California Joe, the Mysterious Plainsman, was born Moses Embree Milner in Stanford, Kentucky, on May 8, 1829. He was a colorful character. Although he owned a fast horse that he raced, mostly he rode an army mule which was superior to the horse over rough country. Heavily bearded, long-haired and large in stature, Joe was impressive, especially when wearing his black sombrero. He was rarely without his plains rifle or his remarkable pipe, a "dingy-looking brierwood" forever "in full blast." Joe's story-telling was surpassed only by his passion for anything alcoholic. Whether any of this book is true or all fiction, it makes for great reading for anyone who loves western action and adventure.
