Let's Call It Mandan!
The Amazing Life Story of Frederic Francis Gerard—Dakota Fur Trader, Friend of the Three Affiliated Tribes, Ft. Abraham Lincoln’s Indian Interpreter, and Mandan’s Founder
Mandan's Founder, known by many as Fred Gerard, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1829, and founded Mandan 50 years later, in 1879. He lived more than 83 years, and his life story is remarkable. One of the following statements regarding his life is NOT true, but you might have to read the book to find out which one that is.
*He came to the land that would become North Dakota in 1849 at age 19 as a clerk at Ft. Clark for the American Fur Company.
*He was smart and a fast learner, and he would eventually learn how to sign, speak, and interpret more than five Indian languages.
*He fought off a grizzly bear attack without his gun in the summer of 1855, and the Sioux gave him the name Strikes the Bear.
*He defended Ft, Berthold by himself for 10 days while under the threat of an attack.
*He had a dangerous encounter with Sitting Bull at Ft. Berthold, but later he smoked the peace pipe with him.
*He helped vaccinate more than 300 Native American children against smallpox.
*He camped out with Buffalo Bill not long after surviving the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
*He was a businessman and community leader in Mandan and started the first telephone company in North Dakota.
By Paulette Bullinger & Kevin Kremer
Cover Art by Dave Ely
295 pages / 5.5 x 8.5-inch paperback
Includes a great photo tour of many of the book’s locations
Approximately 100 historical and current photos
**Includes the signatures of both authors
For ages 10 and up ***Great read aloud book