The Adventures of John Colter

Part 4: Colter vs. the Blackfeet

At the time that the Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed the continent, colonial powers active in the American Northwest had differing policies regarding selling guns to indigenous tribes. West of the Rocky Mountains the Spanish were the preeminent force, and they would not sell guns. On the eastern side, British fur trading companies based in Canada would use ammunition for barter. The Blackfeet dwelt on the eastern side (in present-day Northwest Montana) and were well armed in comparison to neighboring tribes.

Meriwether Lewis had a grand vision of bringing the tribes of the region into an American trading empire stretching from coast to coast. As a prerequisite this required fostering peaceful relations between them.

On the return trip eastward Lewis led a small group of soldiers on an exploration of the Marias River, which took them through the heart of Blackfoot territory. At their first meeting Lewis explained his vision of uniting the tribes into an American-led trading empire, and added that tribes to the west of the Rockies would be allowed to purchase arms in the new system. A minor skirmish followed, and from that point on the Blackfeet were natural allies of the British and enemies of the Americans.

William Clark's map of the US Northwest, with overlays highlighting the Marias River in present day Northwestern Montana, and Fort Raymond in today's South-Central Montana.

During the time that John Colter's base of operations was at Fort Raymond, the post was the target of frequent attacks by the Blackfeet, whose stronghold was to the north-west.

John Potts was another former member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition who had joined up with Manuel Lisa. In 1808, Colter and Potts were both injured fighting the Blackfeet as they led a party of Crow Indians to the trading post at Fort Raymond.

The next year, Colter and Potts were attacked by Blackfoot Indians while trapping beaver. They killed Potts, and Colter awaited his own execution. To his astonishment, they stripped him naked, took all of his possessions, set him free and told him to run. Colter had become the prey in a game of "human hunt". He managed to elude most of the group but a single pursuer was closing in on him. He killed the lone assailant with his own spear, took his blanket and continued to run until he came to a river. There he hid under a pile of logs until he felt sure that the others had abandoned the chase. He walked the two hundred mile trail back to Fort Raymond with only a blanket for warmth and bark and roots for nourishment. After eleven days he stumbled into the stockade, more dead than alive.

In 1810, Colter participated in the construction of another fort located at present-day Three Forks, Montana. That spot is referenced on the map above as the "Missouri River headwaters", as that is the official start of the Missouri River. While gathering fur pelts two of his partners were killed by the Blackfeet, and this event convinced Colter to return to St. Louis for good. He arrived there before the end of 1810, having been away from civilization for almost six years.

There he married a woman remembered by history simply as "Sally" and had a son. He only lived for two or three years after that, and we do not have clear records documenting the date or cause or death. What does seem certain is that he death was brought on by natural causes, and not by the Blackfeet.