William Alexander Carter correspondence, 1859-1872

William Alexander Carter (1818-1881) was a sutler and probate judge at Fort Bridger from 1859 until his death in 1881. Known as "Mr. Fort Bridger" he was the most important figure in that region and played a key role in the economic development of the intermountain west. A Virginian, he came to Fort Bridger with the Utah Expedition in 1857, where he opened a general store, carrying on a brisk trade with soldiers, Indians, and overland travelers. In 1866 he reported his sales at this store at $100,000 per year, and increasing. Grasping the business opportunities with the Mormons, he opened a second store in Heber, Utah, and recruited a partner, Bishop Abram Hatch, who ran his business interests in that part of the territory.

His many enterprises included mining, oil, logging, cattle ranching, and saw mills; and he raised large tracts of hay and grain on the land surrounding the Fort.