Pierre-Jean de Smet was a 19th century Belgian Jesuit missionary to America's western Indians. He was more than a typical missionary, teaching the Indians farming and other skills, being one of the few whites trusted by the natives. He even convinced Sitting Bull to participate in negotiations with the Americans in 1868. De Smet made several trips deep into the West, bringing back information about the western tribes. Item 16 is a French edition (1848) of Mission de l'Oregon et Voyages aux Mantagnes-Rocheuses, describing a trip to Oregon and the Rocky Mountains in 1845-46. This copy has been inscribed by Father de Smet, “Presented to Mrs. La Barge with sentiments of profound respect.” She was the wife of Missouri River steamboat Captain Joseph La Barge. The La Barges were accompanied by de Smet on a trip to the Great Falls of the Missouri, five waterfalls along the river in Montana first viewed and named by Lewis and Clark. Mrs. La Barge and another woman on the trip were said to be the first white women to see the falls. $3,250.
Item 32 is Pioneer History of Kansas, by Adolph Roenigk. It is filled with early stories of Kansas, a wild west kind of place. There are accounts of Quantrill's brutal raid on Lawrence during the “Bleeding Kansas” era, information about Custer, including his demise (even if that occurred outside of its borders), the killing of Phil Coe by Marshal “Wild Bill” Hickok, and much more. This book was self-published by the author in 1933. $185.
Johns' Western Gallery may be reached at 505-659-6352 or dougcjohns@gmail.com.
