Frontier Swashbuckler: The Life and Legend of John Smith TUniversity of Missouri Press, 2000 - 264页 Few frontiersmen in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century epitomized the reckless energies of the West and the lust for adventure as did John Smith T pioneer, gunfighter, entrepreneur, militia colonel, miner, judge, and folk hero. In this fascinating biography, Dick Steward traces the colorful Smith T's life from his early days in Virginia through his young adulthood. He then describes Smith T's remarkable career in the wilds of Missouri and his armed raids to gain land from Indians, Spaniards, and others. Born into the fifth generation of Virginia gentry, young Smith first made his name on the Tennessee frontier. It was there that he added the "T" to his name to distinguish his land titles and other enterprises from those of the hosts of other John Smiths. By the late 1790s he owned or laid claim to more than a quarter million acres in Tennessee and northern Alabama. In 1797, Smith T moved to Missouri, then a Spanish territory, and sought to gain control of its lead-mining district by displacing the most powerful American in the region, Moses Austin. He acquired such public positions as judge of the court of common pleas, commissioner of weights and levies, and lieutenant colonel of the militia, which enabled him to mount a spirited assault on Austin's virtual monopoly of the lead mines. Although neither side emerged a winner from that ten-year-old conflict, it was during this period that Smith T's fame as a gunfighter and duelist spread across the West. Known as the most dangerous man in Missouri, he was said to have killed fourteen men in duels. Smith T was also recognized by many for his good works. He donated land for churches and schools and was generous to the poor and downtrodden. He epitomized the opening of the West, helping to build towns, roads, and canals and organizing trading expeditions. Even though Smith T was one of the most notorious characters in Missouri history, by the late nineteenth century he had all but disappeared from the annals of western history. Frontier Swashbuckler seeks to rescue both the man and the legend from historical obscurity. At the same time, it provides valuable insights into the economic, political, and social dynamics of early Missouri frontier history. |
其他版本 - 查看全部
常见术语和短语
action adventure American Andrew Jackson April army arpents Arrington battle believed Benton Brackenridge brother Burke Papers challenge claims colonel complete page image Darby deeds Dodge doubt duel Dunklin early empire expedition File filibusterers filibustering Folder Frederick Bates frontier Genevieve governor Henry Henry Dodge Hereafter cited hero Higginbotham historian Historical Society History of Missouri honor Houston Hunt ibid Indians James Monroe Jefferson John B. C. Lucas John Brickey John Smith July killed later lead mines legends letter Lionel Browne Louis Globe-Democrat Louisiana Mexican Mexico military mineral Mississippi Missouri Historical Review Missouri Territory Missourians Moses Austin myths October officer Orleans pioneer pistols political purchased Reuben River Roane County Robinson Rozier Rufus Easton Saline County Selma Road Shibboleth shot towers slaves Smith T’s Society of Missouri Southwest Spain Spanish land story Tennessee Territorial Papers Texas Thomas Toledo U.S. Senate view the complete violent Vrain Washington County western Wilkinson wrote