Beyond the known facts of Colter’s journey in 1807, the Map of 1814, and
the “Colter’s Hell” legend, there is a complete hiatus, or vacuum.
However, the Map of 1814 is certainly a tangible thing; let it tell its
own story: It is known that William Clark had a friend in Philadelphia
named Nicholas Biddle who arranged for the publication of _The Lewis and
Clark Journals_. In order to properly depict the journey, Mr. Biddle
secured the services of a prominent Philadelphia cartographer named
Samuel Lewis. Twice in 1810 Clark sent sheets of map material to Mr.
Biddle.[352] John Colter reached St. Louis in May, 1810. It is certain
that he called upon Clark and gave him information, if not sheets,
depicting his famous journey of 1807. This data was undoubtedly sent on
to Mr. Biddle, either as Colter drew it or as it was accurately redrawn
by Clark. At least one of Colter’s sheets was incorporated in the final
Map of 1814.[353] The first, or eastern prairie, side of the Colter plat
traced his journey up Pryors Fork, about fifty miles west of Fort
Manuel, through Pryors Gap. Then he crossed over to Clarks Fork, which
he ascended, probably to Dead Indian Creek. From this creek Colter
crossed over a divide to the North Fork Shoshone River where he first
smelled sulphur. This he called Stinking Water River, most probably
referring to the present De Maris Mineral Springs near Cody, Wyoming.
On Stinking Water River he encountered the “Yep-pe Band of Snake Indians
1000 souls.” This was evidently a clan of the Crow tribe. From these
Yep-pe Indians, denizens of both prairie and mountain, he undoubtedly
learned of the Yellowstone geysers and other marvels. This accounts for
his side trip which brought him back to the Yep-pe camp. It is likely
that some of these Indians directed Colter along another route in
returning to Manuel’s Fort. Obviously they went down the North Fork
Shoshone, or Colter’s Stinking Water River, to its junction with
Shoshone River. This, he followed to Gap Creek (now Sage Creek) which he
ascended to Pryors Gap.[354] By this alternate route Colter again
reached Pryors Fork where he crossed over to return to Fort Manuel.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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