He established a mission along the river bluffs. The area served as a mission between 1843 and 1852, when the Dakota were sent to a reservation further up the Minnesota River as a result of the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux.
He set up a temporary base on the river bluffs. This location played a pivotal role from 1843 to 1852, serving as an intermediary between the original site and the new reservation that the Dakota people were relocated to higher up the Minnesota River, following the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux.