Joaquin Jim facts for kids

Joaquin Jim (born around 183? – died 1863 or 1866) was a brave Western Mono leader. He was a key figure in the Owens Valley Indian War. Joaquin Jim was a strong leader for the Mono people, who were allies of the Owens Valley Paiute. He never gave up to the American forces or made peace with them. However, reports say he stopped fighting them in 1864.

Early Life and Leadership

Joaquin Jim was from the Western Mono people, living in what is now Fresno County, California. After another leader named Shondow died, Joaquin Jim became the leader of the Eastern Mono group. This group lived north of Big Pine Creek.

Conflict and Resistance

On May 18, 1863, Captain Moses A. McLaughlin and his soldiers attacked Joaquin Jim's camp. They destroyed the camp, but Joaquin Jim and his people managed to escape. Soon after, Captain George and over 1000 Owens Valley Paiute people surrendered. They agreed to help Captain McLaughlin find Joaquin Jim.

In late June 1863, Captain McLaughlin sent a group of 90 soldiers and 26 Paiute, including Captain George. They followed Joaquin Jim through Round Valley, up Pine Creek, and over Italy Pass into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. After a week, they lost his trail.

Joaquin Jim returned to Long Valley. He took control of the northern Owens Valley and Adobe Meadows after Captain McLaughlin left Camp Independence for Fort Tejon. Joaquin Jim showed his claim to the White Mountains by putting up a red cloth banner decorated with raven feathers.

Settlers' Concerns

Settlers in the area asked for soldiers to return to protect them. They wrote about Joaquin Jim, saying he was a strong opponent of the white settlers. They mentioned that he had refused to move his people under a treaty with the U.S. government. They believed many problems in the valley were because of his strong feelings against them.

Joaquin Jim's Death

There are two different stories about how Joaquin Jim died.

First Account

One report says he was hurt during the war and died in the San Joaquin Valley in April 1863. However, this seems unlikely because it happened before Captain McLaughlin's campaign, when Joaquin Jim was still leading his group in the upper valley.

Second Account

Another story, from the Owens Valley Paiute people, says he died in the winter of 1865-1866. This happened in Long Valley near the Casa Diablo geysers, some years after the war. This account suggests he died after eating a special tribal food. White settlers, however, claimed that one of his own warriors killed him.