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During the autumn of 1804 Nathan Boone and Mathias Van Bibber went on a hunt, planning to go to the Kanzas; they proceeded up Grand River, trapping on the way to the source of the stream. After having trapped fifty-six beavers and twelve otters they were visited in their camp by twenty-two Osages who stole all the furs and three horses; the Indians warned them to clear out as another party of red men were hunting for them.
Boone went among the Osages in the spring of 1805 in an attempt to recover his stolen property. He first visited the Big Osage town on Pomme de Terre Creek and from a trader there learned that it was the Little Osages who had robbed him and Van Bibber. When he went to the Little Osage town he was unable to recognize the thieves owing to their painted faces and changes of rude costume. White Hair, chief of all the tribe, sent some of his braves to get the horses belonging to the white men, but Boone recovered only two traps—the horses had been removed to a safe place before the messengers arrived.

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