The Good Samaritan

One story of the 1840s contributed to the legend of Joe Walker.  Joe Meek had become a loner in the fur business by the 1840s.  He set out for Fort Davy Crockett some 200 miles away on the Green River.  With not enough pelts to make the winter's provisions, or even  buy clothing, he started out on foot to meet his wife and son.

Along the way Meek was met by one of the early western tourists, Thomas Jefferson Farnham, a Vermont lawyer who wanted to establish a commune out west.  When he saw Meek he judged him to be very poor and without sufficient clothing.  Just after meeting Farnham, Meek reportedly fell on his rifle and was wounded. 

Without food, October was growing colder and Meek was growing weaker when 15 miles outside of Fort Crockett, Meek decided to stop and rest. If Walker hadn't have come by, Meek would have surely frozen to death, but Walker gave him buffalo jerky, furnished him with a horse and carried him to his destination.

Fort Crockett, by the way, was not really a fort, but was a one story building made of wood and clay with 3 sheds attached.  There was, however, good water,  pasture and good hunting nearby.  It was a favorite winter camp for remaining trappers and traders.

Next Time...Horse Thieves