Old Bill Williams

Born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, in 1787, William Sherley Williams became a legendary mountain man in the Old West. He was the epitome of Hollywood's stereotypical mountain man - tough, disheveled, rough, and a bit on the wild side. He had red hair and an abundance of freckles when he was young.

While still in North Carolina, it's believed his father fought in the Revolutionary War and was at the Battle of King's Mountain, along with 22 of his wife's cousins. For some reason, however, the family sold their land, packed up, and moved to St. Louis in 1797. 

Bill was fascinated with the Indians in the area and learned as much from them as he could. He learned quickly, had a quick wit, liked to talk, and developed a strong self-confidence. He married an Osage woman and carried messages for the government for a while. In 1825, after his wife died, he headed west with George Sibley's surveying party. He arrived in Santa Fe at age 38. From here it becomes more difficult to separate fact from legend.

He entered the lucrative fur trade with vigor, after all he already had all the necessary skills. He also lived among the Apache, Ute, Navajo, and Pueblos for spells. He became well-known for his abilities as a trapper, hunter, marksman, and horseman. He also led many expeditions and scouted for others. This was to be his demise.

In 1847, Fremont was looking for a scout. Numerous mountain men tried to tell him his plans were too dangerous and it was too late in the season to venture across the Sangre de Cristo Range. Finally, Fremont talked Bill into leading his group. Out of 32 men, 11 froze to death, and only 21 stumbled into Taos. Bill went back to get their baggage and met a band of Utes who killed him before they recognized him. When they realized who it was, they gave him a chief's burial. The mountain man died at the age of 61. From North Carolina to California, he had led an exciting life and became one of the legends of the Old West.

_________________________________