The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-08-23
A MILLIONAIRE BRiGAND.

A MILLIONAIRE BRIGAND.
Lerada, Who In Love, War, and
Gold getting Made Things Hum.
Alta California.
There are many interesting incidents
related Of Lerada, the remarkable Indian
who for eighteen years ruled the Topic
part of the Mexican Republic. When a
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 very pretty
girl, of good family, and an acquain.
lance began between them. She always
had her books, and, on her return from
school, the two would retire to some
quiet placa, where she would teach him
to read and give him his fret ideas OF
arithmetic and geog Apply He was ex-
ceedingly apt in learning, and anxious
to acquire knowledge, and he improved
it in such manner that he soon became
recognized among other Indians as gu.
perior to them. His master often ILL
treated him, and Lerada was often heard
to say be would revenge himself. The
acquaintance with the girl ripened into
love, which was reciprocated. He had
asked of her parents that be might mar
ry her a proposition that was scorned
the family calling him beggar. But be
one day killed his master and then fed
to the mountains, taking a number oi
Indians with him. After increasing the
number to eighty men, he one night en-
tered Jaiisco, went TO the house OF tue
girl, took her out. and killed those OF
the family whom he deemed had insul
ted him. He forced the cure of Jalisco
to 60 with him to the camp on the noun.
tains, and when there made him marry
him to the girl.
Lerada afterward took to the road as
a br;gand and was terror for miles
around. Many times troops were cen,
after him that never. returned About
this time came the French, who, hearing
Of his many exploits and influence with
the Indians, made overtures to him to
join them, promising $4,000 per month
to pay his men Lerada accepted and
went, with eight thousand men, to Ma
zatlan, received the first installment,
came back to Topic, disbanded them
and put the money in his pocket. He af-
terward received the same sum regularly
and as regularly he pocketed it. This
was the beginning OF his political promi-
nence, and he rapidly made advance.
ment in his endeavors for complete
control Of the government of this Sec
ton of the Republic. He appears to
have been terribly revengeful mar, ,and
dly one that be imagined had done him
any injury lived but little time after.
On one occasion, at ball In Topic, be
observed an official Of the Government
in conversation with senorita with
whom he was enamored. He directed
one Of his own officers to go to him and
tell him to leave the house,. Lerads,
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 be was
aware to what use such an instrument
was put. Snow go to that man." said
he, sand take him by the beard and lead
him from the house." The officer, well
knowing that il he disobeyed his own
life would be forfeited, did as he was
told. On another occasion he sept an
Indian with wstch and sum of money
from his place at San Luis to Topic.
The Indian stole both, pawning the
watch. He was spprehended and shot,
and so, too, were the poor pawn-broker
and the innocent purchaser Of the watch
from the latter-both were arrested and
shot by order of Lerada. Bat his am
bition for extended power ruined him.
His frequent success bad led him to be-
lieve he could capture Guadalajara, and
with eight thousand Indians he started
for that city, when, after q well-fought
battle, he was routed and obliged to re-
turn to Topic, having lost the prestige
he had gained in eighteen years, as well
as the confidence Of his officers. The
latter "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 be offered to liquidate
the American debt il released. But i.
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 we're rolled, o
volley of musketty was heard, and the
career OF Lerada was at an end.
As to his wealth during his lifetime,
there are many stories One is that bar
rels of gold and silver we're carried q,
his order to the mountains and there de-
posted by four men, who after finishing
the work, were, Of course, shot, that il
might not he divLlged. There is al
Santiago an old man chat tells that he
in company with another Alleirc. came
TO Topic in the nighttime, 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 at Lerada'f
house; that after their arrival he was
sent out to buy mescal, and. as he had 9
weakness for the swine celestial" he
drank too much, got drunk and did moi
return to the house. In the morning
the mules were found astray. Lerada
was on his way to Guadalsjara, and the
other man, his companion, never was
heard of again. His ideas of discipline
were as severe. as his ideas Of many
other things. 1t was his custom to re-
view his fifty-four thousand Indians on
the first Sunday of every month at 8
O'Clock M, and it was expected tina,
every man would be present or with q
sufficient excuse As they had to come
from many leagues away it would mol
seem strange if there were many delin.
auents. On one of these occasions, al
one of these reviews, when those presen
we're in the line, one unfortunate arrived
ten minutes late. He was called befor,
the Chief and, after being reprimandet
before the whole army, was led to tre
i and shot.
i The family OF Lerada, his wife ant
1.-two daughters, reside at San Luis. Sh
/ - L. os-