This post was commenced at once, and its location was upon the west bank of the Platte just south of the west end of the bridge between the city of Scottsbluff and Mitchell valley. Anyone who has visited this historic spot, can see the advantage of location. It commands an excellent view of the valley in all directions, yet is far enough away from the bluff to be out of range of any fire from that eminence.

The fort was made on the usual stockade plan, about three hundred feet square, with all the buildings in the enclosure.

When completed, Husband named it Fort Fontenelle, after Lucien Fontenelle, one of his partners. The old members of the company were frequently complimenting some other member by naming a trading post in his honor. Thus it happens there are several Fort Williams named after William Sublette. And there were no less than two Fort Mitchells at one time within the confines of Nebraska, and both were named after David D. Mitchell.

Soon after the establishment of Fort Fontenelle, Bruce Husband retired, and Lucien Fontenelle was placed in charge. This seems strange, in consideration of the fact that several historians had Fontenelle commit suicide at Fort Laramie some dozen years before this fort was built.

The report referred to did not have the element of fact, for it is certain that Fontenelle was alive as late as 1852, when my father met him at Fort Mitchell.

Lucien Fontenelle had a remarkable history. He was of direct royal lineage, and his parents, Francois and Moreonise Fontenelle. came from Marseilles. France, and Lucien and his sister were born in the early part of the century at New Orleans. His parents perished in a storm, and the children were made orphans about 1820. They lived with relatives and at the age of fifteen, Lucien ran away.