Poker Joe: Strategic Leader in the Nez Perce War of 1877

There are many unforgotten heroes that contributed to the advantage of the Nez Perce during the War of 1877. Poker Joe was one of those heroes who played a very significant role in the war. Poker Joe was half French and half Nez Perce and had acquired many different names: Lean Elk, Little Tobacco, and Hototo. He loved to gamble and was best known as Poker Joe to the white men in many frontier towns in Montana for "his supposed addiction to the card game."

Poker Joe was returning to Idaho across the Lolo Trail from Buffalo country, and was six miles away from Kamiah when he heard of the outbreak of a sudden war when he decided to turn back toward Montana. On his way back to Montana, he accidently cut his leg with a knife. When he tried to explain this injury to the white people, they would not believe him. They accused him of being hurt in one of the battles in Idaho. Poker Joe became irritated because they did not believe him and decided to join the plight of the Nez Perce.

Physically, Poker Joe was a small man, but had an unusually loud and robust voice. The Nez Perce people welcomed Poker Joe for his skills as a brave and impulsive fighter.

"I knew Poker Joe very well. He was a great leader - a brave warrior." Yellow Wolf

Following the disastrous Big Hole battle, Poker Joe was the chosen trail leader of the Nez Perce people. Although not a chief, he knew Montana very well from years of buffalo hunting; his experience would prove invaluable. Poker Joe decided the routes that would be taken each day and the schedule. The people would rise early and travel until ten o'clock at night. Everyday the Nez Perce bands' would gain an hour or two over their pursuers. The military strategy of Poker Joe leading the Nez Perce through Montana is still studied by top military officials today.

Because Poker Joe moved at such a quick speed, some thought it was too fast. Remembering the tragedies that occurred at the Big Hole battle he felt that the Nez Perce could not afford to light the pace.

"I am trying to save the people, doing my best to cross into Canada before the soldiers find us. You can take command, but I think we will be caught and killed." Poker Joe

Hesitatingly Poker Joe handed over leadership, and Chief Looking Glass took command once again. The Nez Perce were unaware that Colonel Miles and his troops were traveling at top speed from a different direction and would eventually catch the Nez Perce less than forty miles from the Canadian border.

During the Battle of the Bear Paws, Poker Joe was mistaken for an enemy and was killed by a Nez Perce member named "Ockia." During the war there had been 29 Cheyenne and one Sioux indian that were assisting the army as scouts and were killing women and children. With all of the chaos and the 150 Nez Perce men fighting, Poker Joe was killed as a tragic accident.

There are many unsung heroes that fought and died in the Nez Perce War of 1877. Some fought, some helped with the elderly and children and some led. The routes and the quickness with which Poker Joe led the Nez Perce were exceptional. Poker Joe (Lean Elk) led the Nez Perce from the Battle of the Big Hole all the way to the Missouri River, this being approximately 500 miles.

We would like to thank Ta'c Tito'oqan for this wonderful article about Poker Joe (Lean Elk). Tara Brown, ERWM and Ta'c Tito'oqan intern, researched and wrote the story with edits by Otis Halfmoon, Emmit Taylor Jr. and Antonio Smith.