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.

What Makes a Good Husband?

Indian women saw white men as safer, more considerate, less demanding and less disciplinary.  To them, white men were rich, valiant,  warriors, energetic hunters, and shrewd traders.  Who could ask for more?

It was the ultimate status symbol to attract, keep and support a good white man - like a Coach bag on your arm!
Joe Meek, when he married a Shoshoni - Mountain Lamb - is said to have spent his entire year's profit on his bride - $300 horse, $150 saddle, $50 bridle, $200 worth of blankets, boots, beads and a blue broadcloth skirt, scarlet blouse, and leggings. Mountain Lamb was one of the great beauties of the frontier west and Meek was very much smitten.

Next Time - The Mysterious Joe Walker

What Makes a Good Wife - Part 2

The white mountain man was attracted the Indians women because they made great housekeepers, home economists, and mothers, but also for maintaining supplies and equipment needed in the man's business - putting up lodges, tanning hides, cooking, protecting provisions.  Indians men took these skills for granted - white men saw them as blessings.

Beyond the sexual, Indian women cared for the mountain men's comforts - interpreters, guides as well as forging for herbs, making clothing, tending and moving camp.  Seems all the men did was procreate, eat, fight and smoke pipes!

The white man was able to marry well and regarded their Indian wives as far superior, prettier, cleaner, more stylish, seductive and far more useful than white women. Their biggest problem was not getting one, but choosing from the many offers received!

Next time...What makes a Good Husband!