Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-10-31

Sir George Gore was erased when the
Irish nobIeman applied the torch
Doubtless it was at Fort Laramie
where Sir George came to know the
real value Of Jim Bridger. his chief
guide. The name Of Bridger was
! household word everywhere in the
west. He was the acknowledged un-
crowned king Of all trappers, noun
| tain men, frontiersmen, scouts and
guides. Every person at Fort Laramie
paid marked difference to Bridger,
which certainly did not pass Sir
George unnoticed.
The winter passed most agreeably to
Sir George among this motley crowd.
MANY were the tales to which he
listened around the roaring log fires
tales of thrilling battles with the In
dian tribes: stories of hairbreadth es-
canes in encounters with wild animals.
Much valuable knowledge was here
impaired to him by Bridger regard
ing the country over which the irish
nobleman desired to travel, and the
springtime came all too soon.
With the coming Of the grass, the
Gore expedition left Fort Laramie,
fully equipped for a protracted stay
in the mountains. They leisurely as
cended the north branch of the Platte
river whence the caravan crossed over
To the Powder and followed down the
DRY Fork. finally arriving at the spot
where. In later years, Fort Common
Oater known as Fort Reno) stood.
Finding much to add to the plea
sures of the trip, Sir George deter
mined to follow up the Powder river
as far as its confluence with the yell
lowstone. All this was safely accomp-
lished. the party travelling slowly ana
enioving the unrivaled beauty OF the
country and the splendid hunting ana
fishing. Sir George was delighted Win
Tim Bridger. and his unwavering
knowledge of the country over which
they were travelling, and upon reacn-
ing the Yellowstone, he Determined 70
ascend that stream as lar a. 1s
mouth of the Tongue river ana speno
the winter in that section Wnere
hunting was unrivalled.
Arriving at a delightful and TO
mantle spot eight miles above Inc
mouth Of the Tongue, the Gore party
selected a good location and set ABOUT
~ CONSTRUCT a fort In which they couio
mass fine winter in comfort. This IN
Guided stables for all the animals, OF
which there were nearly or quite looi
etoreholises in which to keep tnelr
eu,inrnent and quarters for the men.
Confident that everything was at
last In shipshape order for the VleoI-
80 90 ,,,i,,ter which would soon be upon
them. Sir George was in good spirits.
TTnfort,rnately, however, one OF ms
NOR, started a fire In the TIMBER
which spread with such rapidity tnat
ali of the grazing was destroyed, ana
n then became necessary TO seek an
other location in which to keep tneir
o,irnaIs with a portion Of his cara
Won Sir George returned to the mouth
of tbe tongue. leaving the remainder
~ his Marty at the fort. Here grass,
cured by nature, was pientnul. N 49,
quarters were erected at the Junction
Of the Tongue and Yellowstone lor
norton Of the animals ana men. To
his own personal use, Sir Georee'
caused to be erected small log caOnl'
in which it is also recorded -tnaI nc
kept his favorite riding horse
thoroughbred Kentucky charger.
Bridger doubtless accompanied on
George to the mouth Of the TONGUE
as II is related that the latter de-
veloped the habit Of lying in bed until |
about 10 O'Clock each morning, wheh
he would arise, breakfast with Brloger'
and then start out on hunt, accom-
nanied by half a dozen Of his men. Sr
George was an enthusiastic hunteI' !
oItnouoh an Indifferent shot except
from q rest. which position he always
assumed. If possible, in bringing Gown
HE game. The men who accompanied
him probably acted as gun-oearers,
as it is stated that he never RELOADED
a weapon after discharging 1t, puI
would mass It back to one OF the men,
who would hand him loaded rifle IN
return. He was successful enough IN
his quest for game so that the laroer
was well supplied with meat through
out the long winter months.
often Sir George would not return
from these hunting trips until as late
as 10 O'Clock at night, greatly to the
worry Of Bridger, who feared his &C.
centric employer might get lost in the
wild section. But no matter how late
the hour. he would always insist upon
having q hearty supper cooked, and
that Bridger sit down and help nm
enjoy it and listen to the recital OF
his adventures through the day, after
which pipes would be brought out, and
Sir George and his chief guide would
sit In front Of roaring log fire Tor
several hours, while the Irishman
would read aloud from Shakespeare
to his untutored and unlearned en-
ploye. as Bridger did not know one
letter from another. Occasionally Sir
George would pause IN the midst OF
his reading and endeavor 10 draw
from Bridger his ideas Of the author.
Bridger, however, declared that
that thar stuff was too ALFRED