Russell, Wyeth and Fort Hall

[Leifer]

Can you guess what I'm reading?

So Russel notes: "...Next day June 20 we arrived at the destined place. Here we met with two companies of Trappers and Traders: One is a branch of the "American Fur Compnay," under the direction of Mess Dripps and Fonanell: The other is called the "Rocky Mountain Fur Company" The names of the partners are THomas Fitzpatrick, Milton Sublett and James Bridger..." And then "...Here Mr. Wyeth disposed of a part of his loads to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and on on the 2d day of July we renewed our march towards the Columbia River." Then fast forward a bit after they bump into "Capt. B.L. Bonnenvill" he says, "...The next day we travelled in a west direction over a rough mountaneous country about 25 miles and the day following after travelling about 20 miles in the same direction we emerged from the mountain in to the great valley of Snake River on the 16th -- We crossed the valley and readed the river in about 25 miles travel west. Here Mr. Wyeth concluded to stop build a Fort & deposit the remainder of his merchandise: leaving a few men to protect them and trade with the Snake and Bonnack Indians. On the 18th we commenced the Fort..." They finish the fort on August 4th and two days later Wyeth takes off for the mouth of the Columbia.

It's sounds like Russell was unaware of what went down at the rendezvous and that Fort Hall was originally in the plans, or he doesn't bother mentioning it. Maybe Wyeth just kept it to himself and the rest of his leadership. Thoughts?

Leifer

[Rod]

I'm guessing that Russel, being a lowly engagé, wasn't clued into the big picture. However....I do have to wonder if Wyeth wasn't also planning the Ft. Hall venture beforehand. Alot of authors make Wyeth out to be angry about the collapse of the RMFC, and the default on the rendezvous goods-----but, Wyeth was actually able to sell most all the goods that were to go to the RMFC to the trappers at rendezvous, and according to some sources, he actually did better than he would have under the RMFC contract. Russel alludes to this in that quote, "...Here Mr. Wyeth disposed of a part of his loads...". Obviously he was still carrying enough to outfit his venture on the Snake River, which would seem to indicate he had more trade goods along than called for under the RMFC contract---which would in turn indicate he may have had something up his sleeve as far as fort building. Wyeth was one of those guys who always seemed to have 5 things going on at once.

A really good book on the subject is Jim Hardee's annotated version of Wyeth's journals, Obstinate Hope. I reviewed it here: rockymtncollege.proboards.com/thread/452/book-review-obstinate-hope and can't wait for volume 2 to come out. Really a good book, and I highly recommend it.

Rod

[Leifer]

Is this the one that came out a year ago or so?

Leifer

[Rod]

Yes.

Rod

[Leifer]

Looks like I have another book ordered....

Leifer

[Rod]

You can never have too many books----although my wife might argue that point

Rod