Keelboats, the Western Fur Trade, and the

Missouri River
• In 1803, in return for $ 15 million, the United States acquired from
France 530 million acres of land. President Thomas Jefferson
commissioned Lewis & Clark to explore this newly acquired land, to
document the resources found there.
• What was the cost per acre and why were people critical of this
purchase?
 Lewis & Clark by Gary Lucy

• In September 1806, the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery returned to the frontier
town of St. Louis from their epic journey across the Rocky Mountains.
• They brought news of massive bison and elk herds, and described the upper
Missouri River basin as “richer in beaver and otter than any country.”
• The opportunity to obtain valuable fur stimulated the formation of several St. Louis-
based fur companies and resulted in trading ventures into the region.
• These early ventures were based primarily on trading with Indians at fixed locations
along major rivers which provided an easy supply route.
Take away # 1:
• Don’t always believe things based on rumors and
hearsay. Thomas Jefferson was criticized as being
foolish for the Louisiana Purchase, based on early
reports that the land was desolate and useless. The
Lewis & Clark expedition set the record straight.
• While overland transportation also supported our
nations westward expansion in the early 1800s, the
Missouri River, more than anything else, provided the
transportation means that got it all started.
• Keelboats were the workhorses of early water
transportation on the Missouri River
 Manuel Lisa by Gary Lucy

• Keelboats had a light draft, were maneuverable, and could

carry between 20 and 40 tons of freight.
• Keelboats were constructed much like an ordinary barge, but
shallower and provided with running boards on each side;
their carrying capacity varied form seven to 20 tons, the large
class usually manned by 14 men, six on each side, with poles
which constituted the propelling powered.
• How much could one man carry on his back, over land?

• How much could one pack-animal carry on their back, over land?

• How much could one wagon carry over land?

• Keelboats carried 20 to 40 tons, but limited to waterways.

• In St. Louis, post Lewis & Clark expedition, 12 separate companies were
formed to exploit this newfound source of wealth.
• One of the first fur traders to enter into the upper Missouri River area of what
is now Montana was Manuel Lisa. Lisa established a fort at the confluence of
the Bighorn and Yellowstone Rivers. The venture was under the auspices of
the Missouri Fur Trading Company of St. Louis and included four men who
had been with Lewis and Clark, including John Colter. The expedition had a
total of 42 men.
 Manuel Lisa gained the reputation
among trappers and Indians of being a
great white man and leader. All the
hardships and dangers of the frontier
were nothing to him. He helped his men
pull boats up the river, slept on the
ground, and went periods without food.
For twelve years he traveled over
twenty-five thousand miles and spent
three solid years on the Missouri River.
He was one of the dominant figures in
the upper Missouri fur trade during the
last twelve years of his life. He died in
St. Louis in 1820.
Take-away # 2
• A recipe for success for leaders is to insure you are
willing to do any job that those who are below you are
asked to do. Lead by example.
• Respect is earned, not demanded.
John Colter:

• In 1807, John Colter he set out to make trade alliances with

the native tribes, who he found to be friendly, and travelled
with them into the area that is now known as Yellowstone
National Park. When he later reported about the geysers
and other sights that he had seen, many did not believe
him.
• In 1809 John Colter was trapping when he was discovered
by a Blackfoot party. From the Blackfoot perspective, he
was not only trespassing on their hunting grounds, but he
was also stealing their resources. Colter was captured, but
Instead of killing him, they strip him naked, and told him to
run for his life. Colter managed to escape and his story
became legendary.
• A short time later, Colter left the fur trade and took up
farming near New Haven Missouri, where he died in the
spring of 1812.
 William Henry Ashley
• 1st Lt. Governor of Missouri
• Entered into the fur trade with 1822
with Andrew Henry
• Several attempts were made to
establish a western fur trade based on
the “rendezvous” model, which sent
trappers west to trap, and re-supplied
by taking goods to them, and buying
their furs on location in the west
• 1st successful return with large
amount of furs occurred in 1825, via
horseback & pack-mule to the Big
Horn River, bull boats and pirogue on
the Big Horn & Yellowstone Rivers,
and Keelboat on the Missouri to St.
Charles.
 Bullboats

Keelboat
Horse & Pack Mule
Take-away # 3
• Don’t be afraid to try new things. Ashley completely re-invented the
model for the fur trade, by send men west and then going to them
with supplies and bringing their furs back to eastern markets.
• If at first you are not successful, re-evaluate and adjust your strategy,
but stay focused on your idea, if you are sure it will work.
• Perseverance pays off. Ashley tried and failed in 1822, 1823, 1824,
but was successful in 1825. That success in 1825 made him what
today would be a millionaire.
Ashley brought 80-100 bales of beaver back from the first rendezvous.
One bale would hold approximately 40 beaver pelts.
A pelt would sell for approximately @2.50 each at a rendezvous, but
bring $ 7.50 at markets in the east.
Ashley also profited from selling supplies and
trade goods to the trappers
Ashley’s 1825 Rendezvous
First cache
50 skins
2 bags coffee
pack beads, assorted & vermillion assortment of
1 hams goods
Indian trinkett,
3 pack powder
mockerson alls do.
1 1s qt 2 Tobacco
2 Bags gun powder 150 lbs.
3 B. Lead
3 Bars lead 120 lbs.
horse shoes
Bag flints 1000
Beads large & small
Bag salt 10 lbs.
2 packs sugar
pack cloths - pack containg a variety of Indian
1 pack cloth with some knives therein 7
trinketts - Ribbons Binding
doz Knives
axes hoes

Second cache
2.5 kegs Tobacco 150 lbs.
14 doz Knives
2 peaces scarlett Cloth
2 ditto Blue Stroud
3 Bags coffee
200 lbs. Bale & Bag Sugar
130 lbs. 3 packs
Reliable Reference Material
American Mountain Men Association Reference Material

https://user.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/
Third Millennium Online Fur
Trade Reference Material

http://www.3rd1000.com/history3/fur.htm
 Native American Project
Indian Fur Trade and Fur Trading Post
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&mid=1jmdAergMU5Z
EYk-RVMZGQvV9XvI&ll=52.08836644864911%2C-106.1972935&z=4
Some Perspectives:
•Rifles
Horns & Bags:
Other Tools:
Questions?
 Link to This Presentation
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1THqA3k0M1UI
VJPikA-cyZgRLaFi9jUBT/view?usp=sharing