St. Louis University, December 9, 1867
Mr. N. RANEY, Secretary o f the Historical Society o f St. Louis:
Dear Sir.- I received your kind favor of the 5th instant and your kind invitation of the 16th ultimo. I intended to answer by attending your meeting of the Historical Society of St. Louis on the 7th. This being Saturday I was much occupied at St. Francis Xavier's Church, and I regret I was unable to accomplish my desire on this occasion.
The question of locality which has arisen about old Fort Atkinson, or Council Bluffs, built in 1819, I think I can answer satisfactorily. During the years 1838 and 1839 I resided opposite what is now called the city of Omaha. In 1839 I stood on the bluff on which the old fort was built in 1819; some rubbish and remains of the old fort were still visible, and some remaining roots of asparagus were still' growing in the old garden. Fort Atkinson was located where now stands the town of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska Territory, about sixteen miles in a straight line above the city of Omaha, and forty miles by river. Mr. Cabanne's trading post was ten miles by land above where now stands Omaha city. Manual Lisa had a trading post one mile above Cabanne's. I met Captains Joseph and John La Barge, and proposed the question of the former site of Fort Atkinson, in order to test the accuracy of my memory, and they confirmed it in every particular.
Most respectfully, etc.
St. Louis University, December 26, 1867.
Mr. A. D. JONES, Secretary Old Settlers' Association, Omaha, Nebraska:
Dear Sir.- My absence from St. Louis has delayed my answer. You have the kindness to inform me that we are
n This and the following letter are from vol. I, Nebraska State Historical Society's reports.