by Thomas James

In 1809 Thomas James joined up with the Missouri Fur Company to trap beaver on the upper river. But he was cheated, left the party, and struck out on his own. He and his companions faced starvation and hostile natives constantly. Later, in 1821 and 1822 he made two other trading expeditions into New Mexico. His accounts are extraordinary high adventure, but they are also a treasure of frontier names, places, and customs.