First White Men

Ewing Young Expedition hunting band

Permission obtained from Alan Brodnax Jr. Southwest Desert Images. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9rrm5tuE-8

The Ewing Young Expedition in Tonto Basin

Ewing Young's 1827-28 expedition in the Gila area faced big challenges. Apaches ambushed the group, killing 18 of the 24 trappers. Young didn't let the setback stop him. In 1828-29, he planned another expedition. This time, it included Kit Carson, a skilled young trapper. Young moved north from Taos. He wanted to avoid problems with Mexican authorities. This was due to a past smuggling incident. He headed toward U.S. territories, then turned back to the pueblo of Zuni. After that, he went into the White Mountains and up the Salt River. Young sought revenge on the Apaches from the year before. He attacked them, then trapped them along the Verde River. After that, he split his group. He sent some team members back to Taos with furs. Then, he took 17 men, including Carson, to explore California.

The expedition had a tough time crossing the Mojave Desert. However, they arrived at Mission San Gabriel in early 1830. California impressed Young. He noted many beavers in the San Joaquin Valley. He also saw superior horses and mules in the Central Valley. Young decided not to risk moving furs to New Mexico. Instead, he sold them to a sea captain. With the money, he bought a large herd of horses and mules for the trip back. On their return trip, the trappers stopped in Los Angeles and celebrated with a drunken spree. The local Californios didn't like the growing number of American trappers. Still, the local women drew many. These women were lively and wore eye-catching clothes. They danced and smoked cigarillos.

 

Kit Carson

NPS Images

The Hispanic men in the area had stylish clothing. They wore unique items. Sombreros, decorative jackets, and colorful sashes were common. The local militia was cautious of the trappers. Tensions rose when two trappers fought, and one ended up getting shot dead by the other. Fearing further violence, the authorities examined their options with great attention.

The group returned to Arizona, trapping along the Gila River. They stored their furs at the Santa Rita Cobre Mine. Young and Carson then headed to Santa Fe to get a trading license for dealing with tribes. They came back for 2,000 pounds of beaver pelts. They sold them in Santa Fe and made a good profit. This sparked rumors about great opportunities in California. Family conflicts with the Comanches, Apaches, and Mojaves forced Young to leave. He moved to California in the fall of 1831. He also faced pressure from authorities in New Mexico. They wanted him to go.

Young settled in the Oregon Territory. He became well-respected before he died in 1841. His challenges in Arizona showed the ongoing conflicts with local tribes. This pushed many trappers to find safer areas in California. They often skipped dangerous areas. They took the Old Spanish Trail instead. This route became a symbol of freedom and rebellion against society's rules. Many trappers became guides. They helped immigrant trains go west in the 1840s and 1850s. Today, superhighways trace the paths they once traveled. Refugees in the West ended up shaping the society they left behind. They formed an unexpected bond with their new home.

References:
Trimble, Marshall. "Ewing Young: The Southwest's Premier Mountain Man" in Arizona Adventure: Action-Packed True Tales of Early Arizona. Golden West Publishers, 1982.