The Life and Times of Little Turtle: First Sagamore of the Wabash

Harvey Lewis Carter [1904-1994] was born and raised in Indiana, the land of Little Turtle. After completing his undergraduate studies at Wabash College he earned his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin in 1938. He taught at Ursinus College from 1928 to 1945, and then joined the faculty at Colorado College, where he remained for the rest of his career, and was honored as an Emeritus professor upon retirement in 1973. In addition to 27 contributions for the Dictionary of American History and the Encyclopedia Britannica, Dr. Carter wrote The Far West in American History in the American Historical Association's historiographical series, Zebulon Montgomery Pike: Pathfinder and Patriot, 38 biographical sketches in Mountain Men and Fur Traders of the Far West, over 40 articles, and with Thelma Guild Kit Carson: A Pattern for Heroes. He is best remembered for his book "Dear Old Kit," The Historical Christopher Carson. Dr. Carter was awarded an Honorary Life Membership from the Western History Association, and in 1978 received an honorary Doctorate from Wabash College. In 1990, Governor Robert D. Orr of Indiana awarded Harvey Carter with Indiana's highest honor: designation as the first official Hoosier Historian and a Sagamore of the Wabash.