Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-05-17
A STRANGE CAREER.
A Noted Indian Fighter, Pioneer and
sOslp-hunter Brings Up in a Lunatic
Asylum.

The San Jose Mercury, Of the 26th
ult., states that William Byrnes, we'll
known California pioneer, was stnt to
the insane asylum from that place a few
days ago. Captain Byrnes, as he is gen
orally called, Ia we'll known In this vicin-
ity. His life has been one of renal kabie
experience. He was born In Maine, but
removed 10 Missouri with his parents
when very young. When, at the age Of
twenty years, the Mexican government
offered a premium Of $50 for every
Apache scalp taken Ia Mexico, Byrnes
and others formed q company to go into
the scalpirg business 10 chihuahua.
Among those who were associated with
him were Robert Carson (brother of Kit
CARSON, Jim Beckwlth and Jim Lansing.
The last named was not the ex-Sherif of
this county, hut an ex-pirate, who had
been associated with Lafltte, and had
been pardoned by President jackson on
account of serv.e, rendered against the
British in the war of 1919. The first raid
among the Apaehes proved profitable.
A second was projected, but Byrnes ex-
perienced strange dream, in which the
iuhumanity OF the scalping business vas
wildly presented TO his mind. He at
once determined to return to Missouri,
nd 90 informed his companions, who,
without him, persevered In their original
design. The Mexican war commenced
soon afterwards, and Byrnes Joined Col.
Prices regiment, and served until the
end of the war. In this regiment he be-
came acquainted with Peleg Smith, who,
when wounded In the knee, amputated
his own leg, because none of bis COM
paniOns had nerve enough 10 perform the
operation for him.
The two men came 10 this st We to-
gether soon after gold was discovered.
Smith died few years ago in the San
francisco County Hospital. Byrnes COM
msdced mining at Hangtown or Placer
VILE. The Indians soon became trouble.
some to the miners, and Byrnes was
selected as CAPTAIN Of a company 10 pur-
sue them. After an enective campaign
Byrnes applied himself TO private bust
ness until 1858, at which time the State
became very much excited on account OF
the murders and robberies of Joaquin
Murieta aud his band OF highwaymen.
The Legislature authorized the organiza-
tion of q company of twenty-four men,
under command Of Captain Harry Love,
to pursue and break up the Joaquin
gang. ByrneG Joined the company. Aftel
a pursuit of three months they encoun.
tered the Joaquin band on the Tulare
Plains. A fight ensued, which LASTED
half an hour. Byrnes and Joaquin ap-
preached within thirty feet of each other
each shooting at his adversary. One o.
byrne's shots struck Joaquin, who fell
dead from bis saddle. Three-hngeret
Jack and several others were also killed
and nineteen Of the band were takeI
prisoners. Byrnes preserved thl head Of
Joaquin, which was soon exhibited IL
San Francisco. Love and ais men weri
all allowed extra pay by tne Legislature
for their services, aud BJrnes was grant
ed q special reward, which he declined
Byrnes afterward settled In Carson Vale,
aud engaged in ranchlng. He was, At
later day, called into the field again Y
hght the Indians, and was active through
out the war with the Piutea under Whine
mucca. He was badly wounded by th
Indians and also shot BY a woman, Will
engaged In mining. He was at one tim
engaged In the management Of the Stat
Prison under General Estell.
During his entire career he receive
thlrty.one wounds, three Of which wer
near the heart and one on the hoad. It |
not remarkable that a man Of such ex
perience and vicissltudes 10 life should
at the age Of about hfty, be broken dow
In body and mind. Byrnes has been 70
some time an inmate OF the Sacrament
County Hospital, and left the establish
ment about a month ago. A few year
back he gave way 70 the excessive indul
gence 10 the use OF liquor, but more re
Gently has been abstemious. The Men
curry describes his present condition a
, follows ;'"His mind is terribly shattered
and he Is seldom able TO recall singl
I circumstance that has occurred his llfs
Singular as Ii may seem, on meetin
! Joseph Patton, assistant jailer, he recog
nized him as an old acquaintance, an
| remembered to have met him twent
years ago. A few minutes afterwArd III
J circumstance passed fiom his memory
E and be said he had no recollection c
: having ever seen him. We saw the unfo'
o tunate man In his cell on Monday. II
0 stands about six feet high and has bee
!. a man of rather prepossessing appear
J, ance, but scarcely Yestige Of bis fofmt
self remains now"