The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-11-05

started shooting. wO Of the claim Jumpers
were killed at the first shots, but the third
man escaped by running.
Joe worked his claim for abOu six months
and then LETT the county, as the sO-called
Vigtlantes were hot after him for the
killing Of the claim-jumpers.
In Wyoming, Joe became acquainted with
Jim Bridger, the famOum plainsman, and
they became very good friends. In 1865 Joe
went to New Mexico and did some mining:
he also guided various hunting parties in
Arizona. In New Mexico, Joe and hh part
ner were camped alone one night. when
they heard a noise among their horses.
which were hobbled. Grabbing his rifle, Joe
walked quietly out where the animals were
snOrting and prancing about. Two horse
thieves were attempting TO run the horses
away Joe shot and killed one of the men.
and catching his own horse, he took after
the other man, but he escaped, although
compelled to abandon the stolen animals.
which Joe recovered.
During a short residence in Texas. drift-
ing about, Joe acted as guide for a small
party of emtgrants. After being paid for
his services, he came to. a small frontier
town noted for its gambling dens. Toe he
came pretty well intoxicated and lost an
his money in one of the games. The winner
was sober at the time, and took advantage
of Joe's condition by cheating him in the
game. The following morning some Of JOe's
friends made him acquainted with the cir
cumStances. Wild with rage, Joe walked
into the back door Of the saloon, and ap-
preached the man who had cheated him.
The gambler took to his heels, but before
he could get across the street, Joe's gun
was belching lead and the gambler dropped
in his tracks. Turning to the crowd which
had gathered, Joe quietly remarked, "I
am California Joe, and if that man l just
shot has got any friends, let them step
to the front and I'll just have it out with
'em right here" Nobody spoke, and Joe
became a great ~favorite during his stay
In the spring of 1873 Joe went to Phoebe.
Nevada, with a man named Wilson. They
filed on a claim about 40 miles from
Phoebe, and started a cattle ranch to sup
ply the mines with beef. MY uncle, George
Miner, and my grandmother went down
there to see him. On the Fourth Of July
that year a shooting match was held, open
to everybody at a fee of $50. Joe won the
entire stakes of 5000, OutshOoting them all.
My grandmother was a witness at this
shooting match, as was my Uncle George.
Joe was known as the best all-arOund shot
on the plains. Buffalo Bill, who knew Joe
well, once told me that California Joe beat
any man with a gun that he ever saw.
Acting as guide for a party Of sixty men
who went from Phoebe, Nevada, down into
New Mexico, California Joe told my uncles
that before they reached their destination,
the. ApacheS were so bad that twenty of
the original sixty men were killed.
Joe landed in Wyoming in the early
spring of 1874, forming a partnership with
a man in Laramie City. The partner got
drunk one day, and sold a team Of JOe's
horses, after which he made ready to leave
the country. A friend Of JOe's came to
Laramie iCty and told him about it. Joe
went down to the amp and found his
partner sitting on a box in the tent. AS
Joe appeared, the fellow opened fire on
him, shooting three times and missing. Joe
then whipped out his own gun and shot
the man through the shoulder, but spared
his life.
A couple Of months later, Joe was pass.
ing through a canyon alone, when sudden.
ly he was fired upon from both sides. Joe
dropped to his knees and crawIed out OF
range, running down the sanyOn and theI
doubling back and approaching the place
where he had been fired on. Here he saw
three men together, watching for his ap
pearance, one of the trio being the same
fellow whose life he had shortly spared
Joe opened fire and shot the coward dead
The other two men got away. Joe after
ward learned that these three men wer
: laying for him in revenge for the shooting
} Of the partner at Laramie City.
} Joe is said to have founded Circle City
l South Dakota, and named the town, plot
5 ting it on his 160 acres. The DeadwOOl
!. gold excitement, however, spoiled his plan
/ for a permanent settlement.
William f. Hooker, editor OF the Fri
: Railroad Magazine, New York City,
= friend of the writer, sends the fOllowin
interesting communication, which wa
given Mr.. Hooker by one of his old Blac
i 81 was in Rapid City in February, 1s7'