Jim Bridger, the Mountain Man
Jim Bridger was known as “old Jim Bridger, “ the “grand old man of the Rockies.’’ He was the greatest scout, guide, trapper, frontiersman, and plainsman of his time (Hebard 1). He was described as a friendly man, kind, truthful, gentle, and respected by most. Jim also had a great sense of humor and liked to tell tall tales. Jim Bridger affected western history significantly for a variety of reasons.
Jim Bridger was born in Richmond, Virginia, on March 17, 1804 (Hebard 1). He was just eight years old when he traveled by wagon with his parents to St Louis (Heiderstadt 88). At the age of thirteen, Jim’s parents died. Soon after the death of his parents, he got a job to make some money for himself and his sister (Heiderstadt 88). His first job was working on a flat boat ferry near St. Louis. This job was too difficult for a young boy so he went to work for a blacksmith. He worked as a blacksmith until the age of 18 and then wanted to explore the great west (Hebard 2). …show more content…
He was 18 years old and the youngest of the 100 members of the expedition (Chiaventone). He became a great marksman with his rifle, a good trapper and scout (Heiderstadt 89).
In 1824 Jim Bridger set out with a group of men to find an outlet for the Bear River (Heiderstadt 90). During the journey, Jim and his crew found a large body of water over a hill and believed it to be an arm of the Pacific Ocean because it was salty. It actually turned out to be the Great Salt Lake (Zimmerman). Jim Bridger was the first white man to see it.
Jim felt bad for pioneers traveling on the Oregon Trail so he built a trading post in Wyoming which was called Fort Bridger (Heiderstadt 91). Fort Bridger had a small store, a Blacksmith Shop, and a supply of iron for the travelers. It became an important resting stop and a place to get new
Jim Bridger was known as “old Jim Bridger, “ the “grand old man of the Rockies.’’ He was the greatest scout, guide, trapper, frontiersman, and plainsman of his time (Hebard 1). He was described as a friendly man, kind, truthful, gentle, and respected by most. Jim also had a great sense of humor and liked to tell tall tales. Jim Bridger affected western history significantly for a variety of reasons.
Jim Bridger was born in Richmond, Virginia, on March 17, 1804 (Hebard 1). He was just eight years old when he traveled by wagon with his parents to St Louis (Heiderstadt 88). At the age of thirteen, Jim’s parents died. Soon after the death of his parents, he got a job to make some money for himself and his sister (Heiderstadt 88). His first job was working on a flat boat ferry near St. Louis. This job was too difficult for a young boy so he went to work for a blacksmith. He worked as a blacksmith until the age of 18 and then wanted to explore the great west (Hebard 2). …show more content…
He was 18 years old and the youngest of the 100 members of the expedition (Chiaventone). He became a great marksman with his rifle, a good trapper and scout (Heiderstadt 89).
In 1824 Jim Bridger set out with a group of men to find an outlet for the Bear River (Heiderstadt 90). During the journey, Jim and his crew found a large body of water over a hill and believed it to be an arm of the Pacific Ocean because it was salty. It actually turned out to be the Great Salt Lake (Zimmerman). Jim Bridger was the first white man to see it.
Jim felt bad for pioneers traveling on the Oregon Trail so he built a trading post in Wyoming which was called Fort Bridger (Heiderstadt 91). Fort Bridger had a small store, a Blacksmith Shop, and a supply of iron for the travelers. It became an important resting stop and a place to get new