Just like wikipedia to change history. Joe Meek traded the Nez Perce Chief a horse for his second wife after he sent his first wife away. Women were property among the plains indians and worth about a horse for a younger one. The less ugly they were, the better horse you could get for one. Often things like kettles, traps, etc. could get you a wife. But forget about getting a virgin. It was nearly impossible to find a girl over the age of 13 who had not been sexually used unless there was something seriously wrong with her. Most chiefs had several wives and others had as many wives as they could afford to trade for. Of course they had their favorites, and if they got tired of, or angry with, one they would just turn her loose. There are several recorded cases of cheifs trying to influence negotiations by lending a wife to a white man for the night in order to get a better deal.

Anyway, sorry for the rabbit trail.

Yes, Joe's daughter Helen Mar also perished. The children were already weak battling smallpox.

Yeah I went back and checked, she was actually kidnapped and died later.

Bernie, speaking of plains Indians there is an interesting story about Narcissa Whitman showing up at the Green River Rendevouz in '36. She was a beautiful blonde with blue eyes and the Indian men were mesmerized. Eliza Spaulding was there too but i don't think she was the mesmerizing type. So the Indians started asking around about who owned these women to which the mountain men became a little uncomfortable. When it was explained that they belonged to two holy men and that no amount of horses could purchase one...not even for a night, the Indians were not happy.

You can just imagine how uncomfortable those mountain men were having to explain these cultural differences! LOL

I would also like to know about this!

The braves put on quite a show for her.

Well I stopped by today and read about Joe Meek.

Read the sign , rubbed it for good luck. Gave me a good feeling inside. Lol.


If I have time tomorrow on the way home maybe I will stop at the cemetery and look for his grave site. I only live 1.5 miles away

Joe had a passel of kids with Virginia his New Perce wife and after Joe died I understand that some of them moved to the reservation in Idaho because they felt unaccepted by whites in the area as they were half breeds. Bob Gilman, our late OTA president has a son that married a Joe Meek/Virginia descendant.

Goonie, when you get to Scott Church take a pic or two for us of the grave marker. If I remember right it has writing on four sides as eventually other Meeks were buried there too.

It came from a member of Joe's family if I get over there I will get a picture of it.

I'm very interested in that story Bandy. Keep in touch about it.

I got off work and went to the cemetery. Beaverpeeler this is for you.
Front picture

Last one

Thanks Goonie! You're the man.

I'm just a few months shy of Joe's final age myself. Makes one pause....

Postscript: If I remember right there is some writing about Virginia now "able to see again" which tells us that in her final years she had lost her sight. I think she lived a fairly long life.

Awesome Thread

I notice that two of Joe's daughters didn't live long lives. I wonder what took them.

Not a problem, we all lead such busy lives. I took a few minutes just to kind of think of what his life must have been like. Look at what our lives are like now. I live super close to the cemetery.

great read thanks guys