The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-06-13
A CALIFORNIA HEROINE.


Americans who fairly settled down in
California after the great rush of 1S49.
He was unusually fortunate in his min
ing. and unlike the majority, knew when
he had gotten enough. Sending to the
States for his wife and children. he
chose a pretty situation a few miles
from where stood the one establishment
that then constituted Fiddletown-a
meeting hall, a bar room, a restaurant,
and a concert hall, all in one. There,
at heavy outlay, he erected a two story
log house, which. neatly hewn both in
side and out was for years considered a
marvel of beauty and refinement. a
wide veranda surrounded the building.
To ensure GOODNESS with dryneSS, this
veranda was raised some three feet above
the ground, and left open for the free
circulation of air There was a large
cellar. Upon each of the four sides
there was a window some two feet square,
protected by strong bars of wood, look
ing out upon the open space beneath the
veranda.
Bateman 5 family consisted of his wife.
three children-two girls and one boy.
the oldest thirteen years of age-and his
sister. For several years they enjoyed
a peaceful, quiet life, which would have
been happy, only for one fact. Bateman
. was fast becoming a confirmed drunkard.
1t was very seldom that nightfall found
him sober and from a strong, clear
witted man, he was rapidly becoming a
/ trembling, unnerved imbecile.
1t was at this time that joaquin Mu-
rieta began writing his name in char
acters of blood and fire throughout Cali
fornia Twice Bateman had lost valuable
horses, stolen by men of the gang once
he had exchanged shots with the maraud-
ers. EXasperated, Bateman cast aside
his whiskey bottle, and raiseda company
of men for the purpose of ridding the
country of this scourge but he soon
relapSed into his old habits. for drink
had prematurely aged him and he could
not stand the fatigue. Still. he always
gladly furnished mounts for those who
did take the field, and his hatred for the
bandit increased with every day.
SO it was that James Bateman became
a marked man, and finally joaquin Mu-
rieta gave his lieutenant. Manuel Garcia.
or ''Three fingered Jack, = free per1nis-
sion to work his will upon the settler
and his family. As a matter of course.
the ''man of blood lost no time in deal
ing his blow.
One evening Bateman was returning
on horseback from Fiddletown, where
he had been Ion a spree for three days
past. Having lost all the money he had
WIFI Hliil- ne WIS OILY ABOUT Iidll uEunh
when he drew near his dwelling 4 sight
met his eyes that wholly sObered him.
The buildings that were set apart for
his laboTeTs were now occupied 10y a
number of armed men, whose appear
ance. dress, weapons, and all. but too
plainly proclaimed their identity. even
had he not seen two bleeding. mangled
bodies lying near. They were portion
of Murietas band, who had surprised
and murdered the labOrers. The dwell
ing appeared just as usual the doors
and heavy shutters were closed. Unless
Bateman was at home. no one was per
United to enter or emerge after sunset.
Bateman had just time to note this,
when he saw man steal cautiously to-
wards the building. and vanish beneath
the veranda, closely followed 10y another
and another. He knew then that the
outlaws had not vet effected an entrance
and a ray of hope entered his heart. 1t
was Just possible that he could procure
assistance at FiddletOwm in time to
avert the tragedy, and knowing that
this was the only chance. he turned and
dashed away at full speed.
Meanwhile Mrs. Bateman had become
aware that there was mischief in the
wind. As the farm hands, on quitting
work for the day. passed by the house
.
/ a horse and come to her for a message
she wished to send to Fiddletown to her
husband. The man, she knew. was
faithful. and could be trusted so. when
an hour elapsed. without his returning,
she became alarmed, and peeTed out of
one of the loopholes that overlooked the
stables From this she saw the Shadowy
figures approach, and disappear beneath
the veranda and knowing what cause
the outlaws had for hating Bateman, she
had little difficulty in divining the peril
that threatened But she came of true
soldieTly stock; and instead Of yielding
to terrors as would seem natural, she
resolved to make a good fight.
Communicating her fears to her sister
in-law Mrs. Batemau first locked the
door of the chamber in which her three
. children were sleeping, and then care
fully looked to their means of defence.
/ There were two reVolveTS and rifle. all
loaded. Though not expert in their use.
the woman understood firing and loading
these. 1t was a portion of their CalifoT-
I mia educatIOn-neceSSaTil so.
As they listened mtently. they could
hear faint, scratching, grating sound
from below. 1t was the enemy at work
upon the bars of the windows. OF sea-
soned oak, their progress was but slow
for they worked cautiously, evidently
hoping to surprise the settler and his
family and thus the women waited and
watched for fully two hours,
Then they heard a slight Sp,intering
noise amoment later cat-like footballs
upon the ground floor of the cellar, to-
gether with cautious whisperings and
then the stairs cTeaked family beneath
the weight of a man.
Il will shoot firsU-you take the next, =
muttered Mrs. Batemen 10 her SiSter-in-
law.
They were not kept much longer il
suspense. The latch was raised. and a
shadOwy figure stood before them. Will
rapidly beating heart, but hand rs steady
as though she was merely practicing
upon an inanimate target, Mrs BateInaI
raised her revolver. and with the muZzlC
almost touching the phantom-like figure
fired
y half stiicd curse, a grOan. and the
outlaw fell heavily to the floor. sho
through the heart.
Ills companions gave Il simultaneous
cry of surprise. but then rushed forward
scarce understanding what had occurred
The foremost one stepped upon Tia,
PROSTATE form and fell. but it was will
q revolver bullet in his body At TIN
2 same moment Mrs. Batemau fired a Sc
2 cOnd shot into the pantry. which, from
: the bitter curse that followed, was no
without effect.
! 4 =.