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References
and Additional Sources of Information References have been broken down into four major categories described below. In some cases placement of a given work in a category is somewhat arbitrary, as some cross-over may exist. Nonetheless, all of these references, except the fiction, have proven valuable sources of information for The Big Hole Primary Sources: are written by the persons who actually participated in the events they are writing about. These include diaries, journals, autobiographies and autobiographical writing masquerading as novels. Secondary Sources: these are reference materials written by authors who were not participants, these often rely on primary sources, but are subject to interpretations, distortions and any agenda or bias of the author. Living History/Re-enacting: This is a specialized type of secondary source, written primarily for those interested in living history. Information given in these sources is just as valid as from other secondary sources, but is much more oriented towards doing, rather than reference alone. Historical Fiction: entertaining reading, often informative and educational, but subject to a large portion of guesswork and interpretation. Only what I consider to be better works of historical fiction are included here. Most of the popular Mountain Man genre would be better categorized as Hysterical Fiction. Anderson, William Marshall. The Rocky Mountain Journals of William Marshall Anderson: The West In 1834. Edited by Dale Morgan and Eleanor Towles Harris, 1967 published by Huntington Library Publications, San Marino, California. The format of this book is quite interesting because the editors have published side by side Anderson's diary, which was written on the trail with the supply train to the 1834 Rendezvous, and the Journal which was rewritten later for publication. The Journals do not describe much of life at the time, however, they do document very well the progress of the supply train in this important year. Anderson, through his journals does show an awareness of the big events going on around him, ie the collapse of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, and the combination of the successor company, Fitzpatrick, Subllette and Bridger Company with Fontenelle and Drips. The editors have abundant notes comparing the Journal to other documentation of 1834, including Nathaniel Wyeth's diaries, and letters written by Jason Lee. Ball, John. The Autobiography of John Ball - Across the Plains to Oregon, 1832. Grand Rapids, Mich., The Dean-Hicks company, 1925. John Ball was a member of Nathaniel Wueth's party of New England Yankees traveling to the far Rocky Mountains and Columbia River Basin in 1832. An electronic version of a portion of this document is available on the web site of the American Mountain Man. Beckwourth,
James P. The
Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth, published by
Harper and Brothers, 1856.
Many other editions. Bodmer,
Karl. Karl Bodmer's North American Prints.
2004. Edited by Brandon K Ruud, published by University of Nebraska
Press: Lincoln and London. Karl Bodmer was the Swiss artist who
accompanied Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied to western North America in
1832-1834. Maximilian had noted that the native culture and peoples
of western North America were rapidly disappearing. With and through
the artistic abilities of Karl Bodmer, Maximilian sought to preserve what
he could. This book is essentially a 370 page picture book focused
largely on the native peoples along the Missouri River.
White-European culture were general avoided in the drawings and pictures,
however, there are drawings of Forts Union, Pierre, Clark and
McKenzie. Even those scenes which portray only natives are valuable
because they represent what was visible countless times over the rampart
walls from any of the Missouri River Forts. Henry Marie Brackenridge. Journal of a Voyage Up the Missouri River in 1811. Published by Cramer, Spear and Eichbaum in Pittsburg 1814 as part of a book titled Views of Lousiana together with a Journal of a Voyage Up the Missouri River in 1811. Brackenridge was part of a brigade of men dragging keelboats up the Missouri River in 1811 for Manuel Lisa's Missouri Fur Company. An online version of Brackenridge' Journal can be found at http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/html/Brackenridge/ Campbell Robert. Rocky Mountain Letters, The letters are published online on the website of the American Mountain Man: Letter I - Lewis' Fork, July 18th, 1832
Catlin, George. Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs, and Conditions of the North American Indian. Published in London, 1844. An online version can be found at: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/html/catlin/index.html
Chardon,
Francis A. Chardon's Journal at Fort Clark, 1834-1839.
Edited by Annie Abel. Published by Bison Books 1997 as a reprint of
the 1932 edition. The journal is a day to day narrative of events
taking place at Clyman, James. Journal of a Mountain Man, edited by Linda M Hasselstrom. Published by the Mountain Press Publishing Company, Missoula, 1984. This book is a compilation of the journals, notebooks, diaries and memoirs of James Clyman. The book provides us a picture of life in the first half of the 1800's as well as a look at a man who was willing to follow opportunities where-ever they would lead, who never allowed himself to be trapped by his own past, doing whatever was necessary to survive.Clyman, James. Narrative, by James Clyman, 1871. This document describes Clymans experiences in the mountains, primarily from 1824-25, but with snippets from 1826,1827, 1828 and 1829. An electronic version of this document is available on the web site of the American Mountain Man. Dale, Harrison Clifford (Editor): The Ashley-Smith Explorations and the Discovery of a Central Route to the Pacific 1822-1829, with the original journals of William Ashley, Jedediah Smith and Harrison Rogers. 1941, Published by the Arthur H. Clark Company, Glendale California. This book is listed with primary sources because it contains transcriptions of the original journals of William Ashley, Jedediah Smith and Harrison Rogers, Smiths clerk on his second expedition to California. Field, Matt. Matt Field on the Santa Fe Trail. Edited by John E Sunder. Published by the University of Oklahoma Press, 1960. Matt Field was a young man who had experienced multiple personal disappointments and determined to travel "Out West" as part of the healing process. In 1839 he journeyed down the Santa Fé Trail, past Bent's Fort and then on to Taos and Santa Fé. His Journal starts on July 15, 1839 (His earlier start was lost while chasing antelope). Much of his journal is written in verse. The book also includes 85 short articles written for the New Orleans Picayune starting in December 1939 through June 1841. The articles are all based on his travels along the Santa Fé Trail. Field Matt C., Prairie & Mountain Sketches, edited by Kate L. Gregg and John Francis McDermott, University of Oklahoma Press, copyright 1957. The book is comprised of a series of stories written by Matt Field for the Daily Picayune, a New Orleans newspaper, based on notes taken by Field while traveling with Sir William Drummond Stewart's 1843 Rendezvous in the central Rocky Mountain region. Ferris, Warren Angus. Life in the Rocky Mountains: A diary of Wanderings on the sources of the Rivers Missouri, Columbia, and Colorado 1830-1835. Edited by Leroy Hafen, published by The Old West Publishing Company, Denver, Colorado 1983. This is an excellent source for both methods and means as well as events taking place during this time period in the Northern and Central Rocky Mountain region. Garrard, Lewis H. Wah-to-yah and the Taos Trail; First published in 1850, new edition copyright 1955 University of Oklahoma Press. Garrard provides an excellent view of life on the trail from Westport, Missouri to Bents Fort during 1846 into 1847. Gregg, Josiah. The Commerce of the Prairies. 1968 version edited by Milo Milton Quaife, published by The Citadel Press, New York. This book provides an excellent description of the experiences of Dr. Josiah Gregg on the Santa Fe Trail from 1831 through about 1841. Although not about the mountain men and fur trade, the book details life on the trail, dealings with Indians, and commerce with New and Old Mexico. Hunt, Wilson Price. Mr. Hunt's Account (From the Lost Diary) of the Journey of the Overland Party From St. Louis Through the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River Mouth, 1811-1812. An electronic version of this document is available on the web site of the American Mountain Man. James, Thomas. Three Years Among the Indians and Mexicans. First published in 1846. James was an engage of the St. Louis Missouri Fur Company and traveled to the headwaters of the Missouri River in 1809. James gives a good description of the life of an engage on a keelboat crew. The story takes up again in 1821 when James leads one of the first caravans to Mexican Santa Fe after the revolution. An electronic version of this document is available on the web site of the American Mountain Man. Kinzie, Juliette A. Wau-Bun, The Early Day In The Northwest, Edited With Notes And Introduction By Louise Phelps Kellogg Published by George Banta Publishing Company Menasha, Wisconsin, 1930. First published in 1856. Juliette Kinzie was raised as a "well bred" eastern woman. She married John Kinzie, who was an Indian agent in the "old" Northwest based out of Fort Winnebago. With excitement and enthusiasm Juliette plunged into her new life on the frontier. Wau-Bun is the story of her adventures and experiences while in the old Northwest. Kurz, Rudolph Freiderich. The Journal of Rudolph Friederich Kurz: translated by Myrtis Jarrell; published by the University of Nebraska Press 1970. Kurz was a Swiss artist who came to North America to study and draw Indians from 1846 through to 1852. Because he wasn't wealthy, he needed to support himself during his studies. He found employment with a fur company, and spent most of those years working as a clerk at Fort Union. His observations and perspective of the activities and culture in which he found himself are both detailed and unique because of his background as both a foreigner and an artist. The book includes 93 drawings and sketches, some of which are remarkably detailed, showing clothing, hair styles, equipment, and horse gear. Larpenteur, Charles. Forty Years a Fur Trader. Published by Francis P. Harper, New York, 1898; Lakeside Press, R.R. Donnelly, 1933; Ross & Haines, Minneapolis, 1962; Bison Books, Lincoln and London, 1989. The book describes Larpenteur's experiences on the Upper Missouri River starting in 1832. Larpenteur worked as clerk/trader with the American Fur Company and opposition companies mostly in the vicinity of Fort Union. This is an excellent source for descriptions of trading procedures and life in and around Fort Union at the time. Leonard, Zenas. Narrative of the Adventures of Zenas Leonard: Written by Himself. This is a wonderful account of the adventures of Zenas Leonard Starting in 1831 when he left St. Louis as part of a company of 70 men under the leadership of Gant and Blackwell until he returned to Independence Missouri in 1835. An electronic version of this document is available on the web site of the American Mountain Man. Luttig,
John C. The Journal of a Fur-Trading Expedition on the Ross, Alexander. Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River. Published by Smith , Elder and Co., London 1849. An account of the Overland Astorians by Alexander Ross. Russell, Osborne. Journal of a Trapper (1834-1843), Edited by Aubrey L Haines, published 1955 by University of Nebraska Press. 191 Pages. The diary of events recorded by Osborne Russell from the time he began his adventures in the mountains, till moving as an emigrant to Oregon in 1843. Ruxton, George Frederick. Adventures in Mexico and the Rocky Mountains 1846-1847. Republished in 1973 by the Rio Grande Press, Inc., Glorieta, New Mexico. This is a record of Ruxton's travels as a tourist with diplomatic privelages through Mexico during the frenzy of the Mexican-American War, and up into what will someday become central Colorado where he spent considerable time living amongst the Mountain Men. Ruxton's experiences and friendships formed during this journey form the basis for his later semi-fictional book "Life in the Far West". Ruxton, George Frederick. Wild
Life In the Rocky Mountains. From edition by The
MacMillan Company, Sage, Rufus B. Rocky Mountain Life, or Startling Scenes and Perilous Adventures in the Far West, During an Expedition of Three Years, First published in 1846, this book was photocopied from an 1857 reprint by Bison Books in April 1982. The book was written by the author immediately after returning from a three year trip to the central Rocky Mountains. The book contains many "every day" descriptions of foods, cooking, medical treatments, camping, travel, Indian customs and relations as then practiced in the region. Thompson David: Narrative of his Explorations in Western North America, 1784-1812, Tyrrell, J.B. ed, published by the Champlain Society, Toronto, 1916. William H Thomas. Journal of a Voyage from St. Louis, Louisianna, to the Mandan Village- 1809. Thomas describes a trip up the Missouri River with Manual Lisa to the Mandan Villages by Keelboat. One of the purposes of the trip was to return the Mandan Chief Sheheken to his people. An electronic version of this document is available on the web site of the American Mountain Man. Townsend John Kirk. Narrative of a Journey Across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River. Published 1839. John Kirk Townsend was a naturalist who accompanied Nathaniel Wyeth's expedition across the mountains to the Pacific Ocean. As a scientist and trained observer, Townsend provides us with many useful observations about life in the mountains and relations with the Indians. The West of Alfred Jacob Miller (1837) from the Notes and Water Colors in The Walters Art Gallery: Published by the University of Oklahoma Press, 1968. The watercolor illustrations in this book provide an excellent window into life in the Rocky Mountain West in 1837. As well as numerous portraits of Indians and Mountain Men, Miller portrays aspects of everyday life from butchering a buffalo, to setting traps, to evening campfire. The portraits have incredible detail regarding clothing, decorations and accoutrements. The broader scale drawings have a "mistiness" about them that obscures details of dress and equipment. Even still, these are valuable for details portrayed, such as wedge tents and type of wagons used. Wislizenus,
Frederick A., A Journey to the Rocky Mountains
1839. Translated
from German to English in 1912. Reprinted
and Published by The Wooton, Richens. Uncle Dick Wootten: The Pioneer Frontiersman of the Rocky Mountains; as narrated by Richens Wootton to Howard Louis Conrad, The Narrative Press, copyright 2001, originally published 1957. Wyeth, Nathaniel. Journal of Captain Nathaniel J. Wyeth's Expeditions to the Oregon Country:First Expedition - 1832. This is an account of Wyeth's first expedition to the Rocky Mountains and to Columbia River. Wyeth a successful New England businessman and entrepreneur, was eager to take a shot at wealth and fortune offered in the far west. Wyeth, accompanied by a group of New England "Yankees" left in 1832 on a two year expedition to assess the opportunities and risks involved. An electronic version of this document is available on the web site of the American Mountain Man. Wyeth, Nathaniel. Journal of Captain Nathaniel J. Wyeth's Expeditions to the Oregon Country:Second Expedition - 1834. This is an account of Wyeth's second expedition to the Rocky Mountains and to Columbia River. Wyeth had arranged with the Rocky Mountain Fur Company to provide goods and supplies at the annual rendezvous, However, Sublette and Campbell learned of these plans and raced Wyeth to the mountains where they called in the companies debts and forced it into bankruptcy. Wyeth, stuck with his goods went on to the Snake River where he established Fort Hall. An electronic version of this document is available on the web site of the American Mountain Man. Abel,
Annie Heloise ; editor Chardon’s Journal at Ambrose, Stephen. Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West, published by Simon & Schuster 1996. An excellent book covering the Lewis & Clark expedition told primarily from the viewpoint of Meriwether Lewis. Explores the problems faced by the expedition and decision making processes of the leaders. Athearn, Robert G. Forts of the Upper Missouri. Published by Prentice Hall, Inc. 1967. The book has a couple of chapters describing early conditions on the Upper Missouri River region and the related fur trade, but this is mostly to provide the setting for the main focus of the book which is military posts and forts generally from the time period of the 1850's and later. Baird, John D. Hawken Rifles: The Mountain Man's Choice, originally published by The Buckskin Press, 1968. This is a solid resource for information about the Hawken Rifles, and about Samuel and Jacob Hawkin and their business in St. Louis. Later research has shown quite definitively that the Hawken was really not the Mountain Mans Choice (see Myths). Baldwin, Leland D. The Keelboat Age on Western Waters, University of Pittsburgh Press, 1941. A wealth of information regarding keelboats, flatboats, barges and other forms of water transportation, and the river men that powered them, generally for the period of the late 1700's. Barbour, Barton H. Fort Union and the Upper Missouri Fur Trade. 2001 University of Oklahoma Press. A great description of the history of construction and renovation of the structure, the men who worked there and their functions, as well as the social dynamics of fur trade society. Beall, Thomas. Recollections of Wm. Craig, published in the Lewiston Morning Tribune, March 3, 1918. Butler, David F. United States Firearms: The First Century 1776-1875; published by Winchester Press, New York, 1971. This book provides descriptions of the evolution of different types of firearms in use during this period, as well as the ammunition used by these guns. Christian, Shirley. Before Lewis and Clark: The Story of the Chouteaus, the French Dynasty That Ruled America's Frontier. Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York 2004. Cummings, Richard O. The American Ice Harvests: A Historical Study in Technology, 1800-1918. The Journal of Southern History, Vol. 16, No. 2 (May, 1950), pp. 222-223 De Voto, Bernard. Across the Wide Missouri. 1947 Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. This book chronicles the Rocky Mountain Fur trade during its climax and decline, roughly from the years 1832 through 1838. De Voto examines in particular the inter-relationship between the competing outfits during these years. He also provides a glimpse of Indian life as it related to the fur trade, and gives a good sketch of the "typical" mountain man and his way of life. Good reading and well documented for original sources. I should have read this one much sooner than I did. Duncan, Dayton and Ken Burns. Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery an Illustrated History. Published by Alfred A Knopf, Inc, New York 1997. This book is a good read. The authors, through the words in the journals of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and four of the enlisted men attempt to portray what the men of the Corp of Discovery may have been thinking and feeling as well as what they were doing as they were making their historic trek across the continent. Ferguson,
Gary. The Great
Divide: The Rocky Mountains in the American Mind, published 2004, W.W. Norton & Co. Inc.
This book describes the mystery, myth and mayhem that have been
associated with the towering peaks that create a natural barrier across
the nation. The book
looks at the creation of the range, prehistory, American Indian relations
with the mountains and looks at more current times - from frontiersmen's
forays to the invasion of white settlers to modern challenges affecting
culture, wildlife and more. A significant portion of the book is given to
the mountain men and the reasons why they came west and why they stayed on
in the mountains. Gowans Fred R. Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, published by Gibbs Smith 1985. This book provides excellent descriptions of attendees, trade goods, locations, as well as maps and modern photos of each of the rendezvous sites from 1825 through to 1840. Hanson Charles E,
Jr. The
Hawken Rifle: Its Place in History,
published by the Fur Press, Crawford, Nebraska, 1979. Probably one
of the best sources of documentation of the types of rifles carried by the
mountain men, production of rifles by the Hawken brothers, and origin of
the myths regarding the "Hawkens Rifles" If you read only
one book about the rifles of the Mountain Men, I would highly recommend
that it be this reference. Hanson, Charles
Jr. Some
Notes on Tents in the Western Fur Trade, in The Museum of the Fur
Trade Quarterly, # 16 , published spring, 1980. Hanson Charles Jr. The Plains Rifle, published by The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1960. A solid, well researched source covering Indian Trade guns, the predecessor rifles and evolution of the Plains Rifle, and information regarding Samuel and Jacob Hawkens, and other gun makers of St. Louis and eastern U.S. Hanson, James A. The Fur Trade Cutlery Sketchbook, 1994, published by The Fur Press, Crawford, Nebraska. Sketches of the various fur trade era knives, most of which are in the collection of the FurTrade Museum in Chadron, Nebraska, along with a description of the knives. Hanson, James A & Kathryn J Wilson. The Buckskinner's Cook Book: published by The Fur Press, 1979. A collection of recipes, some good, some bad. The recipes are based on actual, authentic recipes, or are extrapolated based on what people said they ate, or had available. Hanson, James A. When Skins were Money: A History of the Fur Trade, 2005, published by Museum of the Fur Trade, Chadron, Nebraska. Hart, Herbert M. Tour Guide to Old Forts of Montana, Wyoming North & South Dakota. 1980 Pruett Publishing Company, Boulder, Colorado. ISBN: 0-87108-570-4 The book provides an approximately one-paragraph description of fur trade era and military forts and posts, who constructed them, dates of use, a brief description of the fort and a general location. Maps are provided for each state showing locations of the forts. The author doesn't provide sources for his information. The book is a good starting point for general information. Irving, Washington. The Adventures of Captain Bonneville, U.S.A., in the Rocky Mountains and the Far West. 1850. Published by G.P. Putnam, New York. Jackson, Donald. Voyages of the Steamboat Yellow Stone, published by Ticknor & Fields, New York, 1985. James Clyman, Frontiersman, 1792-1881, edited by Charles L Camp 1960. This book is based on the journals, notebooks, diaries and memoirs of James Clyman, contains voluminous footnotes and analysis. Jeffrey, Julie Roy. Converting the West: A Biography of Narcissa Whitman. 1991 Published by the University of Oklahoma Press, Norman Oklahoma. The book is both a historical account of the Whitman mission, and based on the many letters she wrote, a look into the mind of Narcissa Whitman. Jesset, Thomas E. The Indian Side of the Whitman Massacre. 1973 published by Ye Galleon Press, Fairfield, Washington. Lavender, David. Bent's Fort. Copyrighted 1954. Published by the University of Nebraska Press. This book provides a detailed look into the histories of both the Bent brothers and St. Vrain, how they were all exposed to trapping/trading in the northern Rocky Mountain region, but became disillusioned and turned to commerce along the Santa Fe Trail, and became partners. The book also provides a detailed look at commerce between Taos/Santa Fe and St. Louis, as well as with Indian tribes of the southern Rocky Mountain Region. Lavender, David. The Fist in the Wilderness, 1964, published by the University of Nebraska Press. A very well written and informative book, primarily about Ramsey Crooks, but also provides an excellent setting for the fur trade in the Old North West and international impacts on the fur trade resulting from the Treaty of Paris, Jays Treaty and the War of 1812. Lender, Mark Edward, and James Kirby Martin. Drinking in America: A History. Published by Free Press, 1982, New York Lepley, John G., Blackfoot Fur Trade on the Upper Missouri. Published by Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, Missoula 2004. An excellent description of the forts, men, and companies involved in the Blackfoot trade of the Upper Missouri River, though not well foot noted. Malone, Michael P. and Richard B Roeder, Montana: A History of Two Centuries. Published by University of Washington Press, Seattle, 1976. McCutcheon, Marc. The Writer’s Guide to Everyday Life in the 1800’s, published by Writer’s Digest Books, 1993. The health, medicine and hygiene chapter gives a brief description of common maladies, and diseases of the 1800’s as well as typical treatments, and the philosophy behind the treatments of the day. Merriam Robert L., Richard A Davis Jr., David S Brown and Michael E Buerger, The History of the John Russell Cutlery Company 1833-1936. Pubished 1976, Bete Press, Greenfield, Massachusetts. Morgan
Dale. Jedediah
Smith and the Opening of the West, published 1953, Bobbs-Merrill Co. The Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West, Vol. II, edited by LeRoy R Hafen, published 1965 by the Arthur H Clark Company. With chapters on John Albert, Charles Bent, Thomas Biggs, Francis Ziba Branch, Calvin T Briggs, Lewis T Burton, John Pierre Cabanné, Sr., Moses Carson, Jacques Clamorgan, Auguste Clermont, William Craig, John Day, Jacques D'Eglise, Warren Angus Ferris, Johnson Gardner, Hugh Glenn, Antoine Godin, Miles Morris Goodyear, Mathew Kinkead, James Kipp, Lancaster Lupton, Kenneth McKenzie, Stephen Hall Meek, David Dawson Mitchell, Antonio Montero, Albert Pike, William Pope, Nathaniel Prior, John Baptiste Richard, Osborne Russell, Isaac Sparks, Louis Vasquez, Walkara (Ute Chief), William Wolfskill, John Work, Ewing Young. The Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West, Vol. III, edited by LeRoy R Hafen, published 1965 by the Arthur H Clark Company. With chapters on Marcelino Baca, James Baird, James Baker, Henry A Boller, Michael Bourdon, John J Burroughs, Richard Campbell, Joseph Dickson, William Doughty, Joe Doyle, John Thomas Evans, Jacob Fowler, Henry Fraeb, Isaac Graham, James A Hamilton, William Laidlaw, Antoine and Abraham Ledoux, Stephen Louis Lee, Jacob Primer Leese, William Morrison, Henry Naile, Peter Skene Ogden, Pierre Chrysologue Pambrun, Daniel T Potts, Rufus B Sage, Marcellin St. Vrain, Thomas L Sarpy, George Semmes Simpson, William Tharp, Tavid Thompson, Phillip F Thompson, Courtney Meade Walker, Seth E Ward, Caleb Wilkins, Dick Wootton. The Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West, Volume IV; edited by LeRoy R Hafen, published by The Arthur H Clark Company, Glendale, California, 1966. With chapters on Charles Autobees, George Bent, Robert Bent, Joseph Bissonette, Alexander K Branch, George Drouillard, George Wood Ebbert, Robert Fisher, Moses “Black” Harris, Alexander Harvey, John L Hatcher, John Hawkins, Theodore Hunt, Tomas James, Charles Kinney, Antoine LeRoux, James Mackay, William F May, Archibald Charles Metcalf, Gervais Nolan, James Ohio Pattie, Joshua Pilcher, Antoine Rbidoux, John Rowland, Peter A Sarpy, Alexander Sinclair, Prewitt F Sinclair, Thomas L (Peg Leg) Smith, Milton G Sublette, Pierre Tevanitagon (Old Pierre), Tom Tobin, Elbridge Trask, Jean Baptiste Truteau. The Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West, Volume V; edited by LeRoy R Hafen, published by The Arthur H Clark Company, Glendale, California, 1966. With chapters on Cyrus Alexander, John Ball, James Bird, Jr., Benjamin Bonneville, James Bordeaux, Lucien Fontenelle, John Gantt, Seth Kinman, James Kirker, Michel Laframboise, William LeBlanc, Aaron B. Lewis, Manuel Lisa, Joseph Livernois, Finnan MacDonald, Duncan McDougall, Donald McKenzie, Levin Mitchell, Bill New, Benjamin O'Fallon, Dick Owens, Antoine Plante, Ceran St. Vrain, Louy Simmons, John Simpson Smith, William L Sublette, Joseph R Walker, and Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth, The Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West, Volume VI; edited by LeRoy R Hafen, published by The Arthur H Clark Company, Glendale, California, 1966. With chapters on Charles H. Beaubien, James P. Beckwourth, William W. Bent, James Bridger, Kit Carson, James Craigie, David Crow, Chat Dubray, Charles Gardner, Elbridge Gerry, Hugh Glass, Andrew Henry, Wilson Price Hunt, Calvin Jones, Francisco Laforet, Baptiste LaLande, J. LaRamee, Maurice LeDuc, Pierre Lesperance, Etienne Lucier, Thomas McKay, Alexander Roderick McLeod, Lucien Maxwell, Pierre Menard, Pierre Pariseau, Francois Payette, John Poisal, Sylvestre S. Pratte, Etienne Provost, Alexander Ross, and Solomon Howard Smith. The Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West, Volume VII; edited by LeRoy R Hafen, published by The Arthur H Clark Company, Glendale, California, 1966. With chapters on William H. Ashley, Geminien P. Beauvais, John Brown, Jean-Baptiste Chalifoux, Ross Cox, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Joseph Gale, Jean Baptisite Gervais, Tim Goodale, John Harris, Ignace Hatchiorauquasha (John Grey), Denis Julien, Louis Labonte, Alexander Le Grand, Donald Manson, Lewis B. Myers, Francois Rivet, John Robertson, Isaac P. Rose, Reuben Smith, David Stuart, Jim Swanock and the Delaware Hunters, Simeon Turley, William H. Vanderburgh, Antoine Francois Vasquez, Auguste Pike Vasquez, Elijah Barney Ward, Charles A. Warfield, Isaac Williams, and William Workman. The Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West, Volume VIII; edited by LeRoy R Hafen, published by The Arthur H Clark Company, Glendale, California, 1966. With chapters on Louis Ambroise, Albert Gallatin Boone, Robert Campbell, Michel Sylvestre Cerré, Malcolm Clark, John Colter, CHarles Compo, Jules DeMun, Pierre Dorion, John Dougherty, Andrew Drips, Edward & Francis Ermatinger, Jacques Fournaise (Old Pino), Friday, the Arapaho, Antoine Janis, Charles Deemle, Jean Baptiste Lucier, dit Gardipe, Robert McClellan, William W McGaa, John McLoughlin, Mariano Medina, Robert Newell, James Pursley, Joseph Robidoux, Louis Robidoux, Jedediah Smith, Andrew Whitley Sublette, William Sherley Williams (Old Bill). The
Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West, Volume IX; edited by
LeRoy R Hafen, published by The Arthur H Clark Company, Glendale,
California, 1966. With chapters on Joseph Bissonet, Lemuel
Carpenter, Eustache Carriere, Alexander Carson, Toussaint Charbonneau,
Auguste Pierre Chouteau, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., Ramsay Crooks, Edward De
Morin, John B Didier, James Douglas, Lewis Dutton, Russel Farnham, William
Gordon, Richard Grant, Caleb Greenwood, Zacharias Ham, William T Hamilton,
Valentine Johnson (Rube) Herring, John Hoback, Jacob Reznor, and Edward
Robinson, David E Jackson, William Kittson, Charles McKay, Robert
McKnight, Joseph McLoughlin, Robert Meldrum, David Meriwether, J.B.
Moncravie, John Newman, Pierre Didier Papin, Simon Plamondon, Antoine
Reynal, Jr., Edward Rose, Hubert Rouleau, John F.A. Sanford, Robert
Stuart, Joseph Thing, John H Weber, Peter M. Weiser, Ezekiel Williams,
George C Yount. Myers,
John. Pirate,
Pawnee and Mountain Man: The
Saga of Hugh Glass, published 1963. Newman, Peter C. Empire of the Bay: An Illustrated History of the Hudson's Bay Company; by published by Penguin Books Canada Ltd, 1989. An informative and readable history of the Hudson's Bay Company's 300 plus year history, containing many drawings, paintings, photos and maps. Newman, Peter C. Company of Adventurers; published by Penguin Books Canada Ltd, 1985. Same as above, but with fewer illustrations, and greater detail and discussion. Nisbet, Jack. Sources of the River: Tracking David Thompson Across Western North America, published by Sasquatch Books, 1994. Porter, Mae Reed and Odessa Davenport. Scotsman in Buckskin, Sir William Drummond Stewart and the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade; published by Hastings House, New York, 1963. A good summary biography of Sir William Drummond Stewart, the Scottish Noblemen who sought adventure in the Rocky Mountains between the years 1833 and 1839. The main problem with the book is it portrays numerous myths as fact (various of the mountain men are described as carrying Hawken rifles and Green River Knives in 1833, long before these were available, and Green River Knives are stated to be manufactured in Sheffield, England) The presence of these myths and errors makes much of the background information suspect and with a lack of footnotes it is difficult to verify information. Rex Allen Norman, The 1837 Sketchbook of the Western Fur Trade. 1996, published by Scurlock Publishing Co., Inc. Texarkana, Texas. Patton,
Burce C. Lewis
& Clark: Doctors in the Wilderness, published
by Fulcrum Publishing, Golden Colorado, 2001.
An excellent description of disease theory, medical practice, and
an analysis of the various illnesses and maladies, and remedies, as
described in the journals of Lewis & Clark.
Phillips,
Paul Chrisler. The
Fur Trade, published 1961, University of
Oklahoma Press, two volumes, approximately 1400 pages.
This is a comprehensive study of the fur trade in North America
from the earliest 1600s to the collapse of the trade in the 1840s.
Strong focus on the geopolitics of the fur trade, and how it
relates to and influenced events in Europe and China.
Dry as dust, but contains a lot of gold nuggets if you are
interested in a “Big Picture” view of the fur trade in North America. Reyher, Ken. Antoine Robidoux and Fort Uncompahgre, 1998, Western Reflections Publishing Company, Montrose, Colorado. A summary of the life of Antoine Robidoux, with a good historical setting of the fur trade in the middle Rockies and Southwest, focusing on Fort Robidoux. Riling, Ray. The Powder Flask Book. 1953 Published by Bonanza Books, New York. This book presents a history of the powder flask from its origins to the development of the metallic cartridge, but focuses on the copper and brass flasks of the 19th Century. 495 pages with hundreds of photos and illustrations. Russell,
Carl P. Firearms,
Traps, & Tools of the Mountain Men, published
by University of New Mexico Press, 1967.
448 Pages. This book
describes primarily the iron artifacts of the mountain men and fur trade,
including the origins of those tools.
Also may include descriptions of how those tools were typically
used. Sandoz,
Mari. The
Beaver Men-Spearheads of Empire, published 1964,
University of Nebraska Press. 332
pages. A Stewart, George R. Ordeal By Hunger. Copyright 1936, Published by Houghton Mifflin Company 1960. a well written, well documented story of the Donner Party. Stewart, William Drummond. Edward Warren. Published by Mountain Press, 1996, , Missoula Montana, was originally published in 1854. Although this is written as fiction taking place in the 1830's, those portions of the book taking place on the western plains and mountains is based directly on the observations of Stewart while attending several successive rendezvous.
Thorp, Raymond W and
Robert Bunker. Crow
Killer, The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson, published 1958, Indiana University Press.
190 pages. An account of the life of John Johnson who came to the
mountains after the Golden Age of the Mountain Man, but in all respects
lived his life as a mountain man. His
life was the basis for the Robert Redford movie Jeremiah Johnson. Tobie, Harvey
Elmer. No
Man Like Joe, the Life and Times of Joseph L. Meek, published by the Oregon Historical Society 1949, 320 pages. Tomkins, William. Indian Sign Language; published by Dover Publications, Inc. 1969. The book is based on the authors experiences amongst the Souix Indians in the latest 1800's. The book conveys the meanings of over 800 common words using drawings and short descriptions. A practice section at the back proceeding from simple to increasingly complex are intended to sharpen the skill of the user. An excellent reference for anyone seriously contemplating acquisition of this skill. Utley, Robert M. A Life Wild and Perilous: Mountain Men and the Paths to the Pacific, published 1997 Henry Holt and Company. 392 pages. This book is well written, and an easy read. It illustrates the geopolitical role played by the American Mountain Men from 1804 through the 1840’s in fulfilling the concept of “Manifest Destiny”, a continent spanning nation. Vestal, Stanley. Joe Meek; The Merry Mountain Man; published by Caxton Printers, 1952, 336 pages. Vestal Stanley. The Old Santa Fe Trail. First published 1939. 1996 edition University of Nebraska Press. The book approaches the Santa Fe Trail from a geographical, rather than a chronological perspective starting at Westport, Missouri and thence west, step by step to Santa Fe. The author's purpose in writing this book was to recreate the experience and life along the Santa Fe trail, Victor,
Frances Fuller. The
River of the West: The Adventures of Joe Meek published by Mountain Press Publishing Company, 1983, 2 volumes.
Note-originally published by R.W. Bliss, 1870. Vogel, Virgil J. American Indian Medicine, published by University of Oklahoma Press, 1970. A complete description of Indian disease theory, remedies, and the effect of Indian medicinal practices on white civilization. White, George
M. Craft
Manual of North American Indian Footwear, 1969.
This book furnishes general instructions for construction and
assembly of Moccasins and provides patterns for twenty-six different
moccasin types used by different Indians throughout North America. Laubin,
Reginald & Gladys. The
Indian Tipi, It’s History, Construction, and Use, published 1957, University of Oklahoma Press, 343 pages.
This is the definitive reference for tipi history, construction,
use and setup, and furnishings. The
Book of Buckskinning, edited by William H Scurlock, published 1981 by
Rebel Publishing Company, 202 pages. This
book contains a series of articles for Re-enactors including the
Philosophy of Buckskinning, How to Get Started, Rendezvous and Shoots,
Lodges and Tipis, Guns, Clothing, Accoutrements & Equipment, Skills,
Women in Buckskinning, and Crafts . The
Book of Buckskinning II, edited by William H Scurlock, published 1983
by Rebel Publishing Company, 264 pages.
This book contains articles for Re-enactors including Working with
Leather, 18th Century Clothing, Horseback Travel, Design &
Construction of Powder Horns, Firemaking, Traveling Afoot and by Canoe,
Making Camp Gear, and Gun Tune-Up and Care. The
Book of Buckskinning III, edited by William H Scurlock, published 1985
by Rebel Publishing Company, 235 pages.
This book contains articles for Re-enactors including Historic Guns
and Todays Makers; Quillworking; Trade Beads; 18th & 19th
Century Cooking; The Hunting Pouch; Beadworking; Techniques for Making
Footwear; and Period Shelters. The Book of Buckskinning IV, edited by William H Scurlock, Published 1987 by Scurlock Publishing Company, 258 pages. This book contains articles for Re-enactors including: Traditional Blacksmithing; Blankets in Early America; From Raw Hides to Rawhide; Styles of the Southwest; Smoothbores on the Frontier; Trade Silver; Backwoods Knives; Lighting the Primitive Camp; and Historic Sites & Museums. The
Book of Buckskinning V, edited by William H Scurlock, published 1989,
by Scurlock Publishing Company, 250 pages.
This book contains a series of articles for Re-enactors including
Trade Goods for Rendezvous, Games, Sports & Other Amusements, Fur
Trade Indian Dresses, Tipi Know-How, Engraving & Carving, Old-Time
Music & Instruments, Pack Saddles & Panniers, and Museums &
Historic Sites II. The
Book of Buckskinning VI, edited by William H Scurlock, published 1992,
by Scurlock Publishing Company, 213 pages.
This book contains a series of articles for Re-enactors including
Traditional Hunting Pouch; Horse Gear- East & West; Making a Wooden
Bow; American Powder Horns; Frontier Trail Foods; Old-Time Shooting
Matches; Period Trekking; and Finger Weaving. The Book of Buckskinning VIII, edited by William H Scurlock, published 1999, by Scurlock Publishing, 257 pages. This book contains a series of articles for Re-enactors including: The History of the Horse in the Fur Trade; 18th Century Tattooing; Beaver Hunting; Wing Shooting with a Flintlock Shotgun; Gear of the Rocky Mountain Trapper; Independent Women of America's Past; The History & Trade Ledgers of Fort Hall; The Evolution of the Cocked Hat; Beadwork in the American West before 1850. Sibley, Scott & Cathy. Recreating the 18th Century Powder Horn. Published by Track of the Wolf, Inc, 2005. The Sibleys describe the tools, methods, give tips and hints and provide numerous historical examples. There are numerous, excellent photographs which illustrate the text. This is a great guide for anyone interested in making powderhorns. Eckert, Allan W. The Frontiersmen, a narrative 1967, published by Bantam Books. This book is historically set in the period from 1768-1813 as the frontier was moving to the west of the Allegany Mountains into the Ohio River Valley and into the "Old" Northwest. The story is told largely from the perspective of Simon Kenton and Tecumseh. Although I've categorized this as fiction, this is not a fictional story with a historical setting. Everything that is described in this book can be documented, with snippets from hundreds of different sources being woven together into a comprehensive story. Eckert, Allan W. The Conquerors, 1970. published by Bantam Books. This book is set in the time period from 1758 through 1764 during the period when the French ceded their holdings east of the Mississippi River to the English, and particularly focuses on the Pontiac Wars. Although I've categorized this as fiction, this is not a fictional story with a historical setting. Everything that is described in this book can be documented, with snippets from hundreds of different sources being woven together into a comprehensive story. Eckert, Allan W. The Wilderness War, 1978, First published by Little, Brown, many additional printings. This book, with the exception of some introductory background material is largely set in the frontier and wilderness of Pennsylvania and New York during the Revolutionary War. The story illustrates the irregular combat that took place between British Regulars, their Indian allies and Tories; and the American Regulars, their Indian allies and militia. Although I've categorized this as fiction, this is not a fictional story with a historical setting. Everything that is described in this book can be documented, with snippets from hundreds of different sources being woven together into a comprehensive story. Kirkpatrick, Jane. A Name of Her Own. 2002, Published by WaterBrook Press, Colorado Springs, Colorado. In the words of the author, this is a true story imagined. This story is set in the historical context of the Overland Astorian expedition from St. Louis to the mouth of the Columbia and is told from the perspective of an Iowa Indian woman, Marie Dorian. To my knowledge, the author does not in anyway change history, but rather fills in the unknown gaps between what little is know of this remarkable woman. Kirkpatrick, Jane. Every Fixed Star. 2003, Published by WaterBrook Press, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Marie Dorian's story from 1814-1841. Much more speculative than A Name of Her Own. Ruxton,
George Frederick. Life
in the Far West: Edited by LeRoy Hafen,
published by University
of
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