La Verendrye and the Mandan Indians, 1738

File — Box: 1, Folder: 16

Staff Only

Scope and Content

From the Collection: The Walter D. Powell Papers contain three series: Correspondence, Manuscripts and Subject files. Arranged chronologically, the Correspondence Series deals mainly with Mr. Powell's interest in history, and is both incoming and outgoing. Included is correspondence with Charles Haas, John Davis, Hjalmar Holand, Martin Kavanaugh, Rev. D'Eschombault of St. Boniface College, Orlin Oium, Esther Burnett Horne, Harry Lynn, Roy Johnson, the St. Louis Library, and the Alexandria, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce (1937-1958).

In the Manuscripts Series are numerous works on explorers including Alexander Henry, David Thompson, Lewis and Clark, and La Verendrye. There are also writings on Sakakawea, and a great deal on the Mandan Indians and their connections with La Verendrye (1738) and the Vikings (1362). There is his unpublished manuscript, The Master, which is a history of the Earth.

The Subject Files Series includes a quite a number of booklets, programs, and articles related to his historical research. There are articles on the rock, jasper, and copper artifacts among the Indians, a description of a trip east in 1947, and on a visit to Sioux City, South Dakota (1947). Also included is a story on Fort Yates, and a radio address on behalf of the Retail Merchant's Association. In the subject files is a 1901 copy of the Wisconsin Archaeologist concerning Indian artifacts, and also booklets, The Story of Mario's Pass and San Francisco. Some booklets on explorers include Hudson Bay to the Blackfoot Country about Anthony Hendry and Andrew Cocking, Wearing the Crown of Thorns in Trois-Rivieres, about Canadian explorers, The Verendrye Overland Quest of the Pacific, A Glance at the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and Some Verendrye Enigmas by Orin G. Libby. There is also a copy of the Minnesota Archaelogist with articles on La Verendrye (1936), including one by Powell. There are some notebooks on explorations, items concerning North Dakota Retail Merchants, including a bill, pamphlets and articles concerning business, a patent on an automobile tag system (1923), and some hand drawn maps on La Verendrye's explorations. The political material includes a 1929 speech to the Legislature by Gov. Shafer and items on the 1952 presidential election. There are also newspaper clippings concerning La Verendrye, the Mandan Villages, Sakakawea, and Gen. Custer.