The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-04-09

west. :.
No student of western history will
20 far before he finds the old fort TAX
ing q commanding spot in the pioneer
scene. For from the time the first
white man entered the Rocky noun
tains the North Platte river, flowing
from near the Continental divide to.
avenue of travel and Of commerce.
Though physically the North Platte
encompasses but a small area of the
west, its pilgrims spread themselves to
every nook Of the mountains. Strictly
speaking, the Platte trail and old Fort
Laramie belong to Wyoming. but they
are i%rrevocably tied to the history OF
1872 Saw First White Men
White men first traversed the Platte
valley in 1912, when Robert Stuart and
the returning Astorians used the route
returning from the mouth OF the Co.
lumbia river. The fur trappers who had
entered the mountains by way OF the
upper Missouri and the yellowstone
had spread after 1907 to all parts OF
the wilderness, and to them the North
trade route. Commerce, even in the
wilderness, required outposts.
Old Fort Laramie was built l June,
1884, by Robert Campbell and was
named Fort William for his partner,
William l.. Sublette. A year later the
post was sold to Jim Bridger. Thomas
brother Of william.
These men had reached an agree
ment with the American Fur Co., and
the fort became virtually a company
post. A year later it was transferred to
the company. Soon afterward it was
named Fort John, for John B. Sarpy.
M --:-:--1 1900 rv4r Hd,t1f m tho
north bank of the Laramie river three
quarters of a mile above its conflu-
ence with the North Platte. About 1841
another and larger fort was built a
mile further upstream, and the orig
inal post was either abandoned or
leased to trappers or traders.
The stream on which the post Is To-
Gated was named for a French voy:.
ageur, La Rance, who was drowned
in its waters; the trappers gave the
stream his name, which, on the popu-
Lar tongue, became Laramie. ASSOc1a-
ton with the stream led the fort to be
commonly called Fort Laramie. The
post built in 1841 wa officially given
From its inception in 1884 on through
the wilderness days to the coming OF
organized government, Fort Laramie
was visited by, and was a benefit to
and haven for. every leader OF noun
tain e
Colorful Picture
Could a historian have occupied a
box seat on one Of the shelving plains
above the North Platte, watching the
stage that became Fort Laramie, he
the most colorful kaleidoscope of human
drama and of the evolution of empire
that the world has ever experienced.
The tribes of the plains living the
life that had been their for genera
lions, undiluted by the civilization OF
the white man.
The arrival of the fur trappers; their
gradual adoption of the Indian mode of
life, taking Indian wives and joining
the tribes in battle and in the hunt.
Establishment Of the fort, a fixed
abode on the plains where no dwell
ing had ever before been known other
than the transient wigwam; white
ing a life of unheard of luxury; indi-
gent, lazy relatives hanging about to
benefit from the largesse Of white
relatives in law; trappers coming and
going; Indian bands camping for trade
and then folding their tents to steal
away to the chase. Within the fort a
dams love of glitter and personal
east bringing trade goods and taking
away huge bales of beaver pelts.
A few wandering adventurers-ar-
lists, writer's, hunters and mere curl
osity seekers out for a holiday and
some comparatively-they hoped-safe
thrills among the Red men. It is to
these Adventures that we today are
indebted for much of the picture that
remains to us of pre-emigrant days.
The Whitman party bound for Ore
gon in 1886, with white women for the
first time crossing the plains; the mis-
sionar1es to the northwest tribes; the
first covered wagon trains with whole
families Of white people, a curiosity to
the Indians, just as the Indians and
the primitive life Of the plains were
q strange sight to civilized eyes seeing
the wilderness for the first time.
General Fremont and his party in
1842-43. the first military expedition
to explore the west.
The Mormon hegira to the great salt
lake. seeking sanctuary for religious
worship according to their desires, and
indulgence for forbidden marital prac-
tees.
The great caravans of emigrants and
freight wagons for California and foI
the Montana gold camps.
The transition Of old Fort Laramie
to q military post In l840, bringing, Fl
times, q degree Of safety to emigrants
and at the same time developing the