As, for their intrepid boldness and stern truthfulness,
the exploits and deeds of the old Danish sea-kings, have,
since the age of Canute, been justly heralded in song and
story; so now by the world-wide voice of the press, this,
their descendant, as his name proves him, is brought before
the world: and as the stern integrity of the exploits and
deeds of the old Danes in the age of Canute were heralded by
song and story; so too, in this brief and imperfect memoir,
are those of one who by name and birthright claims descent
from them. The subject of the present memoir, Christopher
Carson, familiarly known under the appellation of Kit Carson,
is one of the most extraordinary men of the present era. His
fame has long been established throughout this country and
Europe, as a most skillful and intrepid hunter, trapper,
guide and pilot of the prairies and mountains of the far
West, and Indian fighter. But his celebrity in these
characters is far surpassed by that of his individual
personal traits of courage, coolness, fidelity, kindness,
honor, and friendship. The theatre of his exploits is
extended throughout the whole western portion of the
territory of the United States, from the Mississippi to the
Pacific, and his associates have been some of the most
distinguished men of the present age, to all of whom he has
become an object of affectionate regard and marked respect.
The narrative which follows will show his titles to this
distinction, so far as his modesty (for the truly brave are
always modest) has permitted the world to learn anything of
his history. . . .
In his death the country has lost the most noted of that
intrepid race of mountaineers, trappers, and guides that have
ever been the pioneers of civilization in its advancement
westward. As an Indian fighter he was matchless. His rifle,
when fired at a redskin, never failed him, and the number
that fell beneath his aim, who can tell! (The identical rifle
which Carson used in all his scouts, during the last
thirty-five years of his life, he bequeathed, just previous
to his death, to Montezuma Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Santa Fe,
of which he was a member.) The country will always regard him
as a perfect representative of the American frontiersman, and
accord to him the most daring valor, consistent kindliness,
perseverant energy and truthfulness which that whole great
territory, that we must still regard as lying between the
civilizations, is capable of furnishing.
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