The Black Hills along the south shore of the North Platte River just past Fort Laramie were a low range of mountains known for their beauty and serenity. Asters and myriad other wild flowers decorated the scene as did a number of bubbling feeder creeks. The tranquility of the surroundings was broken one morning when the hunter in Stewart’s group spied a female grizzly bear near camp. According to one telling, the bear presented itself especially belligerent. Stewart rose to the occasion, organized pursuit, and shot the bear, thereby gaining considerable respect from his fellow voyagers. (Porter, 46)
This scene appears to have taken place in the same area. Miller explained that the travelers confronted and killed nine grizzlies during the journey. (Ross, 32) This bear was Stewart’s first such prize of the season.
