The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-05-20
The CITY OF OGDEN.
Sketch Of the Man After Whom 1t was Named
From the Pilot.


Ogden river, from which the town takes its
name, was so designated after Peter Skeen
Ogden, q chief factor and one of the leading
men Of the Hudson Bay Company west Of
the Rocky Mountains. This powerful fur
company, next In wealth and Importance 10
the East India Company. had their trading
posts extended In line aeIoss the continent
from Canada to the Paciiis.Goast. Fort Hall
I'm this vicinity, was one of their stations, and
at It they carried Oh an active trade with the
Shoshones aud Utah indians, supplying them
with blankets, arms and ammunition, and In
exchange receiving buffalo robes, beaver
skins and other peltries. They had, howev-
er, All active rivalry In the fur trading par
ties from st. Louis, under Ashley, Sublette
and otheis, who penetrated nothward as far
as the head waters of the Missouri river,
westward to the Salt Lake valley and south
ward to New Mexico. Frequently the rival
traders came In contact, aud ARRAYS OF the
most serious nature took place between
them.
The history of these mountain valleys, IL
they had been properly preserved, would be
found teeming with incidents of the most
reckless daring known In Indian warfare, and
many also of hardships endured In q manner
which entitled the sufferers to the commen-
dation of all those who appreciate true hero
ism. . ..s... ..-.+ . .n. & g.. -.
One of the severest Indian battles that has
ever occurred took place some years previous
To the settlement of Salt Lake valley, at Og-
den Hole. All the trappers and hunters OF
the st. Louis fur trailing company, under the
two Sublettes, were gathered In this valley,
where the winter camp had been established.
They were also joined by q number Of the
friendly Nez Perces and Flathead Indians.
A large party of the Blackfeet, who were
then the most powerful of the Indian tribes
with the exception of the Sioux, attempted
| To drive off the horses Of the camp. They
were followed, and making a stand ut Og-
den Hole, where they fortified themselves, 4
fight of several days ensued. Many were
killed and wounded on both sides. One OF
| the Sublettes lost his arm. When the Black
| feet, under cover of night, escaped, the trad
ers and their allies had met with such severe
| loss that they made no attempt 10 follow
| them. In this fight were Kit Carson, Bridger
| and all the old mountaineers. Thus the
name of Ogden became famous among the
| trappers.
Peter Skeen Ogden died at Fort Vancon-
yer, w. r., In 1854, at an advanced age. He
was then I'm charge Of all the posts OF the
| company west of the Rocky Mountains, ex-
cept those under Governor Douglas, Of Van.
| couver's Island, and the adjacent land In
| what is now termed British Columbia.
by the treaty of iS46 between the United
States and Great Britain, the Hudson Bay
company were permitted TO retain their trad.
ing posts In what was then Oregon Terrific.
nv, including now Washington, Idaho and
Montana, until by further agreement vaiu'
alton and purchase by the American Govern
ment should be made. This was not done
until 1862.
Governor Ogden, Is he was termed, lived
In almost baronial style at +. Vancouver
Al his table as guests were daily some Of the
American officers Of the adjacent miiitar,
posts.
Generals Grant, Sheridan and Augur, ther
subaiterns, as well as most Of the officers o
the army who served In Oregon In those day
were intimate friends OF the old Governor
/ He was genial, kind hearted man, fond o
practical Jokes and exceedingly entertaining
especially I'm matters relating TO the earl,
history OF the country. He was Canadian
by birth, though near relative OF the New
York Ogdens. His father, being loyalist
| nj the outbreak Of the revolutionary war EN-
igrated from New Jersey TO the British Prov
inces.