expeditions in American history, Colter is best remembered for explorations he made during the winter of 1807–1808 when he became the first known person of European descent to enter the region now recognized … Continue reading John Coulter (aka Colter) →

Sacajawea (also known as Sakakawea or Sacagawea) was a Lemhi Shoshone woman who helped the Lewis and Clark Expedition achieve each of its chartered mission objectives in the exploration of the Louisiana Purchase. Learn more about Sacajawea and her connection to Wyoming. Resources

“Coureur des Bois” or “Woods Runners” were men from New France (Montreal) who made their way out west to trap fur animals. Jacque LaRamie would fit into this group of French trappers and explorers. Prior to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the term “Coureur des Bois” was most strongly associated with those who engaged in … Continue reading Coureur des Bois →

Toussaint Charbonneau (1767 – 1843) was a French Canadian explorer and trader, as well as a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He is also known as the husband of Sacajawea. Learn more about Toussaint Charbonneau and his connection to Wyoming. Resources