William Craig – Frontiersman and Trapper
William Craig, a figure etched into the annals of American frontier history, embodies the spirit of adventure, resilience, and cross-cultural interaction that defined the westward expansion era. Born in the rugged terrain of West Virginia, he embarked on a journey that would lead him through the vast landscapes of the American West, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Northwest. His life as a trapper, trader, scout, and Indian agent offers a compelling narrative of survival, adaptation, and the complex relationships between European settlers and Native American tribes. This article explores the remarkable life of William Craig, delving into his early years, his experiences as a mountain man, his involvement in pivotal historical events, and his legacy as a bridge between two vastly different worlds.
Born in 1807 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, William Craig’s early life was steeped in the pioneering spirit of the Appalachian frontier. He received some formal education, attending military school in Lewisburg, West Virginia. However, the structured life of academia was not to be his calling. Legend has it that an altercation, resulting in the death of another man in what Craig claimed was self-defense, prompted his abrupt departure from home at the young age of 18. He sought refuge in St. Louis, Missouri, a bustling hub for fur traders and adventurers eager to explore the uncharted territories of the West. This city served as a gateway to the untamed wilderness that beckoned him.
In St. Louis, William Craig fell in with a company of French Canadian trappers, seasoned veterans of the fur trade who plied the waters of the upper Missouri River. These men, with their knowledge of the land, their skills in trapping and hunting, and their understanding of Native American cultures, became Craig’s mentors and companions. He quickly learned the ropes of the fur trade, mastering the art of trapping beaver and other valuable animals, navigating treacherous rivers, and enduring the harsh conditions of the wilderness.
His early years in the West saw him crossing paths with some of the most renowned figures of the era. He encountered Milton and William Sublette, prominent fur traders and leaders of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company; Jedediah Smith, the intrepid explorer and devout Christian who blazed trails across the Southwest; Robert "Doc" Newell, a skilled trapper and later a prominent figure in Oregon’s early political landscape; and Joe Meek, a colorful and charismatic mountain man who later became a U.S. Marshal in Oregon. These men, driven by the lure of wealth, adventure, and the thrill of the unknown, shaped Craig’s understanding of the West and its opportunities.
By 1829, Craig had ventured as far west as southeastern Idaho, a region teeming with wildlife and rich in fur-bearing animals. This area became a focal point for trappers and traders, attracting both European Americans and Native American tribes who sought to profit from the lucrative fur trade. The competition for resources often led to conflict, and Craig found himself embroiled in the tumultuous events that defined this era.
In 1832, William Craig participated in the Battle of Pierre’s Hole, a significant clash between mountain men and a band of Gros Ventre Indians. This battle, fought in the Teton Basin of Idaho, highlighted the escalating tensions between the encroaching fur traders and the Native American tribes who viewed the land and its resources as their own. The battle was fierce and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, further solidifying the animosity between the two groups.
Following the Battle of Pierre’s Hole, Craig worked for a time with Captain Benjamin Bonneville, an explorer and U.S. Army officer who led an expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the early 1830s. Bonneville’s expedition aimed to map the region, assess its resources, and establish a military presence in the West. Craig’s knowledge of the terrain and his experience with trapping and Native American cultures proved invaluable to Bonneville’s endeavors. He further expanded his knowledge of the landscape and honed his skills as a frontiersman during this period.
In 1833, Craig joined Joe Walker’s California Expedition, a venture that sought to explore and map a route to California through the uncharted territories of the Great Basin. This expedition traversed vast stretches of desert, crossed formidable mountain ranges, and encountered various Native American tribes, providing Craig with invaluable experience in navigating the diverse and challenging landscapes of the American West.
In 1837, Craig partnered with fellow trappers Pruett Sinclair and Philip Thompson to establish a trading post known as Fort Davy Crockett on the Green River in Brown’s Hole, Colorado. This location had long served as a favored wintering ground for various Native American tribes, making it an ideal spot for a trading post. Fort Davy Crockett became a hub for the exchange of goods between trappers, traders, and Native Americans, facilitating the flow of furs, supplies, and information across the region.
A pivotal moment in William Craig’s life occurred in 1838 when he married Pah-tis-sah, a Nez Perce woman and the daughter of Chief Thunder Eyes. Craig affectionately called her Isabel. This union marked a significant step in Craig’s integration into Native American society and solidified his connection to the Nez Perce tribe. Through his marriage, he gained a deeper understanding of Nez Perce culture, customs, and traditions, and he became a respected member of the community.
In 1840, Fort Davy Crockett was abandoned, marking the end of an era for Craig and his partners. That same year, Craig, along with his trapper friends Robert Newell and Joe Meek, served as guides for a missionary party traveling to Fort Hall, Idaho, and the Whitman Mission near Walla Walla, Washington. The missionaries, led by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, sought to convert the Native American tribes of the region to Christianity. Craig’s knowledge of the terrain and his understanding of Native American cultures proved invaluable in guiding the missionary party through the unfamiliar landscape.
While Newell and Meek, along with their families, chose to settle in the fertile Willamette Valley of Oregon, Craig opted to join his Nez Perce wife on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho. There, he established a farm near Lapwai, embracing a more settled lifestyle while maintaining his connection to the Nez Perce community.
The arrival of Reverend Henry Harmon Spalding at the Nez Perce Reservation brought new challenges for William Craig. Spalding, a fervent missionary, sought to eradicate Native American customs and traditions and replace them with Christian values. Craig, who had developed a deep respect for Nez Perce culture, often found himself at odds with Spalding’s dogmatic approach. Despite their differences, Spalding recognized Craig’s value as a hard worker and his influence within the Nez Perce community. During the panic that followed the Whitman Massacre in 1847, Craig provided refuge for Spalding’s wife and children, demonstrating his commitment to protecting those in need, regardless of their background.
In 1848, Craig was appointed as an Indian Agent for the Nez Perce tribe at Fort Boise. In this role, he served as an interpreter, mediator, and peacemaker between the U.S. government and the Nez Perce people. He worked to protect the interests of the Nez Perce, advocate for their rights, and foster understanding and cooperation between the two cultures. He also occasionally scouted for the army, utilizing his knowledge of the terrain and his understanding of Native American movements to assist in military operations. During the Yakima Indian War in Washington, Craig volunteered his services, eventually attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
The Treaty of 1855 granted Craig and his wife, Isabel, 640 acres of land in the Lapwai Valley, Idaho, then part of the newly formed Nez Perce reservation. This land grant recognized Craig’s contributions to the region and provided him with a permanent home for his family. He continued to serve as an Indian agent until 1859, after which he operated a hotel and stage stop on his farm, catering to travelers and settlers passing through the area.
In 1861, Craig expanded his business ventures by acquiring a ferry across the Snake River in Lewiston, Idaho. This ferry provided a crucial transportation link for people and goods traveling through the region. He sold the ferry in 1864, and it changed hands several times before ceasing operations in 1913.
William Craig died of a stroke on October 16, 1869, leaving behind a legacy as a frontiersman, trapper, and cultural intermediary. He and other members of his family are buried at the Jaques Spur Cemetery in Jacques, Idaho. William Craig’s life exemplifies the complex and often contradictory forces that shaped the American West. He was a product of his time, driven by the lure of opportunity and adventure, but he also demonstrated a capacity for empathy, understanding, and cross-cultural cooperation. His story serves as a reminder of the human element in the history of westward expansion, highlighting the interactions, conflicts, and collaborations that shaped the American frontier.