Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-08
"A WHOLESALE MURDERER.
The Caresr of Colorado Bandit who
Killed Thirty-Two Men.

Adjt. Gen. Taylor, OF Colorado, has IN
his cabinet, in the Barclay block, rude
knife sheathed in bUcl1skin, once the prop
erty of old Espinosay the terrible Mexican
who killed thirtg-two white men, not out
of malice nor for the purpose OF ro0olng,
but simply because he had passion Tor
bioOdshed. Espinosa was killed by de-
tachment OF First Colorado Cavalry.
which was sent from Fort Garland by
Col. Sam L. Tappan. The knife was pre-
scented TO Louis n. Tappan, and by him TO
the collection in charge of Gen. Taylor.
1t is an evil-looking weapon, made PROD
ably by Espinosa himself, the blade being
covered with dark spots, doubtless OF
blood. 1t is u matter OF conjecture on the
part OF those who see IL as 81 whether this
instrument dispatched all OF the thirty
two victims, a supposition not quite
plausible, as the dreadful murderer was
known to have been very expert in the
use Of bis gun.
Nothing is known OF the early life of
Espinosa. He was first discovered sell
ing whisky to the Indians on the border
of Mexico, and was arrested for this I'M
lawful proceeding, the officers intending
to make him prisoner He eluded them,
however, made his escape, and was not
heard of for some time. About this time
dead bodies began to be found in that part
VI NOlOl 0uSs III buG kulCuCbg M bhC hAlh7
ing camps, among the rocks, in many
sequestered spot, bodies were found
which seemed to have been dispatched In
the most brutal manner. Week after
week, month after month, this state OF
things went on. The Colorado earth was
soaked with blood which reeked in sun
and shade. For months no clue could be
found to the murderer. The many and
frequent deaths we're ineXpicable.
RfanL
Territory. People were afraid to venture
out after dark, and, In tact, did not feel
safe even ia the daytime.
After lapse of long weary months,
Mexican woman one day crossed Ration
Pass, Just above Trinidad, in company
with a white man, in an ambulance draw
ry mules. JourneyiRg slowly along over
the steep rocks, the pair were sudde My
surprised by having their horses hired
upon and killed. The man succeeded In
making his escape TO the mountains, but
the woman was made prisoner OY the two
MeXicaps who had killed the horses. One
OF the Mexicans was Espinosa, The wO-
man remained in captivity for some time,
but finally escaped one dark night and
made her way back TO her people, who
lived just above Trinidad at PurgatOire.
During her captivity she had soon fixed
the identity of the numerous murders
with which the Territory was ringing.
She had studied the man, observed his
plans, and was positive that she was right
in her conclusion. No sooner had she re-
turned 10 her people than the news went
abroad, and pursuit now became liked
upon one Mexican named Esnin0sa, who
was believed to be guilty OF ali this lndis-
criminate slaughter.
All this happened in 1862 and 1868, Es-
pinosa being next heard OF in California
gulch, where he was again up to his old
trick of separating the soul from the body.
Upon the heels of the murders the miners
of California guIch followed fact in hot
pursuit Of the villain, finally oVertaking
and killing younger brother OF Espino-
sa's, who rSvaged the country under his
leadership. Espinosa, however, escaped
his pursuers a second time. and was next
heard of in the San Luis valley. In the
meantime, the Territorial Legislature had
offered large reward for him, dead or
alive, and several men were out on the
search.
Early one autumn morning, just at sum
rise, it transpired that Espllosa was
camped near Grayback Gulcb, in the
SangTe de Christie range, on the south west
slope, about twelve miles from Fort Gar
land. The men in pursuit were on this
side Of the mountain, feeling sure that
Espinosa was somewhere in the region,
although they had no idea that they were
anywhere In his immediate vicinity. A
man whose name is Tom FObin, still liy-
ing in the San Luis valley. was the scout
in advance of the soldiers. TObin was
known as a dead sure shot, 1t having been
said for years that he had never aimed at
any living thing and missed it. This man,
riding cautiously along in the autumn SUM-
rise, was attracted by the smoke of a
camp fire in ravine. Quickly dsnOunt-
ing from his horse, he crept cautiously
along, accompanied by one OF the young
men in his detach ment, until he gained
place where he could see, the first glance
revealing two MeXicans leisurely cooking
their breakfast in the very heart of the
ravine. 1t needed but an instant for To-
bin TO see that the grim, coppef-visaged
old man so carefully broiling hisantel0pe
steak on the Goals, was none other than
EspinOsa, who might wells have been
christened the ''Red Handed" Making
up his mind in an instant, Tobin sald to
his companion: ''I'll shoot at the old man.
You aim at the young one!"
These instructions, Tobin afterwards
explained, were given because he knew
his friend was poor shot, and he felt
sure that his own aim was better directed
upon C0lOrado's arch fiend. Both men
raised their guns, both fred, and the I'M
suspecting father OF murder, old Espi-
nOsa, fell over the red Goals, a liieless
corpse. IL exact acCOfGduCe WIN Inc
notions Of T0bin, the other mans ann
failed in its purpose, only woundiug the
young Mexican, upon whom TObin soon
drew his gun and dispatched rs quickly
as he had done the elder. The intrepid
Tobin then sent his companion TO look
after their horses, waicn they had left
some rods away, and, without any wit
nesses save heaven and the blood stained
rocks of the raVine. deliberately severed
old Espinosa's head from bis body, drew
the long black bair uD over his scalp,
tied it IN "A knot. and. making his way to
the spot where his friend was standing
with the horses, stuck the saddle-horn
through the knot Of hair and rode into
Fort Garland. where he was received
with enthusiasm. ex-GOv. Gilpin, then
the Governor Of the Territory, being there
with soldiers, all OF whom gave Tobin a
hearty reception.
The reward offered for Espnosa was
large. but TObin bad great difficulty in
securing il. One Legislature after an
other considered, or pretended to consider
his claim in a weary, "circum locutiOy
office" kind OF way, the years slipping bn
10 the mean time, without TObin's having
received a cent. in the end. however, he
received half The sum offered, which was
a very comfortable amount. TObin Is an
old hunter and trapper, and one OF the
central figures in COlOradOe early history
He visited Denver two years ago, but
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