The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-15
The Demon OF Colorado,

During the year 1863 the whole com.
munity of Colorado were thrown into a
state Of terrible excitement, III consequence
of a series Of diabolical murders that were
committed under the most extraordinary
circumstances. A man would be found
dead In the road at certain location, with
all his valuables about his person, and per-
haps his horse grazing by his side and the
next day another would be found at dis.
tancs Ut thirty or forty miles under like
circumstances. A rifle shot would be
heard In tho vicinity of a camp of miners
or cmigrants and herder or some one who
hHd Iy,hS Ss'r1fXGd 1SXGd from the camp, wo4d,sn funtI
som6 eight or mills- thing G0r9he kind had
been pcrpetrated. In every instance 1t
was evident that robbery was not the oh
jcct, as even their animals were not taken
all the victims were Americans. One day
two mon were riding together, approach
ing California Gulch, in southwestern Col
orado, when suddenly two Mexicans
stepped out from the undcrbrush at the
side Of the road, with leveled rifles and
tired, simultaneously; one man fell dead
from his saddle, while the other was badly
wounded, but succeeded in retaining his
seat until lie reached California Gulch
where he reported what had occurred. In
u few minutes u party OF miners were
mounted and In hot pursuit Of the muir
dercrs, found their trail and finally sue
cccded in overtalsing them. One of the
Mcxicans was wounded and fell off from
his horse, but tho other succeeded in
making his escape. The wounded man
was recognized as belonging to family
named Espenosa, living in southern Colo
RADIO, and in answer to all interrogations
only replied by cursing all Americans,
mentioning the number his brother and
himself had already killed, regrctting that
lie could not live long enough to kill more,
but prophesyirg that his brother would
live until their revenge was complete; a
rope was put around his neck and he was
hauled up to the limb of tree while still
shrlclting curses upon all our race, and
left hanging for the birds to feed ON. A
few days intervencd and in far or To-
cality from the place Of capture, another
murder was committed, and then continued
of almost daily occurrence. For a time
the utmost excitement prevailed through
out The Territory. Months elapsed and
still every now and then new victim
would be found. At one time there was a
long intcrmission between the murders,
and 1t was generally supposed that the sur
viving Espenosa had quit the country or
had become surfcitcd with blood; but on q
sudden he was at work again, and other
victims were added to tho horrible list.
At last, ono DAY the Governor of Colo
RADIO received letter written In Spanish,
which stated that some time back the
writer and his brother had been deeply
wrouged by some Americans; that they
theu swore vengeance against the whole
race and had determined 10 devote then
lives to the fulflllment Of their VOW, bu
that his brother now being dead, he hat
become tired Of killing, and on certall
conditions was willing to forcgo furtbc
vengeance and become q good citizen; tina
he had 80 far killed and assisted in killing
twenty-three Americans, and he would bl
satisil I'd with that number, IN case th'
Governor would grant him q free pArdOI
for his past transgressions. The letter wa
!; signed "Espcnosa." Lilo further STATED
that unless the pardon was publicly pro
claimed by certain date, he would con
tinue the course he had been pur5uinj
J while he had life. OF colrae no respOns
was made to this unheard of proposition
} and for awhile longer Espenosa resume.
his old trade, but fortunately his carce
was soon ended. At this time tho office
commanding Fort Lyon, in southern Colo
. RADIO, detailed Lieutenant Baldwin, Of tn
) First Colorado Battery, with squad 0
} men to escort government treia TO For
Garland across the Sangre de Christie pass
} On tho Licutcnants return while near tn,
} afore mentioned pass, the body of gco
tleman who had left Fort Garland littl
in advance Of tho command, was discov
cred, having been just killed, the remain
!, still warm. Fortunately Leutenan
Baldwin had with him as scout and guild
an old mountaineer by the name Of Auta
bees, one who was not excolled In his pc
ouliar line In tho country. He lmme