Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Private John Colter "Colter came to the boat...had killed one buffelow, one elk, 3 deer one wolf 5 turkies and goose one beaver also..."
Sgt. John Ordway
September 6, 1804

Private John Colter was among the first members to be recruited by Captain Meriwether Lewis for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Colter was a skillful hunter, scout, and translator and he quickly became a valuable member of the party.

After almost three years of traveling with the Corps of Discovery, Private Colter was given permission to leave the expedition on August 18, 1806 near the Mandan Village (in present day North Dakota).

He was the only member of the expedition allowed to leave early from his enlistment. Colter wished to return to the wilderness and the mountains. He is credited with being the first white man to explore the region which later would become Yellowstone National Park. In 1810, Colter returned to Missouri to settle near the mouth of Boeuf Creek, located about three miles east of here.

Born about the time of the American Revolution John Colter was enlisted as a private in the Lewis and Clark Expedition at Maysville, Kentucky in October, 1803. He began the expedition as a oarsman but because of his skills as a woodsman was relieved and became a hunter. Colter also served as a scout, messenger, and was often a friend to the Indians. He remained with the expedition until August, 1806 when he was discharged and returned to the mountains to trap.

Much of what we know about Colter's role in the expedition is recorded in journal entries written by members of the Corps of Discovery.

Ordway, Sept. 6, 1804, "...Colter came to the boat had not found Shannon nor the horses but had killed one buf felow, one elk, 3 deer one wolf 5 turkies and goose one beaver also."

Lewis, Aug. 24, 1805, "...and dispatched Colter on horseback with orders to loose on time reaching me."

Lewis, Sept. 10, 1805, "This evening one of our hunters (Colter) returned accompanied by three men of the Flathead nation who he had met in his excurtion up Travellers rest Creek. On first meeting him the Indians were alarmed and prepared for battle with bows and arrows, but he soon relieved their by laying down his gun and advancing toward them."

Clark, Sept. 27, 1805, "J. Colter returned he found only one of the lost horses, on his way killed a deer, half of which he gave the Indians the other proved nourishing to the sick."

Lewis, June 5, 1806, "Colter and Bratton were permitted to visit the Indian village today for the purpose of trading for roots and bread, they were fortunate and made a good return."

Ordway, July 15, 1806, "Colter killed a panther a deer and a rattlesnake. In the evening we camped in the mountains. Collins killed 4 elk. The musquetoes verry troublesome in deed."

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