Olk Elk Hill 1910 85

been terminated and accordingly an expedition was fitted out under a trader, Le Clerc, to enter the country now held by the American Fur Company. Cabanne, who was then manager, at once took steps to block this competition and fitted out a company of men under the command of Sarpy, who at once set out to compel the return by whatever means might be found necessary. A rather sanguine en- gagement marked the meeting of the two parties, but so well did Sarpy perform his work that the attempt was not only blocked, but the outfit of Le Clerc was con- fiscated and brought back to Bellevue. This did not, however, end the matter, for Le Clerc had sufficient backing to carry it into the United States courts and after much litigation the American company was not only obliged to make restitution for the goods confiscated, but it was only by the payment of a large indemnity that they were allowed to retain their charter. In spite of this most disastrous later result of the incident, the decisive way in which it was handled proved conclusively the ability of the man to meet the exigencies of frontier life and the appointment as agent of the post at Bellevue came as the recognition of this ability. A wealth of tradition remains concerning this man, his character and achieve- ments, and the volume of this testifies to the importance of the part he played in the development of the country. He was a man of remarkable personality, backed by a superb physique, although not a large man, and in spite of the vice of imtemperance, which seems to have been the common heritage of the Indian trader, he reatined until his death a polish and refinement of manner which impressed all whith whom he came in contact. He was a true friend of the Indians and although he drove most ruinous bargains with his white patrons, he is said to have never knowingly cheated an Indian and he had an unbounded faith in the honesty and integrity of the race and his biographer says that seldom was this faith violated. The simple description of the man and his ...