Jailbirds in New Mexico

Joe did go to New Mexico where he and his buddies were intercepted by the Spanish military and put into jail.  They were released only when they promised to go back directly to the United States territory.  It is believed that Joe never meant to leave New Mexico territory - but to just retreat far enough back into the mountains to elude the Spanish police.

Joe became a member of the Taos trappers which were named after a mountain village in New Mexico where they hid out from the Spanish authorities. The Taos trappers were instrumental in opening both the Santa Fe trail and the American fur trade in the Rockies.

There is little record of their activity or whereabouts because the Taos trappers were a secret bunch.  Once they left Missouri westward, they were no longer considered United State citizens and received no protection from the government.  In fact, in essence, they became illegal aliens when they crossed the Spanish-Mexican boundary.  Walker and his men were now fugitives, smugglers and dealers in contraband!

Next time...some notorious trapper stories