In the winter of 1818-1819, Henry Schoolcraft and his companion Mr. Pettibone, a mineralist and an explorer, was one of the first Americans to explore and document the rugged, pristine Ozarks landscape. He kept a detailed journal of his adventure, which you can read at: http://ia600404.us.archive.org/33/items/Henry_Schoolcrafts_1818_Ozark_Journal/schoolcraftsjournal.pdf . Schoolcraft was looking for mineral deposits up near what is now Springfield, and was returning with his companion and two hunters who he had paid to lead him up here. On January 6th, 1819, the party was returning to the hunters' cabin at the confluance of Beaver Creek and the White River. They turned south into Bull Creek Valley, thinking they had entered Swan Creek's valley. After encamping, they became aware of their folly. The hunters informed Schoolcraft that Bull Creek was known as a dangerous and difficult place, and that one could easily get lost in this area. The party searched for over half a day for a route that would take them over the hills out of Bull Creek and into Swan Creek.
Schoolcraft described their attempts to get out of Bull Creek valley as: "Thus we spent one half of the day in vain and perplexing endeavours, wandering from one high knoll to another; and, at length, by a lucky hit, succeeded in reaching one of the tributary streams of Swan Creek, upon which, after following it down for several miles, we encamped".
As you're walking up Bull Creek to get to this little draw, you are traveling the same exact area where Schoolcraft's party traveled. I assume he camped within a mile of this very spot on the night of January 6th, 1819. If you haven't ever read Schoolcraft's journal, I recommend doing so. It gives a wonderful description of the Ozarks terrain and wildlife before it was ever settled, and Schoolcraft was a fairly entertaining and fluent writer (if you can get past his incessant fawning over the many mineral deposits he discovers). He gives very detailed descriptions of locations, and you can even use his writings to find the exact locations he visited.
***Cache placed with permission from the Mark Twain National Forest, Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District. Please obey all rules and regulations of the National Forest***