Howdy and Welcome to Part 1 of our Deep Dive into the Life and Legend of Joesph Lafayette Meek.
He was more than just a mountain man—he was a legend of the American frontier. A fearless fur trapper, bold explorer, captivating storyteller, and later a politician, Meek carved out a life that embodied the rugged spirit of the West.
He roamed the Rocky Mountains during the golden age of the fur trade, fought and feasted alongside fellow trappers, and left behind tales so wild they blurred the line between fact and fable. From his friendships with icons like Jim Bridger, the Sublette Brothers, and Thomas Fitzpatrick, to his transformation into a pioneer leader in Oregon, Meek’s life is the story of the West itself: dangerous, thrilling, and unforgettable.
Sources;
Joe Meek, The Merry Mountain Man, A Biography, by Stanley Vestal
The River of the West, by Frances Fuller Victor
Joe Meek, Man of the West, by Shannon Garst
https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/meek_joseph_l_1810_1875_/
https://www.history.co.uk/article/remembering-joseph-meek-the-magnificent-mountain-man
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/joseph-lafayette-meek/
https://medium.com/@TomBremer/joe-meek-in-yellowstone-1829-7f5379293bfa
Article by Thomas S. Bremer
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-williamsublette/
Info on William Sublette