This partnership with Smith and Jackson ended in 1831 upon the death of Smith. And immediately thereafter he formed a partnership with Robert Campbell, another of General Ashley's "enterprising young men."

Going a little ahead of my story, Campbell, in June, 1835, with thirteen men, began the erection of a trading post about a mile from the mouth of the Laramie river, and in honor of William Sublette he named it Fort William. This was the beginning of Fort Laramie.

The partnership was dissolved in 1842, when Sublette retired from mountain trade, and in July, 1845, while on his way to Washington he was taken ill and died. The Sublette family is now extinct.

William Sublette died independently wealthy, being one of the few fur traders who made money, and kept any of it. He was married March 21, 1844, to an Alabama lady named Miss Frances Hereford, and Chittendon tells this little romance which is not without its human interest.

Miss Hereford had a prior attachment for a younger brother, Solomon, but William had the greater fortune, and it turned the scale in his favor. Soon after his marriage he made a will giving his fortune to her at his death in case she did not change her name. He died on the 2d of July, 1845, and the lady later married her first love, Solomon, that probably being the intention of William when he put the provision in his will.

FIRST WAGONS ON OVERLAND TRAILS

The valley of the "Flat Wrater" had become well known as a highway for trappers. While data of special trips are a little difficult to obtain, yet mention is made frequently of the movement of some voyageur, or pack caravan, and it is stated that "they took the usual Platte and Sweetwater route."