Rufus Sage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rufus B. Sage
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| Born | March 17, 1817 |
| Died | December 23, 1893 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | writer, journalist, mountain man |
| Years active | 1836-1893 |
| Known for | Scenes in the Rocky Mountains |
Rufus B. Sage (1817–1893) was an American writer, journalist, and later a mountain man. He is best known for his book Scenes in the Rocky Mountains, published in 1846. This book shared stories about the lives of fur trappers in the American West.
Contents
The Life of Rufus B. Sage
Early Life and Learning
Rufus B. Sage was born on March 17, 1817, in Cromwell, Connecticut. This town was once known as Middletown. He was the youngest of seven children in his family. His father passed away when Rufus was only nine years old. This meant Rufus had to teach himself and grow up quickly. But he was very determined and worked hard. He managed to learn on his own and started working as a printer for a newspaper in Middletown.
Adventures and Observations
In the fall of 1836, Rufus moved to Washington County, Ohio. There, he became a teacher and also worked as a junior intern at the Marietta Gazette newspaper. In the spring of 1838, he went on a trip south with a cargo of ice. This trip didn't make him much money. However, it gave him a chance to see many things. He saw events in Louisiana and Mississippi. What he saw made him think a lot about slavery, which was the practice of owning people and forcing them to work.
After his travels, he returned to Circleville, Ohio. He became well known as a writer, speaker, and activist. He started a popular debating club. His connections in the newspaper world helped him meet important people. In 1839, he moved to Columbus, Ohio and began working for the Ohio State Bulletin.
Political Involvement
In the early 1840s, Rufus Sage became involved in politics. He helped with the campaign to make William Henry Harrison president in the 1840 United States presidential election. He edited and published a weekly, then daily, newspaper for the campaign. This newspaper was very effective. It helped the Whig party win the election by a large number of votes. Sage even found out about a plan by the opposing party to spread bad rumors about his candidate.
After his work in politics, Rufus Sage became interested in the unknown lands of the American West. Not much was known about the areas between Missouri and the Pacific Ocean. He really wanted to explore this huge region. So, he put together a small group to travel west. Even though his group was small, Sage kept going. He later joined a group of traders who worked with Native American tribes. He wrote about this time in his famous book, Scenes in the Rocky Mountains.
In July 1844, he came back to Columbus. He started another campaign to support Henry Clay in the 1844 United States presidential election. Sage spoke out against the annexation of Texas. This was when Texas joined the United States. He also spoke about the difficult lives of Black slaves. He worked very hard, but James K. Polk won that election.
Later Life and Legacy
Later, Sage became the editor of the Chillicothe Gazette newspaper. He worked there until 1845. Then, he went back to visit his hometown. In the quiet of his home, he got his travel stories ready for printing. But his plans for more adventures changed. His elderly mother, who was not well, convinced Rufus to get married and settle down. He did, and he lived the rest of his life in Cromwell.
Rufus B. Sage passed away on December 23, 1893.
