A Special Exception

Captain Joe Walker was traveling the Great Basin rim to rim, and by 1840 he was acknowledged as the one who knew this vast tract of wilderness better than any living white man or Indian.  He dealt effectively and peacefully with the Snake, Bannock, Crow, Paiute, Apache, Navajo Indian tribes.

Walker sold furs and robes he collected to the most convenient and most profitable buyer.  He made numerous trips to California and dealt directly with Los Angeles Merchants.

The fur companies - Hudson Bay and American Fur Company had a unique relationship with Captain Joe.  Their policy was exclusive rights only and you were blackballed if you didn't follow rules - except for Joe who could buy and sell to both or to anyone else he wanted to.

Indians had come to regard some of the goods they received in trade from Walker as necessities and were dependent on white trappers for much of their livelihood.

Next time...The Good Samaritan of the West