Summary

The era of the fur trade represents a unique and colorful time in American history. For a time, furs were a major industry in North America. In addition, traders and mountain men contributed greatly to the exploration and settlement of the western frontier. Most of the paths and many of the highway routes we follow today began as the trade routes of beaver hunters. By studying the implements, clothing and lifestyles of these early outdoorsmen, we can gain a better understanding of our own heritage and the importance of natural resources in our past.

Glossary

ACCOUTREMENTS - Accessories

AWL - A sharp, pointed tool used to punch holes in leather prior to sewing.

BANNOCK - A simple bread made by mixing flour, water, sugar and baking powder, then frying it in a skillet. Also called frying pan bread.

BARTER - To trade or exchange items of value directly, rather than through a medium of exchange (money).

BOW AND DRILL - Primitive fire-starting method in which a small bow is used to twirl a wooden stick (drill), generating heat by friction.

BREECHCLOUT - A long, narrow cloth run between the legs and suspended in front and back from a leather belt.

BUCKSKIN - The skin of a deer after fleshing and tanning. If the hide is fleshed, but not tanned, it is called rawhide.

CAPOTE - A heavy coat made from wool blanketing.

CASSETTE - A large wooden box used to carry supplies.

CASTOR - A secretion of the castor gland of the beaver. Trappers removed the castor when skinning beaver and used the highly scented chemical to lure other beavers into traps.

COUREUR DE BOIS - Literally "runner of the woods." An unlicensed French trader.

DEADFALL - A type of trap in which a heavy rock or log is positioned to fall on an animal that trips a sensitive "trigger" device.

FLESHING - Scraping the muscle and connective tissue from a fresh animal skin.

FLINT - Hard rock which when struck against hardened steel throws a shower of sparks; also used by native Americans to make points, scrapers and ax heads.

FUR TRADE - A general name for the business of gathering furs by trading with natives or trapping. For a time it was a large and powerful industry.

GARTERS - Strips of cloth or leather bound around leather leggings just above the knee.

HALF-SHELTER - Primitive shelter made from canvas or hide and willow sticks. Used by traders.

JERKY - Sun-dried lean meat, usually made from deer or buffalo.

JOHNNYCAKES - A cake-like bread made with cornmeal and water, then fried in a skillet.

KEELBOAT - A shallow, covered riverboat used for freight and usually rowed, poled or towed.

LEAN-TO - A simple shelter of cloth or hide stretched over a frame.

LEGGINGS - Hollow sleeves that fit over each leg and fasten to a belt around the waist. Worn with a breechclout in place of trousers.

LINER - A long cloth hung around the inside of a tepee to guard against moisture and to improve the tepee's ability to draw air for a fire.

LOUISIANA - The region lying west of the Mississippi River bounded on the south by the Red River and on the north by the furthest drainage of the Missouri River. The state of Missouri was part of the Louisiana Territory. Originally French, Louisiana was transferred to Spain in 1769, back to France in 1800 and finally to the U.S. in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

MOUNTAIN MAN - A non-native American trapper who worked either for one of the large companies or as a "free trapper" selling his furs to the highest bidder.

NOGGIN - A wooden drinking vessel often carved from the burl of a tree.

PEMMICAN - Dried meat powdered and mixed with fat and dried berries.

PIROGUE - A dugout boat like a canoe.

POSSIBLES SACK - A buckskin bag containing essential items such as a fire kit, eating utensils, small knife, etc.

RAWHIDE - Untanned leather made by fleshing, dehairing and drying animal hides.

RENDEZVOUS - A gathering of trappers held annually at a pre-determined location in the Rocky Mountains. The rendezvous, at which trappers cashed in their furs and obtained supplies for the coming year, was first held in 1825. The last rendezvous was held in 1839.

SINEW - Strands of animal tendon used as thread in native Americans' and frontiersmen's garments.

SNARE - A trap which uses a loop of cord or wire attached to a trigger.

TANNING - The process of making leather soft, pliable and weather resistant.

TEPEE (LODGE) - Portable cone-shaped shelter used by Plains tribes. Originally made from hides, later tepees were made from canvas stretched over wooden poles.

TRADE GOODS - Items given to native Americans in exchange for furs. These include utensils such as sewing awls and knives, guns, gunpowder and ammunition and ornaments such as beads and silver or pewter trinkets.

TRADER - A frontiersman who made his living trading merchandise to the native Americans in return for furs.

TRAPPER - A frontiersman who made his living trapping beaver rather than trading for the furs.

VOYAGEUR - Specifically, a trader. On the early frontier, a man who carried trade goods to the native Americans for a licensed trader. Later the term was applied to French boatmen.

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