I am so glad to meet you! My great, great Grandmother was Mary Cotter, sister of Richard Cotter. In our research we have found that Richard Cotter worked with Clarence King in his early expeditions, and they attempted to climb Mt. Whitney together. He is mentioned in two books by Clarence King, at one point King states that Dick saved his life, having to keep warm together during a night snowfall or something to that effect. I am going to ask my cousin Patty to respond to you too because she knows the name of the books and other info she can give you on Clarence King. Please keep in touch, anything you find about our Richard Cotter would be appreciated. We know he died in Chicago in early 1900's, and right now are chasing up a lead that he lived in Montana for some time. My email is agrandday@cs.com. Thanks!