WILD LIFE IN THE FAR WEST, 1834-1870: Personal Adventures of a Border Mountain Man [SOLD]

WILD LIFE IN THE FAR WEST, 1834-1870: Personal Adventures of a Border Mountain Man

By Captain James Hobbs, of California

Published by Subscription Only by Wiley, Waterman & Eaton, 1873

First Edition published in 1873.  This First Edition by The Rio Grande Press, Inc. in 1969

Hardback, 496 pages, illustrated with numerous engravings, folded map in rear, index.

New condition, never read

From the INTRODUCTION:

In presenting this work to the public, it is not the intention of the publishers to add another to the already numerous histories of the parts of country which are the scene of the adventures herein recited, but to give what the title page promises, an account of the personal adventures of the author during a long and wild life in the far West.  He belongs to that class of pioneers and trappers, now become nearly extinct, of which the famed Kit Carson, who was for many years the companion of the author, has been considered the most perfect type.

In addition to his experiences as a hunter and trapper, we have an account of his life as a prisoner among the powerful and warlike Comanches, his adventures as a trader in Mexico, his services as interpreter and guide, under Doniphan, in our war with Mexico, and with the Liberals in the Franco-Mexican war as Capitan of artillery, as well as his experience in mining in the days of the “forty-niners” in California, and elsewhere.

Probably no man living has passed through so varied and exciting a life as this one.  At times he has seemed on the high road to fortune, when by a turn of the wheel he would find himself penniless.  But in whatever condition he was, he was always ready to respond to any call for aid from the famishing emigrant train who were lost on the Great Plains, or the settlers who were in peril from the remorseless cruelty of the savages.

In writing out the incidents of this strangely eventful life, no attempt has been made to put them in glowing colors, but we have the account in few words.  There are many incidents and descriptions that occupy but part of a page, which could easily have been spread over several pages; but the fact is there.  Had as many words been used to say as little as there are in many books, it would have required several volumes the size of this to have contained the account of the author’s experiences.

One thing the author wishes distinctly understood; he has in no case “drawn upon his imagination for his facts.” There are a few incidents given upon what he considers reliable information, and they are so designated; but nearly all is from his own experience.  As he never contemplated the publication of his adventures, he kept no diary or record of events, but relies entirely upon his memory, which prevents his giving exact dates in all cases.  But this does not affect his own acts, and as has been stated, this is not intended for a history.