William Drannan began life as a young boy who is orphaned and raised among the slave children on a plantation until he ran away at 15 to be taken in by Kit Carson, a trapper and respected frontiersman. Carson took Drannan under his wing and taught him the ways of trapping and self-reliance, effectively becoming Drannan's adoptive father, though he insisted Drannan call him "Uncle Kit". Drannan soon begins traveling the frontier, learning to build shelters, trap animals, trade with or fight various tribes of Indians, escort emigrant wagon trains, scout for the army, and even try his hand at a little undercover detective work. It's a wonderful, historic glimpse into frontier life in 19th century America, with vivid descriptions of the distinctive personalities of various sorts of soldiers and settlers, as well as fascinating reflections on the characteristics and temperament of many different tribes of Native Americans. Of course, the unifying element is Drannan's maturation from boyhood to manhood as he makes his way through the rugged, ever-changing landscape of the western United States, with a few trips to Mexico and the Midwest as well. Skillfully woven, plainly but vividly told, Thirty-One Years on the Plains and in the Mountains is Drannan's historic account of a life spent trekking across the American frontier.
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Excerpt from Thirty-One Years on the Plains and in the Mountains: Or, the Last Voice From the Plains, an Authentic Record of a Life Time of Hunting, Trapping, Scouting and Indian Fighting in the Far West In writing this work the: author has made no attempt at romance, or a great literary production, but has nar rated ih his own plain, blunt way, the incidents of his life as they actually occurred. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
In 'Thirty One Years on the Plains and in the Mountains', William F. Drannan chronicles his firsthand experiences as a frontiersman in the American West during the mid-19th century. The book is written in a straightforward and unembellished style, reflecting the rugged and harsh conditions of frontier life. Drannan provides vivid descriptions of his encounters with Native American tribes, wildlife, and the challenges of survival in the untamed wilderness, offering a valuable glimpse into the realities of western expansion during this era. The narrative also highlights the resilience and resourcefulness required to thrive in such a demanding environment. Through his unvarnished storytelling, Drannan paints a compelling picture of the trials and triumphs of those who dared to venture into the unknown territories of the West. William F. Drannan's personal experiences as a frontiersman and scout lend authenticity and depth to 'Thirty One Years on the Plains and in the Mountains'. Drannan's intimate knowledge of the western landscape and its inhabitants infuses the narrative with a sense of immediacy and realism, capturing the spirit of adventure and danger that characterized this era of American history. His firsthand accounts offer valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of life on the frontier. Drannan's unique perspective as a participant in the events he describes adds credibility to the narrative, making it a captivating and informative read for those interested in the American West. I highly recommend 'Thirty One Years on the Plains and in the Mountains' to readers seeking an authentic and engaging portrayal of life on the American frontier. Drannan's narrative not only offers a compelling story of survival and exploration in the wild West but also sheds light on the complex interactions between settlers, Native American tribes, and the natural world. This book is a valuable contribution to the historical record of the American West and a must-read for enthusiasts of frontier literature.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.