Research Team:
#1
Jason Ota
Alan Salazar
Steve Sicola
Joe Sullivan
#2
David Anderson
Larry Kieffe
Steven Russell
Terry Woehrle
Preface
The story of what prompted us into researching the story of Fort Convenience is almost as interesting as the story itself. As somewhat sceptical but enthusiastic students in a new class at our school called Mountain, Plain, and Plateau, our main efforts had been centered around reading and listening to lectures about Colorado history and geography. In November of 1974 however, the sponsors of our unique class came to us with an interesting proposition. Would we consider actually doing research on our own in an historical capacity, by conducting our own "field work" digging, and sorting in an effort to re-explain some of Adams County's historical mysteries? We were further asked to choose an area of research that has caused a few headaches for history experts in the state. Sound ambitious? It was, especially for a group of inexperienced High School students to whom the very word "research" was unnerving. We were given a list of Adams County unique-cases, and were asked to make our choice. A few of us were intrigued by an option simply titled "Fort Vasquez No. I." To anyone familiar with Colorado history this was confusing. History books show that only one Fort Vasquez is recognized and that the location is no-where near Adams County. How then could this be? The instructors had no idea. Their list had been complied by the State Historical Society as unsolved puzzles connected with Adams County. We had no address to work with, no names, no locations, only the bewildering clue "Fort Vasquez No. I." This would indicate that the Fort Vasquez we read about in history books was number II, and that the original had been built in our own Adams County. This was a real gem of historical contradiction and controversy and we were determined to seek an answer.
The four of us made a trip to the Fort Vasquez museum near Greeley. After a long drive we were informed that very little was known about another Fort Vasquez but that Louis Vasquez had built many forts in the area. After looking at some of the old relics in the
museum one of us happened upon a plaque attached to a painting of Louis Vasquez, it says that Louis had also built a Fort Convenience five miles north of Denver. After simple computation we reasoned that perhaps Fort Vasquez No. I was actually another name for Fort Convenience, located "conveniently" in Adams County!!! This then, is the story of Fort Convenience.
Louis Vasquez and William Sublette were employed by the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. The aim of the fur company was to explore and document the wilderness area of northern Colorado in order to expand a dwindling supply of fur. The Rocky Mountain region of this company was headed by General Ashley. Hearing reports that the Clear Creek-South Platte area was rich in beaver pelts, an expedition was formed to make a more thorough investigation, and also to set up forts, trading posts, and similar needs. Diplomatic overtures would also be necessary to gain the confidence of a possibly hostile Indian population. Both Vasquez and Sublette were experienced explorers and trappers. In the 1820s both men had been involved in exploring the western regions. It is curious to note that although Vasquez and Sublette were encouraged, the Federal Government gave little if any help to these lone men who, though spurred by economic gain, were performing a valuable service to their nation. Partof the reason for this was that the geographic and political stability of the region was unstable. Nobody could say with any certainty that the area was part of America, or Mexico, or perhaps the leaderless Indians. It was assumed, therefore, that whoever got to the area first, with the most, was the owner. It was to the advantage of America, that whatever was built in the region should be called a "Fort." It added strength to American claims to be able to point out the number of "forts" in a disputed area. Even more importantly, it induced reluctant trappers to work for and with the fur company. One would be more likely to assume the rigors of trapper life if one felt safer in a territory considered harsh and hostile. The very word "fort" brings visions of some security. It is, therefore, entirely, likely that the little shack known as Fort Convenience was not a "fort" but a rest stop with an imposing name.
In 1832, Louis Vasquez went to St. Louis, Missouri, to buy a years supply of odds and ends used for trade. The supplies were for his Fort which was next to Clear Creek, in an area that had been controlled only by the Bent's fur bonanza. Vasquez's plan was to use the river to transport his furs to market.
While in St. Louis a newspaper wrote, "The Old Mountainman, Louis Vasquez, is in town. He is purchasing supplies for his newly established trading post, as the foot of the Great Rockies." He had spent so much time in the Mountains, and led such a hard life he was known as "The Old Mountainman" even though he was only in his early thirties. But Vasquez was not an average mountainman, he was a gentleman, and he was educated. Because he could read and write, he stayed in the Fort and did the bookwork while his men did the trading. He was not only educated but he enjoyed reading. In a letter, (believed to have been written while he was at Convenience) he asks for some novels from his brother, who he called Godfather. Vasquez also spoke eight languages.
The Fort was made of cottonwood logs and adobe bricks. Its uses were: a center of fur trade, a trading post, and a place where mountainmen could buy supplies, such as flour, salt, gunpowder, and lead for making bullets. When completed the Fort consisted of a crude dwelling, a trading store, a shop, and an enclosed coral.
The main use of the Fort was to store furs, and supplies. The Indians, when the trading was done, did not come to the Fort to trade. Vasquez and his men used the Fort as a base of operations and went to the Indians to trade.
Although the Redmen did not come to Convenience, the white mountainmen did. Aside from the necessary items the Fort was heavily stocked with beads, mirrors, bells and other items that were used to help the men flirt with comely Indian women.
The life of the mountainman was a lonely one. He might spend months trapping alone. Vasquez being a man of the mountains himself realized this and tried to make their visit to his fort a time to remember. He threw "whingdings" with jugglers, wrestlers, music, games of chance and shooting matches. These parties would go on for days. The men would sing dance and have a good time. The Indians who lived nearby would dance and sing for the men they did business with. The women who came with them were most welcome by the men of Vasquez's company. In a letter to his brother Vasquez said, "I love all the women, yet like none of them." He was one of the few mountainmen to marry a white woman and not a squaw.
About the fall of 1835 Fort Convenience was left, the reason being bad location. The river that was to float the furs down to the markets was not deep enough, and the competition from, the other forts was to much, Louis Vasquez was forced to give up his "inconvenient" fort.
No physical evidence remains of Fort Convenience, although it is safe to assume that it was not very imposing. It was not designed as a permanent post but rather as a shelter for the winter. It is probable that Fort Convenience has been mistaken for Fort Vasquez because it was Vasquez's original contribution to the later chain of "forts" to come. Here then is the controversy surrounding the name of Fort Vasquez. People in Adams County can say with some justification that Vasquez built his first fort in Adams County. History has become distorted, however, as a result of the curious habit of early trappers to attach little significance to an outpost's name. To assume that Vasquez did not mind if his name was attached to a particular outpost can also be questioned. Not withstanding the controversy we prefer to call Fort Vasquez No. I by its proper name, Fort Convenience, mainly because this was the name Louis Vasquez gave it. We have documented evidence that Fort Convenience existed as the result of a letter written by Vasquez to his brother in 1834. This would mean that for at least two years Fort Convenience was of some importance to the
Rocky Mountain Fur Company. No actual proof exists to show the exact site of Fort Convenience.
Since no time was available to build a militarily sound fort it can be assumed that tension between the trappers and Indians was light. A Pike Vasquez, the nephew of Louis, is believed to have worked there as late as 1836. Since we know that Fort Vasquez was built in 1836 it might be probable that the work A. Pike Vasquez was engaged in was removing valuables such as equipment and animals to the new, more durable Fort Vasquez. No further mention is made of Fort Convenience and it can be assumed that the little outpost had outlived its need. Fort Convenience was built from cottonwood logs and garrisoned by no more than 20 hunters and trappers. It was probably little more than a rest stop after 1834, a place to buy food and provisions, a place of orientation and short stays. It ceased being of any economic value after the building of Fort Vasquez.
The saga of the Vasquez forts continued, however, with the building of Fort Sarpy, Fort Lancaster, and Fort St. Vrain. Vasquez was the mastermind behind most of the northern Colorado forts. The Fort that bears his name was besieged by Indians in 1842 and later burned and abandoned.
(Illegible)
December 30, 1834
Dear Godfather,
I'm taking advantage of Andrew Sublette's going down to inform you of my news. I'm getting alone well, for you
know that I'm constitutionally strong and that a trifle doesn't stop me. Your letter pleased me greatly seeing that the family was getting along fine except for my little Emilie and Baron. But it is to be hoped that this fever is nothing. Tell Emilie not to fear for my health. Tell her that the God of man, who had never been reproachful, is with me; and also that I have nothing to fear. It is a great satisfaction for me (to know) that you are well and that I might contribute to making you happy. Rest assured that I don't do it only as an obligation, but for pleasure. I am happy that you didn't buy a horse from Sublette, since it is no favor. He owes me money. I wrote to Larry and at the same time to Robert Campbell in order to pay him that $50.00 because he has been a friend, and he can be sure that I would do the same for him. As for that which concerns Mademoiselle Tinten or Tintine, I assure you that there is so much that I am obliged to her for. The game doesn't displease me. Frankly, I like all the girls and love not a one of them. I feel (illegible). Assure him of my friendship,
as (brotherly friendship) a brother. And Guillaume too. I'll write to (illegible) and to Martin. Assure poor old (?) Emilie and poor (illegible) of the sincere attachment that I have for them. Tell them that the time will come, perhaps, when they will carry wtih honor the name they have. Tell them I haven't (illegible) and that I hope to make a fortune. Write to me through the company. Address your letter to Fort Williams (Black Hills) and if I go down I'll write you my intentions. Nothing more. Goodbye. Believe me your brother for life.
Louis Vasquez
Harris Fork
July 9th, 1834
United States Territory
Dear Godfather,
I received your letter dated the 4th of April. You told me the whole family was getting along fie. I assure you that it gives me great pleasure to have news from you. It is so rarely that I receive any letters. But in reading this you tell me that (viz., I learn that..)* your crops were almost all eaten up by the squirrels and then that the dryness and/or (pelting?) rain also contributed considerably. At any rate I have grieved for you. But, in short, one must hope that next year will be more favorable for you. I have had two men killed by the Blackfeet this spring. Little Bourdon from St. Charles and Pierre Hebert from Cahokia (?). I traded with the Crow last Autumn and Spring. I'm not going down this year. You will find, in a letter I wrote to you carried by Mr. Wm. L. Sublette, a draft for fifty piastres (dollars) and then if you have need for a horse or a mare he can get one for you. But make a good bargain because money is involved. Wm. Sublette or Campbell are going to get up again this Autumn. Please write me. Give me details of everyone. Kiss the whole family for me. Tell them that I love them all. Don't forget to pay Chauvin and retire the note. Goodbye. Believe me your brother for life.
Louis Vasquez
If you can get some novels for me Win. Campbell will be pleased to bring them to me.
* Translator's license.
References:
Colorado Magazine, January 1933
Colorado Magazine, January 1964
Men to Match My Mountains, Irving Stone
Mountain Men and Fur Trade, 1965
Colorado Magazine, September 1933
Colorado Magazine, January 1953
Trappers and Mountain Men, Evan Mones
The West of William Ashley, Old West Pub. 1964
The Fur Trade, Paul Phillips
Mrs. Bessie Clark
Mrs. Phyllis Witney
Mrs. A. J. Hale
Mr. Ken Malone
Colorado Historical Society
Denver Public Library
Rivalry at River, Seletha Brown