The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth: Mountaineer, Scout, and Pioneer and Chief of the Crow Nation of Indians

by T.D. Bonner

"As a free black man, Beckwourth never felt fully part of the cultures around him...or of even the Crow Nation that adopted him." -James Legendary Mountain Man (2005)
"In 1854, Beckwourth wanted the story of his life to be told in a book. He told his stories of his adventure to Thomas D. Bonner...justice of the peace." -James Beckwourth (2004)

James Pierson Beckwourth (1798 - 1866) was an American mountain man, fur trader, and explorer. An African American born into slavery in Virginia, he was freed by his father (and master) and apprenticed to a blacksmith; later he moved to the American West. As a fur trapper, he lived with the Crow for years. He is credited with the discovery of Beckwourth Pass through the Sierra Nevada (U.S.) Mountains between present-day Reno, Nevada and Portola, California during the California Gold Rush years, and improved the Beckwourth Trail, which thousands of settlers followed to central California.

He narrated his life story to Thomas D. Bonner, an itinerant justice of the peace. The book was published in New York and London in 1856 as The Life and Adventures of James P. Mountaineer, Scout and Pioneer, and Chief of the Crow Nation of Indians.

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1969

Reviews

[Ernest Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beckwourth deserves a place beside Davy Crockett and Buffalo Bill in Wild West mythology. Some of these recollections seem more like dime novels, but that's what Davy and Bill did, too. Some of the strangeness also seems to come from what may be truth. Beckourth's mixed race status isn't ever mentioned, but he moves easily between the white and Indian worlds. He can become a chief, with Indian wives and children, and still give advice about extermination. Yes, myths are celebrated, and challenged.

[Jerry Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great True Story

Bonner's autobiography gives the reader full insight to the life style of both the mountain men and the native Americans. His ability to survive in the extremes and perils of the plains and mountains is amazing. He provides the reader with a detailed picture of the western tribes.

[Russell G Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of traders western experiences in the 17th century.

I chose this rating because. Beckwourths account covers every angle as he saw it. He remains consistent throughout and never discredits himself. All in all, a great picture of those times in America.

[Daniel L Snider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

This narrative gives a good description of native American life in the west observed by one who lived it and who could see life from a white man's view and a red man's view.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Beckwourth lived an amazing life. He was born to a slave and his father was the master. At 8 or 9 he moved with his family and 22 slaves to St. Louis from Virginia. It seems he and his siblings were raised by both their mother and father and not as slaves. His father legal emancipated him three times. He attended school and was an apprentice to a blacksmith. After a violent episode with the blacksmith he was apprenticed to he left the apprenticeship against his fathers advice. After receiving his father's blessing, $500, a horse and saddle he headed farther west. He worked as a messenger, fur trapper, and after a tall tale told by and interpreter to a group of Crow Indians of Jim's abduction by the Cheyenne Indians from the Crow nation as a child and being sold to the white man he even ended up living with the Crow nation for 12 years. He rose to become an Indian chief. He had wives from the Blackfeet Indians, Crow Indians, and others along the way.

If you are interested in remarkable stories this is worth the read.