My Grandfather was born in 1903. He was a trapper and woodsman pretty much his whole life. Dad remarked Gramp was born 100 years too late. I feel the same way about me. There are men that will survive today, but you won't see them on a Walmart corner with the cardboard sign when the temperature goes below freezing.
I feel like I should had been born in the 17th or 18th century as well. I'm an avid muzzle loading hunter and competitor. I only possess side lock muzzleloaders and cap n ball revolvers. I entrust my life to my 1858 Remington and spare cylinder every trip to town. I've tested my loads and all 6 shoot after 12 months of being loaded do to sealing the nipple with "finger nail polish" and the chambers with "OxYoke" wonder seals, basically a mixture of beeswax and oils. I love history and everything about it and my collection of muzzle loaders, I even love to clean them and keep them shiny.
Where I hunt, the far northeastern corner of Washington State we have Grizzlies and all other apex predators. I go solo for 9 days during blackpowder season. I take 2 .50 pistols and 2 rifles a .50 and a .54. I don't have a horse or pack animal. A quad and a little trailer work good for my 200 lbs + off gear, I don't ruff it. My friends can't believe I don't carry a modern high power pistol which is legal for self defense during bp season. I pack a tomahawk, long shank or Bowie knife when in camp. The 9 days alone in the Salmo Priest Wilderness every year is my reset to center. It makes you think of every reaction to your action. Situation awareness becomes second nature. Good hunting Gentlemen.
Don't you think a man born in 1903 is a lot closer to a man from 1803 than a man born in 2003 is to the man from 1903? I remember seeing an early John Wayne movie from the early 1930s, not a western but a pioneer movie. They probably had people working on that movie who's parents got to California in a wagon. Now the world has advanced and moved so fast we're moving farther away from any meaningful connection to our past. So be happy and proud your grandfather was able to live exactly how he wanted to no matter the year he was born
Im Not The Only Old Timer Who Rembers That Tune !!!! GLAD OF THAT !!!! AS LONG AS THEIR IS A USA ! . DONT LET HIS MEMORY DIE ! FOR I DOUBT IF WE WOULD BE HERE ! IF IT WERENT FOR MEN.LIKE JIM !!!
Then allowing someone to dig the arrowhead out of his backbone without so much as wincing from the incredible pain. Those old mountain men were the toughest Americans in history.
I have always admired men like Jim Bridger. People who wanted to see what is over the horizon. And not just that but a willingness to learn about new people and their cultures, as well as adopting those cultures. Thanks for sharing
The problem was that there was already someone living over that horizon and when your discovered by anglo's it's never good for the one's already there.
From The Time I Was A Child, I Wanted To Be Free To Live In The Mountains, But I Never Had The Chance To Live My Dream & Now I Am To Old, To Live Out My Dream...
A worthy dream for sure genny. I have had lots of comments by people who say they were born 100 years too late. You sound like one of those type people. Thanks for watching the video.
Truly where's there's nothing to lose as an orphan but a man with a vision for adventurer and definitely won the trust of many peoples like Native American. Columbia River Knife & Tool used to make the Bridger a hunting skinning knife of which I have one.
@@TomBTerrific i already live in the mountains haha. Just would like to live back then like my ancestors elias and hezekiah. Both frontiersmen and crossed into indian territory before the revolutionary war. They lived some pretty adventurous lives.
This is why I love going out west! Reading books then go and see where and what they were seeing.. To fellow Mt men friends. I recommend reading The journey of Crazy Horse. It's wrote by a direct decendant of the Crazy Horse tribe. Then go and see where it all took place.. it's awesome!. I can listen to this all day long. I just picture myself with them . Thanks for the history lesson. And keep up the awesome work..
The West seems to be a rather broad concept. A lot of people associate it with cowboys, cattle drives, the Southwest, things like that. It is also mountain men, coureurs de bois, voyageurs, people like Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, things like that.
Knowing and reenacting our pioneers, and trappers lives gives an escape from reality and a true love for our country and the men and women who lived and died for it.
Thanks for the intro to one of my childhood and to this day heroes. He is one of the reasons why I got into blackpowder and rendezvous. Been doing.so for 30yrs . I live in KC and story has it his house faced west and he would sit out every evening looking and yearning for the west. I like how the movie Reverent showed the young Bridger
It is so impressive as to what was done to give us America. Far to many overlook the trials that it took to build this country. Only to be on its path to our end. Men, like Jim Bridger endured much for our benefit.
@@maxzzyzx8038 thats winning. Native tribes completely wiped other tribes off the map. They didnt give them reservations or monetary compensation. They didnt make treaties with them and allocate land where they could live. They killed every last member of an opposing tribe. Good thing the white man is far more merciful than the natives were. The right to conquest was fully understood by native tribes. It was understood by everyone in that time period.
I’ve read Diary of a Trapper by Osborne Russel, Kit Carson’s biography, and many others, the common denominator is always Jim Bridger. He was a fixture of that time. Great man indeed
You had to be tough as nails to live this type of life. My grandpa, a farmer for most of his life, and who was a Veteran of WW2, was probably one of the few "modern day" men, who could've lived such a life. He was a fairly big man, strong as steel; from all the years of farm life, and could certainly handle himself in a fight. He was never the type to look for a fight, but he could finish one if need be.
He embodied the values of physical adaptability, craftsmanship as well as skill in the outdoors, resourcefulness and self-reliance. His life exemplifies the achievements of a leading frontiersman of the mid-19th century. Dale L. Morgan's book, "Jedediah Smith and the Opening of the West (1953)", examined many of the same people and provided numerous insights into Bridger's life and contributions. He was truly an amazing individual!
@@historymore442 The dedication you have displayed, through the preparation of this video, as well as the research, is truly astounding! The values I mentioned, represent the philosophical pillars of the organization I work for, the Outward Bound. Anyway, I look forward to your next video!
@@kneesusforjesus2879 I agree! My father acquired it when he was in the USA on a course sponsored by the Malaysian navy. My father had an appreciation for history especially the west! My father and I also read "Jedediah Smith and the Opening of the West" by the same auther.
Yeah John good comment. Most think of a Rocky Mountain pass as being in steep mountain terrain, however, the south pass is in an area of rolling plains usable by covered wagons of the day. It was an important part of the trail used by many of the wagon trains of the era. Thanks for watching the video.
I like stories like these as an Australian because we have similar people like buckler who did similar things found about Jim Bridger cuz of Johnny Horton which is my favorite artist/singer
I heard a story years ago about Jim Bridger and that he advised George A. Custer to respect the Indians and their ways and of course we all know the history and how it turned out for Custer.
"He spoke with General Custer and said listen Yellow Hair The Sioux are the great nation so treat 'em fair and square Sit in on their war councils, don't laugh away their pride But Custer didn't listen at Little Big Horn Custer died"
I love how stories of Bridgers life seem to conveintly overlook his abandoning Hugh Glass after the grizzly mauling and his contribution to the Donner party tragedy
I honestly don’t understand the issue with them leaving Hugh Glass, I wouldn’t have been upset had I been in Hughs position. He got attacked by a grizzly bear and somehow survived but the assumed he was going to die. When they didn’t they carried him for 2 days and then after that left 2 men with him for 5 days before they left as well. Him surviving was a miracle, I’m sure they had all seen men attacked by a grizzly bear before but none had seen someone survive after being attacked like Hugh was
@@PapaVamp Well Glass was pissed off enough to hunt down Bridger to take revenge . The only thing that saved Bridger apparently was Glass took pity on him becuase of his age. Oh ya Fitzgerald and Bridger were under orders to stay with Glass until he died. When that apparently wasn't going to happen any time soon they threw some dirt on him stole his gear and left. Ya, Glass was pissed.
I believe Jim is the reason why Utah has a notch and not square. I've read 2 reasons but I like Jim's. Read quite a bit about the Wild West and mad camping trips to South Pass, Black Hills, Wounded Knee and many stops along the Pony Express. Spent several years around Canyon de Chelly, Az.
We had iron arrow heads , Mosinee ,named by blackfoot . Means will go thru .Erving Blackfoot used to come have coffee with mom and dad when I was young.
Actually there old historic places scattered around our country. In N.W. Nebraska there us The Fur Trappers Museum and Old Fort Robinson where the Plains Indians came in and went under the U.S. Army's leadership.
I remember the epic How The West was Won with Jimmy Stewart talking about him and Jim Bridger and a Bear. Best western in history. Check it out. I have it on VCR Tape. From my fathers collection. Family Movie .
I've camped alongside beaver in the North Maine Woods, the White cliffs of the Missouri, and a few other places. It would break my heart to kill these bright, industrious critters that are so helpful to retaining water in dry regions.
I lived in Bozeman Montana for 17 years and Bridger has many namesakes secured around that area. One is Bridger Bowl ski area. Thanks i will go see his grave stone at Mt Washington as i live in Kansas city. Great Video
I spend a lot of my time on the Neches and Angelina Rivers here in East Texas. Only difference is I have a 14 foot flat bottom with an old Johnson 9.9, a weatherproof tent, Igloo ice chest, canned goods, bottled water, million candle power spotlight.....you get the picture. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to navigate the waters and terrain people like Bridger, Jedediah Smith, John Sutter, etc came across in their careers with the modest supplies they had at their disposal! Great vid!
One of my best friends was Jake Korrell, he lived to a couple of days before his 100th Birthday! He had trapped all over Wyoming for over 75 years. 2 Days before his death, he caught 5 Coyotes! The man ived a long life and lived it on his terms! He once told me, at a Mountain Man Rendezvous, that he and I were the only ones there that really knew what it was like to BE a Mountain Man, as they were in old times! That was a compliment I will always treasure! He always complimented me on the way I took care of my furs when bringing them to him for sale! I always got top dollar because I knew taking care of my furs in a very good way, brought me good money! I'm not so sure about reincarnation, but if there is such a thing, I think Jake Korell was the reincarnation of Jim Bridger!
For sure,if you've been in a Colorado blizzard,in your CAR,can you even imagine surviving or riding in that?I'm afraid that grit is long gone from most modern men.Thanks for your great videos!
Great video and looking forward to more. If you ever get the chance be sure to visit the aptly named Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming, especially the area where the Little Greys River is located. You would appreciate the ruggedness and you might see some of the big mule deer bucks there area is know for.
I have visited the Bridger-Teton area on several occasions. The Jackson Hole area is one of my favorite places in all the world. Thanks for watching the video elkhunter.
When a person is trying to find what life is all about, they will never find the true answer until they find the truth of God! Why because man was created to know and have fellowship with God, the creations of God will never take the place of God.
Jim Bridger is my 3rd cousin 7 times removed, so he's a very distant ancestor of mine. It's so cool to have a famous person and a mountain man of all people to be in my family. I see a lot of the same outdoorsy traits and mannerisms that my grandfather has.
Yeah but it's less cool when you realize Jim was the main cause of the Donner party tragedy... 40 people died and cannibalized, all so Jim could make a buck or two.
Also just curious, do you have the surname Bridger in your family? Cause the more I look into it, the more I'm starting to think that if I don't have a son out of wedlock. The name Bridger is gonna die with me. 😮
I knew the name Jim Bridger but knew nothing about him. As I Child I read a book about Kit Carson. We all knew about Daniele Boone. Seems I never take the time to read books. You can learn a lot in a short time from a well Presented video like this. Thanks for posting. I purchased a DVD called "The Grand Kankakee River Everglades of the North" It is sold by a PBS station. I highly recommend it. I will find a link and post it as a comment below. I live in SW MI not far from South Bend IN and I never heard about the Everglades of the North while growing up .
My great grandmother was a Bridger and Jim Bridger is my 2nd cousin, 6 times removed. That bit of history and about $5 will get you a used copy of undoubtedly the best book on Jim Bridger -- "Jim Bridger: Mountain Man" by Stanley Vestal. It's a good read.
richard w - my all time favorite movie. historical accuracy, acting, cinematography, costume, directing, etc, were top notch; hard to believe it is almost 50 years old...
@@z-z-z-z do you listen to Overture before the actual film begins? I love when the storekeeper tells Jeremiah “ride due west as the sun sets, turn left at the Rocky Mountains”
Jim is an ancestor of mine. Didn't know till I did ancestry. Find him very interesting . Love learning about him and the rest of the Bridger's. His great uncle Joseph Bridger of isle of wight va also has interesting life you may like to read about.
Nice Vid. You Left out the historical documentation of the of the Grizzly Bear attack on the experienced Trapper Hugh Glass’. Jim Bridger’ just 19 years old at the time. Bridger and another senior trapper were left behind to care For Glass who was near Death. The Rest is History. Glass was left for Dead but Survived after Crawling miles to the nearest Out-post. Bridger Truly was one of the Greatest mountain men . Friend of the Indians and Explorer and trail blazer. Amazing that He Lived to a very ripe old age🇺🇸
Thanks for watching Sage Runner. I have another video about Hugh Glass and the bear attack. In that video young Bridger's role in the bear attack event is discussed. Here is a link to that video. ruclips.net/video/uUHMqpOsB2I/видео.html
I had read numerous novels on Hugh Glass & the 1st time I saw the Revenent; I shut it off. A number of years later, I told myself, for get the True History & watch the movie. It was a good Movie, it just did not follow the Story. Jim Bridger was quite Young, but he Was part of the party that left Hugh Glass for dead.
The mountain men were the toughest of the lot. When you read about Crow Killer, Jim Bridger, Hugh Glass, etc you realise these were hardy, self-sufficient men.
Thanks Ken. My voice, accent, and style of narration get quite a few comments, some negative some positive. I like the ones from people like you, but also understand that you can't please everyone. Anyway, thanks for watching the video.
I'm a rugged gentleman myself and people always tell me I am from the 1800s but I am no where near the man these men were. I am a soft little puppy dog in comparison.
So i heard Brad Pitt in inglosrious bastards mention Jim Bridger..... Then looked.him.and.found this vid.... Fascinating story here. I'm an Indian, from India. Never been to the Americas!!
I'm sorry, but Jim Bridger was NOT "King Of the Mountain Men." I honestly believe that that title, goes solely to Hugh Glass!! The Toughest, Manliest Mountain Man, and likely the Toughest Man to ever walk this planet. Bridger's exploits, don't even hold a candle to Hugh Glass. 💪💪💪
You should do a documentary on Simon Kenton. Now there was an impressive frontiersman with an incredible story, from when he ran away (at I think 16 years of age) after he thought he beat a man to death (the man lived), to getting caught by the Shawnee Indians and forced to run numerous gauntlets, to saving Daniel Boone's life TWICE, to his fighting in the French and Indian War. A great book to read, which centers on Simon Kenton, is "The Frotiersmen," by Allan W Eckert. It's out of print, but you can buy used copies or maybe get it at your local library. Check out the reviews on Amazon.
I'm not familiar with Kenton, but he sounds interesting. I''ll see if I can get a copy of the book. Thanks for the heads up Alan, and thanks for watching the Bridger video.
@@historymore442 Kenton was a good man, but badass if you pissed him off. Some of the stories of his escape from the Shawnee, were incredible. Another story was about him eating dinner in a saloon, and Andrew Jackson (back in his surveying days as a young man) came in and cold-cocked him from behind for no reason. Big mistake! Kenton, who was 6'5", kicked his ass. He could have killed him and changed history.
Simon Kenton was one of the greatest - Daniel Boone had a great biographer, Kenton did not. Later in life he defended his Shawnee friend (a chief) from attempted murderers. The chief was living on Kenton's farm - (this is after the Indian Wars for that area) which is still there - near Bellefontaine, Ohio. Kenton knew Simon Girty and Benjamin Logan, he once saved Boone's life, was adopted into the Shawnee tribe and was present at the battle of the Thames when one of the greatest of American's, Tecumseh, was killed. Reportedly he made sure Tecumseh's body was not mutilated and called any mutilating soldiers cowards. The story of his fight with Andrew Jackson is one for the history books. His tombstone (buried in Urbana) says, "Full of honors, full of years".
@@stevehinds2227 Yes, he knew Tecumseh, though not closely, as Tecumseh was a bit younger than him. According to that book, Kenton saved Boone’s life, twice. He was a crack shot with a long rifle. He tried to talk to Sam Girty out of going to fight with the French.
@@alan30189 Spot on about Boone...Re Girty and Kenton: He and Girty disagreed over who chose the right side - however to be clear Girty was not really pro British, but he was pro First Nation. He and Kenton respected each other. Early in his life he had been captured and adopted by the Seneca. Eventually, during the bloody years, he would marry the most beautiful woman in Detroit, Catherine Mallott, she had been a Delaware captive. He sided with the tribes because of how they were being horribly mistreated. People tried to vilify him but in truth he got a lot of frontier folks released from captivity as he was trusted by honorable Frontiersmen and by the First Nations. Girty is buried in a small backyard mausoleum in Canada - Amherstburg - his house faced the lake. There is a marker on the frontal road and the mausoleum is in the backyard. I have retraced every place Kenton lived - from his humble hard scrabble beginnings to Kentucky and eventually to Ohio and Ontario (War of 1812).
Most underappreciated hero of America.
Definitely an incredible guy Bethel. Thanks for watching.
Thank You, For Your Kind Words. Genny.
My Grandfather was born in 1903. He was a trapper and woodsman pretty much his whole life. Dad remarked Gramp was born 100 years too late. I feel the same way about me. There are men that will survive today, but you won't see them on a Walmart corner with the cardboard sign when the temperature goes below freezing.
Good comment p char. Thanks for watching.
I feel like I should had been born in the 17th or 18th century as well. I'm an avid muzzle loading hunter and competitor. I only possess side lock muzzleloaders and cap n ball revolvers. I entrust my life to my 1858 Remington and spare cylinder every trip to town. I've tested my loads and all 6 shoot after 12 months of being loaded do to sealing the nipple with "finger nail polish" and the chambers with "OxYoke" wonder seals, basically a mixture of beeswax and oils. I love history and everything about it and my collection of muzzle loaders, I even love to clean them and keep them shiny.
Ant that the Truth.
Where I hunt, the far northeastern corner of Washington State we have Grizzlies and all other apex predators. I go solo for 9 days during blackpowder season. I take 2 .50 pistols and 2 rifles a .50 and a .54. I don't have a horse or pack animal. A quad and a little trailer work good for my 200 lbs + off gear, I don't ruff it. My friends can't believe I don't carry a modern high power pistol which is legal for self defense during bp season. I pack a tomahawk, long shank or Bowie knife when in camp. The 9 days alone in the Salmo Priest Wilderness every year is my reset to center. It makes you think of every reaction to your action. Situation awareness becomes second nature. Good hunting Gentlemen.
Don't you think a man born in 1903 is a lot closer to a man from 1803 than a man born in 2003 is to the man from 1903? I remember seeing an early John Wayne movie from the early 1930s, not a western but a pioneer movie. They probably had people working on that movie who's parents got to California in a wagon. Now the world has advanced and moved so fast we're moving farther away from any meaningful connection to our past. So be happy and proud your grandfather was able to live exactly how he wanted to no matter the year he was born
Let's drink to old Jim Bridger
Yes lift your glasses high
As long as there's a USA don't let his memory die
Here here Hans. I'll drink to that. Thanks for watching.
I'll drink to that.
Bridger did not drink. And he was always close to his bible. Real.
Johnny Horton👍Americana as it gets🇺🇸
Im Not The Only Old Timer Who
Rembers That Tune !!!!
GLAD OF THAT !!!!
AS LONG AS THEIR IS A
USA ! .
DONT LET HIS MEMORY
DIE !
FOR I DOUBT IF WE WOULD BE
HERE !
IF IT WERENT FOR MEN.LIKE
JIM !!!
This man had an arrowhead in his back for 3 years? That alone makes him a superhero!
Yep Born and Raised, pretty incredible. As always, thankd for watching.
I couldn't imagine going 3 years with a splinter in my back lol this guy was a savage
Then allowing someone to dig the arrowhead out of his backbone without so much as wincing from the incredible pain. Those old mountain men were the toughest Americans in history.
I have always admired men like Jim Bridger. People who wanted to see what is over the horizon. And not just that but a willingness to learn about new people and their cultures, as well as adopting those cultures.
Thanks for sharing
Greetings BB. Thanks for your loyalty watching the channel videos.
The problem was that there was already someone living over that horizon and when your discovered by anglo's it's never good for the one's already there.
From The Time I Was A Child, I Wanted To Be Free To Live In The Mountains, But I Never Had The Chance To Live My Dream & Now I Am To Old, To Live Out My Dream...
A worthy dream for sure genny. I have had lots of comments by people who say they were born 100 years too late. You sound like one of those type people. Thanks for watching the video.
@@historymore442 Thank You, For Your Kind Words. Genny
Truly where's there's nothing to lose as an orphan but a man with a vision for adventurer and definitely won the trust of many peoples like Native American. Columbia River Knife & Tool used to make the Bridger a hunting skinning knife of which I have one.
Bridger definitely was a special man Tom. Thanks for watching.
what id do to be a mountain man back then. a true adventure
Mountains are still there, just fined a different source of income.
@@TomBTerrific i already live in the mountains haha. Just would like to live back then like my ancestors elias and hezekiah. Both frontiersmen and crossed into indian territory before the revolutionary war. They lived some pretty adventurous lives.
This is why I love going out west! Reading books then go and see where and what they were seeing.. To fellow Mt men friends. I recommend reading The journey of Crazy Horse. It's wrote by a direct decendant of the Crazy Horse tribe. Then go and see where it all took place.. it's awesome!. I can listen to this all day long. I just picture myself with them . Thanks for the history lesson. And keep up the awesome work..
thanks for the kind words Dennis, and thanks for watching the video.
The West seems to be a rather broad concept. A lot of people associate it with cowboys, cattle drives, the Southwest, things like that. It is also mountain men, coureurs de bois, voyageurs, people like Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, things like that.
My grandfather was a guide for 55 years and use to tell awesome stories I miss him
I bet his stories were incredible. Thanks for watching Fred.
Wow! Just thought it was a Johnny Horton song😲 very cool 👍
I love history aboout this time!!
Knowing and reenacting our pioneers, and trappers lives gives an escape from reality and a true love for our country and the men and women who lived and died for it.
Well said Paul. Thanks for watching.
Excellent story !!!
Excellent biopic, thank you for introducing us to Mr. Bridger and his adventures.
Thanks for the intro to one of my childhood and to this day heroes. He is one of the reasons why I got into blackpowder and rendezvous. Been doing.so for 30yrs . I live in KC and story has it his house faced west and he would sit out every evening looking and yearning for the west.
I like how the movie Reverent showed the young Bridger
His story is quite a testament to Bridger. A real man's man. Thanks for watching Dave.
My Grandfather was a wood's man in Escanaba Upper Peninsula Michigan in the 1930's, same thing as a forest ranger back then, he was quite the guy.
I wish Hollywood would make a movie about the entire life of Jim Bridger what a great movie it would be
Agree wholeheartedly Ambrose. Thanks for watching the video.
@@historymore442 your very welcome
Would also love to know more about " Broken Hand " Tom Fitzpatrick . . . those guys have always been my heros, win, lose, or draw.
Yep Ken he was a famous one. I'll probably eventually do one on him. Thanks for watching.
It is so impressive as to what was done to give us America. Far to many overlook the
trials that it took to build this country. Only to be on its path to our end. Men, like Jim Bridger endured much for our benefit.
Good comment Richard. I completely agree. Thanks for watching.
By give you mean steal.
@@maxzzyzx8038 no. Won. Through rightful conquest. Something the natives back then fully understood
@@John_on_the_mountainby won you mean commiting genocide.
@@maxzzyzx8038 thats winning. Native tribes completely wiped other tribes off the map. They didnt give them reservations or monetary compensation. They didnt make treaties with them and allocate land where they could live. They killed every last member of an opposing tribe. Good thing the white man is far more merciful than the natives were. The right to conquest was fully understood by native tribes. It was understood by everyone in that time period.
I’m glad I found out about Jim Bridger! Mountain men are so cool!
Yes they are Xandario. Thanks for viewing.
If one of them would hear you say that, theyd grimace and walk away from you.
Thank you.
I’ve read Diary of a Trapper by Osborne Russel, Kit Carson’s biography, and many others, the common denominator is always Jim Bridger. He was a fixture of that time. Great man indeed
You had to be tough as nails to live this type of life. My grandpa, a farmer for most of his life, and who was a Veteran of WW2, was probably one of the few "modern day" men, who could've lived such a life.
He was a fairly big man, strong as steel; from all the years of farm life, and could certainly handle himself in a fight. He was never the type to look for a fight, but he could finish one if need be.
Tough as nails Cowboy. Thanks for watching.
Awesome! American history at its finest. Bridger , Campbell real life Patriarchs of a blossoming Nation.
Thanks for watching Tracy.
He embodied the values of physical adaptability, craftsmanship as well as skill in the outdoors, resourcefulness and self-reliance.
His life exemplifies the achievements of a leading frontiersman of the mid-19th century.
Dale L. Morgan's book, "Jedediah Smith and the Opening of the West (1953)", examined many of the same people and provided numerous insights into Bridger's life and contributions.
He was truly an amazing individual!
Thanks Karl for watching the video and commenting.
@@historymore442 The dedication you have displayed, through the preparation of this video, as well as the research, is truly astounding!
The values I mentioned, represent the philosophical pillars of the organization I work for, the Outward Bound.
Anyway, I look forward to your next video!
karl chandran that’s a great book
@@kneesusforjesus2879 I agree! My father acquired it when he was in the USA on a course sponsored by the Malaysian navy. My father had an appreciation for history especially the west!
My father and I also read "Jedediah Smith and the Opening of the West" by the same auther.
No Bigfoot encounters ??? 🤔
Discovering South Pass was an important step toward the settling of the northwest U.S. since that was the only route usable by wagons.
Yeah John good comment. Most think of a Rocky Mountain pass as being in steep mountain terrain, however, the south pass is in an area of rolling plains usable by covered wagons of the day. It was an important part of the trail used by many of the wagon trains of the era. Thanks for watching the video.
Great video on Jim Bridger
Thanks Brian. I enjoyed doing it.
That was great, should make a movie about that guy !
Would make a good movie Wayne. Thanks for watching the video.
I like stories like these as an Australian
because we have similar people like buckler
who did similar things
found about Jim Bridger cuz of Johnny Horton which is my favorite artist/singer
Enjoyed it very much and look forward to learning more about the history of the land and the people of the western United States
Thanks for watching Johnnie. I very much enjoy history of the west so I'm sure I'll do more videos of that era.
I heard a story years ago about Jim Bridger and that he advised George A. Custer to respect the Indians and their ways and of course we all know the history and how it turned out for Custer.
"He spoke with General Custer and said listen Yellow Hair
The Sioux are the great nation so treat 'em fair and square
Sit in on their war councils, don't laugh away their pride
But Custer didn't listen at Little Big Horn Custer died"
@@eggisfun4217 Yea Johnny Horton!
Fantastic !!!
I love how stories of Bridgers life seem to conveintly overlook his abandoning Hugh Glass after the grizzly mauling and his contribution to the Donner party tragedy
I honestly don’t understand the issue with them leaving Hugh Glass, I wouldn’t have been upset had I been in Hughs position. He got attacked by a grizzly bear and somehow survived but the assumed he was going to die. When they didn’t they carried him for 2 days and then after that left 2 men with him for 5 days before they left as well. Him surviving was a miracle, I’m sure they had all seen men attacked by a grizzly bear before but none had seen someone survive after being attacked like Hugh was
@@PapaVamp Well Glass was pissed off enough to hunt down Bridger to take revenge . The only thing that saved Bridger apparently was Glass took pity on him becuase of his age. Oh ya Fitzgerald and Bridger were under orders to stay with Glass until he died. When that apparently wasn't going to happen any time soon they threw some dirt on him stole his gear and left. Ya, Glass was pissed.
Thank you for this educational history surmon.. very well put detailed .. Good job. God bless 🙏
Thanks for watching Brandon. God bless you as well.
Men of today can’t compete
Men's men Ollie. Thanks for watching.
I wrote book report on Bridger from “The Mountain Man” in seventh grade. That book started my love for outdoors.
Legit what I'm doing right now and I'm in 7th grade. lol
My favorite autobiography.
A good story Al. Thanks for watching.
I enjoyed your video.Thank you.
What a real man .solad as a rock. Also loved mountain man Liver eating Johnston. An outstanding mountain man.
I also have enjoyed Jeremiah Johnson! GREAT film!
A good one for sure TheChasathome. Thanks for watching.
good documentary by the way, love the history of these men.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I believe Jim is the reason why Utah has a notch and not square. I've read 2 reasons but I like Jim's. Read quite a bit about the Wild West and mad camping trips to South Pass, Black Hills, Wounded Knee and many stops along the Pony Express. Spent several years around Canyon de Chelly, Az.
The west has fascinating history Bard. Thanks for watching.
We had iron arrow heads , Mosinee ,named by blackfoot . Means will go thru .Erving Blackfoot used to come have coffee with mom and dad when I was young.
Old Fort Bridger is still there in S.W. Wyoming. It can be visited...
I have not visited it William, but would like to. If I am ever in the area, I want to go there. Thanks for watching the video.
Actually there old historic places scattered around our country. In N.W. Nebraska there us The Fur Trappers Museum and Old Fort Robinson where the Plains Indians came in and went under the U.S. Army's leadership.
Amazing thank you very much
Many of the Mountain Men were truly amazing. Thanks for watching Michael.
I remember the epic
How The West was Won with Jimmy Stewart talking about him and Jim Bridger and a Bear. Best western in history. Check it out. I have it on VCR Tape. From my fathers collection. Family Movie .
I've camped alongside beaver in the North Maine Woods, the White cliffs of the Missouri, and a few other places. It would break my heart to kill these bright, industrious critters that are so helpful to retaining water in dry regions.
Lived a great hard working life in maybe the best era of america.
Thanks for watching Youngsavage.
These guys were tough as could be and could live in amazingly harsh and secluded environments. A rare breed.
I lived in Bozeman Montana for 17 years and Bridger has many namesakes secured around that area. One is Bridger Bowl ski area.
Thanks i will go see his grave stone at Mt Washington as i live in Kansas city. Great Video
I love Montana. Have never lived there, but think it is a beautiful area. Bozeman is a great town as well. Thanks for watching Kevin.
do you know Barry Fonk ?
I like these clips Johnny Horton wrote a song in his honor called Jim Bridger.
Thanks for watching Jim.
Thank you !
Great video!
I spend a lot of my time on the Neches and Angelina Rivers here in East Texas. Only difference is I have a 14 foot flat bottom with an old Johnson 9.9, a weatherproof tent, Igloo ice chest, canned goods, bottled water, million candle power spotlight.....you get the picture. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to navigate the waters and terrain people like Bridger, Jedediah Smith, John Sutter, etc came across in their careers with the modest supplies they had at their disposal! Great vid!
Excellent perspective Master Jedi. Thanks for watching.
I know what my grandpa would have said about all that kit.
“What are ya some kinda GD sissy?!”
@@bradleyweiss1089 Well that’s good to know, thank you, sir.
One of my best friends was Jake Korrell, he lived to a couple of days before his 100th Birthday! He had trapped all over Wyoming for over 75 years. 2 Days before his death, he caught 5 Coyotes! The man ived a long life and lived it on his terms! He once told me, at a Mountain Man Rendezvous, that he and I were the only ones there that really knew what it was like to BE a Mountain Man, as they were in old times! That was a compliment I will always treasure! He always complimented me on the way I took care of my furs when bringing them to him for sale! I always got top dollar because I knew taking care of my furs in a very good way, brought me good money!
I'm not so sure about reincarnation, but if there is such a thing, I think Jake Korell was the reincarnation of Jim Bridger!
I enjoyed it...jim bridger a real legend.... a very tough man....will subscribe....thanks !
Thanks for watching the video Michael, and very grateful for the subscribe.
Hugh Glass. Next please...
He's on my list Carvin. Thanks for watching.
Or my favorite, John Colter.
A Mountain Man, × 2.
Please include the role played, by Jim Bridger, in the near death incident.
David Thompson is a another real one.
Those early mountain men and trappers were a tough lot.
Very true Phillip.
For sure,if you've been in a Colorado blizzard,in your CAR,can you even imagine surviving or riding in that?I'm afraid that grit is long gone from most modern men.Thanks for your great videos!
Great video and looking forward to more. If you ever get the chance be sure to visit the aptly named Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming, especially the area where the Little Greys River is located. You would appreciate the ruggedness and you might see some of the big mule deer bucks there area is know for.
I have visited the Bridger-Teton area on several occasions. The Jackson Hole area is one of my favorite places in all the world. Thanks for watching the video elkhunter.
Enjoyed this account.
It's amazing that same photo of him depicts different characters on these documentaries
A Hero in his own Wright
For sure David. Thanks for watching.
When a person is trying to find what life is all about, they will never find the true answer until they find the truth of God! Why because man was created to know and have fellowship with God, the creations of God will never take the place of God.
Jim Bridger is my 3rd cousin 7 times removed, so he's a very distant ancestor of mine. It's so cool to have a famous person and a mountain man of all people to be in my family.
I see a lot of the same outdoorsy traits and mannerisms that my grandfather has.
Yeah but it's less cool when you realize Jim was the main cause of the Donner party tragedy...
40 people died and cannibalized, all so Jim could make a buck or two.
Also just curious, do you have the surname Bridger in your family? Cause the more I look into it, the more I'm starting to think that if I don't have a son out of wedlock. The name Bridger is gonna die with me. 😮
@@celseybridger1863 No. My last name is Bridges
I knew the name Jim Bridger but knew nothing about him. As I Child I read a book about Kit Carson. We all knew about Daniele Boone. Seems I never take the time to read books.
You can learn a lot in a short time from a well Presented video like this.
Thanks for posting.
I purchased a DVD called "The Grand Kankakee River Everglades of the North" It is sold by a PBS station. I highly recommend it. I will find a link and post it as a comment below. I live in SW MI not far from South Bend IN and I never heard about the Everglades of the North while growing up .
wow what a story a great man :)
Indeed Roger.
Enjoyed a lot, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
My great grandmother was a Bridger and Jim Bridger is my 2nd cousin, 6 times removed. That bit of history and about $5 will get you a used copy of undoubtedly the best book on Jim Bridger -- "Jim Bridger: Mountain Man" by Stanley Vestal. It's a good read.
Same here. MY line is his gg uncle Joseph Bridger married to Hester pitt from isle of wight.
Absolutely loved film “Jeremiah Johnson”
Really good movie Richard. Thanks for watching the video.
richard w - my all time favorite movie. historical accuracy, acting, cinematography, costume, directing, etc, were top notch; hard to believe it is almost 50 years old...
@@z-z-z-z do you listen to Overture before the actual film begins? I love when the storekeeper tells Jeremiah “ride due west as the sun sets, turn left at the Rocky Mountains”
@@countalucard4226 - yes i do. "turn left at the rocky mountains," is indeed memorable.
Wrong man. That was Johnson, not Bridger.
Jim is an ancestor of mine. Didn't know till I did ancestry. Find him very interesting . Love learning about him and the rest of the Bridger's. His great uncle Joseph Bridger of isle of wight va also has interesting life you may like to read about.
Thanks for the heads up Tricia, and thanks for watching.
Nice Vid. You Left out the historical documentation of the of the Grizzly Bear attack on the experienced Trapper Hugh Glass’. Jim Bridger’ just 19 years old at the time. Bridger and another senior trapper were left behind to care For Glass who was near Death. The Rest is History. Glass was left for Dead but Survived after Crawling miles to the nearest Out-post. Bridger Truly was one of the Greatest mountain men . Friend of the Indians and Explorer and trail blazer. Amazing that He Lived to a very ripe old age🇺🇸
Thanks for watching Sage Runner. I have another video about Hugh Glass and the bear attack. In that video young Bridger's role in the bear attack event is discussed. Here is a link to that video. ruclips.net/video/uUHMqpOsB2I/видео.html
History & More Thanks my friend-I’ll check it out. -2 great Books on the Subject--‘Give your Heart to the Hawk’s’ By Winfred Blevins’ and Centennial’.
200 miles
He did a lot firsts discovered a lot of things great exploring king of the mountain men
Thanks for watching Roger.
Very well done
Thanks for the vote of confidence Steven and thanks for watching.
I thought The Revenant was fantastic also. Jerimiah Johnson is one of my favorite films
Both are excellent Don. Thanks for watching.
I had read numerous novels on Hugh Glass & the 1st time I saw the Revenent; I shut it off. A number of years later, I told myself, for get the True History & watch the movie. It was a good Movie, it just did not follow the Story. Jim Bridger was quite Young, but he Was part of the party that left Hugh Glass for dead.
My 3rd great grandfather Joseph Desmet Lewis 1805-1889 worked with Jim Bridger and taught him the trade
Very Cool !
Excellent!
Many thanks!
Very interesting, can you imagine how tough those mountain men were?
Beyond our comprehension Pauul. Thanks for watching the video.
That was very interesting
Excellent video learned alot
Well done, I enjoyed that.
Glad you enjoyed it Gonagin. Thanks for watching.
Johnny horton got a song about Bridger, also at Disney in Florida talks about Bridger
Thanks for watching John.
Real nice presentation. My wife is a direct descendant of Rix Robinson trapper and trader in the Lake Michigan area. Take care.
Hugh Frost played a big part of his life
what entertaining and informative videos. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Steve for the vote of confidence. I appreciate it.
I've been to Fort Bridger Wyoming but didn't know the History behind it"
Must say interesting.
He was pretty much Legally Blind when he led Wagon trains his last few years in the West.
The mountain men were the toughest of the lot. When you read about Crow Killer, Jim Bridger, Hugh Glass, etc you realise these were hardy, self-sufficient men.
Like The cowboy type voice narrator
Thanks Ken. My voice, accent, and style of narration get quite a few comments, some negative some positive. I like the ones from people like you, but also understand that you can't please everyone. Anyway, thanks for watching the video.
We love it and we subscribe 👍👍👍👍👍
Love my new subscribers!
Just discovered ur RUclips channel its awesome
Thanks a lot Jeremiah.
I'm a rugged gentleman myself and people always tell me I am from the 1800s but I am no where near the man these men were. I am a soft little puppy dog in comparison.
What Courage!!
My grandpa Asa wore the barrels off two .22 cal deringers he used for trapping kills in his life .
Very nice 🤠
Thanks herb and thanks for watching.
He was pretty much what books say he was. Warned the Donners
So i heard Brad Pitt in inglosrious bastards mention Jim Bridger..... Then looked.him.and.found this vid.... Fascinating story here. I'm an Indian, from India. Never been to the Americas!!
I'm sorry, but Jim Bridger was NOT "King Of the Mountain Men." I honestly believe that that title, goes solely to Hugh Glass!! The Toughest, Manliest Mountain Man, and likely the Toughest Man to ever walk this planet. Bridger's exploits, don't even hold a candle to Hugh Glass. 💪💪💪
Awesome
Thanks for watching Linkless.
You should do a documentary on Simon Kenton. Now there was an impressive frontiersman with an incredible story, from when he ran away (at I think 16 years of age) after he thought he beat a man to death (the man lived), to getting caught by the Shawnee Indians and forced to run numerous gauntlets, to saving Daniel Boone's life TWICE, to his fighting in the French and Indian War. A great book to read, which centers on Simon Kenton, is "The Frotiersmen," by Allan W Eckert. It's out of print, but you can buy used copies or maybe get it at your local library. Check out the reviews on Amazon.
I'm not familiar with Kenton, but he sounds interesting. I''ll see if I can get a copy of the book. Thanks for the heads up Alan, and thanks for watching the Bridger video.
@@historymore442 Kenton was a good man, but badass if you pissed him off. Some of the stories of his escape from the Shawnee, were incredible. Another story was about him eating dinner in a saloon, and Andrew Jackson (back in his surveying days as a young man) came in and cold-cocked him from behind for no reason. Big mistake! Kenton, who was 6'5", kicked his ass. He could have killed him and changed history.
Simon Kenton was one of the greatest - Daniel Boone had a great biographer, Kenton did not. Later in life he defended his Shawnee friend (a chief) from attempted murderers. The chief was living on Kenton's farm - (this is after the Indian Wars for that area) which is still there - near Bellefontaine, Ohio. Kenton knew Simon Girty and Benjamin Logan, he once saved Boone's life, was adopted into the Shawnee tribe and was present at the battle of the Thames when one of the greatest of American's, Tecumseh, was killed. Reportedly he made sure Tecumseh's body was not mutilated and called any mutilating soldiers cowards. The story of his fight with Andrew Jackson is one for the history books. His tombstone (buried in Urbana) says, "Full of honors, full of years".
@@stevehinds2227 Yes, he knew Tecumseh, though not closely, as Tecumseh was a bit younger than him. According to that book, Kenton saved Boone’s life, twice. He was a crack shot with a long rifle. He tried to talk to Sam Girty out of going to fight with the French.
@@alan30189 Spot on about Boone...Re Girty and Kenton: He and Girty disagreed over who chose the right side - however to be clear Girty was not really pro British, but he was pro First Nation. He and Kenton respected each other. Early in his life he had been captured and adopted by the Seneca. Eventually, during the bloody years, he would marry the most beautiful woman in Detroit, Catherine Mallott, she had been a Delaware captive. He sided with the tribes because of how they were being horribly mistreated. People tried to vilify him but in truth he got a lot of frontier folks released from captivity as he was trusted by honorable Frontiersmen and by the First Nations. Girty is buried in a small backyard mausoleum in Canada - Amherstburg - his house faced the lake. There is a marker on the frontal road and the mausoleum is in the backyard. I have retraced every place Kenton lived - from his humble hard scrabble beginnings to Kentucky and eventually to Ohio and Ontario (War of 1812).