Eleven Years in the Rocky Mountains and Life on the Frontier Informative Summary

Overview:

This book is a biographical account of Joseph L. Meek, a mountain man who lived and worked in the Rocky Mountains during the 19th century. The story details his adventures as a trapper and guide, his encounters with various Native American tribes, and his eventual transition into the role of a pioneer in the Oregon Territory. The book also provides a historical overview of the fur trade, the Hudson’s Bay Company’s operations in the Northwest, and the American fur companies’ struggles to compete.

The book’s primary narrative focuses on Meek’s experiences. He recounts stories of grizzly bear encounters, battles with Native American tribes, and the hardships of surviving in the harsh wilderness. Through his tales, the reader gains a firsthand understanding of the challenges and dangers faced by mountain men during this period. As the book progresses, Meek participates in the early development of Oregon, serving as a sheriff and a guide for expeditions. His journey highlights the transition from the era of the fur trade to the era of American settlement.

Key Findings:

The fur trade in the Rocky Mountains was a brutal and dangerous industry, with high risks and frequent encounters with hostile Native American tribes.
The Hudson’s Bay Company dominated the fur trade, using a strict system of discipline and control to maintain order and protect their interests.
American fur companies struggled to compete with the Hudson’s Bay Company, often resorting to unethical tactics and sparking conflict with Native Americans.
Mountain men played a crucial role in shaping the early history of Oregon, bringing their skills and experience to the growing settlements.
The arrival of missionaries and settlers in Oregon led to a complex relationship with Native American tribes, ultimately resulting in conflict and the tragic massacre at Waiilatpu.

Learning:

The realities of the fur trade: The reader learns about the dangers, hardships, and methods of the fur trade in the 19th century. This includes the challenges of trapping, the importance of rendezvous, and the constant threat of conflict with Native Americans.
Native American culture and society: The book offers insights into the lives, customs, and beliefs of various Native American tribes, including the Blackfeet, Crows, Nez Perce, Flatheads, and Diggers. It explores their relationships with the white trappers and the complexities of their interactions.
Pioneer life in Oregon: The reader learns about the challenges and hardships faced by early settlers in Oregon, including the harsh climate, scarcity of resources, and the threat of conflict with Native Americans. The book shows the role of mountain men as guides and leaders in the developing territory.
The historical context of the Oregon Trail: The book provides insight into the historical context surrounding the Oregon Trail, illustrating the competition for territory between the United States and Great Britain, the influence of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the role of missionaries in the developing region.

Historical Context:

The book is set against the backdrop of the 19th-century American West, a time of westward expansion and the fur trade’s dominance. It highlights the competition for territory between the United States and Great Britain, as both nations sought control over the Pacific Northwest. The book also captures the beginning of American settlement in Oregon, the emergence of a provisional government, and the growing tension between settlers and Native Americans.

Facts:

The fur trade was the driving force behind westward expansion. The lucrative beaver trade attracted trappers and traders, fueling the exploration and settlement of the West.
The Hudson’s Bay Company had a strong presence in the Northwest. The company maintained a vast trading network, utilizing its influence to control the fur trade and establish itself as a powerful force in the region.
The American fur companies struggled to compete with the Hudson’s Bay Company. The British company had a well-established system, strong government support, and a long-standing relationship with Native Americans.
The Blackfeet were known as “Bugs Boys,” or “the devil’s own,” for their fierce hostility towards trappers. They were a formidable tribe, renowned for their skills in warfare and their reputation for violence.
The Crows, though enemies of the Blackfeet, were often allies of the white trappers. They maintained a more amicable relationship with the whites, seeking to use them as allies in their conflicts with the Blackfeet.
The Diggers were a particularly vulnerable tribe, inhabiting arid and barren lands. They were known for their scavenging skills, living off of insects, rodents, and roots.
The Nez Perce and Flathead tribes were known for their honesty and piety. They were viewed as more honorable than other tribes and maintained a relatively peaceful relationship with white settlers.
Mountain men were a diverse group, often consisting of escaped convicts, adventurers, and disgruntled individuals. They were skilled in frontier survival, hunting, and fighting, but their lives were marked by lawlessness and recklessness.
The first wagon train to cross the Rocky Mountains was led by Captain Bonneville in 1832. This marked a significant step in the development of westward transportation and the expansion of American influence.
Nathaniel Wyeth was an American entrepreneur who attempted to establish a fur trade in the Northwest. He built Fort Hall on the Snake River and engaged in a fierce rivalry with the Hudson’s Bay Company, eventually selling his post to them in 1835.
The massacre at Waiilatpu in 1847 was a tragic event that marked a turning point in relations between settlers and Native Americans in Oregon. The Cayuse Indians, driven by suspicion and fear, attacked the mission, killing Dr. Whitman, his wife, and several others.
The Oregon Trail was a difficult and dangerous journey, filled with challenges and hardships. The trail stretched thousands of miles, crossing vast plains, barren deserts, and treacherous mountain passes.
The Oregon Treaty of 1846 set the boundary between the United States and Great Britain at the 49th parallel. This ended the long-standing dispute over the Oregon Territory.

Statistics:

In the early 19th century, there were about 600 American trappers in the Rocky Mountains. This number would have been significantly larger, considering the involvement of Native American allies.
Over 180,000 dollars worth of furs were collected at Mr. Ashley’s fort on Lake Ashley. This represents the lucrative nature of the fur trade and the amount of wealth it generated.
Jedediah Smith’s party lost 20,000 dollars worth of furs during an attack by the Shastas. This highlights the risk and volatility of the fur trade, with constant danger lurking in the wilderness.
During the Battle of Pierre’s Hole in 1832, 10 Blackfeet were killed, 5 white men, 1 half-breed, and 7 Nez Perces. This battle was a testament to the fierce fighting that often occurred between trappers and Native Americans.
The Crow “medicine man” consulted by Frapp required a horse or two for his services. This illustrates the practice of Shamanism among Native American tribes and the value placed upon their abilities.
The party that attacked Jedediah Smith at the Umpqua River was made up of 1,000 Indians. This shows the scale of attacks sometimes faced by the trappers, highlighting the overwhelming odds they were often up against.
The Blackfeet war party that attacked Milton Sublette’s camp in 1832 comprised 1,000 warriors. This illustrates the threat posed by this formidable tribe, who often outnumbered their opponents.
The Blackfeet war party that attacked Bridger’s camp in 1836 numbered 1,100 warriors. This demonstrates the size and organization of Blackfeet war parties, and the magnitude of the threat they posed to white settlers.
The immigration of 1843 numbered nearly 900 people, and the immigration of 1845 numbered 4,000-5,000 people. This rapid growth highlights the increasing popularity of the Oregon Trail and the American settlement of the territory.
A party of 15 Klamath and Molalla Indians attacked and massacred a group of Indians at a river crossing. This exemplifies the ongoing tensions and conflict among different Native American tribes.
Meek received 13 horses and numerous packs of beaver for his services as a preacher. This illustrates the value placed on knowledge and influence by Native American tribes, and the willingness to reward those who possess it.
Meek lost 15 horses during a hunting trip with John Larison. This highlights the constant challenges of survival in the wilderness, with animals frequently being lost to harsh conditions or theft.
The party of six trappers who encountered the three grizzlies in a cave killed all three bears. This demonstrates the skill and courage of mountain men, who often faced off against these formidable creatures.
A party of 100 Crows stole 300 horses from Bridger’s camp in 1831. This exemplifies the prevalence of horse theft among Native American tribes and the challenge it presented to white settlers.

Terms:

Booshway: A leader or chief trader in a fur company.
Free trapper: A trapper who operates independently, with their own equipment and horses, and is not bound by a contract to a specific company.
Hired trapper: A trapper who is employed by a fur company, receiving wages and an outfit in exchange for their labor.
Rendezvous: An annual gathering of mountain men, traders, and Native Americans to trade furs, supplies, and horses.
Cache: A hidden storage place, often used to bury furs and other valuable goods.
Prairie dog: A small rodent, known for its burrowing habits and for sharing its underground homes with rattlesnakes and owls.
Bull-boat: A boat made from stitched buffalo hides, used for ferrying goods and people across rivers.
“Cant tickup ko hanch”: A phrase meaning “good meat,” used by mountain men to describe the quality of their meals.
“Cooning a river”: The act of crossing a river quickly and secretly, as a raccoon might do, to avoid detection.
“Making medicine”: The practice of performing rituals and ceremonies to invoke supernatural powers, often associated with healing and divination.

Examples:

The massacre at the Umpqua River: This tragedy, where 11 out of 13 men were killed by the Shastas, highlights the brutality of the fur trade and the danger faced by trappers.
Meek’s encounter with the Blackfeet on Pryor’s River: This story showcases Meek’s courage and resourcefulness in escaping from a large band of Blackfeet.
The Battle of Pierre’s Hole: This encounter, where rival fur companies and Native American tribes clashed, demonstrates the complexities of competition and conflict in the West.
The Crow “medicine man’s” prediction of Fitzpatrick’s whereabouts: This illustrates the role of Shamanism in Native American culture and the reliance on supernatural beliefs.
The capture of Little-Gun: This event demonstrates Bridger’s strategy and the importance of skilled diplomacy in dealing with Native American tribes.
The three grizzlies in the cave: This encounter with these formidable creatures highlights the bravery and resourcefulness of mountain men.
The theft of horses from Bridger’s camp: This illustrates the constant threat of horse theft by Native Americans and the importance of vigilance among white settlers.
The death of Umentucken by a Bannack arrow: This tragedy showcases the danger faced by women who accompanied trappers on their journeys.
The incident of Jandreau’s mock prayer: This illustrates the humor and mischief found among mountain men and the tension that existed between settlers and missionaries.
Meek’s pumpkin supper: This anecdote highlights the scarcity of resources and the hardships faced by early settlers in Oregon.

Conclusion:

“Eleven Years in the Rocky Mountains and Life on the Frontier” is a captivating account of life in the American West during a pivotal period of expansion. The book offers a unique perspective on the fur trade, Native American culture, and the early years of American settlement in Oregon. Through Joseph L. Meek’s personal experiences, the reader gains a firsthand understanding of the challenges, dangers, and triumphs of life on the frontier. The book highlights the brutality of the fur trade, the complexities of relations with Native American tribes, and the essential role of mountain men in shaping the West. As the story progresses, the reader witnesses the transition from the era of the fur trade to the era of settlement, and the unfolding drama of American expansion into the Pacific Northwest. The book is a treasure trove of historical knowledge and a thrilling exploration of the American frontier experience.

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