Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-12-04
FREMONT'S EXPEDITIONS
His Genius In Explorations Fully Apprs.
ciated by His Countrymen,

c'ated by His Countrymen.
Fremont's genius showed itsel,
chiefly in his explorations, which vera
fully appreciated at the time by hi,
feliow-countrymen, and were known
to the scientific world of Europe III,
five different exploring expedition,
covered a period of more than ten
years. Before the first of these eyns-
ditions general ignorance prevailed a,
to the specific character of the country
between the eastern slopes of the
Rockies and the western slopes of the
Sierra Nevadas. This he suppanted
with accurate and extensive informa.
ton as to nearly the entire region west
of the Missouri river and between
Mexican and British possessions.
The personal experiences of members
of the exploring parties would make
volume of thrilling interest In those
days buffaloes swarmed on the West
ern plains; hostile bands of Indians
were frequently encountered and
routed. The lives of the explorers
were full of extremes. From a super.
abundance of buffalo meat on the hot
prairies, it was often but a few DAYS
before the party almost died OF famine
in the snow of the mountains At diff
ferent times some of them were killed
by Indians, overcome by the cold, lost
in storms, and forced to eat their
horses and dogs. They descended
rapids, and cut their way through
snow banks until many of their ami
mails died of exhaustion and hunger.
Fremont was an ideal leader. His
courage was constant quality. His
companions admired him for his gen.
erous feeling for all of his 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 skilful hunting enlivened with
many surprising incidents the expe-
riences of the expeditions which he
accompanied.
The object of the first expedition
was to obtain accurate knowledge as
to the character of the territories of
Nebraska and Wyoming 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
nnme. His rennrt =
evident that much of this Western
country was so fertile that it would
soon be settled.
The second expedition which started
in the spring of 1913, and lasted for
fourteen mouths, was much more am
bilious. Its object was 10 explore the
possible lines of communication be-
tween Missouri Nebraska, Wyoming,
Utah, Idaho and Oregon, and to find
way by land from the lower Column
bia river to the bay of San Francisco.
The wonderful hardships endured up
on this expedition were rewarded with
the marvellous disclosures of the geo.
graphical variety and wealth OF the
country traversed. The great Salt
Lake was hitherto almost unknown.
and no accurate information existed
with regard to California north OF
Sacramento. 1t was his report OF the
resources of Utah that first attracted
the attention Of the Mormons, and
ultimately led to their removal to oalt
Lake City. During this expedition
Fremont led unguided over the mount
aims his band composed mainly OF
French Canadians, where, the native
savages told him, there was no trail,
and where his beasts of burden couid
find neither subsistence nor footing
These heroic deeds spread his fame
wherever newspapers were read ana
won from his government the double
hrevet of first lieutenant and captain.
The purpose of the third expedition,
begun in 1915, was to explore the great
basin and coast of California ana
Oregon. Political events interposedi'
and transformed this scientific expedi-
ton into a military and political con-
quest.
The fourth expedition, begun In
1S49 at his own expense, discovered a
passage to California Utd the heau
waters of the Rio Grande, along a
route subsequently followed by the
Southern Pacific railroad.
The fifth and last expedition Was
undertaken in 1853 with view 10
discover the best route for natlonai
highway from the Mississippi valley 10
the Pacific ocean.-Harper'S Wee6Iy'