Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-07-26
JOAQUIN MURIETA.
The Most Noted Bandit in the History Of


been cursed by the presence of regularly
organized bands of banditti. These
bands were made up chiefly of desperate
Mexicans, and their California cousins,
who pursued their career of robbery and
blooushead, till exterminated by the out
ragged community. By far the most re-
nowned leader of these was Joaquin
Murieta, whose audacity and daring ex
PLOTS have given rise TO many romantic
stories, lacking all foundation of truth;
but the facts given in Hubert Howe
Bancroft's california PASTORAL are
startling enough. Joaquin vas but little
more than boy in years, having little
more than attained his majority. He
We ) active and athletic, and very grace
full in his movements. A high forehead
gave his face an intellectual cast. Long
flowing hair of glossy black fell on his
shoulders; the silky moustache on his up
per lip seemed never to have known a
razor. His manner was frank and cor
dial, his voice silyery, and though so
youthful in appearance there was that
about him which made him both loved
and feared, and which impressed both
friend and stranger alike with profound
respect.
Joaquin was always splendidly mount
ed in fact much of his success depended
on his horses. II was the special business
of a portion of the neighberhood to
keep the company well supplied with the
best horses In the country. There were
also members living in towns, among the
peaceable inhabitants, and pursuing
honest vacations, who were spies, keep
ing the officers of the band advised ia
matters which were to their interest.
One evening Joaquin was sitting at
monte table in small town, when an
American boastfully offered to bet that
he would kill the scoundrel Joaquin the
first time they met. Joaquin, carried
away by one of his dare devil i'm pulses,
spraug upon the table, and thrustiug his
pistol into the mans face, cried: 81
take the bet joaquin is before you"
Then tossing the corner of his ssrape
over his shoulders, he jumped down,
strobe ont of the room, mounted his
horse, and rode away with some OF his
henchmen p his heels.
Riding along one Gay, the Chief met
Young Joe Lake, who had been play
mate of his from boyhood. In the course
of their conversation Joaquin revealed
his mode of living and SAID: "Joe, you
ion / crave. Believe me, my frienu, was
driven to it by hellish wrongs"
"Why don't you leave the country, and
abandon your criminal life?" answered
Joe.
"Too late, Joe, must die now as live,
pistol in hand. Do not betray me, do not
diYulgs having sech me here. II you do
/ shall be very sorry significantly tap
ping the stock of his revolver.
Lake deemed it his duty TO appraise the
authorities of Murieta's presence, and
the usual preparations for his capture
commenced. The next morning portly
raEchero came up to Lake and saying:
"You betrayed me, Joew plunged
knife into his breast and rode away IN
harmed.
In the esrly part of March, 1858, Joa-
quin, unattended, visited a large Mexican
camp presenting the appearance of a
dashing cavalier, plumed sombero, gold
laced cloak, and gayly eomparisoned
stesd, as he slowly rode down the princi-
pal thoroughfare of the camp, tinkliug
his Supra to the measures OF some lively
fandago, and was the cynosure OF many
admiring chances from the eyes OF the
ssnoritas. Pausing in front of a ealoon,
he called for drink, and was just lifting
il to his lips, when an American, one of
two who were standing together and had
recognized him drew revolver, and fired
q shot that cut the plume of the brigand's
hat. Joaquin spraug at the Americans,
wounded one in the arm and the other in
the abdomen, and galloped away without
a scratch.
Among the many parties organized 10
hunt Joaquin aud his baud was one led
by Harry Love, who, with eight of his
rangers, came one day on a party of
Msxicans encsmped in the hills. Six of
them were seated round q small fire
whsre preparations for breakfast were
going forward the seventh q richly
dressed man with slender, graceful figure
and blooming in the pride of manly
beauty, was washing down a. superb bay
horse, at little distance from the fire.
Joaquin was unknown to the rangers Who
dashed into camp before they we're dis
covered and succeeded in cutting off the
robbers from their horses. Capt. Love
rode up to the one standing by his horse,
and inquired where they we're going.
"To Los Angeles" the chief replied
Turning TO one of the others, sSe cap
tain put the same question, but received
an entirely different answer.
Joaquin bit his lip and spoke up sng
rily: ~ command here, address yourself
to me-"
He then moved few steps forward
toward the nre, around which lay the sad
dies, blankets aud arms of the party. He
WAS ordered to stop, and when he did not
heed Love cooked his revolver, and told
him TO stand or he would be shot. The
chief tossed his long hair back soOrnfully
while his eyes blszed, and stepped back
wsrd to the side of the handsome steed
and rested his jsweled hand lightly on
the name. At this critical moment,
Lieut.. Byrnes, with whom Joaquin was
well acquainted came riding up, and the
bandit realized that this game was ended.
Joaquin called out TO his followers to save
themselves ss best they could. He threw
himself upon his horse, and without sad
die or bride, dashed down the mountain.
H lesp.d precipice and was thrown
from his seat by the shock, but regained
his feet in a moment and remounting
dashed on Close at his heels Numbered