TRAPPING IN NORTH DAKOTA 1871. 
FTER a varied experience of the two previous 
years along the Upper Missouri as guard, wood 
hawk, hunter, trapper and wolfer, the writer ventured 
ence more into a co-partnership with the purpose of a 
more systematic methcd in following a trapper’s pursuit 
than in his previous efforts in lowa and Nebraska. 
For this purpose he associated himself with W. H.H. 
Mercer and Dan Williams, who had looked the ground 
over and concluded there was an even chance for a suc- 
cessful venture, and prepared to make the most of it 
by careful preparation and a good outlay for the neces- 
sities of a complete hunting and trapping outfit. 
The autumn of 1871 was the time agreed upon and 
the Lake of the Painted Woods near midway between 
Fort Rice and Fort Stevenson was the point selected 
to renew life on the trap line, and with this object in 
view. our party boarded the steamer Peninah at the 
Yankton landing, and with a year’s supplies carefully 
stowed on the lower deck, we embarked for a six hun- 
dred and fifty mile ride to the Painted Woods region. 
Captain McGary was in charge of the steamer and a 
company of soldiers under command of Captain Logan 
formed a part of the passenger list. This officer was 
afterwards slain by Chief Joseph’s command as well as 
several of his soldiers. McGary, the steamer’s captain 
fell victim to movuntein fever a few yeers leter. 
