Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West Volume 4

<p>Mountain Men were the principal figures of the fur trade era one of the most interesting dramatic and truly significant phases of the history of the American trans-Mississippi West during the first half of the 19th Century. These men were of all types-some were fugitives from law and civilization others were the best in rugged manhood; some were heroic some brutal most were adventurous and many were picturesque.</p><p>The typical trapper was a young man-strong hardy and adventure loving. Having succumbed to the lure of the wilderness his thin veneer of civilization soon rubbed off. In the wilds he had little need for money-barter supplied his simple wants. Possibly short on book-learning he could read moccasin tracks beaver sign and trace of the travois.</p><p>Memorials to them cover the West. Mountain peaks passes rivers and lakes carry their names. Towns and counties have been christened in their honor. Their trails have become our highways-their campfire ashes our cities.</p><p>The fourth volume comprises 397 pages and contains 31 biographical sketches 15 illustrations. Included in Volume IV are the biographies of George Bent; Robert Bent; George Drouillard; Moses Black Harris; James Ohio Pattie; Joshua Pilcher Antoine Robidoux; John Rowland; Peter Sarpy; Thomas L. (Peg-leg) Smith.</p><p><br></p>