The Placer herald., 1857-02-21

ours unintentionally erroneous, and which
we corrected as soon as discovered.
Capture of the Mexican Bandit in South
ern California.
Some two weeks since we had intelligence
from the South Of a regularly organized band
of Mexican Bandit, of their numbering the
Sheriff of Los Angeles and three other per
sons, and then fleeing to the fastenesses of
the Coast Range mountains.
A recent arrival of the steamer Sea Bird,
brings us dates from the scene of operations
up to the 10th inst. About the 26th of Jan.
the people began to muster to hunt the rob-
bers from their dens, and with Americans,
native Californians, and United States troops
from Fort TETON, amounted to about one
hundred and twenty men. Spies were sent
into the mountains, and the passes guarded,
and the game soon made its appearance
Thrilling accounts are given in the Star, of
the chase, the scoutngs, marches and coun-
ter marches of the pursued and pursuers, the
capture and escape Of the robbers, their re-
capture, execution, Sc, &c, the details of
which we have not space to publish at
length. Suffice it that the chief devil was
taken and the robber band broken up The
operations Of the people were quite syste-
matte. Preparations were made for regu-
lar campaign, and the war lasted about ten
days.
LIST OF ExEcUrloNs.-The people having
taken the administration of justice into their
own hands, death penalty has been inflicted
on the following persons: Juan Cataba, alias
Juan Sauripa, alias Juan Sivlas, Francisco
alias Guerro Ardilero, Jose Santos Diego
Navarro, Pedro Lapez, Juan Valenzuela,
Jesus Espinosa, Juan Berryessa.
Three others names unknown.
Besides these, Juan Flores, the Captain of
the gang, is in custody, awaiting execution.
Making in all, twelve persons, whose lives
had been devoted to robbery and murder.
CONFESSION OF EspINosA.-I, Jose Jesus
Espinosa fully convinced that after few
hours shall have ceased to exist, and
shall appear before the presence of God, to
give strict account of all the actions of
my life, truthfully say-that we, the thieves
and murderers, are but ten persons, namely:
Antonio Maria Vareles, or Chincha, Andres
Fontes, Juan Cataba, Juan Flores, Santos
-, Santiago Silvas Leonard Lopez and
the remaining one, which | only know as the
'Ardillero," and who confess is innocent,
as he joined us after we had committed all
the crimes. also affirm that our organza-
ton dates back one month, or less in which
time we have committed four murders, near
but not in San Juan, taking away goods and
money, which with that taken from the mur-
dered persons, l think might exceed $l20
and about ten horses. This is the truth,
which | sign with a cross before my name,
as l cannot write" JOSE JESUS Esp1NosA.
The following singular story is related of
one of the prisoners who were executed.-
We could wish they had stated whether the
trial and execution referred to as having
taken place in Santa Clara county, was in
the regular execution of the law, or done by
the people ct al Vigilance Committee.
"On the return of Mr.. E. II. Ruebottom and
party from Santa Barbery they proceeded to the
Heuse of man named Berryessa, whom they
arrested and brought to trial. 1t appears this
man had been tried and found guilty of murder
in Santa Clara county; had been ordered to be
executed and that ho had actually hung up, but
being cut down befoae life was extinct, the body
was given over to his friends who effected his
resusctaton. The mark of the rope still remain
on his neck. Since then he committed another
These facts having been proved satisfactory,
he was also condemned and executed.
Mo,y TEDDrropy P,,,,or oro rifa tb ct