Joaquin Antoine Leroux – Noted Mountain Man
Joaquin Antoine Leroux, sometimes referred to as Watkins Leroux, stands as a prominent figure in the annals of 19th-century Western history. A man of diverse talents, he carved his niche as a mountain man, a skilled scout, and an experienced trail guide, primarily operating out of the vibrant territory of New Mexico. His life, a tapestry woven with threads of adventure, resilience, and cultural fluency, offers a captivating glimpse into a transformative era of American expansion.
Born in 1801 in St. Louis, Missouri, Antoine was the youngest of four children born to William and Helena Josepac Le Roux, both of French-Canadian descent. St. Louis, at the time, served as a crucial hub for westward expansion and the burgeoning fur trade. Unlike many who would later populate the rugged landscapes of the American West, Antoine received a formal education, attending some of the finest academies in St. Louis. This grounding in academics set him apart from many of his contemporaries and provided him with a unique perspective on the world he would soon navigate.
His foray into the wilderness began in 1822 when he joined William Henry Ashley’s expedition with the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. This venture would indelibly shape his life. Ashley, a shrewd entrepreneur, recruited a band of intrepid individuals, who would become known as "Ashley’s Hundred." This group included men such as Jedediah Smith, Jim Bridger, and Old Bill Williams, figures who would also leave their indelible marks on the landscape and lore of the West. Though Leroux came from a more privileged background than some of his peers, he quickly adapted to the rigors of the fur trade.
For over a decade, Joaquin Antoine Leroux traversed the vast and untamed landscapes of the West, honing his skills as a trapper and developing an intimate understanding of the terrain, the wildlife, and the diverse Native American cultures that inhabited the region. The Rocky Mountain Fur Company played a pivotal role in opening up the West to exploration and settlement, and Joaquin Antoine Leroux was at the forefront of this movement. His years spent trapping forged within him a deep connection to the wilderness and instilled in him the resourcefulness and self-reliance that would define his later career.
After years of wandering and working, Leroux decided to settle down in Taos, New Mexico, a multicultural crossroads that had long served as a trading post and a center of cultural exchange. In 1833, he married Juana Catarina Vigil, solidifying his ties to the region. Together, they would have one child. This union also brought with it significant land ownership, as Leroux became the principal owner of the expansive 426,024-acre Los Luteros Land Grant, which stretched north from Taos. This grant subsequently became known as the Antoine Leroux Land Grant, and on this vast tract of land, he established a large hacienda, marking his transition from nomadic trapper to settled landowner and rancher.
While in Taos, he forged a lasting friendship with Kit Carson, another iconic figure of the American West. Carson, renowned for his skills as a trapper, scout, and Indian agent, shared a common bond with Leroux, both men deeply familiar with the intricacies of the Western landscape and the complexities of intercultural relations.
Even as a wealthy sheep rancher and landowner, Joaquin Antoine Leroux‘s adventurous spirit and unparalleled knowledge of the terrain led him to embark on a new path, serving as a guide and scout on numerous expeditions throughout the West. His skills were highly sought after, and he quickly established a reputation for his reliability, expertise, and deep understanding of the region.
In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, Leroux played a crucial role as a guide for the Mormon Battalion under the command of Philip St. George Cooke. He guided the battalion in blazing a wagon road from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to California, a route that would become known as the Mormon Wagon Road or the Gila Route. This undertaking was of immense strategic importance, as it facilitated the movement of troops and supplies during the conflict. Leroux’s knowledge of the terrain and his ability to navigate the treacherous landscapes of the Southwest proved invaluable to the success of the mission.
Upon returning to Taos, Leroux served on the jury that heard the trial of those accused of involvement in the Taos Revolt of 1847, a violent uprising against the American occupation of New Mexico. His participation in this legal proceeding underscores his integration into the social and political fabric of the region and his commitment to upholding the rule of law.
By 1848, as the Americans solidified their control over the region, Joaquin Antoine Leroux was widely regarded as the most experienced, competent, and celebrated scout and guide in New Mexico. His expertise was in high demand, and he continued to serve in various capacities for the U.S. military and other government agencies.
In 1849, Leroux assisted Lieutenant J.H. Whittlesey in a punitive campaign against the Ute Indians. That same year, he acted as a guide in the pursuit of the Apache following the tragic White Massacre on the Santa Fe Trail. These events highlight the often-violent and complex relationship between settlers and Native American tribes during this period of westward expansion. Leroux’s role in these campaigns reflects the ambiguous position he occupied, straddling the line between cultures and navigating the shifting allegiances of the frontier.
In 1851, Leroux guided the Lorenzo Sitgreaves expedition across northern Arizona. During this expedition, he advised the party to explore the Little Colorado River Valley, where they discovered the Wupatki ruins, remnants of a prehistoric Native American civilization. While camped near the San Francisco Peaks, Leroux suggested that a mountain be named in honor of his friend Bill Williams, resulting in the naming of Bill Williams Mountain. The town of Williams, Arizona, now stands at the foot of that mountain, a lasting testament to Leroux’s influence and his connection to the region. During the Sitgreaves expedition, Leroux faced a harrowing experience, narrowly escaping death when he was shot by Indians and sustained three arrow wounds.
By 1853, Joaquin Antoine Leroux participated in two expeditions aimed at surveying potential routes for the proposed Transcontinental Railroad, a project that would revolutionize transportation and communication across the continent. He accompanied Amiel Weeks Whipple on an expedition along the 35th parallel during the summer. Later that year, he collaborated with John W. Gunnison to survey a central route between the 38th and 39th parallels. However, the second expedition proved less successful due to disagreements between Gunnison and Leroux regarding the best course of action. Frustrated by Gunnison’s disregard for his experience and advice, Leroux eventually resigned from the expedition. Tragically, just two days later, a large portion of the party, including Gunnison, was killed in an encounter with a group of Paiute Indians.
Throughout his life, Leroux possessed a remarkable linguistic aptitude, speaking French and English fluently, as well as having a working knowledge of Spanish. He was also capable of conversing with numerous Native American tribes in their native languages, a skill that proved invaluable in his interactions with the diverse populations of the West. His linguistic abilities facilitated communication, fostered understanding, and enabled him to navigate the complex cultural landscape of the frontier.
Joaquin Antoine Leroux passed away at his home in Taos on June 30, 1881, succumbing to "asthma complicated by spear wounds," likely a lingering consequence of the injuries he sustained during the Sitgreaves expedition. He was laid to rest in the nave of Our Lady of Guadalupe or Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at Taos, New Mexico. This church, which had suffered damage from fire on multiple occasions, was eventually demolished in 1960. The Leroux Land Grant, once vast and prosperous, eventually fell into the hands of an English syndicate and was significantly reduced to 56,428 acres.
Over the course of his life, Leroux interacted with numerous notable figures of the American West, including Kit Carson, Uncle Dick Wooton, Lucien B. Maxwell, Ceran St. Vrain, Bill Williams, Pauline Weaver, and Thomas Boggs. These associations reflect his prominent position within the social and professional networks of the region.
Joaquin Antoine Leroux’s life story exemplifies the spirit of adventure, adaptability, and resilience that characterized the mountain men of the 19th century. He left an enduring legacy as a skilled trapper, a trusted scout, and a knowledgeable guide, contributing significantly to the exploration and development of the American West.