The Mysterious Joesph Walker

There are 3 unsolved mysteries in the life of Joseph Walker...

What he did and where he went as a Taos Trappers in the early 1820s?

What was his true relationship with Benjamin Bonneville?

Who was his Indian wife and their feeling for each other?



Walker married most likely in 1836 after he returned from Crow country because in 1837 a journalist recorded Walker and his "wife". They were married until at least 1846 when they were last seen as a couple and she attended a ladies party as Mrs. Walker.  They had children, but their names and sexes are unknown.  She was a Snake Indian, no doubt but her name was never mentioned. The only known picture with Joe is the one presented here...


Walker would have been the greatest catch around - leader, feared warrior, affluent, and handsome.  It would probably have been someone of standing in the tribe, maybe a chief's daughter because she is known to have been beautiful and well-educated.  Snake women had the reputation of dressing well - one that Walker also shared.

Joe took her home to meet the kinfolk in Missouri and they attended church there as recorded in the family records.

She probably died around 1848 because Walker went home and spent a year "out-of-character" and what we would call these days as depression.  Walker never remarried.  She may have died in childbirth as many women did in those days or in one of the many illnesses that affected the western frontier.


Next time...Torn to pieces with canyons.