Hatchets were a very common item carried by trappers and hunters out West.

From W.A. Ferris:
We waited until the 17th for the arrival of some, but none came, and I finally resolved to go down
and engage one or two myself. Taking my gun, blankets, a pair of extra moccasins, flint and steel,
a hatchet, and my snow shoes, I passed down the river about twelve miles, where I found a comfortable
bush cabin, and halted for the night.

From Washington Irving's Bonneville:
The outfit of a trapper is generally a rifle, a pound of powder, and four pounds
of lead, with a bullet mould, seven traps, an axe, a hatchet, a knife and awl, a camp kettle, two
blankets, and, where supplies are plenty, seven pounds of flour.

From Russell:
As Winter
was approaching we could not think of stopping in this country where parties of Blackfeet were
ranging at all seasons of the year. After a few moments deliberation we came to the conclusion
and I wrote a note enclosed it in a Buffaloe horn buried it at the foot of the tree and then marked
the tree with my hatchet This being done we mounted our Mules and started back to the mountain

A Trappers equipments in such
cases is generally one Animal upon which is placed one or two Epishemores a riding Saddle and
bridle a sack containing six Beaver traps a blanket with an extra pair of Mocasins his powder horn
and bullet pouch with a belt to which is attached a butcher Knife a small wooden box containing
bait for Beaver a Tobacco sack with a pipe and implements for making fire with sometimes a
hatchet fastened to the Pommel of his saddle

From John Bradbury:
Walked all day, and in the afternoon -met the hunters, who had found a bee tree,(6) and were
returning to the boat for a bucket , and a hatchet to cut it down. I accompanied them to the tree.
It contained a great number of combs, and about three gallons of honey

From George Catlin:
At the base of one of these [bluffs], although
we had passed it, we with difficulty landed our canoe, and I ascended to its top, with some hours’
labour; having to cut a foot-hold in the clay with my hatchet for each step, a great part of the way
up its sides. So curious was this solitary bluff, standing alone as it did, to the height of 250 feet,
with its sides washed down into hundreds of variegated forms

Kansas Indian Reporting to a Trapper, by Alfred Jacob Miller

I look forward to this every Monday. Thank you for sharing.

I would never be without a good tomahawk. Thanks for posting these.

Was the Bradbury entry from his time with the Price-Hunt overland Astorians? That is very early for honeybees in the west.

Goo stuff K.

It was during his travels of the interior, 1809 to 1811. Published 1819.

From what I understand most of the west didn't have honeybees until the mid 19th century. I wonder if those might have been bees escaped from the Spanish missions.

Cool finding.

Seven traps! That seems reasonable!!