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Fitzpatrick’s
Blackfoot Adventure:
Thomas
Fitzpatrick accompanied the Sublette and Campbell supply train to the Rendezvous
of 1832. Competition for
the available furs was fierce again this year, and the American Fur
Company was sending a pack train to the rendezvous as well.
Before the Sublette and Campbell supply train had reached
South Pass
, Fitzpatrick rode on ahead to confirm the location of the Rocky Mountain
Fur Company's trapper brigades. This
was to ensure that no time would be lost and limit the ability of the
American Fur Company to trade skins and furs from the free trappers and
Indians. From the time
Fitzpatrick left, until the supply train arrived at the rendezvous site,
Fitzpatrick would disappear. After
it was determined that Fitzpatrick was with neither group search parties
were sent out. As
hope was beginning to fade, Antoine Godin came in
with Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick
had lost his horses, blanket, coat, and gun.
He had endured such privation and hunger that many didn’t
recognize his emaciated form. The
Blackfoot Indians who had caused him the loss of his horses and equipment
and nearly cost his life were the same group who were later engaged in
battle with the trappers after rendezvous at the Battle
of Pierre’s Hole. There
is no indication that the trappers knew this prior to or during the
battle, however, the day following the battle Fitzpatrick’s prize horse
was recovered. Three versions
of the story are recorded by Zenas Leonard (Reference),
Warren Ferris (Reference), and Joe
Meek (Reference). Being
affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, Zenas Leonard may have
heard the story directly from Fitzpatrick.
Warren Ferris was employed by the opposition American Fur Company,
and it is more possible that he heard the story second hand.
Zenas
Leonard was originally a member of Gant and
Blackwell’s expedition to the mountains.
When these men learned that Gant and Blackwell had become insolvent
and had dissolved, they formed a loose affiliation with Fitzpatrick and
the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. These men then traveled with the
Sublette and Campbell supply train going to the Rendezvous
of 1832. Here Leonard
recounts Fitzpatrick’s Adventure:
“But
a melancholy gloom was visible in every countenance, when we discovered
that Fitzpatrick had not arrived. Great excitement prevailed, and
vigorous measures were immediately taken to rescue him, if he had not
before this, as many supposed, fallen a victim to the enraged fury of the
merciless savage, or the ravenous appetite of some ferocious beast of
prey. Small companies were despatched [sic] in various
directions on the tributary streams of the
Columbia
. Diligent search was kept up for some time without success, and our
search was about to be abandoned as fruitless; and indeed some of the
parties had given up in despair, and returned to camp, when, a party, who
had wandered into the vicinity of the Blackfeet Indians, were
reconnoitering their movements in a valley from a high bluff, saw, and
immediately recognized, Fitzpatrick's horse, with which the Indians were
running races. - Was this calculated to inspire hope? or was it not rather
an omen that our employer was destroyed by these Indians. Vigilant
search was made to make further discoveries; and, to the great joy of
every man, he was at length found on the banks of the Pieres [sic] river,
which forms a junction with the
Columbia
, near the rendezvous of Fitzpatrick's company. When found he was
completely exhausted, and so much wasted in flesh, and deformed in dress,
that, under other circumstances, he would not have been recognized.
The poor man was reduced to a skeleton, and was almost senseless.
When his deliverers spoke of taking him to camp, he scarcely seemed to
comprehend their meaning. After eating some dried buffaloe [sic]
meat, and a little maize, he grew better, and placing him on a horse,
he was safely conveyed to camp. A general rejoicing ensued, for his
appearance among us again, was like that of one risen from the dead.
Although I was not much attached to the man, for I could not banish from
my mind the craftiness evinced by him when we first met with him on the
east side of the mountains, yet I can scarcely describe my feelings of joy
on beholding him safely returned. After resting a few days, and
being nourished by the provender our camp would afford, he became able to
relate the misfortunes which befel [sic] him in crossing the
mountain, which I will give in his own words, as follows:
ADVENTURES
OF FITZPATRICK
"For three or four days after I left the company I travelled without
any difficulty, and at great speed, but the fourth and fifth, the weather
being dull and cloudy, I got strayed from my course, and soon found myself
in the midst of a rough hilly country, abounding with large loose rocks
which some places almost prevented me from passing at all, and covered
with various kinds of timber of the most magnificent description. In
passing the nights in these solitudes my rest was constantly disturbed by
the dismal howl of the wolf and the fierce growl of the bear - which
animals were very numerous and would frequently approach within a few
steps and threaten to devour me. One day after a toilsome ride, I
dismounted, turned my horse loose to graze and seated myself on a rock,
with the little remaining provision I had, to refresh myself. While
thus seated resting my wearied limbs, and satisfying the gnawings of
hunger, I was suddenly startled by a scrambling on the rocks immediately
in my rear. I turned round and beheld a huge bear approaching me in
double quick time. I instantly sprang to my feet, for I was well
acquainted with his mode of warfare. I turned and faced his
lordship, when he approached within about six feet of me, rose on his hind
feet and most impudently stared me right in the face, for more than a
minute. After discovering that I was no ways bashful, he bowed,
turned and run - I did the same, and made for my horse. Bruin was
not so easy fooled; he seen my retreat & gave chase. I thought I
could reach my horse and mount before the bear could reach me, but the
approach of the bear frightened my beast, and just as I was going to mount
he sprang loose and threw me on the broad of my back. The bear was
at my heels, and I thought that all chance of escape was now gone.
Instantly I was again on my feet, - and, as it were, in a fit of
desperation, rushed towards the bear, which, fearing, as they do, the face
of man, again turned and run. - Sir Bruin stopped to secure the little
morsel I had been eating, and retired a few paces to devour it.
While the bear was thus employed, I crept to my gun, keeping the rock
between him and me, having reached it, took deliberate aim and killed him
dead on the spot. Having secured my horse, I fell to work at the
carcase of my vanquished foe, and, after cooking and eating a choice piece
of his flesh, left the rest to feed his kindred. It being now near
night, I travelled two or three miles further, and encamped for the
night. The next morning appeared more favourable over head, and I
made an early start. Being on the banks of a small creek, I
concluded to follow it a while. After winding my way through the rocks and
trees, till near the middle of the day, I came to a valley which seemed to
be hemmed in on every side by huge towering hills. I had not
travelled far in this valley before I found myself ushered into the
presence of a hostile tribe of Indians. I halted to devise some
means to effect a return without being discovered; but I soon found that
it was too late. Immediately in my rear was a choice set of young
warriors - in front, and on both sides by high and craggy mountains.
My noble steed, than him, I would defy the whole Indian world to produce a
stouter, swifter, or better, was now brought to the test. He started
with the velocity of the rein deer, - bounding over ditches, stones, logs,
and brush. - Soon I began to ascend the mountain, but found it much too
steep and rough. The Indians dismounted and followed on foot.
I applied the whip, but in vain. My horse was compelled to yield to
exhausted nature - and I dismounted, and left my much prized animal to
fall a prey to the savages. I ran up the mountain with all possible
speed, but finding that I must eventually be overtaken, I secreted myself
in a hole among the rocks, and closed the mouth of it with leaves and
sticks. After remaining a few minutes in this subterraneous cavern,
I heard the ferocious yells of triumph of my pursuers, as they captured my
lamented horse. The victory was not yet complete, although the horse
was the principal prize. Some of them followed on and came close to
my hiding place, passed and repassed within reach without discovering
me. What a moment of intense anxiety was this! All chance of
escape cut off. No prospect of mercy if taken! Hope began to
die - and death inevitable seemed to be the very next incident that would
occur. They continued their search until near sunset, for they knew that I
had not reached the summit of the mountain. As they retired down the
mountain, squads of four or five would frequently halt and hold a busy
consultation - then suddenly return to complete their search, as if they
feared that some hollow tree or rocky cavern might escape
unexplored. Finally, they gave me up in despair, and retired into
the valley, with my horse.
"Now
that I had escaped this scrutinizing search, I began to breathe more free
and easy; but I was yet far from being out of danger. I was
conscious that I had lost the course to the
Columbia river
, and could not tell how to regain it, even if I should succeed in
escaping from my present perilous situation. I remained secreted in
the rocks till long after dark, when I crawled out, and surveyed the
country as well as the darkness of the night would permit, and finally
started in the direction which I thought I would have the least chance of
meeting the Indians. I had not travelled far, however, until I was
again doomed to be disappointed, for I was on the very borders of their
encampment. Happily the camp was all quiet, and I returned quietly
to my hiding place on the mountain, hoping that on the morrow I would be
able to make some new discovery by which to extricate myself from these
savages - which I judged to be the merciless Blackfeet. Early in the
morning of the next day the hunt was resumed with increased vigilance; but
again returned with disappointment. After the sound of their voices
no longer reached me, I crawled to the mouth of the hole from which I
presently beheld them running races with the horse they had taken from
me. In this sport they spent the day. This village did not
appear to be their permanent residence, but was handsomely situated on the
banks of a small creek, and I suppose they had came here on a sporting
expedition. The second night I made another effort to save myself,
and gradually descended the mountain, to the creek some distance below the
camp. - This I followed, until daylight again compelled me to hide myself;
which I did by crawling into the brush close to the creek, where I
secreted myself till darkness again give me an opportunity to resume my
journey. During the day I seen a number of the Indians pass and
repass up and down the valley, whom I supposed to be hunters. This
day I again had a view of my horse under the saddle of the chief of the
tribe, as I supposed; but did not attempt to rescue him. The
following night I travelled a short distance down the creek when I came to
where it empties into the Pieres river. Here I came to my reckoning
of the country and thought that if I could escape from hunger and beasts
of prey, I could manage to elude the Indians. Supposing that the
Indians were not so numerous on the opposite side of the river, I resolved
to cross over - for which purpose I built a raft of old logs, laid my
shot-pouch, gun, blanket, &c. on it, and pushed for the opposite
shore. After getting nearly across, the current became very rapid,
and I began to descend the river at a rapid rate until I struck a rock
which tore my frail craft to pieces - committing myself, gun, blanket and
all to the watery element. Being weak from hunger and exertion, it
was with great difficulty that I succeeded in reaching the land, with the
loss of my only companion, and my only hope in this wilderness of dangers
- my gun. I stood on the bank in the midst of despair. I had
no other weapon than a butcher knife to fight my way through a country
swarming with savages and equally dangerous wild beasts. On my knife
depended all hope of preventing starvation. The loss of my blanket
was also severe, as the weather was sometimes quite cold, and I had no
other clothing than a shirt and vest - having thrown the rest away when
pursued by the Indians on the mountain. I followed the banks of this
river for two days, subsisting upon buds, roots, weeds, &c. On
the second evening whilst digging for a sweet kind of root, in a swamp, I
was alarmed by the growl of wolves, which were descending the hill to the
river, about fifty yards distant. The only chance of escape now, was
to climb a tree, which I did immediately. Here I was compelled to
roost until daylight, in the most painful agitation. The wolves
tearing up the ground and gnawing at the tree so that I sometimes feared
they would cut it through. The third day I travelled with great
speed, not even stopping for any thing to eat. On the fourth I
happened where the wolves had killed a buffaloe. - Here I satisfied my
appetite by collecting all the meat that was left on the bones, made a
fire by rubbing two sticks together, and cooked it. From the
gluttenous fill which I took of this meat, I was enabled to travel three
or four days, without any particular occurrence; but I found that the
further I descended the river, the scarcer became the roots, buds,
&c., on which I must depend for subsistence, and I was finally obliged
to turn my attention to get something to eat, without traveling any
further. For several days I loitered about from place to place, but
could find no nourishment. My body began to grow weaker and weaker,
until I was no longer able to walk. Still my mind held its sway, and
I was well aware how desperate was my situation. Finally losing all
prospect of getting any thing more to eat, & no hope of being found by
my companions or friendly Indians, I thought of preparing myself for
death, and committed my soul to the Almighty. I have no recollection
of any thing that occurred after this, until I found myself in the hands
of my deliverers."
The
story of Fitzpatrick created much excitement in our camp. Some were
determined on immediately chastising the Indians, and retaking his
horse. Others, who were not friendly disposed towards Mr. F., would
not credit his story. For my part I thought the man had related
nothing more than the truth as to his sufferings, for nothing less could
have reduced him to the condition in which he was found.
After
the Battle of Pierre’s Hole Leonard reports the following “In the
afternoon we returned to the rendezvous and presented Mr. Fitzpatrick with
his long-lost and highly valued horse, which seemed to compensate for all
the sufferings and hardships which he had encountered.“
Warren
Ferris was working as a trapper for the American Fur Company under the
leadership of Vanderburgh. The
American Fur Company supply train had missed the rendezvous the previous
year, and these men were anxious that it should not occur again this year.
Ferris gives us this description:
“On
the third of July, one of our men who was sent in quest of the
St. Louis
companies [the supply train under Fontenelle]
returned, and reported that William Sublett, at the head of one hundred
men, was now on his way here. This
numerous company was composed of fifty hired men; a party of twenty two
men, detached from Ghant's company [Gant and Blackwell, see Zenas
Leonard for a description of the hardships endured by these men]; a
party of thirteen men from the Rio del Norte, and a Mr. Wythe [Nathaniel
Wyeth] with ten or twelve followers, who was on some secret
expedition to the mouth of the Oregon, or Columbia River.
We learned that Mr. Fitzpatrick left the company at the Red Hills,
with two horses, and set out to reach us, in advance of Sublett
[William Sublette]; but had not since been heard of.
Two or three nights before our express reached them, their camp was
fired upon by a party of unknown Indians, but no one injured.
Several horses were stolen, however; from Sublett, our express
could learn nothing of Fontenelle; and determined to proceed on until they
should meet him, but the day after their departure from Sublett's Camp,
they were charged upon by a party of mounted Indians, who compelled them
to return.
On
the 8th Sublett arrived, and halted in the middle of the hole, with the R.
M. F. Co. [Rocky Mountain Fur Company], for whom he brought one
hundred mules, laden with merchandise.
The same evening Mr. Thos. Fitzpatrick, to our great joy, came into
camp, though in a most pitiable condition.
It appears that this traveller, on his way to
Pierre
's Hole, came suddenly upon a large
Village
of
Indians
, who mounted their horses and immediately gave chase; however, he had
fortunately taken the precaution to furnish himself with two horses,
previous to his departure from camp, one of which had the reputation of
being fleet. This last he led
by the halter, ever saddled, and bridled, as a resource in case he should
be compelled to seek safety by flight.
So soon as he found himself discovered and pursued, he sprang upon
his favorite horse, and fled, directing his course towards the mountains,
which were about three miles distant.
When he reached the mountains, the Indians were so far behind, that
he hoped to elude them by concealment, and immediately placed his horse in
a thicket, and sought a crevice in the rocks, where he concealed himself.
In a few moments the blood hounds came up, and soon discovered his
horse; from his place of concealment he saw them searching every nook and
crevice, for him, and the search was not discontinued, until the next step
would have placed him before the eyes of a blood thirsty set of wretches,
whose clemency in the first instance, is yet to be recorded.
Fortunately for him, the search was abandoned, and the Indians
returned to camp, at the same time he chose a point, whence he could
discover any passing object, in the plain beneath him; and determined to
remain, until the company should pass, and join them at that time.
At the expiration of three days, he discovered six men, passing in
the valley, and immediately descended the mountain to join them, but ere
he could effect this, a party of Indians appeared from another quarter,
and gave chase to the six men, who wheeled and fled; in the
meantime, he fled back to his place of refuge.
At length he became confident, that the company had passed him
without his knowledge, and set out for Pierre's Hole in the night; his
moccasins became worn out, and he was forced to make others of his hat, he
likewise lost his powder in swimming a river, and suffered from the
combined effects of hunger, cold, and fatigue, until he was reduced to a
mere skeleton, and could scarcely be recognized when he finally reached
camp. He informs us, that the
Indians were doubtless a band of Grosvents of the prairie, who passed from
the
Missouri
to the head of the
Arkansas
three years ago, and were now on their return to their own country.
They are the same Indians who encamped with Smith, Sublett and
Jackson
, on the
Arkansas
last summer, and there buried their hatchets and animosity together.
But it appears from their proceedings this far, that they have
raised both since.”
Joe
Meeks description is relative brief, but confirms the main points of the
story.
"Fitzpatrick
had met with an adventure, as had been conjectured. While coming up the
Green river
valley, he descried a small party of mounted men, whom he mistook for a
company of trappers, and stopped to reconnoiter; but almost at the same
moment the supposed trappers, perceiving him, set up a yell that quickly
undeceived him, and compelled him to flight. Abandoning his pack-horse, he
put the other to its topmost speed, and succeeded in gaining the
mountains, where in a deep and dark defile he secreted himself until he
judged the Indians had left that part of the valley. In this he was
deceived, for no sooner did he emerge again into the open country, than he
was once more pursued, and had to abandon his horse, to take refuge among
the cliffs of the mountains. Here he remained for several days, without
blankets or provisions, and with only one charge of ammunition, which was
in his rifle, and kept for self-defense. At length, however, by frequent
reconnoitering, he managed to elude his enemies, traveling by night, until
he fortunately met with the two hunters from camp, and was conveyed by
them to the rendezvous."
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