You can read the article on the Iowa History Site. THE PALIMPSEST EDITED BY JOHN ELY BRIGGS _______________________________________________________________________ VOL. VI ISSUED IN JANUARY 1925 NO. 1 _______________________________________________________________________ COPYRIGHT 1925 BY THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA MANUEL LISA Written by George F. Robeson Previous to the memorable expedition of Lewis and Clark the whole country drained by the Missouri River was as a closed book. Even the Indian traders - those vanguards of civilization who proclaimed the advance of the frontier - dared not penetrate that portion of the continent more than a few hundred miles. But after the return of the intrepid explorers in 1806, a number of fur traders were bold enough to risk not only their fortunes but their lives in the newly explored region. One of the formost of these was Manuel Lisa. Of Manuel Lisa's life before he became the moving spirit in the fur trade in the country of the Upper Missouri, relatively little information is available. Born of Spanish parents in 1772 (September 8th), his early years in New Orleans are almost completely shrouded in mystery. His father came to America "about the time that the Spanish took possession of Louisiana", serving as an agent of his government until his death. Manuel - many knew him by no other name - came to St. Louis "probably not later than 1790". The exact date is not known. It was during the decade following his advent in St. Louis that Lisa became well established in the fur trade. Indeed, it is a matter of record that he received a patent from the Spanish government which entitled him to a monopoly of trade with the Osage Indians located along the river by the same name. Such a grant of power by a government famous for its lust for money may be considered as a distinct recognition of his standing and ability. Lisa's experience with the Osage Indians appears not to have been very successful, for soon after the return of Lewis and Clark in 1806 he seemed eager to seek a new outlet for his energies. Only a little over six months elapsed between the return of the "trail makers" and the first expedition of the "trade maker" - "the real forerunner of all subsequent fur trading expeditions within the Upper Missouri area." Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/