This book tells the life story of Kit Carson one of the most famous and frontiersmen of the American southwest. It follows his exploits guiding the Fremont expedition and his relationship with many of the native tribes of the region. Carson's contributions to settlement of the New Mexico, Arizona, and California throughout his 25 year career were enormous, and he was admired by both white men and Indians for his gentlemanly character in a lawless age.

THE OVERLAND MAIL

Preface

It is a prominent object of this volume to bring to light the wild adventures of the pioneers of this continent, in the solitudes of the mountains, the prairies and the forests; often amidst hostile Indians, and far away from the restraints and protection of civilization. This strange, weird-like life is rapidly passing away, before the progress of population, railroads and steamboats. But it is desirable that the memory of it should not drift into oblivion. I think that almost every reader of this narrative will be somewhat surprised, in its development of the character of Christopher Carson. With energy and fearlessness never surpassed, he was certainly one of the most gentle, upright, and lovable of men. It is strange that the wilderness could have formed so estimable a character. America will not permit the virtues of so illustrious a son to be forgotten.