Lewis H. Garrard
Lewis H. Garrard was a young adventurer who embarked on a significant journey through the Old West at the age of seventeen in 1846. Originating from Westport, Missouri, he joined a wagon train led by Colonel St. Vrain, which aimed to reach Santa Fe, New Mexico. His travels included a notable stay at Bent's Fort in present-day Colorado, where he interacted with a diverse group of traders, mountain men, and Cheyenne Indians. Garrard’s experiences took a dramatic turn in 1847 when he arrived in Taos, New Mexico, just after a violent revolt that resulted in the murder of Governor Charles Bent. He participated in an expedition seeking retribution for these killings and was an eyewitness to the execution of nine conspirators, providing a unique account of this historical event. His adventures and observations were later documented in his book, *Wah-to-Yah and the Taos Trail*, which offers insights into the lives of mountain men and notable figures of the time, such as Kit Carson and Jim Beckwourth. Garrard's narrative is regarded as a valuable resource for those interested in the intricacies of the American West, capturing both the challenges and the vibrant cultures of the era.
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Lewis H. Garrard
Writer
- Born: 1829
- Died: 1887
Biography
Lewis H. Garrard was seventeen years old when he left Westport, Missouri, on a journey that would take him through the Old West in the years 1846 and 1847. He joined a wagon train led by trader Colonel St. Vrain that was headed west to Santa Fe, New Mexico. For several months, Garrard lived at Bent’s Fort, which was located on the Arkansas River in present-day Colorado. While he was there, Garrard spent time with traders and mountain men who lived near the fort, and with a band of the Cheyenne Indians. Garrard arrived in Taos, New Mexico, in 1847, just after the murder of New Mexico governor Charles Bent and several others during a combined Mexican and Indian revolt. Garrard joined an informal expedition led by mountain men who were out to seek revenge for the murders. Although Garrard’s group returned to Taos after it was recaptured by the United States Army, he witnessed the hangings of nine of the coconspirators. Garrard provided the only eyewitness account of the event.
Garrard wrote of his adventures of the American West in his book Wah-to-Yah and the Taos Trail. In addition to describing the hangings in Taos, Garrard’s book includes his experiences among the Cheyenne Indians and his adventures with real historical figures such as Kit Carson, Jim Beckwourth, and Lucien Maxwell. He vividly describes the dress, behavior, and wildly extravagant lives of the mountain men, putting a historical context to the unsettled areas of the American West. Garrard’s book is considered an essential read for anyone interested in the Old West.