In the spring of 1825 Sylvester Pattie determined to outfit a trade expedition from St. Louis to the Indian country of the upper Missouri (the Dakotas and Montana).

The decision was triggered by the loss of his wife to consumption (tuberculosis). She was closely followed to the grave by their youngest child.

His son, James, later recalled, “The house, which had been the scene of domestic quiet, cheerfulness and joy ... became dreary and desolate.”

He had served during the War of 1812 in a militia ranger outfit fighting Indians who had allied with the British. The thought of adventure in the west stirred his spirit and aroused his desire to rebuild his life.

In his absence seven children were to be provided for among family members. An eighth child, James, was 21. James was in school and had to earnestly beg his father to let him go with him.

Five men left St. Louis with 10 pack horses carrying trapping gear, guns ammunition, knives, tomahawks, provisions, blankets, and some surplus arms.

After crossing Missour they followed up the Missouri River to the trading post of Pratte, Choteau, and Company. They met Sylvester Pratte as he was preparing to rendezvous with the men of his trading company on the Platte River. They planned on trading with Indians on the way to New Mexico.

Although the Santa Fe Trail had been established and successfully traveled for four years this expedition is historically notable for the rare use of an alternate route. James O. Pattie recorded the travels with his father in the book, “The Personal Narrative of James O. Pattie, Of Kentucky,” published in 1833.

Our story involves several similar names that can cause confusion, such as Pattie, Pratte, & Platte. Platte is the river running across Nebraska. Pattie is the subject of this column, while Pratte is an accomplished trader with many years on the plains.

Added to that are the two similar names of Sylvester Pratte, the son of the above-mentioned accomplished trader and Sylvester Pattie the veteran of the War of 1812 and the father of James Pattie. Hopefully, a careful reading will eliminate confusion.

Pattie and his small party bid Mr. Pratte adieu, continuing their progress up the Missouri River from the Pratte trading post. At Council Bluffs, Iowa, Pattie discovered for the first time that he needed a trading license to do business with the Indians in the Upper Missouri country. The military officer in charge blocked him from ascending the river with their trade goods.

With some trepidation Pattie’s party turned back. They were, however, not completely defeated. Owing to the earlier chance meeting with Sylvester Pratte, Pattie determined to join the expedition to New Mexico. One discouraged member of his party stayed behind. They were now a company of four men.

On the way to the camp of Pratte, Choteau, and Company the novice traders sojourned in a Pawnee Republican village where they feasted on fat buffalo. The “hospitable old chief ” willingly gave them council in regard to their future course and provided a man of the village to guide them to the big trader’s camp.

The morning of Aug. 6, 1825, a great dust cloud marked the line of march as the company set out along the Platte River. The caravan of 116 men and over 300 pack mules and horses produced a formidable possession. The evening brought them to the village of the Pawnee Loups. They were treated to a three-day and night celebratory dance honoring a newly returned war party. A child captive, destined for sacrifice, was ransomed by Mr. Pattie in exchange for ten yards of red cloth.

Following James Pattie’s account of the expedition across the prairie takes a fair amount of interpretation, as many of the rivers and creeks mentioned are described by names before some of the waterways were given the names we know today. They left the Platte River to apparently follow the Pawnee Trail, an ancient trading trail passing from Nebraska into north-central Kansas on the way to New Mexico.

Passing for days “over the same wearying plain,” they crossed the Republican River (supposedly near Guide Rock, Nebraska). They were startled to see a large body of Indians the morning of Aug. 21 “in full chase” after stampeding buffalo. One of the traders discharged a gun to turn the stampede away from the camp, surprising the Indians causing them to ride away at great speed.

After the unexpected excitement, the massive trade party continued without incident until the 22nd. About 10 p.m. that night Arickaree warriors sent a shower of arrows into their camp, killing two horses and wounding one man. The traders returned fire, killed four warriors, and forced them to retreat. One wounded warrior was captured. Although his wounds were treated, he died the next day. The wounded trader revived enough to travel after the fourth day.

The travels of James Pattie and his father have captured my imagination. Over the next few weeks we will travel with them through adventure and wonder with James Pattie on The Way West.

“The Cowboy,” Jim Gray is author of the book Desperate Seed: Ellsworth Kansas on the Violent Frontier, Ellsworth, KS. Contact Kansas Cowboy, 220 21st Road, Geneseo, Kan. Phone: (785) 531-2058 or kansascowboy@kans.com.