American Minute with Bill Federer
June 24
His travels were exceeded only by Lewis and Clark.
He led expeditions up the Missouri River, discovered the South Pass
through the Rockies and the first land route to California.
He led settlers across the Santa Fe Trail, the Mojave Desert and up
the Oregon Coast.
His name was Jedediah Smith, born JUNE 24, 1798.
In a letter to his brother, Ralph, December 24, 1829, Jedediah Smith
wrote:
"Many Hostile tribes of Indians inhabit this Space...
In August 1827, ten Men who were in company with me lost their lives
by the Amuchabas Indians...in July 1828, fifteen men who were in
company with me lost their lives by the Umpquah Indians...Many others
have lost their lives in different parts...
My Brother...I have need of your Prayers...to bear me up before the
Throne of Grace."
On May 27, 1831, Jedediah Smith was ambushed by Comanches near Sante
Fe and killed.
Just four months earlier, January 26, 1831, Jedediah Smith wrote to
his brother Ralph in Wayne County, Ohio:
"Some, who have made a profession of Christianity & have by their own
negligence caused the Spirit to depart, think their day of grace is
over; but where did they find Such doctrine?
I find our Saviour ever entreating & wooing us."
