Men of the Frontier

There were many famous frontiersmen, among them Daniel Boone, Kit Carson, and Davy Crockett. The real heroes of the frontier were thousands of pioneers who never became famous. Their courage and hard work tamed a wilderness. Most frontiersmen were farmers but also had to be a clever hunter and trapper. He had to know how to build a shelter, a boat, a wagon, or a sled. Using only an ax, he cleared land for a farm using homemade tools.

A log cabin was the typical pioneer home in Kentucky, Tennessee, and many other wooded regions. The men and boys cut trees into logs, which were fitted together. The boys of pioneer families made many of the household utensils. Most of the boys were skillful whittlers. Families worked together and built a strong community. If settlers did not follow established laws, they were forced to move from the settlement.

Daniel Boone (1734-1820)

Born in Pennsylvania in 1734 near the present city of Reading. He became a skilled woodsman and hunter with the help of friendly Indians. Daniel learned Indian habits and used that knowledge to outwit them in later years. At 21, Boone married Rebecca, who was almost as handy with a rifle as her husband. Boone continually moved further west whenever he felt that civilization was beginning to crowd him. The Indians once captured Boone; they plucked all of his hair and “washed away” his “white” blood in a ceremony, and painted him. He was now a Shawnee, and he pretended to love Indian life.

Kit Carson (1809-1868)

Born in Kentucky, Kit Carson won fame as a frontiersman in the West. He was especially known for his skill as a guide, hunter, and soldier. People described Carson as brave, gentle, honest, and wise. At age 14, Kit was sent away to work for a saddlemaker, which he hated. He ran away and worked in the fur trade. Kit became famous as a guide and later for his military skills. After the Civil War began in 1861, Carson was made colonel of the New Mexico Volunteer Regiment. In 1862 he fought the Confederate forces in a battle at Valverde, N. Mexico and was later ordered to lead campaigns against the Indians. Carson resigned from the Army in 1867 because of illness.

David Crockett (1786-1836)

Born in Tennessee, he was one of the most famous frontiersmen in United States history. He was an expert marksman and became a colonel in the Tennessee militia. “Davy” Crockett also served in Congress. Crockett was a humorist, and he told and wrote many tall stories about himself. Other writers exaggerated these stories even more, and Crockett became a well-known fold hero during his lifetime. One tale tells of the time Crockett aimed his rifle, “Betsy,” at a raccoon in a tree. The animal recognized Crockett and cried, “don’t shoot, Colonel. I’ll come down. I know when I’m a gone coon.” Davy first went to school when he was 13 years old – but for only four days. He left school after fighting with another boy and ran away from home for three years to avoid punishment. In early February 1836, Crockett was killed by Mexican troops at the Alamo.

These are the footnotes that need to be added. Cut and Paste them into the footnote then delete these directions.

Bakeless, John. Master of the Wilderness: Daniel Boone. Morrow, 1939. The standard biography.

Crockett, David. A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett. Scholarly, 1977. Reprint of 1834 ed. For older readers

Blackwelder, Bernice. Great Westerner: The Story of Kit Carson. Caxton, 1962.