Morning journal and courier., 1881-08-31
Price Four Cents

political prominence, and he rapidly made advancement in his endeavors for a complete control of the government of this section of the republic. He appears to have been q terribly revengeful man, andany one that he imagined had done him any injury lived but little time after. On one occasion at a ball in Topic he observed an official of the gov ernment in conversation with a senorita with whom he was enamored. He directed one of his own officers to go to him and tell him to leave the house. Lerada, seeing the off, cial 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 that the officer car ried, 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, well knowing that if he disobeyed his own life would be forfeited, did as he was told. On another occasion he sent an Indian with a watch and sum of money from his place at San Luis to Topic. The Indian stole both, pawning the watch. He was appre- hended and shot, and so, too the poor pawn broker and the innocent purchaser of the watch from the latter-both were arrested and shot by order of Lerada But his ambi- tion for extended power ruined him.
 His frequent successes had led him to be- ieve that he could capture Guadalajara, and with eight thousand Indians he started for that city, when, after well,fought battle, he was routed and obliged to return to Topic having lost the prestige he had gained in IS years, as well as the confidence of his off cers. The latter s'went back on him" and one 'gave him away" receiving it is said, a considerable sum for the information; and so at last Lerada was captured and soon after was shot near the bridge crossing the river passing this city. He begged earnestly for his life, one person assuring me that he of fered to liquidate the American debt if re- leased. But it was of no use his death was inevitable, and while protesting that his &C., tions had been for the good of the Indians, whose chief he was, the drums were rolled volley of musketry was heard, and the ca- reer of LCrada was at an end.
 As to his wealth during his lifetime, there are many stories One is that barrels of gold and silver were carried at his order to the mountains and there deposited by four men, who, after finishing the work, wero of course shot, that it might not be divulged. There is at Santiago old man who tells that he in company with another Ateiro, came to Topic in the night time, escorting Lerada and six mules heavily laden with gold and silver bars, brought from the mountains in the vicinity of Santiago, and which were deposited in Lerada's house; that after their arrival he was sent out to buy mescal, ,and he had a weakness for the ''vine celestial' he drank too much, got drunk and did not re- turn to the house. In the morning the mules were found astray. Lerada was on his way to Guadalajara, and the other man, his com panion, never was heard of again. His ideas of discipline were as severe as his ideas of many other things It was his custom to review his 24,OOO Indians on the first Sunday of every month at 8 o'clock a. m., and it was expected that every man would be present with a sufficient excuse. As they had come from many leagues away, it would not seem strange if there were many delinquents. On one occasion at one of these reviews, when those present were in the line, one unfortunate arrived ten minutes late. He was called before the chief, and, after being reprimanded before the whole army, was led to tree and shot.
 The family of Lerada, his wife and two daughters, reside at San Luis. She is in very comfortable circumstances and is rep resented as 8 very lady like and amiable per