Hundreds of trappers periodically appeared, and from here some journeyed to civilization while others returned to the wilds. Thousands and thousands came from the east, and went on into the west ; some for homes on the Williamette and the Columbia, others to follow the trail of Jedediah Smith into the golden mecca of California. Adventurers going and coming across the continental divide drifted with the moving tide ; and later came, unfettered and free, the dauntless and undaunted cowmen.

For the greater part of the year both rivers were fordable at this point, and here the two great trails from the east merged into one.

Even so early as the operations of Manuel Lisa and Jacques Laramie the demoralizing effect of fire water upon savages required federal intervention. Yet it was many years before control over the traffic was anything like complete. Much liquor was smuggled in from the Spanish possessions at Santa Fe and Taos.

Attaches of Fort John were extremely reckless in the use of liquor. Fontenelle had early seen its demoralizing effect, changing good beaver hunters to fanatics after drink, and he determined to rid the North Platte valley of the lawlessness if possible.

So when Joshua Pilcher became commissioner of Indian affairs after the death of General Clarke, the influence of the American Fur Company was such that they were able to secure the appointment of Andrew Drips, an employee of the company at Fort Laramie, as resident agent. It raised quite a storm of protest from the other traders, but the department soon became fully advised that it was only because he enforced on other traders the same strict observances of liquor laws, that the American Fur Company had observed for years.