Pictured, are some of the simple pleasures a trapper might enjoy. Starting on the left, is a book. Many trappers were literate and enjoyed reading. The book may have been a Bible, the works of William Shakespeare, or whatever may have been available. When Hudson's Bay Co. bought Ft. Hall (in present-day Idaho), a small library was organized there for the benefit of the trappers and traders. At the top, a tin cup and a copper kettle, or "boiler," for cooking and eating. Also, a bag of green coffee beans, ready to be roasted over a fire, would be a welcome comfort after spending a cold winter's day setting traps in near-frozen streams and creeks. Next to the coffee is a sugar cone and a small brick of tea. Sugar was used to sweeten the tea and coffee. Tea would be shaved off the brick with a knife, into a boiling cup of water. Finally, a twist of tobacco and a small beaver tail pipe for smoking.
This next picture displays some of the other accoutrements a trapper might have had in is possession. At center, are some hanks of trade beads, two round mirrors. To the right are an awl and a pair of scissors. These may have been used by the trapper himself, or used for trade purposes with the Native tribes. A pair of eyeglasses, a compass, an extra belt buckle and a pair of dice made from two lead bullet balls were all most likely the personal possessions of the trapper. At bottom and left, there are a variety of flints and steels; handy in case one was lost. Next to the mirrors are two cloak pins, which were used in place of buttons, which were rarely found on coats. The round black tin contains charred cloth, used to catch the sparks from the flint and steel, and to keep an ember glowing until a fire could be made. A piece of blackened char cloth is held under the tin.
The photo above shows an example of the clothing Osborne Russell described in his journal. The pants on the right are breeches, knee length, leather and easy to make. The trapper leaving St. Louis would have been wearing wool breeches, but in a short timme, the wool would wear-out and the leather ones would be fashioned using the old wool pants for a pattern. On the left are leggings made from blanket material. These leggings are knee length; covering the trapper's bare legs and offering protection from the cold water while setting traps.
And of course, where would a trapper be without his faithful horse? In a world of trouble.
The horse provided not only transportation, but also companionship and an ever-alert night time sentry. But the one thing a horse could not provide to its owner was its god-given horse sense!!
