Fifty Years On The Trail

Author : Harrington O'Reilly
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781095407912
Total Pages : 284 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (79 download)

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Download or read book Fifty Years on the Trail (1889) written by Harrington O'Reilly and published by . This book was released on 2019-04-20 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "One of the most experienced of American trappers." - Saturday Review, 1887 "A thorough plainsman, his standing as a train guide was most enviable, being sought for by all." -Buffalo Bill's Wild West (1887) "His adventures are among the strangest and the most amusing in the world." - The Bookmart, 1890"The Casanova of the Trail, a more splendid natural ruffian, one more candid, cautious, daring, and diverting, it is impossible to desire." - Saturday Review, 1889As a youth, the voice of the empty prairies of the West called to John Nelson, the spirit of wandering possessed him, and he fled into the solitudes. Finding a camp of Indians (Sioux) he walked into a tent, and sat down, like a Homeric suppliant, by the hearth. Budge he would not, and the Indians were obliged to adopt him, he in turn gladly exchanging all the comforts and advantages of civilized of life for privations and danger, relieved by the freedom and fascinations of the nomads of the plains. As detailed in his 1889 book "Fifty Years on the Trail," John Young Nelson (1826-1903) lived on the fringe of civilisation for over 50 years, during the period of what may be termed its transition state, taking part in scenes and episodes such as could only have existed under the exceptional circumstances of the opening up of a new country, and especially such a country as the Western States of America.With the help of Harrington O'Reilly, Nelson tells his story of being a white renegade adopted by the Sioux chief Spotted Tail, married to Red Cloud's sister, who hung many a scalp from his belt and became an army scout, trapper, professional gambler, guide, gold prospector, trader huntsman, saloonkeeper, rancher, Indian trader, and dispatch rider, and Sioux peace negotiator. Nelson served on several occasions with the United States army as scout, guide, and interpreter, and saw a great deal of Buffalo Bill, of whom he speaks highly. He also acted for a time as chief of police. Nelson was not an immaculate character by any means, but he was a genuine man in whom the wild instincts that usually lie dormant were at times evoked by circumstances. In his book "Beldon, the White Chief," Beldon writes, "Nelson, whose name I have not before mentioned, was a white man, and had accompanied us for the purpose of hunting, and having a share in such adventures as might fall to the lot of our party. He had a Sioux wife and two children, but was a roving, reckless, dare-devil sort of fellow, who always needed to be led, and who could never be intrusted to lead in any expedition, on account of his rashness and indiscretion." In describing a grizzly attack on one wagon trip, Nelson writes: "The Dane came suddenly upon a grizzly bear, and in his fright fired at him. The small shot only stung the bear, who made for him. The Dane stood perfectly still; the bear walked up, hugged him lightly, and then laid him down and covered him with leaves and sticks. After this he went down to a pool of water and had a drink, preparatory to feeding off our Dane....We dug up the man, who, strange to say, was alive. We looked upon him as a perfect marvel, for if any man ought to have died he ought." Nelson often laughed in the face of danger, as he relates: "The waggon boss pulled out a Smith and Weston pistol and said he would shoot me if I moved a step. I looked at the tiny weapon, laughed, and told him to go on shooting. That popgun wouldn't hurt me. At this he commenced firing...." Regarding Buffalo Bill, Nelson says, "He and I were very good friends, and a good deal of his knowledge of the country round he owed to me."Buffalo Bill wrote that Nelson "gained fame and respect among whites and Indians. Being a thorough plainsman, his standing as a train guide was most enviable, being sought for by all. Nelson is a representative of the best class of 'Squaw Men.'"