Heroes of the Old Santa Fe Trail
By William Eleroy Curtis, 1883
The harsh realities of frontier life along the Santa Fe Trail, with its ever-present dangers, inevitably fostered the rise of heroes. It also, unfortunately, cultivated recklessness and a brutal disregard for human life. Among the countless individuals who traversed this historic trade route – hunters, trappers, guides, and scouts – a select few distinguished themselves through extraordinary courage, resilience, intelligence, and unwavering manliness. These are the individuals whose stories deserve a prominent place in the annals of the American West. Among these figures, Kit Carson stands as a towering example, a man whose name is synonymous with the Santa Fe Trail and the spirit of the frontier.
The popular image of Kit Carson often strays far from reality. Instead of a boisterous, swaggering figure adorned with revolvers and boasting a booming voice, the real Kit Carson was a man of quiet dignity and unassuming presence. He was of below-average height, slender in build, with a fair complexion, gentle manners, and a soft voice. Despite his mild demeanor, Carson was a veteran of countless perilous adventures. He possessed an unparalleled knowledge of the plains and an uncanny ability to navigate the treacherous terrain.
Carson’s skills extended beyond mere survival. He was an expert tracker, a skilled hunter, and a seasoned diplomat, able to negotiate with various Native American tribes. He rescued countless individuals from captivity, guided numerous expeditions through uncharted territories, and consistently demonstrated a level of composure and self-confidence that bordered on the supernatural. Yet, despite his remarkable accomplishments, Carson remained humble and averse to fame. He never sought conflict and only took a life in self-defense or as a last resort. He was known for his temperance, his compassion for others, and his unwavering commitment to justice.
General John C. Fremont, who relied heavily on Carson’s expertise during his expeditions, offered a telling description of the man: "Carson while traveling scarcely ever spoke, but his keen eye was continually examining the country, and his whole manner was that of a man deeply impressed with a sense of responsibility. He never laughed or joked, even by the campfire, but was always watchful for the comfort of other people… A braver man than Carson perhaps never lived; in fact, I doubt if he ever knew what fear was, but with all this, he exercised great caution." This combination of courage, caution, and unwavering dedication to duty made Carson the ideal scout and guide. The legacy of Kit Carson is forever intertwined with the history of the Santa Fe Trail.
Born in Kentucky, Carson moved with his family to Missouri during his childhood, a time when the state represented the very edge of the American frontier. He apprenticed as a saddler under his father, but the allure of the West proved too strong to resist. At the age of sixteen, he joined a trading party bound for Santa Fe, embarking on a journey that would forever alter the course of his life. He didn’t return east with the traders but instead sought out a hunter and trapper named Kin Kade in Taos, New Mexico. This man, a Spaniard of considerable education, taught Carson the Spanish language and imparted a wealth of practical knowledge. This association with Kin Kade formed the foundation of Carson’s education, supplementing his innate abilities and preparing him for the challenges that lay ahead.
For the next several years, Carson worked as a guide and hunter, traversing the vast expanse between the Missouri River and the Pacific Ocean under the employ of the Hudson Bay Company. He led parties of men through treacherous mountain passes and across arid plains, learning the secrets of the land and honing his skills as a frontiersman. By the time he joined forces with General Fremont in 1842, Carson possessed an intimate knowledge of the Western landscape, a deep understanding of Native American cultures, and an unparalleled ability to survive in the wilderness. His role in Fremont’s expeditions cemented his reputation as one of the most skilled and reliable guides in the West. His impact on the Santa Fe Trail and the surrounding territories is undeniable.
During the Mexican-American War, Fremont appointed Carson as a Lieutenant in his battalion of Mountaineers. In 1846, when Fremont needed to send crucial dispatches from California to Washington, D.C., he entrusted the task to Carson. Despite the dangers posed by hostile Indians and Mexican forces, Carson successfully delivered the messages, solidifying his status as a national hero. He was greeted as a celebrity in Washington, D.C., and even appointed a lieutenant in the United States Regular Army by President Polk. However, political maneuvering and the jealousy of other officers prevented the Senate from confirming his appointment. Undeterred, Carson returned to Taos, where he partnered with Lucien B. Maxwell and established a ranch on the Maxwell Land Grant.
Despite his initial success as a rancher, Carson’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to open a store in Taos under the name Maxwell & Carson. However, he soon discovered that he was not suited for mercantile life and returned to sheep raising on his ranch. When the Civil War erupted, Carson once again answered the call to duty, volunteering as a private and eventually rising to command a Colorado regiment. He served with distinction throughout the war, contributing significantly to the Union cause.
After the war, Carson was appointed as an agent for the New Mexican Indians, a role he held until his death in 1868. He died at Fort Lyon, Colorado, at the age of 60, succumbing to complications from an old injury sustained in a fall from a mule. His body was initially buried at Fort Lyon but later moved to the old cemetery near Taos, New Mexico, ensuring that his final resting place was among the people and the land he had so faithfully served.
Another prominent figure associated with the Santa Fe Trail is François (Frank) Aubry, a French Canadian who made a name for himself as a guide and trader. Aubry possessed a similar physique to Kit Carson – medium stature and slender – but his iron nerves, unwavering resolve, and remarkable persistence set him apart. While Aubry contributed significantly to the development of the West, he is primarily remembered for his legendary ride from Santa Fe to Independence, Missouri, a distance of 780 miles, completed in a staggering five days and sixteen hours.
Aubry’s motivation for this extraordinary feat stemmed from his keen understanding of the market in Santa Fe. He recognized the increased competition among American merchants following the American occupation of the territory, but he also saw the potential for immense profits. He calculated that he could make a second trip to St. Louis to acquire more goods before the onset of winter. To achieve this ambitious goal, Aubry set out with four companions and a carefully selected herd of horses, determined to complete the journey in a record-breaking eight days.
However, the journey proved more arduous than anticipated. Aubry outpaced his companions, and by the time he reached the crossing of the Arkansas River, roughly halfway to his destination, he found himself alone and on foot, his last horse having given out. Undeterred, he pressed onward, eventually reaching Mann’s Fort, where he secured a fresh mount. Without pausing to rest, Aubry resumed his breakneck pace, narrowly escaping an encounter with hostile Indians near Pawnee Fork. Finally, he arrived in Independence, Missouri, well within his self-imposed deadline. It is said that upon dismounting from his horse, Aubry’s saddle was stained with his own blood, a testament to the immense physical toll of his ride. Aubry’s remarkable ride exemplifies the spirit of determination that characterized many who traversed the Santa Fe Trail. Tragically, his life was cut short in 1854 when he was killed in a saloon fight in Santa Fe.
Beyond Carson and Aubry, the Santa Fe Trail attracted a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique story to tell. Colonel A. G. Boone, a grandson of the legendary Daniel Boone, was renowned for his exceptional plainsmanship and his fluency in numerous Native American languages. He possessed the rare ability to move freely among different tribes, even during times of conflict, and he played a crucial role in rescuing captives from Indian captivity.
John Smith, affectionately known as "Uncle John," was another unforgettable figure along the Santa Fe Trail. An experienced trapper and guide, Smith was known for his tall tales and his colorful accounts of frontier life. While his stories may have been embellished over time, there is no doubt that Smith possessed an intimate knowledge of the West and an unparalleled ability to navigate its challenges.
Even the fringes of society found their place on the Santa Fe Trail. The tale of "Crazy Ann," a woman driven to madness after witnessing the brutal murder of her husband by Indians, serves as a stark reminder of the psychological toll that frontier life could inflict. Roaming the Kansas plains on a wild mustang, she was feared by both settlers and Native Americans alike.
The story of "Jes-so," a dwarfish, deformed saloon owner in Newton, Kansas, and his beautiful daughter offers a glimpse into the darker side of frontier life. This enigmatic figure, fiercely protective of his daughter, was willing to do anything to ensure her well-being. The tragic tale of their elopement and the old man’s subsequent act of vengeance is a chilling reminder of the passions and the violence that often simmered beneath the surface of frontier society.
Will Comstock, General Custer’s chief scout during the Indian War of 1867, was another remarkable individual whose skills and courage were legendary. Custer described him as "perfect in horsemanship; fearless in manner; a splendid hunter; and a gentleman by instinct, as modest and unassuming as he was brave." Comstock, a man of mixed Native American and European heritage, possessed an unparalleled knowledge of the Western landscape and an uncanny ability to track his quarry. He met a tragic end at the hands of treacherous Indians, a testament to the dangers that even the most skilled frontiersmen faced.
Finally, the notorious William Hickok, better known as "Wild Bill," represents a more complex and controversial figure along the Santa Fe Trail. Initially a skilled guide and a brave Union scout during the Civil War, Hickok’s reputation was tarnished by his descent into dissipation and violence. While his early exploits earned him the admiration of many, his later years were marked by gambling, saloon brawls, and numerous killings. Hickok’s life serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power and the fragility of moral character in the lawless environment of the frontier. Even Wild Bill Hickok‘s story is an essential part of the Santa Fe Trail‘s history.
These are just a few of the many individuals who left their mark on the Santa Fe Trail. Their stories, filled with courage, resilience, tragedy, and triumph, offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of the American West and the enduring legacy of the trail that connected two distinct cultures and shaped the destiny of a nation. The tales of the Heroes of the Old Santa Fe Trail continue to resonate, reminding us of the challenges and the triumphs of those who dared to venture into the unknown.