The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-08-04
A MILLIONAIRE BRIGAND.

from the Alta Can1Ornlan
There are many interesting incidents re-
lated of Lerada, the remarkable Indian who
for eighteen years ruled the Topic part of
the Mexican Republic. When boy he
was engaged in herding sheep and cattle
on ranch near the town of Jalisco. Every
day there passed on her way to and from
school a very pretty girl, of good family,
and an acquaintance began between them.
She always had her books, and on her re-
turn from school the two would retire to
some quiet place where she would teach
him to read and give MIN his first ideas of
arithmetic and geography. He was exceed
ingly apt in learning and anxious to acquire
knowledge, and he improved it in such
manner that he soon became recognized
among other Indians as superior to them.
His master often i'll treated him ana Lera-
da was often heard to say he would revenge
himself. The acquaintance with the girl
npened into love, which was reciprocated.
He had asked of her parents that he might
marry her, proposition that was scorned,
the family calling him beggar. But he
one day killed his master and then fed to
the mountains, taking number Of Indians
with him. After'increasing the number to
CO. went to the house of the girl, took her
out and killed those Of the family who he
deemed had insulted him. He forced the
cura Of Jalisco to go with him to the camp
on the mountains, and when there made
him marry him to the girl.
Lerada afterward took to the road as
brigand and was a terror for miles around
Many times troops were sent after him that
never returned. About this time came the
French, who, hearing of his many exploits
and influence with the Indians, made over
lures to him to join them, promising $50,
600 per month to pay his men. Lerada ac-
cepted and went, with 5000 men, to Mazat-
Ian, received the first installment, came
back to Topic, disbanded them and put the
money in his pocket. He afterward received
the sum regularly and as regularly he pock-
eted it. This was the beginning of his po-
vancement in his endeavors for complete
control of the government Of this section, of
the republic. He appears to have been a
terribly revengeful man, and any one that
he imagined had done him an injury lived
but little time after. On one occasion at
ball in Topic, he observed an official of
| the government in conversation with SEN
| orita with whom he was enamored. He di-
rected one of his own officers to 60 to him
| and tell him to leave the house. Lerada,
seeing the official still conversing with the
young lady, again called his officer and
asked if he obeyed him, and at the same
time pointed to the pistol which the officer
carried, asking If he was aware
to what use such an instrument
was put: Now go to that man.,
he said, "and take him by the beard and
lead him from the house." The officer,
life would be forfeited, did as he was told.
On another occasion he sent an Indian
with watch and sum of money from his
place ut San Luis to Topic. The Indian
stole both, pawning the watch. He was
apprehended and shot, and SO, too, was
the pawnbroker and the innocent purchas
er of the watch from the latter both were
arrested and shot by order Of Lerada.
But his ambition for extended power ruined
him. His frequent successes had led him
to believe that he could capture Gua1alajara
and with 8, 600 Indians he started for that
city, when, after we'll fought battle he
was routed and obliged to return to Topic,
having lost the prestige he had gained in
of his officers The latter went back on
him." and one gave him away" receiving,
as he said, considerable sumfor the in
formation: and so at last Lerada was cap
tured and soon after was shot near the
bridge crossing the river passing the city.
He begged earnestly for his life, one per-
son assured mo he offered to )iquidate the
American debt if released. But it was Of
no.use; his death was inevitable, and while
protesting that his actions had been for
the good of the Indians. whose chief he
was, the drums were rolled, volley Of
musketry was heard, and the career Of
Lerada was at an end.
! As to his wealth, during his lifetime, there
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