James (Jim) Bridger James Felix Bridger was born on March 17, 1804. In his life he was a trapper, trader, merchant, indian translator , guide, and an army officer. He was a very tall man, in fact he was over 6 feet tall. He had brown hair and gray eyes. James was also called Old Gabe, or Jim. Many say that his sense of humor was remarkable. He would tell travelers stories and boomed with laughter when they realized most of the story wasn't true. He once was an apprentice to a blacksmith at the age of 14. He also joined a group of frontiersmen at the age 17, and was the youngest in the group. There was another man in the group named Hugh Glass, who was mauled by a bear. James and another man were left behind to help him. They both thought
