Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-08-07
FREMONT'S EXPLORATIONS.

Harper's Weekly.
Fremont's genius showed itself chiefly
in his explorations, which were fully ap-
preciated at the time by his fellow
countrymen, and were known to the
scientific world of Europe. His five
different exploring expeditions covered
period of more than ten years. Before
the first of these expeditions general
ignorance prevailed as to the specific
character of the country between the
eastern slopes of the Rockies and the
western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas.-
This he supplanted with accurate and
extensive information as to nearly the
entire region west of the Missouri river
and between Mexico and British posses
siOns.
The personal experiences of members
of the exploring parties would make a
volume of thrilling interest In those
days butfaloes swarmed on the Western
plains; hostile bands of Indians were
frequently encountered and routed. The
lives of the explorers were full of ex-
tremes. From superabundance 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 different times some
of them were killed by Indians, over
come by the cold, lost in the storms, and
forced to eat their horses and dogs
They descended rapids, and cut their
way through snow-banks until many of
their animals died of exhaustion and
hunger.
Fremont was a ideal leader His
courage was a constant quality. His
companions admired him for his gener-
Gus feeling for all of his company; and
they could not but be brave when led by
one who had no fear. Among his COM
panions was the famous scout, Kit Car
son, whose eccentric daring and skillful
hunting enlivened with many surprising
incidents the experiences of the expedi-
tions 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 opening through the noun
tains on the way to Oregon. He ac-
complished 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
His report at once made it 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 1843, and lasted for
fourteen months, was much more ambi-
tious. Its object was to explore the
possible lines of communication between
Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Ida
no, and Oregon, and to find a way by
land from the lower Columbia river to
the bay of San Francisco. The wonder |
full hardships endured upon this expedi-
tion were rewarded with the marvellous
disclosures of the geographical variety
and wealth of the country traversed.-I
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 ultimate
ly led to their removal tolSalt Lake City. |
During this expedition Fremont led un-
guided over the mountains his band,
composed mainly of French Canadians,
where, the native savages told him, there
was no trail, and where his beasts of |
burden could find neither subsistence
nor footing. These heroic deeds spread
his fame wherever newspapers were read,
and won from his government the double |
brevet of First Lieutenant and Captain.
The purpose of the third expedition,
begun in 1S45, was to explore the great
basin and coast of California and Ore
gon. Political events interposed, and
transformed this scientific expedition
into military and political conquest.
The fourth expedition, begun in 184S,
at his own expense, discovered passage
to California via the head waters of the
Rio Grande, along route subsequently
followed by the Southern Pacific Rail
road.
The fifth and last expedition was un-
dertaken in 1858, with a view to discover
the best route for national highway
from the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific
Ocean