Four Years in the Rockies -- the Adventures of Isaac P. Rose--Hunter and Trapper in that Remote Region

by James B. Marsh

"The hunters and trappers of the far west were a brave, hardy and adventurous set of men, and they had peculiarities in their characters that cannot be found in any other people. Their character is a compound of two extremes — recklessness and caution — and isolation from the world makes them at all times self-reliant." No novel was ever written depicting more thrilling encounters with Indians or hair-breadth escapes than were experienced by Isaac Rose and his companions. These are fully recounted in a volume entitled, "Four Years in the Rockies," the authorship of which is accredited to James B. Marsh. It is a work full of interest for all readers. Isaac P. Rose (1815-1899) was a Rocky Mountain trapper and mountain man. He was nineteen years old when he left his plough and, in company with a companion, Joe Lewis, he made his way to Pittsburg. The boys had cherished the hope of securing employment as stage drivers but, as they found no opening in that direction, they accepted berths at $15 per month as deck hands on a steamboat that was then loading for St. Louis. When they reached the latter city, Rose found employment as a hack driver in a livery stable, and Lewis a job of attending to the horses. Here the boys became acquainted with a number of "Rocky Mountain Boys," as they were called, and became fascinated with their stories of mountain life, of fights with bear and adventures in buffalo, elk and deer hunting, together with skirmishes with the Indians. Soon after this he joined a company formed by Nathaniel Wyeth, which started from Independence for the Rocky Mountains, with an outfit worth $100,000, sixty men and 200 horses and mules heavily loaded with goods. At the Gallatin River Isaac Rose and his party were joined by some trappers belonging to the American Fur Company, one of whom was Kit Carson. For years this noted trapper and Mr. Rose were closely associated in their adventurous life. Later, Mr. Rose became so expert a trapper himself that he won a prize of $300 as a trapper of beaver. In 1836 he had a thrilling experience with Indians, which almost caused the loss of his arm. The author "The hunters and trappers of the far west, at the time when the incidents I am about to relate occurred, were a brave, hardy and adventurous set of men, and they had peculiarities in their characters that cannot be found in any other people. From the time they leave civilization they—metaphorically speaking—carry their lives in their hands. An enemy may be concealed in every thicket or looked for behind every rock. They have not only the wild and savage beasts to contend with, but the still more wily and savage Indian, and their life is one continual round of watchfulness and excitement. Their character is a compound of two extremes— recklessness and caution—and isolation from the world makes them at all times self-reliant. In moments of the greatest peril, or under the most trying circumstances, they never lose their presence of mind, but are ready to take advantage of any incident that may occur to benefit themselves or foil their enemies. "As, in the course of this narrative, we may have occasion to describe some of the trappers who were comrades of Mr. Rose, and who took part in many of his adventures, I wish my readers to be fully aware of the character of these men, and that their camp stories are not all idle boasting. A more hardy, fearless, improvident set of men can nowhere else be found."

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Travel, Audiobook, Westerns, American

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2010

Reviews

[Miles Sterrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it. I think it's a matter of expectations. It was written in the 1880s. I was expecting descriptions of the scenery and natural environment, people v nature or even people+nature stories. I got a lot of violence, a lot of frontier capitalism, a lot of demonization of natives. I should have expected that, but I didn't, so I was disappointed.

Your mileage may vary, as they say.

If you want a portrait of the fur trade business in the Rockies in the mid-1800s in all its gory form, you'll enjoy this.

[Tim Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on Isaac Rose and his four years as a beaver trapper in the era of the early 19th century mountain men. Rose was a contemporary--and friend--of Jim Bridger and Kit Carson.

What this reader found was a portrait of a man willing to face daily mortal risk, from both nature and other men. This lifestyle is foreign to our society, outside of a very small slice of first responders and military members. It's sad that the greater society is so risk-averse.

The book reflects well the humor and joy of the life these trappers lived. A favorite chapter heading (which include short summaries of what a reader will find in the chapter--a lost art) was: "Chapter 14, in Which the First Sermon in the Rocky Mountains Was Broken Up by a Herd of Buffalo..."

Two concluding thoughts. First, the author wrote 14o years ago while Rose still lived. Readers who are offended by ideas and language that don't meet 21st century standards may choose to put the book down. But such readers will also miss out rich history by restricting themselves only to history that does not offend.

Second, Scripture says that God evaluated His own creation, even before the fall, by noting, "it is not good for man to live alone." Marsh's book provides ample evidence of this timeless truth. The near total absence of women from this all-male community had predictable impacts on its members. Thank God for His good design.

[Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating, fun, and entertaining true story written 200 years ago by fur trappers taking on the hostile and dangerous frontier of the rocky mountains. I really enjoyed it! Also, the audio narrator does a fantastic job and made it all the more entertaining.

The prominent figure Isaac P. Rose chooses to leave behind the life of a city slicker to join a friend and others to face the harsh frontier to find fortune and adventure as hunters and fur trappers in the wild frontier whereupon he finds success. Together with other notables such as Kit Carson and Jim Bridger they battle and befriend native tribes, fight off wildlife such as grizzlies, and nearly perish under the elements.

I was met with a bit of shock at the very beginning of the book where it appeared that the author writes disparagingly of the Native American Indians. As the book progresses though, it's apparent that the author's contempt was not toward the natives in general but specifically the Blackfoot Indians with whom Rose's company battled frequently, and to a lesser degree the Shoshone. There is no denying the brutal tactics of the Blackfoot Indians during this time earning them the 'savage' moniker by their white counterparts who, in all fairness, often retaliated in kind. Many of the Native American tribes were their mortal enemies, and I think any normal person in such a time and situation would have felt the same kind of resentment and uttered the same kind of language.

More often than not, Rose and those in his company often befriended the Indians, formed alliances, assisted them, lived among them, and even married them. They often spoke in awe and amazement of the natives, particularly some of the women with whom they traveled and treated like royalty.

It is naive and foolish to judge the author and these men according to today's standards and political correctness, particularly since today we have a vastly different and more informed perspective on Native American people than people did at this time and place.

I read this on the heels of "Astoria" another book about fur trappers and explorers who ventured into the same area several years prior to Isaac Rose's group, but after the Lewis and Clark expedition.

[Eric Trotman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read as a secondhand account of the crazy ass days of the fur trapping trade in the American West, and when it wasn’t problematic to describe people as “savages” and “half-breeds”. It was a hard life, and one of adventure and masculine bravado that gives rise to the mystique of the Western US and rugged individualism.
It’s interesting, and I’m glad I’m not a trapper in 1840s America.

[Jan Komrska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Isaac Rose traveled with his friend Joe Lewis from New Castle PA to Pittsburgh to find a job to drive team or stage. Unsuccessful in their job hunt they got hired as deck hands on a boat to St Louis where they joined Rocky Mountains Fur Company. They were trapping and hunting alongside other American and Frenchmen as well as Flatheads, Nez Perce and Delaware Indians in the area of southern Idaho, northern Utah and western Wyoming. Rose became successful beaver trapper winning the price for delivering the highest number of the beaver skin. Unfortunately they experienced frequent clashes with Blackfeet Indians and Rose was wounded in his shoulder during one of the skirmishes. He was also captured by the Crow Indians, but succeeded to escape after a short time. After four years with the company he returned back to New Caste PA, where he became beloved school teacher.

[Benedict · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book follows the experiences of Isaac P. Rose, who became a fur trapper for a few years in mid-1800s America.

I've read a couple of books about this time period so the general tone of American disregard for natives or the land didn't shock me, but that's sort of all this story has to offer. It's a rip-roaring tale of derring-do in the wilderness, fighting Indians, escaping bears, having competitions to trap the most beavers... which would be fine if I were a 12-year-old boy, but when you're an adult on their 21st century high-horse I can't help but see the sickening racism in how the Indians are treated and the disgusting disregard for nature in how these trappers did their business.

It's all a bit too lads-lads-lads, which is fine if you're into that but not for me.

[Drew Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a secondary source. The author (Marsh) states that Rose took no written notes during his adventures. This story is based on the stories that Rose told to Marsh upon his return to the east. Having read Osborn Russel’s diary that he kept while spending nine years trapping in the rockies where he actually met Rose, this book takes on a decidedly more theatrical and anti-Indian tone that Russel’s personal account. I believe this book is still of value, though I read it’s stories and depictions of the tribes with caution. Still, it provided interesting insight into the life of a fur trapper.

[Jim White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Much Non-stop Action

The Rocky Mountain trapper, in this case, Isaac Rose, was as tough and hearty as they come. If they weren't, they didn't live long. This book makes it clear --- the worst enemy of the trappers was the Blackfeet Indians. Really an interesting and entertaining book.

[shari lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful narritive of those who pioneered the west

While written over a century and a half ago, this narrative the trappers that populated the Rockies in the early to mid 1800's was exceedingly informative. I learned so much about our country's beginnings not known at all before.

[John Luten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Well written Account

It was written in a fast moving pace. It covered the four years relatively well. The language used was good with no profanity. It was so written one could pretty well picture what was going on. It was a nice relaxing fread. Well do.

[mike walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is a t tragic subject, it seems to be 'repeated hout the years

. It shames me. I guess greed is a human factor that we must accept. At least it seems to be repeated throughout history

[Robert McInnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wild country we live in. I loved reading about the history of places out west where I’ve spent a great deal of time traveling in. The narrative is caustic at times, but it reads like most historical accounts of the bloody forays into the American West.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating contemporary look into the rugged people who went west in the US early in the 19th century. I found the acts performed by these people extraordinary. I also found the callous sentiments expressed at the loss of life.

[Kay Schmitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A True Adventure

There is a very clear message in the end....
An amazing story of survival. I never knew there were so many tribes of indians!

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Either this guy was Super Mountain Man Fur Trapper or these are a lot of tall tales.

[Sandy Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, especially for those who live in the Rockies. My husband enjoyed it a bit more than me as he enjoys the outdoor details more. Got a little draggy for me at times.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

[Mark McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like some westerns and love outdoor books. This one just didn’t engage me.

[Jen Mahoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on the 19th century mountain man. A biographical memoir of Isaac P. Rose’s encounters during his four years traveling with a fur company when the beaver fur trade was thriving, including wild stories about grizzly bears and indigenous people. I can’t help but consider the viewpoint the indigenous people could have had in these stories, but again, an interesting perspective. This book left me yearning to get back out and visit Yellowstone again.

[mike lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting adventure

Another great read of adventure just makes you want to experience that frontier life yourself. Even though the hardships these men went through if you are the outdoor type you will see what I mean

[Mai-Lan Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent description of the place and time

Very readable and absorbing narrative of a man with an adventurous nature and his four years adventure in the Rocky Mountains as a trapper!

[Robert VanBuhler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining read about a Mountain Man trapper. The more the merrier.

[George Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was an easy read with some learning on how hard it was to live

[Kai Brantley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to remember that this book was written in 1884. If you still celebrate Columbus Day you’ll probably like this one. There is some interesting history and some of the writing itself is good.

[Jeremy Rippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting

I enjoy books about the area of the United States I am from and familiar with. A perspective of life almost lost.

[Vince Pillig]

Someone I never heard of ?

Very interesting. Never heard of this individual but it was a good read seems accurate depicts the adventures of that time .