Ref.: ROME-54047
The Mountain Man Around the year 1680 Louis XIV was engaged in the conquest of land in the New Continent (La Nouvelle France), and after having sent out contingents of regular regimental troops as well as Troupes de la Marine, he offered a piece of land to all those who left service, on condition that they settled in the new territories. These former soldiers, living in close contact with the American Indians and often marrying their women (squaws), adapted themselves to their new environment and, learning from the Indians, became skilled hunters. They were given the name of 'trappers' because their method of hunting involved the use of animal traps. They were also called 'mountain men', although this name was not totally fitting as they also moved down to the plains to hunt. In 1803 France sold President Jefferson the entire territory extending from the Mississippi valley to the Rocky Mountains. The Americans now had to find a route westward. Until then, the Rocky Mountains to the west of the Union had been considered an impassable barrier. The trappers, who from hunting beaver were familiar with the passes through the Rocky Mountains and the waterways leading to the Pacific, became instrumental in the westward expansion of America. Between 1810 and 1840 beaver fur was greatly in demand in America's eastern markets and was used to make hats and clothing. In order to procure the furs the trappers were ready to face risks: indians, bears and inhospitable environments, managing to live both in the deserts and snowy areas. They used dagger, axe and bow, and they also had a powerful rifle which fired only one shot - the Hawken model - as the repeating rifle had not yet been invented. The fur trade ended when the demand ceased. Many trappers had already passed into history by opening the ways west for those people who were to become the pioneers of the West.