Jedediah Smith – Blazing the Rockies
"I wanted to be the first to view a country on which the eyes of a white man had never gazed and to follow the course of rivers that run through a new land."
~ Jedediah Smith
Jedediah Strong Smith, a name synonymous with the rugged individualism and relentless exploration that defined the early 19th-century American West, stands as a pivotal figure in the annals of American history. He was more than just a mountain man; he was an explorer, a trailblazer, and a fur trader who ventured into uncharted territories, leaving an indelible mark on the landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, the vast American West, and the arid Southwest. This is the story of Jedediah Smith, a man who embodied the spirit of adventure and helped to unlock the secrets of a continent.
Born on January 6, 1799, in Bainbridge, New York, Jedediah’s early life was characterized by movement. His family relocated to Pennsylvania and later to Ohio, instilling in him a sense of adaptability and resilience. He received a solid education and was raised in a deeply religious household, values that would profoundly influence his actions and decisions throughout his life. By 1822, driven by an insatiable desire for adventure and a yearning to explore the unknown, Smith arrived in St. Louis, Missouri, then a bustling hub of westward expansion and the fur trade.
St. Louis, a gateway to the vast wilderness, beckoned with promises of untold riches and unparalleled adventure. It was here that Jedediah Smith’s journey into the untamed heart of America truly began. He quickly aligned himself with William Henry Ashley, a prominent figure in the fur trade, and embarked on an expedition up the Missouri River, venturing towards the mouth of the Yellowstone River. This initial foray into the wilderness served as an apprenticeship, shaping Smith’s skills and solidifying his resolve to carve his own path through the untamed landscapes.
The early years of Smith’s career were fraught with peril. Encounters with Native American tribes were frequent, and often hostile. In June 1823, Smith and his fellow trappers found themselves embroiled in a fierce battle with the Arikara Indians. Smith’s bravery and leadership during the conflict were noted, solidifying his reputation as a capable and courageous frontiersman. The harrowing experience further steeled his determination to explore and map the uncharted territories that lay ahead. Jedediah Smith was a force to be reckoned with.
Shortly after the battle, Smith led a small contingent of men across the plains south of the Yellowstone River, seeking to discover new and untapped trapping grounds. This expedition, however, took a terrifying turn when Smith was attacked by a grizzly bear. The mauling was brutal, leaving him severely scarred, both physically and mentally. He survived the ordeal, a testament to his remarkable resilience, but the scars would forever serve as a reminder of the dangers inherent in the wilderness. It is said he grew his hair long to help hide the scars.
Despite the harrowing experience, Smith’s determination remained unbroken. In the spring of 1824, guided by the knowledge and expertise of the Crow Indians, Smith and his party traversed the South Pass in present-day Wyoming. This strategic passage through the Rocky Mountains proved to be a pivotal discovery. It significantly shortened the route to the western slopes of the Rockies and would later become a crucial pathway for the thousands of emigrants who would follow the Oregon Trail westward. Jedediah Smith was responsible for opening up the American West.
In 1825, Smith returned to St. Louis with Ashley, laden with nearly 9,000 pounds of valuable beaver pelts. This successful venture solidified his position in the fur trade and led to his partnership in the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. By 1826, Smith, along with David E. Jackson, and William and Milton Sublette, acquired the business from William Ashley, marking a new chapter in Smith’s career as a leader and entrepreneur.
August 1826 marked the beginning of a daring expedition led by Smith to California. This journey, however, would bring him into conflict with the Mexican authorities who governed the territory at the time. Following the course of the Colorado River, Smith and his men sought new hunting grounds, but their journey was disrupted by attacks from the Mohave Indians, resulting in the loss of several lives. Guided by two Tongva Indians, they bypassed the harsh landscape of Death Valley and eventually reached the San Gabriel Mission, west of present-day Los Angeles.
The arrival of Smith and his party in California aroused suspicion among the Mexican authorities. They were soon arrested, but later released on the condition that they leave the territory and never return. Despite this promise, Smith and his men ventured into the San Joaquin Valley, further exploring the region. Jedediah Smith was an explorer above all else, and this adventure was no exception.
In the spring of 1827, Smith, accompanied by two companions, embarked on a perilous journey across the Sierra Nevada Range into Utah. One of the men perished during the arduous crossing, but Smith and the remaining survivor eventually reached their company rendezvous at Bear Lake, Utah. The return to California in July 1827, despite the warnings from the Mexican authorities, demonstrated Smith’s unwavering determination. Leading a group of 18 men and two women, they followed the Colorado River once again, only to be attacked by Mohave Indians at the river crossing. Ten men were killed, and the two women were taken captive. Smith and the remaining survivors sought refuge at the San Gabriel Mission before moving north to rejoin the group they had left in the San Joaquin Valley. Again, Smith and his men were arrested, yet they were released, despite his previous broken promise. However, Smith and his men hunted in the Sacramento Valley for several months before finally departing.
For the next few years, Smith focused on consolidating the fur company and expanding its operations into the Oregon Country. In 1828, tragedy struck when a group of Klawatset Indians attacked Smith and his men. Fifteen of Smith’s nineteen men were killed. Smith and three others managed to escape and made their way to Fort Vancouver, Washington, seeking refuge and assistance. In the spring of 1829, Smith returned to the upper Rocky Mountains, promising to confine his operations to the region east of the Great Divide.
For the next year, he trapped the Blackfeet country with Jim Bridger, another legendary figure of the American West. However, in 1830, Smith and his partners made the decision to sell the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. Smith returned to St. Louis for a time, but by early 1831, he and his partners, David Edward Jackson and William L. Sublette, became involved in the Santa Fe fur trade. They departed St. Louis in April with 74 men and 22 wagons, embarking on a new venture into the Southwest.
In May 1831, Smith and another man ventured away from the caravan in search of water. Smith never returned. The rest of the party continued their journey, hoping that he would catch up with them along the way. Upon arriving in Santa Fe, they learned that a Mexican merchant was selling some of Smith’s belongings. Questioning the merchant, they discovered that Smith had been attacked by a group of 15-20 Comanche Indians near Wagon Bed Spring on the Cimarron River, south of present-day Ulysses, Kansas, on May 27. Smith’s body was never recovered.
Despite his untimely death at the age of 32, Jedediah Smith’s legacy as an explorer and trailblazer remains firmly etched in the history of the American West. His explorations were instrumental in opening up new territories, establishing trade routes, and paving the way for westward expansion. He was the first white man to cross what would become the states of Utah and Nevada, the first to enter California by the overland route, the first to scale the High Sierras, and the first explorer to reach Oregon overland by traveling up the California coast. These achievements cemented his place as one of the most significant figures in the history of American exploration. Jedediah Smith died too young.
Jedediah Strong Smith’s life was a testament to the spirit of adventure, the pursuit of knowledge, and the unwavering determination to explore the unknown. His contributions to the exploration and mapping of the American West are immeasurable, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of explorers, adventurers, and those who seek to push the boundaries of human knowledge and understanding. His story remains a powerful reminder of the courage, resilience, and vision that shaped the American West and continue to define the American spirit.