The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-08-10
ekD jim AkyD0ER.
Rsniatssessss % the Oia Trsppes-I Pc.
suitartttss-R snnrk abis stories.


unireouentsd by whito mon. save few daring
tranpsrs. Among tho first who venturod into
tho wild regions Of tho Rocky Mountains.
drained by tho Plates, tho Yellowstone. Sal
mon Rivor. and othor streams. WAS noted
trader. Gen. Ashley OF Missouri. With Con-
Ashley. Bridger wont on the plains In 1879 or
1924. After tho return OF Ashley. Jim was ON
ployod by the Rocky Mountain Fur Company.
His knowledge Of tho country and trustworthi-
mesa secured him tho command Of party OF
tho company'a employees. and he was styled
Dourgeoise. q designation given by tho old
French traders to such men.
In 1884 the Rocky Mountain and American
Fur Companies wera consolidated. Bridger
was retained as q Bourgeoise In the now or
Ranization. Tho number OF trappers increased
so ~ TO mako a perceptlblo decrease In tho
number OF beavers. Furs deprecated In value.
because OF the large supply thrown on tho
market. Trapping on largo scale became un.
profitable. and In 1889 tho consolidated fur
company was disDandad. Jim Rridger. how
ever. pursued his calling rs trapper and
trader with the Indians. associated with two
Frappe and yasduez. In lsil they established
now stands. To-day this remains Of the chin
peys Of their cabins may DO seen s on the tIrst
the year following Briduer and yasguez re-
MoVSu W ms worry spot on Nnicn tu9 Iott hoW
| by tall cobblestone wall. built by tho Nor
The ,ssn ws exs s bs,wesn Brdeer and
the Latter Hny saints were not if ,h Sns
m aisoossn to ssssr tal bs ren
status. To draw him. out. one Of their number
| nretehdeu 10 De MS iIishH anu On enemy 70
sistsa al his liie with men whose honor and
Integrity were above all price. suspected, moth
| and he was not backward in dsnounoing the
dssr sas x A1ss a. ssss Of ' liz
Smiths and Blacks Fork for several waoks, oc-
He On the alert Uncle JACK R1oinsoa
told me TINT ne visited ib ni a. TINS aMa
Tasls jack exclaimed. MY God! Br'd9sr. Do
Jim d,i not recognize recognize bis friend a. Until I ne
spoke. ne men repnsu ;h NO; yack; ~,
S @ al 10 si, the This va.
In lSo3 his irisnus managed 70 nola on 20 ms
he re.arn n iG IN IS WHEN
he SOD ont to the A.rmGas; tho ,.,a IN .,
or cha or by v re 70 Of and
Spanish grant. He disposed Of this interest
the M9r In hs no sa TO- nv
erty. but q one time his claim was so far reecg.
nized by Gen. Johnston that his tuartermasi,e ir
tho Government This was when it was d.
| cided to locate military post there; ~
After disposing of his estate; real personal.
and mixed Bridxer went TO Wsstport. Mo-.
and remained there until The expedition
guide Ts't to the army under Con. Johnston and
fsm,"FFn oy wn nsr Salt kn l fso hs s
1864, when he was AGAIN employed as guide
Gt %sD and at Fort PM I'M
and in other sections OF the country; For MS
services 10 the Government no nag collected
M.
vouchers for his nay: He said he had bureau
drawer nearly full OF them ut home. s With al
le, tho vouchers remain in tho ar, drawer. ~, ~,
S ersnee to The truth when talking With the
steTy ss nj the sFSs
West no claimed TO nave discovered moun-
ss h fsyn a stonpsa as 3:
ss nos IT msd E s hnSf
He dism0unted to ascertain the cause OF the
that no had run against the perpendicnlar
blum OF crystal mountain. IL was AS trans
parent as the surrounding atmosphere The
mule had not seen it until Ms head came i In
opposite sids me or Two ai th eou,S De
alone lnferSened. ,Bridser, explained why
others naa h2t seen i, py SAYING Inat ~ was ten
Ketorring TO the wonderful chances IN q the
topography Oh the country within the 1asI MY
years. he SAID that there was mole IN inc
ground where the arf" En- nay r pure s.h haa
first came to the country; ..,. =, II, os
| BrdSer told wonderful tales OF MS prowess
as an Indian tighter. On one occasion lie was
attacked by an incredible number OF sioux. ami
had only dog a. u companion. me Two
inusht thsir dusky enemies i9r = ionG Tins. a.
around. One OF them had been killed by tho
dog. which ran about so full OF indian arrows
rs to look like a fretfdl porcupine. Although
Jim would slightly prevaricate and exaggcrato
for the amusement and ast0nishment OF tho
curious. he was careful never to misrspresent
anything to his commanding officer when CIV
Ing Information officially as u guide. A., =,
Two amusing anccfotes used 10 pe told OF
BrtdHer by UNCLE jack hooinson. mountain
eer1 IN 'hat sec a OF ahsr %ors an
warmth but nifty years ago II WAS diificuIt 10