The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-06-04
JOHN NHARLES RRENONT
Born in South Carolina, january, A. D. 1871


The feet Of three men have pressed the slopes
Of the Rocky Mountains, whose names are as.
sOciated for ever with those vast ranges: Hum
bOldt, the Nestor scientific travellers; Audubon,
the interpreter Of n lture; and Fremont, the
Pathfinder Of Empire. Each has done much to
! illustrate the Nauaral History Of North Ameri.
ca, and to develop its illimiLable resources.-
The youngest Of all is likely to become as illus.
trious as either, for fortune tas linked his name
with a scene in the history OF the Republic, as
startling to the world as the first announcement
OF its existence. 70 his hands was committed
the magnificent task Ofopening the golden gates
of our Pacific Empire. His father was an emf
grant gentleman from France, aud his mother
lady Of Virginia. Although his death left his
son an orphan in his fourth year, he was thor
Ougly educated and when at the age of seven
teen, he graduated at Charestown College, be
contributed 10 the support Of his mother and
her younger children. From teaching mathe-
MATES he turned his attention to civil engineer
ing, in which he displayed so much talent, he
was recommended by Mr. Poinsett, Secretary
of War, to Nicolet as his assistant in the sur
Vey Of the basin of the upper Mississippi. Two
years he was with that learned man IN his field
labors, and he won his applause and friendship.
On his return to Washington he continued his
services to the geographer for two years longer,
in drawing up from his field book, the great
map which unfolded to science the vast tract
they had explored. Thirsting for adventure, he
now planned the first of those distant and per-
ilous expeditions which have given lustre to his
name. Having received lieutenant's com
mission in the corps Of Typographical Engineers,
he proposed to the Secretary of War to pene-
trate the Rocky Mountains. His plan was ap-
proved and in lS42, with handful of men
gathered on the Missouri frontier, he reached
and explored the South Pass. He achieved
more than his instructions required. He not
only fixed the locality and character Of that
great Pass through which myrads are now
pressing to Caifornia--he defined the astrono-
my, geography, botany, geology, and meteorolo-
gy Of the country, and designated the route
since followed, and the points from which the
flag Of the Union is now flying from a chain Of
wilderness fortresses. His report was printed
by the Senate, translated into foreign langua-
ges, and the scientific world looked on Fremont
as one Of its benefaetors. Impatient, however,
for broader and more hazardous fields, he plan
ned new expedition to the distant Territory
Of Oregon. His first had carried him TO the
SUBMITS OF the Rocky Mountains. Wilhes had
surveyed the tide water regions Of the Columbia
river: between the two explorers lay tract Of
thousand miles, which was blank In geo.
graphy. In May, 1913, he left the frontier Of
Missouri, and in November he stood on Fort
Vancouver, with the calm waters OF the Pacific
at his feet. He had approached the Mountains
by new line, scaled their SUBMITS south Of
the South Pass, defected to the Great Salt
Lake, and pushed examinations right and lett
along bis entire course. He joined his survey
to Wilkes Exploring Expedition, and his orders
were fulfilled. But he had opened one route
to the Columbia; aud he wished 10 find another.
There was vast region south of this line, in
vested with fabulous interest, and he longed
to apply to it the test of exact science. 1t was
the beginning Of winter. Without resources
adequate supplies, or even guide, and with
only twenty five companions, he turned his face
once more towards the Rocky Mountains.-
Then began that wonderful expedition, filled
with romance, achievement, daring and suffer-
ing; 10 which he was lost from the world nine
months. traversing 3, 500 miles, in sight Of eter
nal SHOWS, in which he explored aud revealed
the grand features Of Alta California, its great
basin, the Sierra Nevada, the valleys Of San Joa-
uuin and Sacramento, explored the fabulous
Buenaventura, revealed the real ri Dorado and
established the geography Of the Western part Of
our Continent. In August 1874, he was again
in Washington, after an absence of sHteeT
months. His report put the seal to the fame Of
the young explorer. He was planning
third expedition while writing history Of the
second; and before its publication, in 1915, be
was again on his way to the Pacific, collecting
his mountain comrades, to examine in detail the
Asiatic slope Of the North American Continent,
which resulted in giving a volume Of new sci
ehce to the world. and California 10 the United
States. We cannot trace his achievements dur