Omaha daily bee., 1874-05-22
THE CALIFORNIA BANDIT.
What the Robber Chieftain Has
to Say of His Exploits.
Particulars of the Brilliant Cap
ture of Vasquez.
rssp Francisco Chronicle, May ISL

Isan Francisco Chronicle, May Isl
Los ANGELES, May Is.
When Vasquez was carried into
the Jail last night, there was dense
crowd surrounding the entrance. All
were curious and eager to get even
glimpse of the bandit. When he
saw how great an object of interest
he was, the wounded man hid his
face in his wrappings, and endeav-
ored to escape observation, but de-
putty sheriff pulled the covering
away. He was at once recognized
by Charles E. Miles, who shouted,
aThat's the man! That's Vasquez"
There had been a slight doubt in the
minds of the people as to the rob
ber's identity, but this recognition
settled all that.
THE FIRST NIGHT IN JAIL.
The two companions of Vasquez
were locked up in cells, but the
wounded man was permitted to
OCCUPY a more comfortable place,
though, of course, he was placed
under the strictest guard. Two
Deputy Sheriffs, besides a nurse
and Drs. Wise Widney, and re-
manned with the robber the greater
part of the night. After his wounds
were dressed, and the Jail surround
ings became quiet, Vasquez went
to sleep and rested for several hours.
This morning he was as bright as a
new dollar. He feels chagrined, OF
course, at his capture, and must
feel not over-confident of its favor
able result; but he keeps a cheerful
exterior, and has already won a
certain degree of respect for his i'm
perturbable demeanOr.
WHAT vAsQUEZ LOOKS LIKE.
The Chronicle correspondent to-
day had an interview with Vasquez
at the Jail. He was lying on a cot
i'm the hall, and was quite weak and
sore. In appearance he Is quite
different FROM what one would i'm
agine him to be from the reports
published heretofore. He Is of
medium height, with a wiry, we'll
knit figure, and a large light gray
eve. His features are regular, his
forehead high, and his head we'll
shaped. His complexion Is light
enough to indicate the presence of
Saxon blood. His department is
that of a cool, quiet, determined
man, who would hesitate at moth
ing to accomplish a purpose. He
understands but little English, and
any conversation has to be carried
on through an interpreter.
When the correspondent first en-
tered the room Vasquez was sitting
up talking with Sheriff Rowland
and others. He at once recognized
the Chronicle representative as one
of the party who had captured him,
and smiled I'm a sickly way. When
informed that the correspondents
object i'm calling upon him vas to
see ifhe wished to make any state
ment through the press, he said
that he had a good deal to say, but
that he was very weak. However,
he would talk a little.
THE INTERVIEW.
He said he was born in Monterey
county i'm 1887, and lived there un-
til he was fifteen years of age. About
that time he got into a row at a
dance, and oficsrs came to arrest
him, but he made a big fight and
escaped.
Reporter - Where did you go
then?
Vasquez-I gathered a few cattle
and went up near Ukiah, i'm Men,
docino county, and stayed there for
several months. One day they
came to arrest me again, but 1
fought them off and got away. No
body was hurt in either of these
fights.
Reporter = Where did you go
after you escaped that time?
Vasquez (after a long pause)-
Well, L went back to Monterey and
saw my mother. In a short time
after L went out into the world, and
Pve been there ever since,
Reporter-1t has been said that
you were driven to lawless deeds
because of outrages inflicted upon
you by white people. Is that so?
Vasquez = Well, partially SO.
When l used to keep a dance-house
in Monterey the Americans would
come in there and abuse me and the
woman l lived with.
NO TRUST IN WOMEN.
Reporter-It has been said that
your wife was outraged by a white
man and several of your relatives
killed. Is that so?
VasqueZ-NO; | was never mar
ried. L have lived with women, but
never had a wife, and never had
any relative killed by an American
that / know of.
RepOrter-Don't you think that
your capture may i'm some way be
laid at a woman's door?
Vasquez with a shrug)-Oh, no.
l never trust a woman. There isn't
a woman i'm the world that ever had
a chance to betray me. I love
women, but 1 never trust them with
a secret.
Reporter-Have you ever taken a
human life?
Nasquez-No; l have robbed a
good many men, but i never killed
one. l always avoided blood and
urged my people to be careful and
not take human life unless forced
to do it in open fight.