Rocky Mountain Fur Company facts for kids

The Rocky Mountain Fur Company was a famous business started in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1822. It was founded by William Henry Ashley and Andrew Henry. Many brave explorers and trappers joined them, including Jedediah Smith and Jim Bridger. These early employees were known as "Ashley's Hundred." Later, Jim Bridger and his partners bought the company and gave it the name "Rocky Mountain Fur Company."

This company became a pioneer in exploring the western parts of America. They were especially active in the Green River Valley. Other fur companies, like the American Fur Company, often worked in the same areas. This led to strong rivalries. The competition pushed trappers to explore deeper into the wilderness. This helped people learn more about the land. But it also caused a big drop in the number of beavers.

Eventually, the tough competition for fewer beavers, plus a change in fashion (fur hats became less popular), led to the end of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. About ten years after it started, the owners sold all their shares. Even so, the company left a lasting mark on western settlement and history. The U.S. government often asked former members of the company for advice about the West. William Ashley himself later became a congressman, known for his knowledge of Western affairs.

How the Company Started

In the early 1820s, General William Ashley was part of the Missouri militia. He wanted to get into state politics but needed money. After some tough business and military adventures, Ashley was facing financial troubles. To fix this, he looked to the fur trade in the West.

His long-time friend, Major Andrew Henry, joined him as a partner. In 1822, they placed an advertisement in the St. Louis Enquirer newspaper. They were looking for "One Hundred enterprising young men." These men would "ascend the river Missouri to its source." They would work there for one, two, or three years. The type of men Ashley and Henry wanted became known as "mountain men." They needed to be strong, well-armed, and ready to trap for up to three years.

The ad got a lot of attention. About 180 men signed up. Among those hired were Jedediah Smith and Jim Bridger. Later, others joined, like the Sublette brothers, William and Milton, Jim Beckwourth, Hugh Glass, Thomas Fitzpatrick, David Edward Jackson, Joseph Meek, and Robert Newell. In 1826, Smith, Jackson, and William Sublette bought the company. Then, in 1830, they sold it to Bridger, Milton Sublette, Fitzpatrick, and two others. This is when the company officially got its famous name.

Ashley created a unique payment system. Trappers kept half of the money they earned from furs. The other half went to Ashley and Henry. In return, Ashley and Henry provided many of the tools and supplies needed for trapping.

How They Operated

In the beginning, "Ashley's Hundred" worked in the areas around the upper Missouri River. Ashley thought about building trading posts along the river. But he soon found that the Missouri Fur Company had already built them. So, Ashley and his company moved farther west, into the mountain range that gave the company its name.

The Rocky Mountain Fur Company created a new way of doing business in the fur trade. This was called the brigade-rendezvous system. Major Henry's system meant they didn't need Native American trappers or permanent trading posts. Instead, they trained white men and Métis Indigenous People to trap. Then, everyone would meet at a rendezvous. This was a temporary trading gathering held wherever was convenient.

Ashley and his men had mixed results. By the mid-1820s, the company had a good hold on the Rocky Mountains. Their main base was in the Green River Valley. Trappers found many places to collect valuable animal pelts. Some of these spots included Horse Creek, La Barge Creek, Fontenolle Creek, and Black Fork. Two popular places for trading were Pierre's Hole in Idaho and Fort Bonneville (also called Fort Nonsense) in Wyoming.

However, the company also faced big losses. Some expeditions ended in disaster, with supplies lost and even men killed. On two occasions, trappers were killed by Blackfeet and Arikara Native Americans. Another setback was when Major Andrew Henry, who was very experienced, left the company in 1824. Two years later, Ashley also left to start a career in politics. In 1826, he sold his company to a group of his employees. Even with these challenges, the Rocky Mountain Fur Company continued for eight more years. But soon, the company faced the same problems that affected the entire fur industry.

Decline and End

Like all fur companies at the time, the Rocky Mountain Fur Company eventually went out of business because of growing financial problems. Competition was fierce and led to bitter rivalries. This made it hard for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company to compete on price. Also, the number of beavers was shrinking, and fashion trends were changing.

Rocky Mountain trappers often went into areas claimed by other companies. This led to "turf wars." The Rocky Mountain Fur Company was a rival to the Hudson's Bay Company and John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company. They often held their rendezvous near Hudson's Bay Company posts to attract Native American traders. Their trappers also went into the Snake, Umpqua, and Rogue River valleys. These areas were considered Hudson's Bay Company territory.

By 1832, the competition was at its peak. Native American groups were also growing more upset, leading to several small fights. Plus, too much trapping caused the supply of furs to disappear. Once-healthy populations of beaver, otter, bear, and muskrat became much smaller. Companies found it harder and harder to trap. This only made the fight for areas with animals even tougher.

The larger American and Hudson's Bay companies had an advantage. They had access to more land. This allowed them to sell furs for less than the smaller Rocky Mountain Fur Company. Even worse, fur hats became less popular. Once a common fashion item in Europe and America, fur hats went out of style in the 1830s. They were replaced by new, popular silk hats. By 1834, the company was in serious trouble. Facing bankruptcy, the partners decided to sell off their assets. The American Fur Company, once a bitter rival, quickly took over Ashley's creation.

See also

In Spanish: Rocky Mountain Fur Company para niños