Morning journal and courier., 1886-05-04
A WHOLESALE MURDERER.
The Career of a Colorado Bandit Vyh
 Killed Tairty-Two Men.

The Career of a Colorado Bandit Who
 Killed Thtrty-Tvvo Men.
 From the Denver Tribune Republican,
 Adjutant-Ge Taylor of Colorado has in his cabinet, in the Barclay block, rude knife sheathed in buckskin, once the proper ty of old Espinosa, the terrible Mexican who killed thirty-two white men, not out of mal- ice nor for the purpose of robbing, but sim ply because he had passion for bloodshed. Espinosa was killed by detachment of First Colorado cavalry, which was sent from Fort Garland by Colonel Sam F. Tappan. The knife was presented to Louis N. Tappan, and by him to the collection in charge of Gene ral Taylor. It is an evil-looking weapon, made probably by Espinosa himself, the blade being covered with dark spots, doubt less of blood. It is 8 matter of conjecture on the part of those who see it as to whether this instrument dispatched all of the thirty two victims, a supposition not quite plausi ble, as the dreadful murderer was known to have been very expert in the use of his gun.
 Nothing is known of the early life of Es- pinosa. He was first discovered selling whis- key to the Indians the border of Mexico, and was arrested for this unlawful proceed ing, the officers intending to make him pris- oner. He eluded them, however, made his escape and was not heard of for some time.
 
 found in that part of Colorado. h the gulches, in the mining camps, among the rocks, in many a sequestered spot, bodies were found which seemed to have been dis patched 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 were inexplicable Black mystery hung over the young territory. People were afraid to venture out after dark and, in fact, did not feel safe even ill the daytime.
 After lapse of long weary months a Mexican woman one day crossed RatonsPass, just above Trinidad, in company with a white man, in an ambulance drawn by mules. Journeying slowly along over the steep rocks, the pair were suddenly surprised by having their horses. fired upon and killed. The man succeeded in making his escape in the noun tains, but the woman was made prisoner by the two Mexicans who had killed the horses. One of the Mexicans was Espinosa. The woman 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. Turing her captivity she had soon fixed the identity of the numerous murders with which the terri tory was ringing. She had studied the man, observed his plans, and was positive that she was right In her conclusion. No sooner had she returned to her people than the news went abroad, and pursuit now became fixed upon one Mexican named Espinosa, who was believed to be guilty of all this indiscrimi- nate slaughter.
 All this happened in 1862 and '63. Espino- ga 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 Cali fornia Gulch followed fast in hot pursuit of the villain, finally overtaking and killing younger brother of Espinosa's, who ravaged the country under his leadership. Espino- sa, however, escaped his pursuers 8 second time and was next heard of in the San Luis valley. In the meantime the territorial leg islature had offered large reward for him, dead or alive, and several men were out on the search.
 Early one autumn morning, just at sun rise, it transpired that Espinosa was camped near Grayback Gulch, in the Sangre de Christo range, on the southwest slope, about twelve miles from Fort Garland. The men in pursuit were on this side of the mountain, feeling sure that Espinosa wss somewhere in the region, although they had no idea that they were anywhere in his immediate vicini- ty A man whose name is Tom Tobin, still living in the San Luis valley, was the scout in advance of the soldiers. Tobin was known as dead sure shot, it 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 sun rise, was attracted by the smoke of camp fire in a ravine. Quickly dismounting from his horse, he cEept cautiously along, accom- panied by one of the young men in his de- tachment, until he gained place where he