Transcriber’s Note: For the most part, we must assume that what was printed is a verbatim transcript of Fowler’s appalling spelling, but a few corrections for what appeared to be certain printing errors are detailed at the end. I. AMERICAN EXPLORERS SERIES. Fowler’s Journal. [Illustration: REPRODUCTION OF A PAGE OF JACOB FOWLER’S ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT. THE ABOVE INCLUDES FACSIMILE OF THE ONLY AUTOGRAPH SIGNATURE OF MAJOR FOWLER, THE NAMES OF HIS PARTY, ETC., ETC.] THE JOURNAL OF JACOB FOWLER _NARRATING AN ADVENTURE_ FROM ARKANSAS THROUGH THE INDIAN TERRITORY, OKLAHOMA, KANSAS, COLORADO, AND NEW MEXICO, TO THE SOURCES OF RIO GRANDE DEL NORTE, 1821-22 EDITED, WITH NOTES BY ELLIOTT COUES [Illustration] NEW YORK FRANCIS P. HARPER 1898 COPYRIGHT, 1898, BY FRANCIS P. HARPER DEDICATED TO REUBEN T. DURRETT, A. M., LL. D., NESTOR OF KENTUCKY HISTORIANS AND PRESIDENT OF THE FILSON CLUB, IN ADMIRATION OF HIS PERSONAL CHARACTER AND IN REMEMBRANCE OF PLEASANT HOURS PASSED IN HIS HOSPITABLE HOME. INTRODUCTION. Jacob Fowler is an unknown author whose work has never before been heralded beyond the private circles of his friends, relatives, and descendants. The editor of his Journal has therefore a man as well as a book to introduce to the public. Being responsible for the appearance of the latter in print, he will presently say something on that score. But first let us hear from Colonel R. T. Durrett, of Louisville, Ky., the owner of the manuscript now published, who will speak for its author: LOUISVILLE, KY., _Dec. 4, 1897_. DR. ELLIOTT COUES, _Washington, D. C._ I have your letter, My Dear Doctor, in which you request me to tell what I may know about the Journal you found among my manuscripts when you were my guest last year, and which you have determined to include in your admirable series of Western Americana. I am sorry to have to say that I do not know much of this manuscript or its author. The little I know, however, will be cheerfully contributed to an undertaking which is to place a Kentucky manuscript from my collection among the publications which, under your editorship, have added so much to our literature of discovery, exploration, and adventure.