Arizona miner. [volume] (Fort Whipple, Ariz.) 1864-1868, 1867-05-18
JAMES p. BEcKwoURTH

This venerable and celebrated mountaineer.
Who was as famous in the peculiar life he had
chosen, as any man who ever lived. j. no
more lie Las gone to the happy hunting
grounds Of tie savage race whose customs of
life be bad to such great degree, adopted
OF the exact time, place or manner of his
death we have no particulars, but il is repor-
ted "a having occurred in the North Platte
country. where he had been trapping and ira
ding during the greater portion of the last
two years. IL j. probable that his death was
caused by old age, and the gradual wearing
out OF his once remarkable constitution and
powerful physical frame. His age was prob
ably about seventy years, though we believe.
he claimed to be ten or twelve wears Older
According TO his own account. Captain
Beckwourth was born in Virginia near Alex.
andrsa. His mother was n slave and his IA
Their an IRISH overseer on her masters plan
tation. Not r..lishing a life Of seryitude he
migrated, of his own accord, at an early age,
and took up his residence north # Mason 4
Dixon's line. Soon afterward he drifted out
toward the wild and distant West. and
learned his first lessons in backwOods life in
the wilderness Of Missouri, when that was
the hunting ground Of Boone. and the old
generation Of Kentucky hunters who had
been crowded beyond the great river. West
port was the frontier post and the point
from which daring adventures took their de
parture for the mythical solitudes OF the
great plains and greater mountains beyond
At that time, and for many years after. this
South Platt country had never been trndden
Sy ;bc s0a: os white man The most de-
ring adventures had yentured only in the
direction of New Mexico; for limited dis
lance up the main Platte, and along the val
eys Of the Missouri.
We think it was in 1917 that young Beck
wourth found himself at Wcstport. and at
tached To one Of the caravans Of traders and
hunters which annually made it, way rpon
the " Great American Desertn Since that
time his life has been constant round Of
adventure; its scenes spread out over the
vast region bordered east by the NlissisSippi
west by the Pacific, north by British Ameri
ca, and south by Old Mexico. For half
century he was . prominent actor in the real
life drama Of the border and the wilderness.
He was one Of old Louis Vasqucz's marty
when he discovered and explored this mag
nlleent valley Of the SO1tb Piatt. and was a
pioneer IN many similar explorations Sub
,equently he became All Indian by adoption.
or naturalization aceo ding 10 their customs
and won ren'wn rs a warrior and leader.
For many years he was principal war chief Of
the Crows, and, by his skill and tact, estab
hshedior that nation a prestige in the arts Of
savage warfare which it still retains.
In later years when Government began ex
plorng tins western country, Beckwonrth
rnt loose from his Indian friends and became
a guide, interpreter and hunter, for varion.
expeditions. In this capacity he served al
most every one OF the early explorers Of any
celebrity. AZ length California was diScoy-
cred or rather IT. wealth became known.
Beckwourth ok up bis home there in a val
ley deeply hidden in the Sierra Nevada.
Which took his name. lie remained there
Tor several years-the first settled home hc
seems ever to have had AT length he fell
under the ban OF the Regulators Of that coun-
Try, who charged that he was implicated
WIN band or horse thieves. Whether
justly or unjustly we know not. Al any
rate he was permitted TO leave the country
oi MS own accord, and at his own time. From
Oailiornia he Travelled eastward stopped
awhile about the New Mexico and Texas
border, and in 1858 again found himself a,
ms old starting point estport. Mo.
In '59 he came to Denver, and for some
time Kept store on Ferry Street. Old Lou
Is Vasquez and Pike Vasauez. a nenbeu
VI the former, were partners in this enter.
PRISE Subsequently, the Captain married,
ana engaged for two or three years in farm
lng about three miles up the Platte from
TINS city Frequently during that time he
was Tor limited periods, in the employ OF the
government, as guide, interpreter or scout
ms marriage venture proving unfortunate.
he abandoned hs farm and gradually reLapsed
INTO his old mode Of life. Far away from the
settlements and every trace OF civilization.
MS last Two years were mainly spent. and
AMID such wild scenes hh DAYS drew 70 a
close, and were finally numbered. What a
history there was in that life Almost from
me Declaration Of Independence, by the