Trappers, Traders, Trailblazers: Mountain Men In The Rocky .

tinggives a lasting impression ofthe nobility of the mountainman. After the beaverpopulation drasticallydeclined and their demanddecreased, mountain menbecame guides or scouts forthe traveling wagon trainsheading to the West. Themountain man was theperfect candidate to lead thewagon trains to the best routeto Oregon and California,because they had alreadyexplored its unknown territoryand learned to survive in itshostile environment.

Beaver Traps and PeltsA mountain manusually owned six toeight traps. Eachtrap weighed up toten pounds. Hecarried these withhis other supplies.Beaver traps and beaver pelt (orplew) on willow branches bent incircleA mountain manchecked his trapsevery day. When atrap had a beaverin it, he pulled it toshore to retrieve thebeaver and resethis trap.The beaver pelt, orplew, was oftenused to makemen’s beaver felttop hats.

Possibles BagPossibles bagThe mountain man carrieda leather pouch called apossible bag. A possiblebag contained everythinga mountain man needed tosurvive in the wilderness.The mountain man carriedthe supplies he needed inthe bag. He carried: a metal tobacco tin witha glass disk to holdtobacco or flint and steelstrikers to start fires a spoon made from cowor buffalo horn and acrude fork Beads and trinkets fortrade with the AmericanIndians

Flint and StrikerTo start a fire with a flint and striker, the mountain man firstprepared a nest of dry grass or other dry materials. Heplaced a piece of charcloth (partially burned or charredcloth), if it was available, in an angle of the flint to catchthe spark. He then hit the edge of the flint nearest thecharcloth with the striker. This created sparks that thecharcloth or tinder nest caught. He then blew lightly on thesparks until the added tinder caught fire.Tobacco tin, striker, and flint

Trade GoodsMountain men frequentlyencountered AmericanIndian tribes in theirtrapping areas. Friendlytribes were eager toacquire some of the tradegoods the mountain menbrought with them. Themountain men also wanteditems, such as fur and newclothing, that the AmericanIndians had available.Trade goods (beads) from possibles bagThe mountain carried glassbeads from Italy, brass bells,tin cones, wool blankets,metal knives, and cast ironpots to trade with theAmerican Indians.

Capote (ka-poat)When a mountain man’sstore-bought coat woreout, he or an AmericanIndian made a new coat,called a capote, out of ablanket. The mountain manused the “tails” on the hoodfor decoration as well as atie to secure the hoodunder his chin and toprotect his neck from thecold. The mountain manwore his regular belt overthe capote. This kept hisknife and tomahawkaccessible, even when hewas bundled up against thewinter weather.Capote (NA.202.481) and Hudson Bay Four PointBlanket (NA.202.449)

ClothingMountainMan’s shirt(NA.202.588)MountainMan’s coat(NA.202.590)The mountain man woreclothing that was similar towhat men wore in the UnitedStates at that time. Whenthese clothes wore out, themountain man used his oldclothes for a pattern to makenew garments out of thetanned hides of the deer, elk,moose, and buffalo hehunted.Although, they preferred thetailored clothing they wereused to wearing, mountainman did wear the moccasinsof the American Indians.Moccasins were easy tomake, comfortable to wear,and lightweight to carry.

KnivesOne or more knives were a vital part of the mountain man’sessential gear. He used his knives for skinning beavers,cutting meat, and defending himself. His knife wasespecially useful in battle because his flintlock rifle onlyallowed one shot, making it a complicated process toreload and shoot his rifle.Mountain man’sknife (top)and sampleillustrations ofmountain men’sknives (bottom)

TomahawksTomahawks were anessential supply for themountain man. These smallaxes or hatchets were alsopopular trade items withthe American Indians.Mountain men used theblade for chopping woodfor fires and shelter, and fordefense. The back of thehead served as a hammerfor pounding a stake thatsecured the chain on thebeaver trap.Tomahawk

Flintlock RifleIllustration of flintlock rifle’s mechanism (top) andpowder horn (1.69.400.19) (bottom)Local gunsmiths made gunsby hand during the time ofthe mountain men. Eachmountain man usuallycarried a gun of his choice.Later, guns were availableat the rendezvous with oneor two types ofmanufactured guns.The mountain man alsocarried the tools andsupplies to keep his rifleworking. Powder horns heldgunpowder and kept it dry.Mountain men melted barsof lead over a fire in aspecial ladle. They thenpoured it into a small moldto make his rifle’s balls.

HatsThe Lost Greenhorn by Alfred Jacob Miller (9.70)The mountain manbrought his first hatfrom home. Thesehats were straw orfelt with a widebrim. The hatswore out quickly,so mountain menhad to make newones. Mountainmen made hatswith a few cutsand quick stitches,from tannedskunk, fox,raccoon, coyote,or similar hide.

What do you think is thelegacy of the mountain men ofthe Rocky Mountain West?

Beaver Felt Hat (3.78.19A) Mountain men were self-sufficient for the following reasons: 1. They could only take . clothes for a pattern to make new garments out of the tanned hides of the deer, elk, moose, and buffalo he hunted. Although, they preferred the tailored clothing they were used to wearing, mountain