Private John Collins

Sketch copyright Michael Haynes.

 

P.S. Well, they didn't kick me out of the expedition but I didn't stop causing trouble, either. I stole whiskey from the expedition's supply and got everyone mad at me. They punished me pretty badly for that one by whipping me. I guess the captains must have seen some good in me, though, because I went all the way to the Pacific and back. After the expedition I signed up to trap furs. I was with William Ashley in 1823 when we were attacked by Arikara Indians in today's South Dakota, and there I died.

 

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