Author tells the life story of pioneer John Colter

SEELEY LAKE - Every Sunday at the Seeley Lake Market, Author Powell Swanser of Turah, Montana sells his first book, "John Colter Young Patriot," in addition to a knife set and aquatic creature carvings. This is his second year being a merchant at the market.

Swanser said he is a direct descendant of Colter. Colter was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the first known person of European descent to enter what would become Yellowstone National Park and to see the Teton Mountain Range. He said he spent eight years writing it before having it published through Stoneydale Press Publishing Co. This is currently the third edition.

"I had no idea it was gonna be this successful," he said.

This is the first of four books in his upcoming series covering Colter's life. This first book covers Colter's younger years up until he served in the Revolutionary War at the age of 15. Colter came from Virginia but also spent "quite a bit of time in Ohio."

Swanser said he decided to write the book based on a promise he made to his grandmother when he was little.

"I lived in guilt most of my life and finally one night I couldn't stand it," he said. "I said, 'I got to keep my word.' And so I started writing and eight years later, I had a book."

Swanser has previously written journal articles and poetry but this is his first book. As part of his research, he had to go through several archives.

"Every book that I could find that had the words John Colter, I bought," he said.

In addition to his book, Powell chooses to keep the legacy of Colter alive by replicating his knives. His aquatic creature statues are carved out of black walnut wood.

His favorite aspect about being a merchant is meeting new people throughout the day.

"Everybody's from someplace new ... and they got something to sell and something to say," Swanser said. "Plus I like meeting the tourists too and the different people that come to see the vendors. It's not just lucrative, but it's fun too."

Swanser sells his book on Amazon.com. His knives can be found on http://www.powellswanserincrediblesculptures.com/index.html and his sculptures can be found on http://www.powellswanserincrediblesculptures.com.