Fort Union Trading Post Historic Structures Report (Part II) Historical Data Section

In the beginning, Fort Union appeared to be the most challenging report I had yet undertaken. It has proven to be the most exciting. It could not have been written, nor could the illustrations have been collected, had it not been for the tremendous support received from my associates in the Division of History. This encouragement, including that of Branch Chief Roy E. Appleman, led to the delight of several important discoveries, in the field of Western art especially, that add greatly to our understanding of this important Upper Missouri post.

The trip to the site of Fort Union was a great experience. To stand on that wind-swept prairie, to see the same scene as did Catlin and Kurz was sheer excitement. This visit was enhanced by the generous assistance of Superintendent Art Sullivan and Historian Al Schulmeir, Theodore Roosevelt NHP, who introduced me to both the site and the citizens of Williston and North Dakota.

Two gentlemen, who have had much to do with Fort Union's becoming a unit of the National Park System, also are due thanks for their assistance: Ray Mattison, now Superintendent of the North Dakota Historical Society; and Historian Merrill Mattes, SSC, who led me to the exciting Kurz sketch at the Jesuit Archives, St. Louis University.

John C. Ewers, the Smithsonian scholar on Western art, gave valuable assistance in analyzing the sketches and paintings of Fort Union, in evaluating the artists, and in putting me on the trail of several sketches. His enthusiasm on the subject is contagious.

Miss Frances Nugent, Midwest Region, whose knowledge of the contents of the Region's historical files is unmatched, and Archeologist Jackson Moore, Division of Archeology, OAHP, were most helpful on my first visit to the Midwest Region Office. Also at Omaha, Miss Mildred Goosman, Western Collections Curator, Joslyn Art Museum, was both patient and generous in allowing me access to the collections--and who has had to endure my endless correspondence ever since.

The staffs at the Wisconsin Historical Society; Detroit Public Library; Ontario Provincial Archives, Toronto; Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario; Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa; Baker Library, Harvard Business School; Wilder Library, Harvard College; and the New York (City) Historical Society, all freely allowed me to make use of their collections on the American Fur Company and the fur trade in general.

Miss Lucile M. Kane, Archivist, Minnesota Historical Society, and her staff were extremely helpful in making available much important material, especially the diaries of Charles Larpenteur. Since my first visit to the Society, Miss Kane has patiently searched the collections and responded to the many questions I asked, especially on Larpenteur. The Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, became almost a second home, and it put up with me for days on end as I examined its rich collections on the American Fur Company, transportation of the Missouri, and the wondrous Chouteau family. My thanks go to Mrs. Stadler, Manuscripts Librarian, and Mrs. Harrington, Librarian, and their competent staffs.

A number of persons and institutions kindly cooperated either through my visits or through correspondence. These include the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California at Los Angeles; Miss Catherine Weidler, Rare Books Librarian, and Reverend E. R. Vollmar, S. J., Archivist, St. Louis University; Earl Connette, Archivist, Washington State University, Pullman; Miss Mary K. Dempsey, Librarian, Montana Historical Society; Superintendent N. Mac Queen, Lower Fort Garry NHP, Man.; W. E. Ireland, Provincial Librarian and Archivist, Victoria, B. C.; Barry Hyman, Assistant Archivist, Provincial Library of Manitoba; Miss Nan Shipley, Winnipeg, Man.; Derek Bedson, Clerk of the Executive Council, Province of Manitoba; Mrs. Shirley A. Smith, Librarian, Hudson's Bay Company, Winnipeg, Man.; Miss Dorothy W. Bridgwater, Yale University Library, Conn.; Mr. James E. Belliveau, Bibliographer, Library of the Boston Athenaeum, Mass.

Mr. Isaac Sprague, Jr., grandson of the artist, Isaac Sprague, generously gave his permission to publish a sketch of Fort Union, by his grandfather, which he owns, and made available his biography of his grandfather. The National Collection of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution, made available Catlin's painting of the fort. The Newberry Library, Chicago, gave permission to use a Bodmer sketch. The Thomas Gilcrease Institute, Tulsa, allowed the use of several valuable Kurz sketches. The Glenbow Foundation, Calgary, Alta., made available, in color, Hays' detailed painting of Fort Union. Mrs. Ruth Pizzinato, Bernisches Historisches Museum, Berne, Switzerland, supplied information pertaining to Kurz' work.

Historian Frank B. Sarles, Jr., Branch of Park History Studies, read the manuscript and caught many errors of fact and style. Mrs. Wilda Kuzio, working from a scrawl of a manuscript, performed extraordinary deeds in typing the report in its final form.

One might assume that with this wealth of support, the report would be nearly perfect. Such is not true; and I am responsible for all the errors it contains.

E. N. T.