Reading for the 2 nd time Johnny Grants story "Son of the Fur Trade "The HBC chief at Edmonton post was asked by this this young indian how he could endear himself with a girl .He told him to use lots of Asafoetida in his hair ,he went into her lodge and Rowand (chief factor ) watched and soon her mother left, then 3 of her other suitors ,then the girl left too .He asked what he did wrong and Rowand said you got there too late .
Johnny Grant was huge Montana figure ,He started trading horses and cattle on the Oregon Trail ,the drove them on to the Deer Lodge valleyto fatten and heal .He was truly bigger than life .Seven wives and 23 kids .He was Metis and left Mt for Red River settelment about 1864 Eventually he drifted back to the Edmonton Alberta area where he was born . His stormy relationship with his Dad was very trying . His dad was the HBC trader at FT Hall on Snake River .He gave Johnny $ 100 and kicked him out (18 yrs old ) He parlayed that $ 100 into a fortune and died happy and broke near Edmonton.