Jedediah Smith Narrative
Jedediah Smith knew the West better than any other man, and he saw more of it than any of the early explorers, including Lewis and Clark, whose journals are said to have inspired his career.
Smith was 23 years old in the spring of 1822, when he applied to join Generals Ashley and Henry in their fur trade ventures. They were impressed with his eagerness to learn and the next year sent Jed out as captain of his own party. In his third year out Jed became a partner of Ashley, and the next season, along with David Jackson and William Sublette, he bought out his former employers.
Though always drawn to new horizons, exploration was never Jed's primary aim. His travels had to pay their way in beaver. Nevertheless, Smith was the first white man to cross the Great Basin, the Sierra Nevada, and South Pass, westbound. He also survived the three worst Indian-Trapper battles.
An unlikely hero for that era, Jed was quiet, modest, and unabashedly Christian. Though 'twas said in those days that God was always careful to stay east of the Missouri, Jed took his religion with him and let nothing corrode it. He didn't curse, use tobacco or alcohol, or indulge in womanizing.
Jed was cool headed and methodical, an attribute which frequently saved his skin. Once, badly mauled by a grizzly, he took command of his befuddled men and supervised the doctoring of his wounds, which included reattaching his ear, then mounted his horse and rode a mile back to camp. It was his custom when in dire circumstances, to paint a more hopeful view of the situation for his men, than he believed to be true. Cognizant of his responsibility to record details of his discoveries, Jed sent reports to William Clark, John Eaton, then Secretary of War, and others.
Eldest of 12, Jed never forgot his family duties. He sent most of his earnings home to provide for his aging parents and the education of his brothers, and wrote frequently to his brother with instructions to help others in need.
Smith was well liked and respected by his peers, particularly Tom (Broken Hand) Fitzpatrick. They were together on the first expedition in 1822, and Fitzpatrick was the last white man to see him alive.
In 1831, aware that the fur trade was declining, Jed decided to quit the mountains and publish a book and maps of his explorations. But noting the possibilities inherent in the Santa Fe trade, he determined to make one last journey to the only part of the West he had not personally experienced.
While crossing the desert his party became lost. The teams and men were about to expire from thirst. Jed had a peculiar knack for always finding water, so he and Fitzpatrick went out scouting. After leaving his friend to dig in a dried up water hole, Smith went on ahead. It is believed he was ambushed and killed by the Comanche warriors who showed up in Santa Fe a few days later, wearing his pistols. He was 32 years old at the time of his death.
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