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Colonel Albert Gallatin BOONE Contributed by: Karen Mitchell
In memory of Edith Todd
By D.B. Sporleder & Benton Cannon
Colonel Albert Gallatin BOONE, the greatest single, outstanding figure in
the history of the West - not even excepting CARSON.
"Albert BOONE came first to the Rocky Mountains in 1826, as a bookkeeper
for
a Fur Trading Expeditiion", so quotes Otis Boone SPENCER in a letter
written
recently to Miss Mary UNFUG whose mother was a niece of Colonel BOONE.
They followed Pike's route, passing over Denver's site, on up, and
trapping
along the banks of the Big Thompson, St. Vrain and Cache la Poudre - and I
might remark, that he himself gave the name Cache la Poudre, because under
its banks the expedition cached powder and other stores, while the main
body
of the company went on - into what was then known as Brown's Hole."
Mr. SPENCER further writes: - "My Grandfather, Colonel Albert Gallatin
BOONE, has never received his due credit for his part in establishing and
up-building this state.....He made the treaty (I think it was in 1861 or
possibly in the 50's), whereby all the state of Clorado and some of the
surrounding territory was acquired by the government of the United States.
This treaty bears his name and is known as "Boone's Treaty" in the U.S.
statutes at large. The treaty was made owing to his great influence and
good repuation - gained through a life of contact with these Indians,
great
numbers of them who were his personal friends. He accomplished this feat -
after many ineffectual attempts had been made by other government
commissioners.
A story should be written, giving all the details of this remarkable man's
life. The events of his thrilling and extremely interesting career among
the Indians - would fill a good sized volume.
BOONE had a bit of the braggart about him - perhaps it is for this
reason -
that he never gained "popularity" - such as conferred upon men of the type
of Will Bill Hickock.
Colonel Albert Gallatin BOONE
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