In early summer of 1834, an Arkansas judge named Gabriel Martin left his home on the Red River and traveled west into Indian Territory on a hunting expedition. He brought
Born Stephen Decatur Bross in New Jersey, he was an associate of Peter Sarpy while living along the Missouri River from 1851 to 1859 prior to living out his years
We were camped in a narrow corridor of black cliffs that actually felt like a box, but it hardly felt claustrophobic. A whisper of breeze carried the rich, muddy scent of the river. Wispy clouds turned orange over a narrow slice of sky as daylight slowly filled the atmosphere. A cacophony of birdsong emanated from a curtain of greenery behind camp, building in intensity along with the coming light. It all felt very tropical.