Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-08-28

Frtmont's genius showed itself chiefly In
his explorations, whIch were fully appreci-
aied at the time hy his fellow -couutrymen
ana were known To the scientific world ~
Europe. His five different exploring expe-
litiuns covered a period Of more than ten
wears. Before the first of these expeditions
general ignorance prevailed as To the -pecli-
ic character Of the country between the
eastern slopes Of the Rockies aud the
western slopes Of the Sierra Neyada--
This he supplanted with accurate and eN-
tensise Information as 10 nearly the entire
region west Of the Missouri River and be
tween Mexican aud British possessions
The personal experiences OF members Of
the exploring parties would make volume
of thrilling interest In those days buf
faloc- -warmed on the Western plains,
hostile bands of Indian. were frequently
encountered and routed. The lives Of the
explorers were full Of extremes. From
sup+rahundancc OF buffalo meat on the
hot prairies, il was often but a few day
before the party almost died OF famine In
the snow Of the mountains. Al different
times some Of them were Killed by Indians,
overcome by the cold, lost iu storms, and
forced To eat their horses and dogs. They
descended rapids and cut their way through
snow bank. until many of thelr animals
died Of exhaustion and hunger.
Fremont wa> an ideal leader. His cour-
age WAS constant quality His compan-
lon. admired him for his generous feeling
for all Of hi company; and they could not
but be brave when led by one who had no
fear. Among his companions was the
famous scout KIT Carson, whose eccentric
daring and -kiful hunting enliycned with
! many surprising incidents the experiences
Of the expeditions which he accompanied.
The object of the first expedition was TO
obtain accurate knowledge as to the charac-
ter OF the Territories of Nebraska and Wy
/ oming, and especially of South Pass-the
! opening through the mountains on the way
| to Oregon. He accomplished even more
/ than this going farther north, he planted
| the United States flag on the highest peak
! of the Rockies, which now bears his name
I His report at once made il evident that
| much of this Western country was 50 FER
! tile that it would soon be settled.
The second expedition which started ID
the spring of 1913, and lasted for fourteen
months, was much more ambitious 1t:
object was to explore the possible lines o
communication between Missouri, Neh
raska, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon
and to find way by land from the lowe
Columbia River to the bay of San Francis
co. The wonderful hardships endured
upon this expedition were rewarded will
the marvellous disclosures of the geograph
ical variety and wealth of the countr,
traversed The great Salt Lake wa
hitherto almost unknown, and no accurate
information existed with regard to Cali
fornia north of Sacramento 1t was hi
report of the resources of Utah that frs
attracted the attention of the Mormons
and ultimately led to their removal t.
Salt Lake City. During this expedition
Fremont led ung guided over the mountain
his band, composed mainly of Frencl
Canadians, where, the native savages toll
him, there was no trail, and where hi
beasts of burden could find neither subsist
ence nor footing. These heroic deed
spread his fame wherever newspaper
were read, and won from his government
the double brevet of First Lieutenant an
Captain.
The purpose of the third expedition, be
gun in l845, was to explore the great basi
and coast of California and Oregon. Pol
, tical events interposed, and transforme
this scientific expedition into milltar
, and political conquest
The fourth expedition, begun in lS4S, a
, his own expense, discovered passage
: California ria the head waters of the XII
, Grande, along a route subsequently TO
lowed by the Southern Pacific Railroad
The fifth and last expedition was undel
taken in 1853, with view to discover tn
best route for national highway from tf
, Mississippi Valley to the Pacific Ocean,
/. HnrDer's Weekly.