Moses Embree “California Joe” Milner – Scouting the West
The American West, a land of vast horizons, untamed wilderness, and burgeoning opportunity, attracted a unique breed of individual – the mountain man, the prospector, the scout. Among these figures, few embodied the spirit of the frontier quite like Moses Embree Milner, better known as "California Joe." Milner’s life was a tapestry woven with threads of adventure, hardship, and unwavering resilience, marking him as a true legend of the West.
Born in Stanford, Kentucky, on May 8, 1829, Milner’s early life offered little indication of the remarkable path he would forge. By the tender age of 14, the confines of home proved too restrictive for his adventurous spirit. He yearned for the open spaces and the promise of the unknown that lay beyond the familiar landscapes of his youth. Driven by this inner compass, he set his sights westward, embarking on a journey that would ultimately define his life.
His initial destination was St. Louis, Missouri, a bustling hub for westward expansion. There, he connected with a party of seasoned fur trappers bound for Fort Laramie, Wyoming, a pivotal outpost on the edge of civilization. As the youngest member of the group, Milner was eager to learn the ways of the wilderness, absorbing the knowledge and skills necessary to survive in the unforgiving environment. His apprenticeship was swift and impactful. Just a year later, he found himself embroiled in a fierce confrontation with Blackfeet warriors along the Powder River while accompanying a contingent of American Fur Company trappers. Legend has it that during the battle, California Joe distinguished himself by taking down three warriors, showcasing his burgeoning prowess as a frontiersman.
A Man of Striking Appearance and Unforgettable Character
Beyond his daring exploits, California Joe was a character of considerable color. Physically imposing, he possessed a presence that commanded attention. His long, unkempt hair flowed wildly around his face, framing a heavy, reddish beard. A black sombrero perpetually perched atop his head, offering shade from the relentless sun, while a briar pipe was rarely absent from his mouth, emitting a fragrant plume of smoke. Preferring the surefootedness of a mule to the spirited gait of a horse, he was almost always seen with his trusty plains rifle, his constant companion in the vast wilderness.
More than just his appearance, it was his personality that left a lasting impression on those he encountered. He was known as an exceptionally talkative individual, weaving humorous tales that captivated his listeners. He had a notable weakness for drink, a common vice among those who faced the daily hardships of frontier life. Even the famously austere General George Armstrong Custer, would later describe him as a "dingy-looking briarwood," a testament to Milner’s unique and somewhat unrefined charm.
Serving as a Scout and Witness to History
When the Mexican-American War ignited in 1846, California Joe answered the call to duty, serving as a scout for General Stephen W. Kearny and Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan. His knowledge of the terrain and his ability to navigate the complexities of the frontier proved invaluable to the American forces.
After the war, California Joe’s life continued to be filled with adventure and near-death experiences. In 1849, he was reportedly captured by Ute Indians but managed to escape captivity, a testament to his resourcefulness and survival skills. Upon returning home on his 21st birthday, he married 13-year-old Nancy Watts, and together they embarked on a honeymoon unlike any other. Their journey took them nearly 2,000 miles across the prairie and mountains in a wagon, as they sought their fortune in the goldfields of California. Although his time in California was relatively brief, it was here that he earned the moniker "California Joe," a name that would forever define him.
In 1853, California Joe briefly settled down, establishing a 645-acre cattle ranch near Corvallis, Oregon. However, domestic life proved too mundane for his restless spirit. Leaving his wife to manage the ranch, he soon ventured out once again, seeking new challenges and adventures. He first traveled to Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River, where he met Lieutenant Philip H. Sheridan, a West Point graduate. Sheridan contracted him to supply wood for the fort. Subsequently, he prospected in Washington and Montana before heading to the goldfields of Idaho. Near Grangeville, he filed a claim and built a log cabin at a location he named Mount Idaho. Recognizing an opportunity, he blazed the Milner Trail, a route that connected Mount Idaho to the gold rush boomtown of Florence, charging a toll for those who traversed the rugged terrain.
A Reputation as a Gunslinger
California Joe’s travels throughout the West were punctuated by violence. He reputedly killed several men, a claim that adds a darker layer to his legend. He allegedly shot a claim jumper in Bannack, Montana; another man in Virginia City for kicking his dog; and yet another in Texas.
The mid-1860s found California Joe in Colorado, where he claimed to have witnessed the Sand Creek Massacre, a tragic event in which the Colorado Territory militia attacked a village of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 160 individuals, many of whom were women and children.
Service with Custer and Hickok
By 1866, California Joe was in Kansas. Between September 1868 and April 1869, he served as a scout attached to Fort Harker. However, there is evidence suggesting that he may have been stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1866-67. It was likely during this period that he first crossed paths with Wild Bill Hickok. The two men, both renowned marksmen, forged a strong bond. California Joe was known for his skill with a rifle, while Hickok was famous for his expertise with a pistol.
In 1867, California Joe served as a U.S. Army scout for Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer during General Winfield S. Hancock’s expedition. He also scouted for the Sheridan-Custer winter campaign of 1868-69. After the Battle of the Washita, California Joe and a man named Jack Corbin traveled 100 miles in two days through hostile territory to deliver news of the battle to General Phillip Sheridan at Camp Supply, Oklahoma. His outgoing and friendly nature made him a favorite of Custer, who promoted him to chief scout. However, California Joe’s fondness for alcohol led to his demotion after he celebrated his promotion a little too enthusiastically. Despite this setback, Custer and Milner remained friends, exchanging letters from time to time.
Later Years and Untimely Death
In the early 1870s, California Joe returned to prospecting and operated a cattle ranch near Pioche, Nevada. In 1875, he joined the Newton-Jenney expedition, which was tasked with confirming Custer’s reports of gold in the Black Hills of the Dakotas. Their discovery sparked a gold rush, attracting a flood of prospectors to the region. This influx angered the Sioux Indians, who had been promised protection of their sacred land, setting the stage for future conflict.
Afterward, California Joe staked a claim near Rapid City, South Dakota, where he continued to serve as a scout for both military and civilian expeditions. In May 1876, he and Captain Jack Crawford, along with five other troops, ambushed a party of Lakota Sioux, reportedly killing 15 out of 23 warriors.
In the summer of 1876, California Joe was in Deadwood, South Dakota, where Wild Bill Hickok also resided. When Jack McCall murdered Hickok, California Joe was out hunting. Upon his return, he learned of Hickok’s death and, armed with his rifle, set out to find the killer. However, McCall had already fled the area. Just days before his death, Wild Bill had reportedly said, "I have two trusty friends: one is my six-shooter, and the other is California Joe."
By the fall of 1876, California Joe was back on the plains, headquartered at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, working for General George Crook’s 5th U.S. Cavalry. On October 29, 1876, he was shot in the back and killed by Tom Newcomb, an employee at the post’s butcher shop, during an argument at the sutler’s store. California Joe was 47 years old. Although Newcomb was arrested, he was never charged and disappeared after being released.
California Joe’s body was buried with full military honors in the post cemetery at Fort Robinson. Later, the remains from the Fort Robinson cemetery were moved to Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. Although there is a marker at Fort McPherson, his actual remains were never found.
During his adventurous life, California Joe befriended other notable frontier figures, including Calamity Jane, Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, and Buffalo Bill Cody. Cody said of him, "They needed not only a fearless but a tried, wary, cunning, reliable guide, and California Joe was all of these."
California Joe’s story is a testament to the spirit of the American West. He was a man of adventure, courage, and resilience, who lived life to the fullest. His exploits as a mountain man, miner, and army scout have earned him a place among the legends of the West.