Leonard J. Arrington’s Charles C. Rich: Mormon General and Western Frontiersman provides a definitive scholarly biography of the pioneer leader who spearheaded the colonization of the Bear Lake basin. Arrington analyzes the geopolitical and spiritual directives that led Rich to guide pioneer families across high mountain passes in the autumn of 1863 to settle an unforgiving alpine valley then believed to be within Utah Territory. The work chronicles the delicate diplomatic negotiations conducted with Shoshone Chief Washakie to secure peaceful shared access to the valley’s rangelands, detailing how Rich directed the laying out of townsites at Paris, Fish Haven, St. Charles, and Montpelier while establishing communal sawmills, gristmills, and cattle cooperatives that ensured regional survival.

Bear Lake County (Idaho) History, Biographies, Fish Haven (Idaho), Frontier and pioneer life Idaho Bear Lake Valley, History, Montpelier (Idaho), Mormon Church Apostles Biography, Mormons Idaho History, Paris (Idaho), Pioneers Idaho Biography, Rich, Charles C. 1809-1883, St. Charles (Idaho), Washakie, Chief 1804?-1900

Studies in Mormon History, Vol. 1. Includes bibliographical references and index.

Studies in Mormon History, Vol. 1. Includes bibliographical references and index.