Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
JOAQUIN MURIETA.
The Most Noted Bandit in the History of
America


America.
Until quite recently, California has
been cursed by the presence of regularly
| organized bands of banditti. These
bands were made up chiefly of desperate
Me1icans, and their California cousins,
who pursued their career of robbery and
| bloodshead, till exterminated by the out
ragged community. By far the most re-
nowned leader of these was joaquin
Murleta, whose audacity and daring ex-
plolts have given rise to many romantic
stories, lacking all foundation of truth:
put the facts given in Hubert Howe
Bancroft's California PASTORAL are
startling enough. Josquin vas but little
more than boy in years, having little
more than attained his majority. He
was 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 q
razor. His manner was frenk and cor
dial, his voice silvery, and though so
| youthful IL 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. It was the special business
| of 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 vocatiOns, who were spies, keep
ing the officers of the band advised in
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 daredevil impulses.
sprang upon the table, and thrusting his
pistol into the mans face, cried: 81
| take the bet; Joaquin is before you"
! Then tossing the corner of his serape
| over his shoulders, he jumped down,
strobe out of the room, mounted his
| horse, and rode away with some OF his
henchmen az his heels.
Riding along one day, the Chief met
Young Joe Lake, who had been a play
mate of his from boyhood. In tho course
of their conversation Joaqui0 revealed
his mode of living and said: "Joe, you
are the only American whose good opin-
ion l crave. Believe me, my friend, was
driven to it by heIlish wrongs"
"Why don't you leave the country, and
abandon your criminal life?" answered
Joe.
"Too late, Joe, l must die now as / live,
pistol in hand. Do not betray me, do not
dlvulge having seeh me here. If 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
ranchero came up to Lake and saying:
''You betrayed me, Joel" plunged a
knife into his breast and rode away I'M
harmed.
In the early part of March, 1853, Joa-
quin, unattended, visited large Mexican
camp presenting the appearance of a
dashing cavalier, plumed sombero, gold
laced cloak, and gayly comparisoned
steed, as he slowly rode down the princi-
pal thoroughfare of the camp, tinkling
his spurs to the measures of some lively
fandago, and was the cynosure of many
admiring chances from the eyes of the
senoritas. Pausing in front of saloon,
he called for drink, and was Just lifting
III 10 HIS lIpSJ W1SA dA AuleTICdH, Ou0 Oh
two who were standing together and had
recognized him drew revolver, and fired
shot that cut the plume of the brigand's
hat. Joaquin sprang at the Americans,
wounded one in the arm and the other in
the abdomen, and galloped away without
scratch.
Among the many parties organized to
hunt Joaquin and his band was one led
NV uhn NTH aiuht Of
rangers, came one day on a party of
Mexicans encamped in the hills. Six of
them were seated round a small fire,
where preparations for breakfast were
going forwards the seventh 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 were 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 were going.
'To Los Angeles" the chief replied.
Turning to one of the others, tie cap
tain put the same question, but received
an entirely different answer.
Joaquin bit his lip and spoke up ang
rily: u command here, address yourself
to me-"
He then moved a few steps forward
toward the fire, around which lay the sad
dies, blankets and 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 scornfully
while his eyes blazed. and stepped back
ward to the side of the handsome steed
and rested his jeweled hand lightly on
the name. At this critical moment,
Lieut.. Byrnes, with whom Joaquin was
we'll acquainted came riding up, and the
bandit realized that this game was ended.
Joaq uin called out to his followers to save
themselves as best they could. He threw
himself upon his horse, and without sad
die or bride, dashed down the mountain.
He leaped a 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
the rangers, firing as they rode. The
gallant steed was struck in the side and
fell to the ground; Joaquin ran on afoot.
Three balls pierced his side before he
turned with uplifted hand and called out:
"It is enough; the work is DONE" He
reeled; fell upon his right arm, and sink
ing slowly down before his pursuers, gave
up the ghost without a groan.
guAINST PROHIBITION.
Cor nam Americans of Chicago Form a Na,ian