Journal of a Trapper - Nine Years in the Rocky Mountains 1834-1843

Being a General Description of the Country, Climate, Rivers, Lakes, Mountains, and a View of the Life Led by a Hunter in Those Regions

Osborne Russell

• Publisher: Norman Press
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN: 9781445578262
• eBook ISBN: 9781446549780
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: North American History

This antiquarian volume contains a detailed account of a hunter's rambles among the wild regions of the Rocky mountains, being a general description of the country, climate, rivers, lakes, mountains, and a view of the life led by a hunter in those regions. This fascinating account of life in the wilderness is both informative and entertaining, and will be of much value to those with an interest in such a subject as this. A worthy addition to any bookshelf, this text is not to be missed by discerning collectors of antiquarian literature of this ilk. The chapters of this book include: 'Expedition Left Independence, Missouri, April 28, 1834, Headed by Nathaniel J. Wyeth'; 'Meeting With Captain B.S. Bonneville and Party - Establishment of the Trading Post at Fort Hall'; 'Snake Valley a Winter Resort for Trappers'; 'Hunting Party Suffers From Hunger - One Member Lost', etcetera. We are republishing this vintage book now complete with a new prefatory biography of the author.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Index to Chapters
• Publisher’s Note
• Preface
• Chapter I. Expedition Left Independence, Mo., April 28, 1834, Headed by Nathaniel J. Wyeth
• Chapter II. Meeting with Captain B. S. Bonneville and Party—Establishment of the Trading Post at Fort Hall
• Chapter III. Snake Valley, a Winter Resort for Trappers—Hunting Party Suffers from Hunger—One Member Lost
• Chapter IV. Description of a “Fall Hunt”—Abram Patterson Drowned—Attacked by Indians, One Man Wounded
• Chapter V. “Jackson’s Hole”—A Dismal Fourth of July Experience Which Terminates Without Serious Mishap—Lost
• Chapter VI. In the Yellowstone Country—A Garden of Eden Inhabited by Small Party of Snake Indians
• Chapter VII. Encounter with the Blackfeet Indians—Join Bridger’s Party for Protection and Assistance
• Chapter VIII. Dispatched for Horses—Perfidy of Leader Suspected—Two Days Without Water—Finally Reaches Fort Hall
• Chapter IX. Enlistment Expires and the Author Joins Bridger’s Company as a Trapper—Bull Meat Straight
• Chapter X. Rendezvous at Green River—Meeting Revs. Whitman and Spaulding and Their Wives on Their Way to Oregon
• Chapter XI. Interesting Description of What is Now Known as Yellowstone National Park
• Chapter XII. Laughable and Serious Engagements with Bands of Blackfeet Indians—“Howell’s Encampment”
• Chapter XIII. Brilliant Display of “Northern Lights” Probably Averts Annihilation of the Camp by Indians
• Chapter XIV. Another Rendezvous at Green River—Making “Good Indians”—Arrival of Wagon Train and Supplies
• Chapter XV. Back Again to the Hunting Grounds—Solitary Reflections on a Peak of the Rockies
• Chapter XVI. Thieving Indians Steal Most of the Horses—A “Whistling” Elk Scares the Tenderfoot Camptender
• Chapter XVII. Main Party Fails to Keep Appointment at “Howell’s Encampment”—Stampeded Buffalo
• Chapter XVIII. Threatened and Robbed by the Crow Indians, the Hunters Proceed Afoot to Fort William, Enduring Great Hardship
• Chapter XIX. Fort William—A Cool Reception—Sioux Sign Language—Three Miles of Deer in One Band
• Chapter XX. Capt. Fontanell Arrives With Property Stolen the Month Previous—Leave for Powder River with Supplies
• Chapter XXI. Spring Hunt—A Trapper’s Equipment—Canadian Trapper Has Encounter with Grizzly Bear Without Serious Injury
• Chapter XXII. Battle with the Blackfeet in Which the Trappers Were the Aggressors and Victors
• Chapter XXIII. Routine Experiences Followed by the Regular July (1838) Rendezvous on Green River—Fall Hunt
• Chapter XXIV. Returned to Fort Hall and Remained in that Vicinity Till January, 1839—Spring Hunt
• Chapter XXV. Another Viewpoint of What is Now Known as the Yellowstone National Park
• Chapter XXVI. Wounded by Arrows of Blackfeet—Hair-Raising Experience—Hospitable Reception at Fort Hall
• Chapter XXVII. Old Partners “Split Blankets”—Supply Train Reaches Fort Hall June 14, 1840
• Chapter XXVIII. A Winter with the Indians Near Great Salt Lake—Christmas Dinner a l’Indian
• Chapter XXIX. Solitary Hunting Bouts Early Spring of 1841, Near the Great Salt Lake
• Chapter XXX. A Visit to the Eutaw Indian Village—Cordial Treatment at Their Hands
• Chapter XXXI. Back to Fort Hall—Escorted Missionary to Green River and Back—Partners Re-unite
• Chapter XXXII. Closing Incidents of an Interesting Experience—The Author Leaves the Mountains for Oregon
• The Hunter’s Farewell
• Appendix