Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-09-08
California Baudittf.

BAND OF BRsPERADoEs ATTACK A rOwN
AND Ron AND MURDER NUMBER OF rHE
INHABITANTs.
The San Francisco Chronicle Of the 18th ult.
gives the following particulars Of the recent
tragedy at Los PtnOs, Cal:
About O'Clock ON Tuesday evening two Mex-
leans rode up TO Snyder's store from the direc-
ton of Panoche valley and the New ldra mine.
Dismounting from their horses. they entered
the store and engaged in conversation with John
Utzerath, Snyder's clerk. In a few minutes
i've more rode up and dismounted. Three OF
clio Vasquez-remained on the Outside. %hiIe
the four others entered the store, leyeled their
pistols at the inmates, and compelled them 20
lie down; after which, all were tied.
A CARNIVAL OF BLOOD.
Two little sons of l.. &. Smith, coming in al
this tuncture, were ordered 20 lie down. One
remain united. The robbers then went through
the store, appropriating all the cash and cloth
ing, provisions and tobacco. The parties on
the door, i've or six in all, were searched, and
the money, watches and rings taken. While
this was going on in the store Vasquez WAS in
auguratng a carnival of blood.
THE WORK OF DEATH BEGINS.
Portuguese sheep herder, known as Mar
tin, not knowing the character Of the new-com-
ers, attempted TO enter the store, but was or
dered 10 stop on the threshold by Nasquez. The
Portuguese, who could not speak English, PAID
no attention 10 the order, and reached the steps,
when Nasquez fired a pistol ball which took
effect in the herder's mouth, causing him 70
fall. Attempting 20 rise, he was shot again
through the left side of the neck, and death in
stantly put an end TO his sufferlngs. Mr.. Haley,
teamster, who was In the road, was ordered TO
lie down, and on attempting to argue the ques-
ton was knocked down by powerful blow from
Nasquez's revolver, and remained in a state Of
insensibllity for some time.
ANOTHER MAN SHOT.
George Redford, teamster, at the time Of the
initiation Of the shooting, was occupied In at
tending TO his team, which stood in front Of the
store. NasqueE, the leader of the gang, who
did all the shooting, and guarded the approach
to the store, approached Redford and ordered
him TO lie down. The unfortunate man, who
was troubled with deafness, did not hear the
order, but apparently realizing his danger,
started for the stable on a run. Just as he
reached the building, a shot from Nasquez's
stantly. When found atterward. he lay near
the stable door, his hands clutching tightly a
wisp of hay, his face horribly distorted by the
sgonies Of the death struggle.
NARROW ESCAPE.
When the shooting commenced, L. Scherrer,
blacksmith, was in front of Snyder's store, IN
the road. he started 70 run, and VasQuez
fired at him, but the shot whistled harmlessly
by, and Scherrer gained entrance 70 David
sons hotel. Mr.. Davidson, his wife and broth
er-in-law were inside, and Scherrer urged them
to instantly shut the door, which was then open,
as their lives was in deadly peril. Just as Mrs.
Davidson was about 10 do as he requested, one
yelled out: "Close that door and keep e closed,
and you shant be harmed" Mrs. Davidson
had got the door partly closed, when Vasquez,
who must have been
rushed up and fired through the door, the bullet
passing through Mr.. Davidson's heart, causing
instant death. His wife, who stood directly
back Of him, received his falling body in her
arms, and together they fell to the floor. Scher-
rer then started for the second story, and from
the window anxiOusly observed the movements
Of the outlaws, who were now devoting them
selves entirely TO robbery. Mr.. Snyder was one
OF the men bound in the store, and was ordered,
under penalty Of death, TO produce all the avail
able cash and notes on the premises. He gave
the robbers $500 in coin and q number of drafts,
after which he was again bound and placed
upon the floor. Having secured all the pro-
visions, clothing and tobacco they wanted, the
robbers started for the stable and stole seven
horses, after which they decamped in the direc-
ton Of the New Idra mines.
A TERRIBLE SCENE.
Then one Of the Smith boys, the one left
united on the floor, arose aud liberated the
others in the store, and all simultaneouslv
started for the outside. The scene that met
their gaze was calculated to strike horror 70 the
stoutest hear. The Portuguese lay dead on the
threshold; Redford's lifeless body iay stretched
before the barn door, and the walls OF the
widow were borne from the hotel door Mrs.
Davidson, the loving and faithful wife, Law
senseless upon the floor. She has since been
confined to her bed, and her condition now n
exceeding precarious. Utzersth, Snyder's
Clerk, Immediately rode into HOLSTER and
spread the appalling news, and yesterday at
p. m. Sheriff Adams, of Santa Clara county,
and Sheriff WATSON, of Monterey county, with
strong posse, which has since been augmented
by recruits from Tres Pinos and San Benito,
started in pursuit of the assassins.