Joyceb
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
BILL JOYCE is one of those sturdy
characters whose exploits and explorations are not confined to any one
state and who have covered the entire western portion of the United States
and Canada as well as Alaska. He has shown himself a real leader of pioneers,
and a man of the front ranks of frontiersmen and it is with pleasure that
we have granted him space in the history of Okanogan county.
Bill Joyce was born in Johnson county, Virginia,
on January 11, 1837, the son of William and Mary (Callin) Joyce, both natives
of Johnson county, Virginia. The father was a well educated man and followed
teaching during his life. He died in Young county, Texas, in 1879. His
ancestors were from Scotland while the mother's people came from England.
When our subject was eleven years of age, he went with the balance of the
family to Illinois, and when seventeen he joined the Texas Rangers, under
Captain McAdams. In this capacity he did much fighting with the Indians
and had many close calls. On one occasion he took a belt from an Indian
supposed to be the son of Chief Lone Wolf, which has attached to it, seven
white scalps. He was offered fifteen hundred dollars for the belt, but
refused it. Afterwards it was stolen. After four years with the rangers,
Mr. Joyce went to trapping wolf and bear in various places through Texas
and in this pursuit he had some of the most thrilling adventures which
it is the lot of one man to experience, both with savage beasts and Indians.
He followed hunting and scouting until 1871, then went through Mexico and
Arizona to Bradshaw City, where he prospected. Twice he was wounded by
the Indians and many times he was ambushed, making his escape only by hard
running. During these times he saw the first Colt's revolver that
was made. After many experiences in Arizona, he came to Salt Lake. On the
plains east from there and in Wyoming, Kansas, Colorado, and in Montana
he did trapping and hunted buffalo. He was also in Idaho. In 1881 he went
to San Francisco and took the steamer Idaho to Juneau, Alaska, after which
he went to Sitka, then over the range to the head waters of the Yukon,
where he did trapping, prospecting, and mining. It is impossible for us
to tell in detail the arduous labors, many narrow escapes from death in
storm and by other casualties that Mr. Joyce experienced in this northwest
country. He made several fortunes in these endeavors and lost the same.
He finally decided to leave the bleak north, and so in 1899, he found his
way into the Okanogan country and bought his present place, which lies
four miles west from Riverside. The estate consists of two hundred and
forty acres of land, all fenced and fertile. It is improved by a good residence,
large barn, orchard, and so forth.
Mr. Joyce has a nice band of cattle and horses,
all needed farming implements, and he is one of the prosperous men of this
section now.
On March 23, 1900, Mr. Joyce married Miss
Julia Nolte, who was born in Salem, Oregon, and reared in Western Washington.
Her father, Frederick Nolte, married Miss Julia Schultz, who died on December
13, 1894. He died on March 6, 1893. Both were natives of Germany. Mrs.
Joyce has two brothers, George and Charles, both well known on the Sound.
At the time of the Klondike excitement, Mrs. Joyce went to Alaska as a
nurse and Mr. Joyce met her at Dawson. She spent a year and a half there
and was the first white woman to ascend the Stewart river. Mr. and Mrs.
Joyce have well earned the quiet retirement and good competence which they
enjoy. They are highly respected people and among the substantial citizens
of the county.