"They urged me to take up winter quarters at the forks of the Platt, stating that if I attempted to advance further until spring, I would endanger the lives of my whole party"
- William Henry Ashley
About this Quote
This quote is from William Henry Ashley, a fur trader and explorer in the early 1800s. In this quote, he is describing a discussion he had with Native Americans. They were warning him not to continue his journey up until the spring, as it would be too harmful to do so in the winter. They recommended that he take up winter quarters at the forks of the Platt, which was a river in the location. This was likely a smart tip, as the winter weather condition would have been too harsh for Ashley and his party to continue their journey. The Native Americans were looking out for Ashley and his party, and wanted to ensure their safety. This quote shows the importance of listening to the guidance of those who know the location and the conditions better than you do.
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