The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-10-22

himself to the Seventh Cavalry as a scout
under General Custer, we are not told. But
in the late eos we find him one Of that
army Of professional guides and scouts
who were attached to Clusters command.
The selection of a leader to head these
men was a question requiring considerable
fOrethOught m serious consideration, as
none of the officers appeared acquainted
with the merits or dement's of any par
ticular scout. The selection, therefore, had
to be somewhat at random, and Custer
cast about for the best man to fill the
position.
There was one among their number"
says Custer in his own personal memoirs
whose appearance would have attracted
the notice Of any casual observer. He was
q man about forty years or age-perhaps
older over six feet in height, and possess
ing a ell-propOrtiOned frame. His head
was covered with a luXuriant crop of long,
almOst-black, hair, strongly inclined to
curl, and so long as to fall carelessly over
his shoulders. His tace-at least so much
Of H. as was not concealed by the long,
waving blown beard and mustache, was
Of intelligence and pleasant to look upon,
His eye was undoubtedly handsome, blacE
and lustrOus, with an expression OF KIND,
ness and mildness combined. On his head
was generally to be seen, whether ASLEEP
or awake, q huge sOmbrerO or black sloucE
hat. A soldiers Overcoat, with its large
circular cape, a pair Of trousers with the
legs tucked in long boots, usually cOnsti'
tuted the makeup of the man whom l Sc,
iected as chief scout. He was known by TIT
euphoniOus title of california joe NJ
other name seems ever to have been gtveI
him, and no other name ever seemed
necessary. His military armament con
sisted Of a long, ~breech-1Oading Spring
field rifle, from which he seemed 1nsep
arabic, and a revolver n hunting knife
both the latter being carried in the waist
belt. His mount completed his equtpmen
for the field, being, instead Of a horse,
finely formed mule, in whose speed and en-
durance Joe had every confidence.
California Joe was an inveterate smoker
and was rarely seen without his STUDY
dingy-looking briarwood pipe In full Dlasi
The endurance of his smoking powers wa
only surpassed by his lOquacity. His pip
frequently became exhausted n require
refilling, but California Joe never SCENE
: to lack for material or disposition to carr
on a conversation, principally composed 9
personal adventures among the lnd1anl
episodes in mining life or experience
/ overland Journeys before the days {
steam engines and palace cars rendered
trim across the plains a comparatively VI
~eventful one. 1t was evident, from Tn
scraps Of conversation volunteered frol
time to time, that there was but little {
the Western country, from the Pac1I1c
, the Missouri river, with which Calforni
Joe was not intimately acquainted. DE ma
lived in Oregon years before, and had b.
=, come acquainted from time to time VIII
? most Of the officers who had served 9
t the plains or on the Pacific coast. l on
g inquired II ne hdu ever SSSA NSH
Sheridan.
q "sWhatl Gin'rul Shuriden2 Why, bic
: my soul I knOwed Shuriden way up
Oregon mOre'n fifteen year ago, an
was only a secunt lOOtenant Of infantr
He was quartermaster Of the foot,
: sumthin' Of that sort, an / had the col
tract Of furnishin' wood to the post, a
would yer believe It'll had s kind OF
sneakin' notion then that he'd hurt sur
buddy If they'd ever turn him loose. Lor
but amt he OF ightnin'P'
! "Such was the character OF the M,
whom, upon a snort acquaintance, Id
cided to appoint as chief Of scouts. In
thrust Of professional greatness, as {
e sequel will prove, was more than Ca
e fOrnia Joe aspired tor was, perhaI
! equal to-"
q Having appointed California Joe to 81
l. an important position, Custer took gre
pains to inform him what was expect
Of him and the men under his comman
" Joe likewise appeared somewhat skeptiC
of Clusters ability as an Indian nghU