Kit Carson might have been one the most important mountain men and guide.  It's easy to say there would be no Oregon trail, no California at all and maybe a lot more Indians not killed if it weren't for Kit. Not that Carson was a blood thirsty arsehole but a man who just did his job.  A good example of the 1800's in one man, not black and white, but many shades of grey.  Possibly 50 of them.