She died in the last years of the old world, on a mission that embodied the most hopeful aspect of the new diplomatic moment — and was killed for it.

The Record That Remained

The documentary record of Woman Chief’s life is thin by the standards of most historical figures we consider significant.

A biographical essay by Edwin Denig, written in 1855-56 and published posthumously.

A journal entry by Rudolph Kurz from October 1851.

The fictionalized but probably partially based accounts in Beckwourth’s memoir.

Brief mentions in other fur trade documents.

That is all.