#fire #pinecones #survival #battlbox #currin1776

After Helene went through, we lost power and Internet for over a week, not to mention a lot of clean up from the Storm. It was a great learning experience and we figured out how well our Preps worked and things that we're going to upgrade. EXOTAC 20% Discount Code: Sootch20 Link: https://www.exotac.com/?ref=fre1w9xvbvmq (Affiliate) Robbie Wheaton's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RobbieWheaton The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse by Fernando "Ferfal" Aguirre: https://shorturl.at/jCU12 Be a Team Sootch Minuteman: https://www.patreon.com/Sootch00 Thanks For Watching, Liking & Subscribing! ~ Sootch00 Music is from Epidemic Sounds Royalty Free Music through the Fullscreen Network. Used with permission.

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Email Signup Just in Case https://www.sustainableseasons.com/ Follow me on Twitter X Just in Case https://twitter.com/PatrickHumphre Breaking news multiple US cities and states have deployed the national guard. Washington state governor Jay Inslee has activated the national guard and Nevada Governor Lombardo has sent the national guard to Carson city and Las Vegas for the 2024 election. Portland Oregon is on high alert and so is Seattle Washington and Vancouver Washington. Watch Patrick Humphrey prepper news updates. “Stand firm, and you will win life.” Luke 21:19

UTL COMMENT.....and where will these people flee to? Ummmm the Jew controlled West....which they all now hate because we funded and supported Israel to kill and displace them....

Interesting insight. The post The hotel balcony that Courtney Love bizarrely said is the easiest to shit from first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

by Mark Finchem, Your News: By Hon. Mark Finchem, Executive Director of the Election Fairness Institute, Inc., a contributor-funded, IRS-approved 501(c)(3) dedicated to researching unfair practices in elections, separating signal from noise, to ensure that the real voice of the people is heard. To support their work, visit https://GoEFI.org. ActBlue Real Property Money Laundering Research Brief […]

  As the first decade of the new millennium neared its end, the 2008 election brought with it the prospect of moving away from the unpopular policies of the George W. Bush administration and selecting a new leader to battle the deepening Great Recession. After Barack Obama secured the Democratic Party’s nomination, it also offered the very real possibility of electing the nation’s first Black president.   Civil Rights and Black Representation Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm speaking at the July 1972 Democratic National Convention. Source: Library of Congress, Washington DC   Though Black men were formally granted the right to vote in 1870, decades of voter repression and intimidation resulted in minimal Black representation in government and low rates of voter registration and turnout, particularly in the South. Following the passage of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965), the representation of Black Americans in government began to increase, though more slowly at the national level than in state and local positions.   The first Black candidate to formally run in the presidential primaries was Shirley Chisholm, who campaigned in 12 states in 1972, ending her run with 152 pledged delegates. By 2008, only two Black candidates had run nationwide campaigns in the Presidential primaries, Jesse Jackson and Alan Keyes, and neither had secured their party’s nomination.   The Political Landscape of the Aughts President George W. Bush (center) meets with his National Security Council, September 12, 2001. Source: Flickr/The National Archives   The first presidential election of the new millennia was marked by controversy, setting the stage for a tumultuous decade. After losing the popular vote to Al Gore, George W. Bush was inaugurated as the 43rd president in January 2001. Just nine months into his tenure, Al Qaeda staged the largest terrorist attack on American soil in history. The national unity that followed was short-lived.   Though Americans largely supported the invasion of Afghanistan, the subsequent invasion of Iraq was less popular, particularly when the administration’s lies about the nation possessing weapons of mass destruction became apparent. The administration’s mishandling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, implementation of the controversial Patriot Act, prolonged entanglement in Afghanistan without capturing Osama bin Laden, and finally, the 2008 recession conspired to give Bush one of the lowest approval ratings of an outgoing president.   Whoever took the reins in 2008 would have their hands full.   Barack Obama: From Grassroots Organizer to Presidential Nominee A young Barack Obama with his mother in Hawaii in the 1960s. Source: People Magazine/The Obama Foundation   Born in Hawaii in 1961, Barack Obama grew up in both Indonesia and Hawaii before moving to the continental US to pursue his degree. After graduating from Columbia University with a BA in political science in 1983, he spent a brief period working in the private sector in New York City. He then relocated to Chicago’s South Side and began the work that would ultimately lead him into politics—and the White House.   Obama began working with Chicago’s Developing Communities Project in 1985, coordinating with organizations in low-income communities to improve housing and offer job training. He shifted course in 1988, entering Harvard Law School and becoming the first Black president of the Harvard Law Review before returning to Chicago to continue his mission. He first worked with Project Vote for the 1992 election, aimed at increasing Black voter turnout, before joining a small law firm where his practice focused on civil rights cases.   Obama’s official Senate portrait, October 2005. Source: Barack Obama-US Senator for Illinois/Internet Archive   Obama’s political career began in 1996 when he was elected to the Illinois State Senate, where he became a productive legislator before moving on to run for national office in 2004. He delivered a highly regarded keynote address emphasizing national unity at the 2004 Democratic National Convention before going on to win his Senate race with 70% of the vote, due in part to his Republican challenger’s personal scandals. Only the fifth Black Senator in US history, Obama began to make a name for himself in national politics, championing messages of hope and change, and formally entered the presidential race in February 2007.   The 2008 Democratic primary initially pitted Obama against a number of competitors, but the field was quickly whittled down to just three viable options: Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards. By early 2008, just Clinton and Obama remained. Obama pulled off a surprising eight-point win in the Iowa caucuses, long believed to gauge the political leanings of the nation, but the race remained tight throughout the primaries. Though many political pundits had essentially declared Obama the winner by April, Clinton battled onward, finally conceding the nomination in June.   On the Campaign Trail Obama speaks at the DNC in Denver, Colorado, after securing the party’s nomination for president, 2008. Source: Library of Congress, Washington DC   The 2008 election pitted Obama and his running mate, Joe Biden, on the Democratic ticket against Republican John McCain and his VP selection, Sarah Palin. Obama’s campaign heavily emphasized the need for change, not only of the party in power but of the partisan politics that had long held sway in Washington, as well as the foreign and domestic policy debacles that were weighing down the current administration.   As a relative newcomer to Congress, Obama was able to position himself as an outsider while still touting years of experience in the kind of on-the-ground, grassroots political activism that had become increasingly popular with young voters. He was skilled at reading the voting public. Thus, early on, Obama latched onto a unifying issue that appealed to voters across the spectrum, healthcare reform, making affordable and accessible healthcare for all Americans a key element of his campaign platform.   As the Bush presidency was winding down, his approval rating plummeted to just 22%, leaving McCain in the difficult position of being the heir apparent to one of the most unpopular presidents in modern American history. In contrast, Obama could drive home his “change” message by citing the failings of the Bush administration and McCain’s support for many of its policies. When the long-brewing financial crisis finally erupted in late 2008, it was another nail in the GOP’s coffin.   While VP candidates are often an afterthought, McCain’s choice of running mate—the relatively unknown Alaska governor perhaps chosen because she was a political outsider—backfired rather quickly. Palin’s arguable charm could not disguise her ignorance of many policy issues, which drew increased attention because of McCain’s age and the possibility that Palin could ultimately take over the presidency. On the other hand, Obama, 47 years old compared with McCain’s 72, selected a career politician with years of experience, particularly in foreign policy, as his running mate, which may have reassured voters concerned about electing a newcomer.   Obama and his running mate, Joe Biden, celebrating their victory on election night, by Linda Davidson, November 2008. Source: Linda Davidson/The Washington Post   The 2008 presidential election was also the first in which the Internet, and more specifically social media, played a prominent role. It had become much easier to reach out to young voters, who were particularly fed up with the US entanglements in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as other groups the major parties often ignored because they did not usually vote or contribute to presidential campaigns. The Internet evened the playing field, enabling low-cost outreach across different demographic groups, and the Obama campaign took full advantage.   While the political establishment had traditionally been focused on big-money donors, the 2008 election showcased the fundraising power of $5 and $10 donations from people from all walks of life. Obama, in fact, refused public funding that was available to his campaign in favor of citizen donations, raising $750 million for his presidential run—three times what McCain raised.   For a variety of reasons, Obama energized voters: he was young and charismatic with a captivating speaking style, he came from outside the political establishment with fresh policy proposals to accompany his message of change, and he had years of experience working on the ground with ordinary Americans.   And he was Black.   Though wrong to overstate it, it would be a mistake to ignore the role race played in the 2008 election. Americans of all backgrounds were excited at the prospect of the country’s first Black president. For Black Americans, in particular, it meant finally seeing themselves represented in the country’s highest office. For white Americans, it was a rejection of the country’s entrenched racism and a symbol of how far the American voting public had come.   America’s First Black President Obama being sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, by Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, January 2009. Source: US Air Force   On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. Ultimately, Obama secured a solid victory, collecting 365 electoral votes and 53% of the popular vote, with nearly 70 million Americans opting for Obama over McCain. Voter turnout swelled, with 63% of eligible voters casting a ballot, the highest percentage since the 1960 presidential election, and nine states flipped from red to blue. Exit polls showed Obama was especially popular among young and minority voters.   The election of the first Black president led some pundits to quickly declare a post-racial America; his victory was lauded by some as definitive proof that skin color was no longer the limiting factor it once was. In his victory speech, Obama summed up the importance of the historic moment: “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer… It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.”   Barack Obama, Kehinde Wiley, oil on canvas, 2018. Source: The Smithsonian Institution/The National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC   This optimism was perhaps too hasty, with some scholars arguing, in retrospect, that rather than marking the country’s moving beyond its racist past, the election of the first Black president ultimately highlighted and even deepened racial tensions. Numerous race-related issues that persisted throughout his terms can be cited, including the use of racist tropes, like birtherism, to object to his presidency and the rise of—and vociferous opposition to—the Black Lives Matter movement in response to a number of racially motivated police shootings.   Additional proof of the country’s failure to break with its racist past was perhaps best seen with the Shelby County v. Holder Supreme Court decision that gutted the Voting Rights Act during Obama’s second term. The decision had an immediate impact on nearly 50 years of progress in voting access and turnout, allowing states to implement new restrictions and regulations that disproportionately impacted the Black and minority voters who had propelled Obama to the presidency.   Obama’s victory was a hard-fought, historic achievement, but hardly the death knell for racism in the United States that so many were anticipating.

  Ghost towns are not exclusive to Texas and California. Yes, for instance, states like Utah have their fair share of these intriguing relics as well, and what’s so impressive about them is their historical depth. You won’t believe the stories of many of these towns and how they transformed from bustling communities into deserted remnants. We’ve handpicked for you 10 of these ghost towns in the Beehive State, each with a past that will captivate you. So grab your map, and let’s discover the secrets buried in these forgotten places.   1. Frisco Frisco Ghost Town, Utah. Source: Flickr   Once a booming hub for silver mining, this legendary Utah ghost town was established in 1875. Frisco thrived around the Horn Silver Mine, one of the richest silver mines in the US. The town had around 6,000 residents at its peak, and it quickly became known as the “wildest mining town in the West.” This is because it was notorious for lawlessness, daily brawls, and saloons lining its streets. It was all chaos that a sheriff was eventually appointed to maintain order.   The success of Frisco declined after a disastrous mine collapse in 1885. This marked the beginning of the abandonment of the town. If you’re planning to visit Frisco today (which you should), you’ll have the chance to explore remnants of its historic charcoal kilns. These were essential for Frisco’s metal smelting processes. They are listed today on the National Register of Historic Places.   On top of that, the Frisco Cemetery and scattered mining equipment are a must-see. They’re an illustration of the ghostly past of the once-thriving Utah town.   2. Thistle What remains of the former school at Thistle, Utah. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Thistle was made a ghost town not a long time ago. It wasn’t until 1983 that all the drama unfolded with a devastating landslide that hit the town. Before that, it was a thriving railroad in Spanish Fork Canyon that was established in the late 1880s. Thistle was essential for refueling and supplying trains on the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.   Over the years, the town grew to include a schoolhouse, homes, saloons, and even a small rail yard. However, the importance of Thistle declined as steam engines gave way to diesel trains. By 1982, only a few families remained.   Circling back to the most devastating event that hit Thistle, it was in the spring of 1983 when unusually heavy rain and melting snow caused a massive landslide that dammed the Spanish Fork River. It led to a flood that submerged the whole town. While the area was evacuated, the town was underwater within days. This resulted in one of the most expensive natural disasters in US history.   Today, you’ll have the chance to view the eerie, half-submerged remains from US Route 6, with foundations and the schoolhouse barely visible above the murky water.   3. Grafton Ghost town of Grafton, Utah. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Grafton is a picturesque ghost town located near the famous Zion National Park. It has a history marked by resilience and hardship. The town was originally a farming community established by Mormon settlers in 1859. It was plagued by frequent flooding from the Virgin River, which led to a complete relocation in 1862. Despite efforts to establish orchards and support the community, Grafton struggled with isolation, limited arable land, and tensions during the Black Hawk War in 1866, which led to a temporary evacuation. Many families eventually moved to nearby Rockville, where conditions were more favorable.   Grafton’s population had dwindled by the early 1900s. In 1944, its last residents departed. Today, the town is famous for its well-preserved structures, including a schoolhouse, cemetery, and chapel. Grafton is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The fact that it was the filming location for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and other movies makes it the perfect destination if you’re drawn to cinematic history.   The memory of Grafton is kept alive thanks to restoration efforts by the Grafton Heritage Partnership.   4. Silver Reef American Smelting and Refining Company works in Silver Reef, Utah. Source: Wikimedia Commons   When prospector John Kemple discovered silver embedded in sandstone around the late 1800s, it was a highly unusual ecological find in Utah’s Silver Reef. This has definitely turned the area into a unique mining town. Silver Reef was officially established in 1875. The town quickly expanded as miners and entrepreneurs arrived. This transformed it into a bustling boomtown.   Home to around 2,500 residents at its peak, Silver Reef boasted a mile-long main street with multiple businesses, including a Wells Fargo office, which still stands today and now houses a museum. The town continued thriving up until the 1880s. This was when a global decline in silver prices and challenges with flooding mines led to Silver Reef’s decline. Most operations ceased by 1891, and the town was gradually abandoned.   You’ll be able to witness remnants of Silver Reef’s storied past today, including the Wells Fargo building, the jail, and the stone kilns that were once used for ore processing. As for the museum, it provides you with a glimpse into the rich history of this Utah town, preserving the legacy of this rare silver-in-sandstone discovery.   5. Mercur Mercury Mine, Mercur, Utah. Source: Picryl   Due to its mining history, Mercur saw multiple boom-and-bust cycles. The town was originally established in the 1870s as Lewiston and was later renamed Mercur after a vein of cinnabar (mercury ore) was discovered in the area. It truly prospered in the 1890s when a gold ledge was discovered, and Mercur became famous for pioneering the cyanide process for gold extraction. This in itself revolutionized mining in the United States.   During its heyday, Mercur housed a thriving community of around 5,000 people and became known for its bustling main street and a tight-knit Italian immigrant population who introduced local traditions, like Columbus Day celebrations.   Mercur faced devastating fires in 1896 and 1902, yet it was rebuilt each time, though it finally succumbed to economic pressures in 1913 when gold production became unprofitable. Today, Mercur has been almost completely erased by modern strip mining operations, with only the Mercur Cemetery remaining as a haunting reminder of the town’s past. The cemetery is accessible to visitors and offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of those who endured Mercur’s boom-and-bust cycles in pursuit of fortune in the rugged Utah landscape.   6. Alta Top of Sugarloaf lift at Alta, UT. Source: Wikimedia Commons   This one began as a bustling silver mining town in the 1860s. It was known for its rich silver deposits in Little Cottonwood Canyon, where it quickly grew to house thousands of miners and developed a lively main street with saloons and hotels. However, Alta faced several setbacks, including an economic downturn, wildfires, and a devastating avalanche in 1885. All of these collectively led to its decline. By 1895, the town was nearly abandoned, and it experienced only brief mining resurgences in the early 20th century before becoming a ghost town by the 1930s.   In 1938, the Utah town found new life. This was when the area’s deep snow and mountainous terrain attracted attention for ski resort development. With assistance from Norwegian ski legend Alf Engen and the U.S. Forest Service, the first ski lift opened in 1939, and Boom, Alta is turned into a premier ski destination.   The Alta Ski Area is still even popular today, where it offers world-class powder skiing, lodging, and recreational activities year-round.   Whether you want to explore the remnants of Alta’s mining past or you’d like to enjoy the modern ski facilities in town, both of these options are within your reach if you visit this historic ghost town in Utah.   7. Cisco Ghost town of Cisco in Utah. Source: Wikimedia Commons   In the 1880s, Cisco began as a railroad town. It served as a vital water and supply station for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. Thanks to the fact that it was located along key rail lines, the town also supported the region’s cattle and sheep industries. How did it exactly do that? By simply acting as a hub for livestock operations.   With the discovery of oil and natural gas in the 1920s, Cisco saw a surge in development, including a post office, general store, and schoolhouse. All of this sustained the town well into the mid-20th century.   However, the rise of diesel engines and the construction of Interstate 70 in the 1970s diverted traffic away from Cisco. And then, the decline began. It was the unavoidable eventual abandonment. Today, you can still see Cisco’s haunting, sun-bleached remnants, including the empty buildings, a general store, and the original post office. They’re still standing, and the atmosphere they create draws both artists and film crews alike. Recently, an artist residency and a small store have brought life back to town, where a few residents now continue its story as a re-emerging artistic enclave.   Visitors today can view these remnants of a once-thriving town along Interstate 70 but should respect the private properties within Cisco’s limits.   8. Modena B.J. Lund & Company, Old hotel and store, Modena, Utah. Source: Flickr   Supporting the steam engines on the Utah and Nevada Railway: this was the main objective of establishing Modena in 1899. Located in Iron County, near the Nevada border, this Utah town grew so fast as a key stop for freight and water supplies. The economic activity in town expanded through the early 20th century, serving local ranchers, miners, and travelers moving between Utah and Nevada.   It developed a vibrant main street with hotels, saloons, and the notable B.J. Lund General Store, which you can still see today.   With the advent of diesel engines and the bypassing of Modena by major highways, the importance of the town dwindled. This led to its near abandonment. Though it has faded significantly, Modena still attracts visitors with its preserved historic buildings, such as the ruins of the Last Chance Saloon and its small cemetery.   9. Ophir The Lawrence Brothers and Company Store, a historic building in Ophir, Utah. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Ophir is named after the biblical land rich in precious metals. It was founded in the 1860s after soldiers stationed at nearby Camp Douglas discovered silver deposits in the area. By the 1870s, the town boasted a population of around 6,000 people and was known for its lively atmosphere, with saloons, brothels, and dance halls lining its streets. Ophir thrived on mining silver, lead, zinc, and copper, though its prosperity began to wane as ore quality declined and easier opportunities lured miners elsewhere.   Today, Ophir has transformed into a well-preserved “living ghost town” with a handful of residents and carefully restored historic buildings, including an original town hall and a cluster of old structures with mining artifacts on display. The town attracts history enthusiasts, who can explore its mining-era streets while respecting private properties.   10. Sego The former general store building in the ghost town of Sego, Utah. Source: Wikimedia Commons   This unique Utah town is known for its coal mining past rather than the gold and silver rushes typical of the region. In the early 1890s, rancher Harry Ballard discovered coal seams in the area and began small-scale operations. By 1911, he sold the mine to investors. This was when the town grew with the establishment of a company store, boarding houses, and infrastructure to support a thriving coal industry. However, water shortages, labor disputes, and economic challenges consistently hampered Sego’s growth. In 1947, the mine closed, and decline began.   If you visit the town nestled in the scenic Sego Canyon, you’ll be able to explore the town’s remnants. This includes the stone company store, collapsed boarding houses, and an old cemetery. You’ll also witness in the area ancient rock art from Native American tribes. This would be interesting if you love to explore the cultural depth of the regions you’re visiting.

  The brutal and unforgiving American frontier created a different kind of man. These explorers, fur trappers, guides, and frontiersmen led the American expansion in the first years of the 1800s. The best became legendary, like John Colter, Kit Carson, and Jim Bridger. Mountain men roamed the wilds alone or in small groups, becoming skilled in survival, exploration, and trading furs with Native American tribes.   What Made the Mountain Men Go into the Wilderness? 1803 Louisiana Purchase Map. Source: Bureau of Land Management   With the 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France, the United States’s size almost doubled. With so much unknown territory, the chance to become rich and adventure lured men into the wilderness. The Lewis and Clark expedition’s reports only fueled that desire. Also, the insatiable fur trade demand in Europe and the East Coast drew men West, especially for beaver pelts. Wiped out in Europe, beaver skins were popular as hats and commanded high prices. Other highly sought-after skins included otter, muskrat, and mink.   Who Was the First Famous Mountain Man? Colter’s Map. Source: U.S. Geological Survey   John Colter’s story became among the first known of the mountain men. Born in 1775, he grew up in a then-frontier Kentucky. His story began in 1803 when he enlisted in Lewis and Clark’s Corp of Discovery as a hunter and scout. Colter’s wilderness skills, toughness, and independence quickly gained his boss’s trust. Soon, he scouted alone far ahead of the expedition. Upon the Corp’s 1806 conclusion in St. Louis after an 8,000-mile trip, Colter left with two other trappers. The trio sought beaver pelts in areas like Montana.   Ever restless, Colter traveled hundreds of miles solo during the harsh winter of 1807. He trapped and traded, exploring areas like Wyoming, Nebraska, and Idaho. He became the first non-Native man to view Yellowstone’s geysers, afterward known as “Colter’s Hell.” Yet the traumatic event that happened next cemented his mountain man legend.   What Happened to John Colter? John Colter, historical panel.   While trapping in 1808 in Montana, a Blackfeet war party ambushed Colter and killed his companion, John Potts. Like a bit from a movie plot, he was tortured and told to run. Naked and wounded, Colter escaped, even killing a pursuer. He hid in a river log jam and somehow walked hundreds of miles to the nearest fort. In 1810, Colter returned to Missouri, where 1813, he passed from jaundice.   How Did Kit Carson Become a Mountain Man? Kit Carson 1864. Source: San Diego History Center   Kit Carson’s adventurous life started like many of the mountain men. Upon leaving his Kentucky home at age 17, Carson joined a trading expedition in 1826. He roamed the West as a trapper, guide, and explorer. His navigation skills and reputation became such that in 1842, John Fremont hired Carson to guide his U.S. government expedition. Carson married into two Native American tribes. Carson’s first wife passed away, and the second divorced him. Carson explored, fought alongside, and became friends with the storied Jim Bridger. Carson also became famous in the ever-popular dime novels in usually exaggerated stories.   Why Is Kit Carson Considered Controversial?   Despite his solid reputation as a guide, Civil War officer, and even Indian Agent Carson’s later actions shadowed his legacy. He mediated several disputes with Native tribes and settlers, being able to speak Comanche, Apache, Navajo, Spanish, and more. Carson did fight in several campaigns or actions, such as the Long Walk of the Navajo, where several thousand people died. Kit Carson passed away in 1868 in Taos, New Mexico.   Why Does Jim Bridger Standout as a Mountain Man? Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Source: Library of Congress   Jim Bridger was born in Virginia on March 17, 1804, and passed on July 17, 1881. During his lifetime, Bridger’s exploits and legacy are only surpassed by Hugh Glass. Filled with the mountain man’s restless energy, Bridger traveled west from Missouri to California. His twenty years of trapping and wandering took him from Canada to Utah. His ability to survive bad weather, plus constant encounters with animals or locals, both white and Native, helped build his reputation. Bridger also spoke decent Spanish, French, Shoshone, Blackfoot, and Flathead.   Bridger Pass. Source: National Park Service   Bridger is believed to be the first non-Native to see the Great Salt Lake in 1824. He mistook this for the Pacific Ocean. With the decline of the fur trade after 1840, Bridger guided settlers across the mountains. With his picture-perfect memory, he successfully led wagon trains on the Oregon Trail, avoiding pitfalls or potential delays. He married three times, his wives passed away, but they had five children.   He served as a U.S. Army scout in two wars. Bridger’s biggest feats came with establishing Fort Bridger in Utah and locating Bridger’s Pass. The Pass he discovered in 1850 reduced travel time on the Oregon Trail by 61 miles. Jim Bridger died in1881 at his daughter’s Missouri farm due to bad health but left an incredible legacy.