Jim Bridger

One of Jim Bridger's favorite yarns to tell was about being pursued by one hundred Cheyenne warriors. After being chased for several miles, he found himself at the end of a box canyon, with the Indians right on his tail. Then he would go silent, and his listener would ask, "What happened then, Mr. Bridger?" He would reply, "They killed me."
    Jim Bridger died on his farm near Kansas City, Missouri, on July 17, 1881. After suffering from goiter, arthritis, rheumatism and other health problems. He lived a long and adventures life.
    Jim Bridger began his exciting career in 1822 at the age of 18, as a member of General William Ashley's Upper Missouri Expedition. He was one of the first to see the geysers in Yellowstone. In the winter of 1824-1825 he experienced the wonder of seeing the Great Salt Lake in his bull boat. He thought it was part of the Pacific Ocean because of its salt. In his round bull boat he explored the "Pacific Ocean Coast."
    He also, with a group of other mountain men, bought out the Ashley Fur Trading Company and established the Rocky Mountain Fur Trading Company. He competed against The Hudson Bay and John Jacob Astor's American Fur Companies.  He built with the help of Louis Vasquez a trading post on the west bank of Black Fork of the Green River to serve Pioneers on the Oregon Trail.
    Jim Brigers best known yarn is one in witch he tells the audience of a "petrified forest" in which there were petrified rabbits, deer, beavers, bears, and even "petrified birds" singing "petrified songs."
    Jim Briger was an honorable man and lived a extraordinary life of excitement and wonder. He will always be remembered.