Wintering With The Sioux

"By 1820, after more than a decade of experimental development, The Rocky Mountain fur trade had assumed a fairly clear-cut, standardized pattern. It was carried on by independent or "free" trappers and by powerful, well organized partnerships of companies. The free trapper operated entirely on his own. He furnished his own equipment, trapped where he pleased, sold his furs tot he highest bidder, and recognized no overlord...the typical free trapper usually chose either to unite with a large number of other freemen like himself, to set out with only one or two companions for "to the other side of the great mountains" or across the continent, or to trap entirely alone." (This Reckless Breed, Robert Glass)

It is the man alone that "Wintering With The Sioux" is dedicated. These daring men might go a year, from one rendezvous to the next without meeting another white man.

During the winter months, when the streams were covered with ice making it impossible to trap, the free trapper might winter with friendly Indians. Nearly all mountain men had Indian wives or concubines, and some trappers were adopted into Indian tribes. If the peace pipe was smoked, a measure of security was assured, but some act of perceived treachery might end the delicate truce.

The "Squaw" would cook the trapper's meals, make and mend his clothing, dress skins and warm his bed. In return she would receive the prestige of living with a mountain man; have access to rendezvous trade goods, such as blankets, cloth, brass kettles and jewelry and the services of a skilled and resourceful hunter with a good rifle.





"Wintering With The Sioux"

Cast Bronze
Solid, Hand Finished Walnut Base
Edition of 50

Dimensions: 28 Inches Long, 20 Inches Wide, 16 Inches High

Weight: 75 Lbs.

Price: $9,500.00 US Dollars and all Shipping/Handling