Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/81



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We commonly consider the northwestern part of the United States a new country, still only partially settled and offering exceptional opportunity by reason of its newness. So it is, in the sense of modern agriculture and industrial pursuit, but prior to its occupancy by farming and manufacturing communities, much of this country had witnessed the passage of a complete era of gripping human experience extending over more than a hundred years of time. This was the era of the explorer, missionary, and fur trader.

A variety of motives was behind those early adventures. The fearless leaders who braved the unknown wildernesses were true discoverers, from whom the mystery of what lay beyond the frontier held an irresistible charm. The ever present danger from treacherous, lurking savages, the constant struggle against torrential streams and over rough, untrodden trails, and the daily battle for food held no terrors to daunt them. They were content to Venture forth, matching their skill and cunning against the elements, the wild animals, and the Indians with whom they had to contend for their very lives. But they could not venture far without a supply of goods for barter and necessary equipment,, clothing, and firearms for the party. The financial means for supplying these