Western Scout Removed From Legendary Niche.
Western Scout Removed From
Legendary Niche.

Western Scout Removed
From Legendary Niche
__________

"California Joe" Takes Rank With Carson
Among Real Frontiersmen, for
He Is No Paul Bunyan
__________

CALIFORNIA JOE. By Joe E. Milner and Earle R. Forrest. The Caxton Printers: Caldwell, Idaho.

    You have probably never heard of Moses Milner; but, in that, you are no more ignorant than many scouts upon the old western frontier, for Milner was largely known as California Joe. His exploits have grown in stature until he is in danger of becoming another Paul Bunyan; but his grandson, Joe Milner, has collaborated with Earle Forrest in a biography that takes away the myths and leaves California Joe a very human man.
    Even without the robes of mythology, Moses Milner remains an extraordinary personage, deserving a place with Kit Carson, Jim Beckwourth, Alex Majors, Wild Bill Hickok, Jim Bridger, Buffalo Bill, Gen. Custer and Old Jim Baker.

INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES

    Many generations of small boys have grown up with California Joe as their hero, having read about his exploits in dime novels and in a historical book, "Heroes of the Plains," by J. W. Buel, which is little better than a dime novel so far as the real California Joe's life is concerned. California Joe bobs up in the most impossible places, like Deadwood Dick, and performs Gargantuan feats. Yet, his real adventures are scarcely less incredible than his imaginary wanderings.
    He was on almost every possible frontier. He was a freighter, a goldseeker, a scout with Wynkoop, Custer, Crook, Kearney and Carson, an Indian fighter, a hunter of bad men. Like most of his comrades, he was courageous, hardy, a steady drinker of whiskey, quick of temper and quicker on the draw. He once engaged in a shooting match with Wild Bill, and he defeated that dead shot.

IMPORTANT RECORD

    To write his biography, the authors traveled over the West, already well known to both of them, digging up records, interviewing the few survivors of the early days and their descendants. The Milner family records and memories are quite extensive, and they have been carefully checked with official war reports. Beyond that, they have called in Franklin W. Hall, an old scout who knew California Joe, and Col. William Bowen, who contributes an interesting chapter on Custer's Last Fight. The index is remarkably full, and there are appendices, lists of source material, a bibliography and many illustrations from old photographs.

ENTERTAINING HISTORY

    It is not, however, merely the story of California Joe. It is a history of frontiersmen in the West, Northwest and Southwest, with many anecdotes about famous figures of the day. Despite its important additions to Americana, the book is never dull for the general reader.                                     W. N.


Source:

W. N., "Western Scout Removed From Legendary Niche, "California Joe" Takes Rank With Carson Among Real Frontiersman, for He Is No Paul Bunyan," The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Sunday, 26 May 1935, p. A6.

Created September 27, 2004; Revised September 27, 2004
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