The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-07
BANDIT BERNAL.
Details of the Pursuit and Death of the Chief
Of Band of Desperadoes.

NEW YORK, Feb. GA Washington special
says "The State Department is in receipt of
the details of the pursuit by Mexican troops and
final killing of the notorious bandit, Eraclo
Bernal, the slayer of Leon Baldwin, for whose
death his widow is now pressing claim for in
demnity against the Mexican government The
story of the life and death of this remarkable
robber Is romantic in the extreme. He was
born thirty-eight years ago, in the State of Siua
!oa, Mex, and during his early manhood bore
the reputation of Industrious and law-abiding
citizen. Twelve years ago he was arrested and
convicted of a crime of which he was afterwards
proved innocent. Smarting with shame and
humiliation he seized desperate chance and
effected his escape from prison. He then swore
solemn oath that his future career would
ply revenge the wrongs he had suffered, and
that if again imprisoned it would be for a good
cause. He left the villages behind him and lay
in hiding in the mountains until he had gathered
about him as wild and lawess band of cut
throats ever followed desperate leader. Ber-
nails great stature perfect ignorance of fear.
and rude bur keen sense of justice made him
at once admired and respected by the villains
with whom he had surrounded himself. He set
out at once upon a systematic career OF pillags
and violence, at first confning himself to way
laying stage coaches, robbng ths passengers and
killing those who offered resistance. Growing
boldsr as his band became larger, he descended
upon outlying hamlets and often laid whole viii
lages under contribution carrying off by force
everything that was denied him. Young girls
were frequently kidnapped and taken to the
mountain Businesses of the band, where they
were held until heavy ransomed The journeys
were made by night, and his favorite method of
'plllaging town was to select place twenty or
thirty miles from hisfcamp and after a hard
ride, fall upon it like wolf just at day break
After the death of Leon Baldwin, Bernals band
threatened the lives of number of Mexican
mule-packers unless they would leave the serv-
ice of the Americans. Several refused to do so,
and were killed. Crppin Garcia and George
Ayon. relatives Of the dead men, started out
alone in search of the outlaw den. They found
Bernal, surrounded by a few followers, en-
camped on the top of mountain. In the hope
of capturing him alive, they returned to the
mines, where few soldiers were stationed
under Lieutenant Fernandez. With twenty
men Fernandez set out for the camp of Ethe out
laws. The inhabitants of neigh hboring village,
Of them organized and placed under the
command of Juan Herara. Under the
guidance. of Garcia and Ayon the little
band toiled mp the mountain side under
cover of night. After perilous climbing of
rocks and ravines they arrived near the summit,
where they formed Gordon around the camp.
rocks Garcia fired bis rifle. the signal for the at
tack. Berna himself led several impetuous
charges against the villagers, and fought des-
perately for more than an hour. The conflict was
hand-to-hand, and Rernal was finally separated
from his band. Having emptied his revolver
and rifle, he clubbed the latter and rushed at
Garcia, who lsveled his pistol and shot the out
law dead. The reward of 600 offered by the |
State Of Sinaloa for Bernals head has been paid |
to Garcia. The death of Bernal has greatly re-
lieved the terrorized provinces of Sinaloa and |
Durango, and the mining operations of the |
American and other companies being carried |
on without fear of molestaton. This improved |
state of affairs has been mainly brought about |
through the appeals of Mrs. Baldwin. and the |
American residents OF those provinces recog
nize and appreciate her efforts il their behalf.
The story of the cold blooded murder of Mr.. |
Baldwin was told on Jan. % last. He was |
superintendent of mine in the State of Du-
range, owned and operated by Americans. One
day last autumn. when near the mine he was
fred upon by couple of Bernals gang. but
managed to get into the tunnel He was not
much hurt. The bandits approached the mine
and parleyed with the native miners. Finally
they promised Mr. Baldwin they would not hurt
him if he would come out and talk with them.
Thinking they were after money and that i'm
munity from further moesta ton could be OBJ
tanned by its payment, Mr. Baldwin went out
to meet them, and few minutes later shot
dead by the bandits