About 185 miles west of
the forks of the Platte River, directly abutting the
north fork, stands a massive geologic formation that
is part of a range, now called the Wildcat Hills, that
stretches south and east of the promontory. Its summit
perhaps 750 to 800 feet above terrain, it was called
"the hill that is hard to go around" by the
Indians resident in the region long before any white
man traversed the territory.
The Mountain Men who
first used the Platte River Valley as a way of passage
to the fur-rich mountains assigned to the site the
name of one of their own in 1829. The
"honor" was bestowed upon one Hiram Scott,
who, with his partner James Bruffe, was employed by
the firm of Smith, Jackson & Sublette to take
supplies to the Green River Rendezvous in 1828. Scott
took ill on the trip to rendezvous and, according to
Matthew Field, was virtually helpless by the time they
reached the Rendezvous. Bruffe left the Rendezvous
before Scott, indicating that he would wait for him at
the big bluff on the North Platte River. During the
return trip, however, Scott's condition worsened to
the point that, near LaBonte Creek, his companions
constructed a "bull boat" in which to
transport him because he could no longer sit a horse.
Unfortunately, the boat was wrecked and all equipment
and supplies were lost. Under these circumstances it
is not surprising that it took the party nine days to
reach the bluffs on the North Platte. The entire party
was in dire straits when it finally reached the point
at which Bruffe was supposed to be waiting. Since no
sign of the partner could be found, Scott's companions
made an agonizing decision-they abandoned Scott to his
fate. The following summer his remains were found and
buried by William Sublette. In the words of Matthew
Field, "there lies poor Scott, with a mournful
fate and a magnificent monument."
During the years of emigrant travel on
the Oregon-California Trail some sought to turn
emigrant problems to their own advantage by
establishing trading posts along the trail. Military
establishments such as Forts Kearny and Laramie were,
of course natural locations for such establishments.
But others sprang up at points all along the trail.
From the earliest years of travel, Scott's Bluff was
one of the areas most continuously utilized by
traders, first in Roubideaux Pass then in the
immediate environs of Mitchell Pass after that way of
passage was opened by the military.
 |
Eugenia Zieber, 1851
Wednesday, July 2nd. 1851.
Scot's Bluffs were in view when we started
this morning and although they appeared near,
we were obliged to travel a long distance
before reaching them. They are objects of
greater interest than the Ancient Ruins or
Chimney Rock. And I think deserve the name of
ancient Ruins much more than those that bear
it. It was a grand sight. When opposite to
them (they are on the other [South] side of
the Platte) We saw a storm approaching,
following the course of the river. A dark
cloud hung over the bluffs, increasing or
heightening the grandeur of their appearance
to a great degree We gazed upon it in perfect
delight, but suddenly the whose scene was
envelopes in darkness, completely hid from our
view. The wind in a short time changed its
course, blowing towards us. Consequently we
had our share [p. 195] of the storm, which was
tolerably severe Some hail fell, but not
sufficient to do any damage to our waggons.
Only enough to frighten us a little. |
Mariett Foster Cummings, 1852
10th (June) - Passed
Bluff Ruins, most beautiful, too. I made a
rough draft then I was so charmed that I could
not gaze enough. Made our noon halt opposite
Scott's Bluff, altogether the most symmetrical
in form and the most stupendous in size of any
we have yet seen. One of them is close in its
resemblance to the dome of the Capitol at
Washington. There is a pass through that is
guarded on one side by Sugar Loaf Rock, on the
other by one that resembles a square house
with an observatory. There is one (nearest the
river) I will not attempt to describe,
certainly the most magnificent thing I ever
saw. Away up on the top is a green spot of
earth and cedar trees are clinging to its
rocky sides and covering its lofty crest. |
 |
Sarah Sutton, 1854
May 30th soon
after starting this morn, we left the river, to let
the proud Scotts bluffs go between us and the river
passt two french traders cabins and 8 indian Lodges
tented with them. . .came on to platt river again and
passt a traders tent of french an[d] indians. a good
looking white man with A black squaw for a bosom
companion
 |
Martha Missouri Moore, 1860
Saturday 30th (June,
1860). . .We are camped tonight in
Scotts Bluffs. This is the most beautiful
scenery we have been among. The valley
surrounded by mountains whose sides &
tops are covered with pines and cedars the
rippling stream make up a scene enchantingly
lovely. I thought if there is peace to be
found in the world the heart that was humble
might hope for it here. Made 15 miles |
Mary Ringo, 1864
July 16, Saturday. We hitch
up and travel some 18 miles crossing the Scotts Bluff,
this is a bad road but grand scenery. I could have
enjoyed it very much but I was so afraid the Indians
would attack us but we got over safe and camped at a
beautiful place on the river, there is an alkali
slough here and some of the cattle drank of it and it
killed them. Mr. Hoge loses some of his best oxen.
For additional information on Scott's Bluff, see the following:
Merrill Mattes, The
Great Platte River Road, Chapter XIII: "Mr.
Scott's Bluffs and Mr. Robidoux's Pass".
Merrill Mattes,
"Scott's Bluff, Giant Landmark of the
Oregon-California Trails," Overland Journal,
Volume 3, Number 3-Summer, 1985.
Robert L. Munkres,
"The Sentinels of the North Platte." [With
accompanying photographs] The National Tombstone
Epitaph, June, 1983.
The information
presented about this site has been adapted from Robert
L.
Munkres, "Scott's Bluff," English
Westerners Tally Sheet, Spring, 1994. |
