John Colter – Fearless Mountain Man
John Colter, a name synonymous with courage, resilience, and the untamed spirit of the American frontier, stands as a pivotal figure in the exploration and development of the early American West. Born in Augusta County, Virginia, around 1774, his life was a testament to the allure of the wilderness and the grit required to survive within it. Colter’s legacy is etched into the annals of American history, not just as a trapper and guide, but as a symbol of the fearless mountain man who dared to venture into the unknown.
His early life, like that of many pioneers, was marked by migration and adaptation. Around 1780, the Colter family relocated to Kentucky, settling near present-day Maysville. This move westward foreshadowed John’s later adventures, instilling in him a sense of independence and a familiarity with frontier life. However, it was his involvement with the Lewis and Clark Expedition that truly launched him into the realm of legend.
In 1803, John Colter enlisted as a private in the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, accepting a modest salary of $5.00 per month. Little did he know that this decision would forever alter the course of his life and contribute significantly to the mapping and understanding of the vast Louisiana Purchase. His role quickly evolved beyond that of a mere private. Colter’s skills as a hunter and scout were quickly recognized, and he was frequently dispatched on crucial missions to procure game and chart potential routes for the expedition. His expertise and bravery were invaluable to the success of the Corps of Discovery.
As the expedition neared its conclusion in 1806, and the party made its way back to St. Louis, Missouri, a chance encounter altered John Colter‘s trajectory once again. The expedition encountered two trappers, Forest Hancock and Joseph Dickson, who were heading towards the Yellowstone River in search of fortune and adventure. The lure of the untamed wilderness proved too strong for Colter to resist. Unwilling to return to the perceived constraints of "civilization," he requested and was granted a discharge from the expedition. In August of 1806, he joined Hancock and Dickson, embarking on a new chapter in his life as a free trapper in the uncharted territories of the West.
The following year, as John Colter made his way back toward St. Louis, he met Manuel Lisa, a key figure in the burgeoning fur trade industry, and his party of trappers associated with the newly established Missouri Fur Company. Lisa, recognizing Colter’s experience and knowledge of the terrain, immediately hired him to guide his party to the mouth of the Big Horn River. Once again, the allure of the wilderness captivated Colter. He led Lisa’s party into what is now Montana, where they established Fort Raymond on the Yellowstone River, situated a short distance from the confluence with the Bighorn River. This marked the beginning of sustained fur trading operations in the region.
In October 1807, Manuel Lisa entrusted John Colter with a critical and perilous mission: to venture out and make contact with the various Indian tribes inhabiting the region, informing them of the Missouri Fur Company’s presence and its desire to engage in trade. Armed with only his rifle, a pack, and his considerable wilderness skills, Colter embarked on a solitary journey that would cover an estimated 500 miles. His exact route remains a subject of scholarly debate, but it is believed that, with the assistance of Indian guides, he traversed the formidable Wind River Mountains and the majestic Teton Range. During this epic journey, he is thought to have been the first white man to lay eyes on the breathtaking landscapes of Jackson’s Hole and Yellowstone Lake.
Upon his return to Fort Raymond in the spring of 1808, Colter regaled the other members of the party with tales of the thermal wonders he had witnessed in Yellowstone. His descriptions of geysers, hot springs, and mud pots were met with skepticism and disbelief. However, the area soon became known as "Colter’s Hell," a testament to the otherworldly nature of the region and the daring spirit of the man who first brought it to the attention of the wider world.
The year 1808 saw John Colter partnering with another former member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, John Potts. Together, they began trapping in the region near Three Forks, Montana, an area known for its abundant beaver populations. Their activities, however, did not go unnoticed. The Blackfeet Indians, fiercely protective of their territory, viewed the trappers as intruders. While leading a party of Crow Indians to Fort Raymond, Colter and Potts were ambushed by Blackfeet warriors, and both men sustained injuries in the ensuing fight.
The following year brought even greater peril. The Blackfeet launched another attack, this time with fatal consequences for John Potts. Colter was captured, a situation that seemed to spell certain doom. However, in a surprising turn of events, the Indians decided to grant him a chance at survival, albeit a brutal and terrifying one. They stripped him naked, confiscated all his possessions, and gave him a head start before initiating a "human hunt."
Realizing the deadly game he was now forced to play, Colter knew his only hope was to outrun his pursuers. He was known for his exceptional speed and endurance, and he used these attributes to his advantage, eluding most of the Blackfeet warriors. However, one man proved to be a relentless tracker, steadily closing the gap. In a desperate act of self-preservation, Colter turned to face his pursuer. He managed to kill the Indian with his own spear, seized his blanket for warmth, and made his escape by submerging himself in the river under a pile of logs, effectively hiding from the remaining warriors.
For the next eleven days, John Colter endured unimaginable hardship. With nothing but the stolen blanket for protection against the elements and subsisting on bark and roots, he walked an estimated 200 miles back to Fort Raymond. When he finally stumbled into the stockade, he was on the brink of death, emaciated and exhausted. The men at the fort nursed him back to health, marveling at his incredible resilience and determination.
Despite the harrowing experience, Colter’s spirit remained unbroken. In 1810, he signed on to lead another Missouri Fur Company expedition to the Three Forks of the Missouri River, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the fur trade. As fate would have it, the group was once again attacked by the Blackfeet. This final encounter proved to be the breaking point for Colter. He finally vowed to abandon his life as a mountain man and return to civilization.
By the end of 1810, after nearly six years in the wilderness, John Colter returned to St. Louis. His wealth of knowledge about the West proved invaluable to William Clark, who was in the process of compiling maps for the Lewis and Clark Expedition report. Colter’s firsthand accounts and geographical insights significantly enhanced the accuracy and detail of Clark’s maps, solidifying his contribution to the exploration and mapping of the American West.
Using the profits he had accumulated from his years in the fur trade, Colter purchased a farm near New Haven, Missouri. He married a woman named Sally, and the couple had one son. It seemed that Colter was finally ready to settle down and embrace a life of domesticity. However, his peaceful existence was not destined to last.
In 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain. Driven by a sense of duty and patriotism, Colter enlisted in the military, serving under the command of Nathan Boone. Tragically, he did not survive the war. However, his death was not at the hands of British soldiers or the Indian tribes he had encountered in his travels. On May 7, 1812, John Colter, the fearless mountain man, succumbed to jaundice.
Following his death, his remains were returned to his wife in Missouri, who is said to have buried him on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River near New Haven, Missouri. While the exact location of his grave remains uncertain, his legacy as one of the most daring and resourceful figures in the history of the American West endures.
Editor’s Note: While many sources indicate that John Colter died in May of 1812, other sources indicate that he died on November 22, 1813.