The Life And Adventures Of James P. Beckwourth, Mountaineer, Scout, And Pioneer, And Chief Of The Crow Nation Of Indians

T. D. BONNER

Publication: Harper & Brothers, 1856, New York

First Edition. 8vo. Original Black Cloth with Title, Illustrations, and Harper Brothers in gilt on spine. Harpers stamped in blind on front and back covers. xii, 13-537 pp., Frontis., Preface, Illustrated, Plates. The famous mountain man and explorer James Beckwourth dictated his memoirs to Bonner and includes details of his life as a scout, big game hunter, and frontiersman in the old West. He also describes how he became a chief of the Crow nation, as well as numerous battles with the Cheyenne and other tribes. Graff 347 says, "Beckwourth's life is a classic of pioneer days in the West." Howes 592 says, "Highly colored, but basically authentic, narrative of a noted mountain character." "After many years in the Rockies as a mountain man, Beckwourth journeyed west from New Mexico to California, arriving in 1844. Two years later, he came back to New Mexico with a drove of stolen horses. He returned to California, discovered the pass through the Sierra Nevada that still bears his name, and operated a hotel and trading post in Beckwourth Valley. Some time after 1858 he returned to his old life in the Rockies. He Testifieds in the Sand Creek investigation in 1865 and died in the following year."--Wagner/Camp 272. "One of the best-known mountain man narratives, questioned as to its veracity on some points, but evidently mostly true, and one of the most readable of such accounts. Beckwourth was a mulatto who first went west to escape the prejudices of his native Virginia. His colorful career encompassed life as a trapper, Indian fighter, Crow chief, trader, and horse thief."--Bill Reese, Best Of The West-139. There are also many incidents described of hunting on the plains and in the Rocky Mountains. An exceptionally bright, attractive copy from the library of famous western artist and illustrator, Frederic Remington, with his large, distinctive bookplate on front pastedown endpaper. Small, neatly written presentation of another past owner, and some rubbing on front endpapers. Very small bookseller's stamp in upper corner of front pastedown. A handsome copy of this important biography, and desirable association copy. Protected in a clamshell box with title, year of publication, and "From The Library of Frederic Remington" in gilt on leather labels on spine.