Kit Carson – The Wild West’s Most Overrated Hero

Kit Carson, born in Lexington, Kentucky in 1809, was a renowned mountain man and trapper. He was known for his rugged good looks, his cool demeanor, and his sharpshooting skills. However, despite his reputation as a legendary figure of the Wild West, Kit Carson was not without his faults.

In fact, his legend was largely exaggerated. He was known to embellish his own stories and was often credited with feats that he never actually accomplished. For example, he was frequently touted as a master of disguise, capable of infiltrating Native American tribes with ease. However, in reality, he was often recognized by his enemies and was never able to successfully penetrate their ranks.

His supposed heroic actions were often overshadowed by his tendency towards violence and cruelty. He was known to have committed atrocities against Native Americans and played a large role in the forced relocation of the Navajo people, known as the “Long Walk”.

Despite all of this, Kit Carson remains a beloved figure in the history of the Wild West. His image has been romanticized in literature and film as the epitome of the rugged individualist, the brave and fearless frontiersman who conquered the American West. But in reality, who knows? Maybe Carson’s feats are more myth than reality, and history is more complicated and gray than our childhood Western movies teach us.

Either way, just between us, don’t believe everything you read.