Roman Catholic missionary Jean Pierre De Smet (1801-73) was born in
Belgium and came to the United States in 1821.  He moved west to Wyoming
with the supply train of 1840, and by 1841 had founded St. Mary's Mission
in Missoula, Montana.  Three years later , he founded the Central Mission
in Oregon.  During his years as a missionary, De Smet developed a strong
rapport with the Indians and a great respect for their culture.  Putting
his knowledge to work, he acted as an agent and peacemaker for the
government on the Indians' behalf.  In 1868, he found his way unescorted
to the Sioux stronghold on Powder River and negotiated a temporary peace
treaty with Chief Sitting Bull.  He became the foremost American authority
on Indians and his letter, diaries, and map s have proved invaluable to
historians.