Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-12-09

There was never any preEense Of
peace or fair dealing between the
rival fur companies, whether Brit
tsh or American. and the means
adopted to gain their ends ranged
all the way from bribery 20 cold
bioOded murder. 10 Is doubtful ~
IS many trapperB were slain by
( Indians as were pat out Of the way
by white men In this relentless
/ warfare, and the graves Of the un-
known tFappers who met such
tragic fate, Will never be decorated,
scattered as they are throughout
the Rocky mountain region.
Naturally the American companies
resented the entrance of Hudson's Bay
men into their territory. and considered
themselves fully justified In making 1t
extremely unpleasant for the British
companys employees
An instance OF this was furnished
when Ashley's men gathered In the furs
collected by the trappers Of Peter Og-
den of the Hudson's Bay Co. This coup
was the result mainly of shameless
bribery However obtained. these furs
brought enough cash in the st. Louis
market. TO enable General Ashley to
renounce further adventuring into
western wilds, as he could now retire
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civilized business methods. Preliminary
TO this, he sold his interest in what
was In the future 70 be known as the
Rocky Mountain Fur Co, In which
Jedediah Smith, William Sublette and
David Jackson were the leading mem
bers.
With all its bloody history, it con-
tanned some redeeming pages; one of
these occurring under the new manage
ment, when Smith was attacked by
Shasta Indians, narrowly escaped with
his life, but lost $4,000 worth of furS.
Smith made his way TO Fort Vancouver,
where he was Hospitality entertained by
its factor, DR.. Mclaughlin, who also
sent a company TO punish the Indians
and recover the furs stolen from Smith.
This DR.. Mclaughlin undertook at his
own expense, later purchasing the furs,
and thus relieving Smith of the trouble
and danger of their transportation. /
DR.. Mclaughlin was not ignorant Of
the Ogden incident, but he was too
magnanimous to hold Smith respong-
ible for 1t, or to take advantage Of
his condition. There was no man in the
fur trade who measured up to DR.. Nc /
Laughlin, although 1t took us q long
time TO accord him the recognition he
deserved. We first waited for him to :
die. The treatment he received viii
always remain blot on the fair pages
Of Oregon history.
1t was after Smith had been killed
by Indians while on his way TO Santa
Fe that the company passed under the
leadership of Bridger, Fitzpatrick and
Milton Sublette, brother Of William.
With this company was that pictlIr-
esque figure, Joseph Meek, who was
destined TO take a conspicuous part
IN the early days Of Oregon territory.
In consequence Of the generous treat
ment accorded Smith by DR.. McLAugh-
lin, the Rocky Mountain Co. declared
B truce with the Hudson's Bay Co.,
which, according TO Mrs. Victor, IN The
River of the West, must have terminal
ID under the new management, when
We find Fitzpatrick doing his best, with
he aid Of whisky, and any other means,
o secure the flIrs Of Ogden In q valley
Il the Bear river mountains.
The spring of 1882 found the Rocky
Mountain Co In competition with the
Iorth American Fur Co., which was
destined to cause the death Of Wander
,urg, leader Of the North American
To-. as has been frequently related.
While encamped on Bear river. the
rocky Mountain Co., discovering that
he North American Co.'S representa-
ives were close on their trait, decided
o leave that part Of the country to
herr rivals, and try to elude their
lursuit. Unfortunately Milton Sublette
llarreled with a Rockway chief, who
ccused Sublette with having ingulted
lis daughter. In the encounter, Sub
stte was wounded badly enough TO
nftt him for travelling. The rest went
n, with the exception Of Meek, who
ras chosen by Sublette TO remain with
i'm In the capacity of nurse If he
we'd, or TO bury him should he die.
During Subiette's convalescence, for
e did convalesce, Joe Meek was his
eneral factotum. he acted as cook,
unter, guard, nurse and in any re-
uired capacity for the long period Of
days before the two we're able to