Madame Dorion

Hello, this is Nelson Olmsted. Today I have the story of one of history's most courageous women. First, here's Clint Gueber with a few words from Pacific Power. Welcome once again to Stories of Pacific Power Land, a presentation of Pacific Power and Life, the company that has been serving the electric needs of the region's homes,

farms, and industries through more than half a century of progress and growth. Now here's Nelson Olmsted, Pacific Power Land's favorite storyteller. Let's set the scene at St. Louis. The time is early spring in the year 1811. The occasion, the departure of the second overland expedition across the Rockies to the Pacific. The expedition,

organized by fur trade mogul John Jacobaster, is under the command of Wilson Price Hunt and Donald McKenzie, who are supervising the loading of the riverboat that will take them into a hostile unknown world. Wilson Hunt speaks. Everything seems in order, except that That interpreter I hired, Pierre D'Oreal.

Come, sound that man. I told her to be here on time. There he is, Mr. Hood. Him and his family. The French-Canadian guide and interpreter, Pierre D'Oreal, plaid in buckskin, approached the landing accompanied by a tall, statuesque Indian woman carrying an infant and leaving a small child by the hand.

Hunter said, ah, good, D'Oreal. Yes, this must be your family. Come along and say goodbye. No, no, this year. The Squaggle, who had piègle? Well, that's preposterous, man. You can't take a woman or two babies into that wilderness.

As you was, Grisbissure, the Squaggle, piègle. Well, the expedition needed Dorion services desperately. So Wilson Price Hunt allowed the guy's family on board. As it worked out, he was immensely grateful for the decision in the months that followed.