The Coolidge examiner., 1931-07-10

where those engaged in the fur trade met after
a seasons work to celebrate the end of their
labors with period of storytelling, drinking
and carOusing-we know to be true. But Beck
wourth's story of how he saved General Ashley S
life in the swift current of river, how he was
offered the leadership of detachment, how he
quarreled with the general and they narrowly
averted a duel to the death, all of these can
safely be set down as products of Jims imagi-
nation. His own picture of Jim Beckwourth
as a sort of central figure in these Homeric epi-
sodes, almost equal of General Ashley. sim
ply does not jibe with his real status, the mu-
latto body-servant OF the leader
There are several returns to st. Louis and in
one of these occurs incident which serves
a proper introduction to important phase
Of BeckwOurth's career That is the phase of
Jim, the gay Lothario, jim, the oft-wedded hero,
Jim who was just about the "marryingest' per
son the West ever knew. 1t seems that he had
a boyhood sweetheart in st. Louis named Eliza,
and telling of one of his return trips to St.
Louis he gives an extremely sentimental account
of his farewell scene with her. General Ashley
has offered him a large sum of money to act as
bearer of dispatches to the mountains. Eliza
tries to dissuade him from going. Il care not
for money. James," she said, bursting into a
food of tears. Thus does Jim describe It, and
he continues, MY heart sought relief from its
overcharged feeling, in the same way l left
her amid her sobs promising to make a speedy
return and that we would part no more till
death should separate u.s."
And was James faithful to his Eliza? Let
the record speak for itself! After he left Ash
leys employ he went among the Blackfeet In
dians and upon being offered the daughter of a
chief as his wife he hesitated not moment in
making her his bride.
Finally. he went to live among the Crows, re-
mained with them for several years (keeping
right on with his marrying proclivities, of
course) established great record a fighting
man with their tribal enemies, was elevated
first counselor of the nation and then, upon the
death of the head chief, was appointed as his
successor. By this time he had accumulated a
total of seven wives among the Crows. young
girl who desired to become his wife finally sue
ceeded in persuading him and this girl to whom
he refers as "the little wife, Eyes, he does y
bore him a son, the old child of his which he
recognizes and who later rose to high position
among the Crows.
And now begins the anti-climax of Beck
wourth's career To any other man the years
which followed would have been exciting enough
but for Jim Beckwourth, after the swashbuckling
old days of the fur trade era, they were com
paratively tame He became a trader for Sub
lette and Fitzpatrick with the Indian tribes of
Colorado. In 1912 he established a post on the
Arkansas which grew eventually into the city
of Pueblo, "the Pittsburgh of the West" Next
he was a trader on the Santa Fe Trail and part
owner of hotel In the city of Santa Fe. Among
other dOings l got married to Senorita Louisa
Sandeville," records Jim-just mere incident
in busy life! In 1874 he went to California,
became involved in a revolution and had to
leave hastily. SO he went to New Mexico and
n urin no Mexican q
carrying dispatches for General Kearney.
Whether legend or fact 1t is as good an ending
as any to his career. De Voto in raising the
question of whether or not the story of Jim
Beckwourth, written by Bonner, should be
checked to make sure whether it is history or
fctiOn-and incidentally he declares that the
more sentimental parts Of the love stories are
probably the invention of Bonner, although the
record in regard to many of his numerous mar
riages seems to be clear enough-says, "Why.
finally, need it be checked? The Life and Ad-
ventures of James P. BeckwOurth' is neither
history or fiction. 1t belongs to a nobler genre
| it is mythology. America is land incurably
artistic and incredibly religious. Already when
Bonner took down Jim's story a reverent ma.
ton had created myths"
GO by Western Newspaper Union.)