Poker Joe, was a warrior and subchief of the Nez Percé tribe of Native Americans who played a critical role during the flight of the Nez Percé during the Nez Percé War in which year, he was the chosen trail boss and guide of the Nez Percé people following the Battle of the Big Hole?
Poker Joe Poker Joe (18?? - 1877) or Hototo, also known as "Lean Elk" or "Little Tobacco" was a warrior and subchief of the Nez Percé tribe of Native Americans who played a critical role during the flight of the Nez Percé during the Nez Percé War in 1877. He was of half French Canadian and Nez Percé descent and was said to have received his nickname from his love of the game of poker. Poker Joe was familiar with Montana and the routes through the Rocky Mountains to reach the Great Plains and guided the Nez Percé in their flight. He spoke good English and served as an interpreter and adviser to Chief Joseph and other Nez Percé leaders. He was the chosen trail boss and guide of the Nez Percé people following the Battle of the Big Hole, in which the Nez Percé won a costly victory against pursuing U.S. forces in southwest Montana. He kept the Nez Percé ahead of the army for the following seven weeks. He led the Nez Percé on a trek to the Missouri River, covering between 500 and 700 miles.
Big Hole Pass Big Hole Pass (el. 7055 ft ) is a high mountain pass on the Montana Idaho border approximately 8 miles due south of Montana State Highway 43 in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Beaverhead County, Montana and Salmon National Forest, Lemhi County, Idaho. This location should not be confused with a sign on Montana Highway 278 at the height of land west of Dillon, Montana that denotes the eastern entrance to the Big Hole valley.