The Savannah tribune. [volume] (Savannah [Ga.]) 1876-1960, 1888-06-30
CALIFORNIA ERIGAND.
q REMARKABLY CAREER OF A
MEXICAN OUTLAW.

III u GEOtncFnOOd Oh BanultS-A
Romantic Life and Tragic Death.
Until quite recently California has
u cursed at times by the presence Of
ularly organized banditti. They were
Ode up of desperate Mexicans or their
ifornia cousins, who pursued their
eer of robbery and bloodshed till ex-
animated by the outraged community.
q far the most renowned leader of these
"a joaquin Murieta, whose audacity
daring exploits have given rise to
ny romantic stories, without color of
afll. but the facts, as recorded by the
cifc Coast historian, Hubert Howe
ncroft, are startling enough. Joa-
un, having passed his majority by
g v few years, was active and athletic,
very graceful in movement. A high
ehead gave his face an intellectual
.ong flowing hair of glossy black fell
his shoulders, and on his upper lip
b, silky moustache appeared, as
hugh untouched by razor. His man
was frank and cordial his voice sill
y, and though so youthful in appear
-, tlSIb WAS dDOub hin Llidt WHICH
de him both loved and feared, and
ich impressed friend and stranger
Re with profound respect.
Joaquin was always splendidly
united in fact, much of his success
pended on his horses. 1t was the spe-
business Of certain portion of the
therhood to keep the company well
bplied with the best horses in the
Intry. There were also members liv-
in towns among peaceful inhabitants
pursuing honest vacations who were
Is and kept the officers of the band
Used on matters which were to their
crest.
Dne evening Joaquin was sitting at
znte table in a small town when an
ercan boastfully offered to bet that
would kill the scoundrel joaquin the
I time they met. joaquin, carried
biz by one of his daredevil impulses,
lang upon the table, and thrustlng his
tol in the mans face he cried, ~ take
bet; Joaquin is before you" Then
&ing the corner of his serape over his
builder, he jumped down, strobe out of
room, mounted his horse, and rode
Ay with some of his henchmen at his
Is.
h the early part of March, 1858,
auin, unattended, visited large
xican camp, presenting the appear
Of dashing cavalier, with plumed
brero, gold-lac cloak and gayly
arisoned steed, as he slowly rode
gn the principal thoroughfare of the
lp. tinkling his spurs to the measures
some lively fandango, and was the
0sure of many admiring glances from
eyes of the senoritas. Pausing in
BIT of a saloon, he called fora drink,
was just lifting it to his lips when
American, one of two who were
hding together and recognized him,
N revolver and fired shot that cut
plume of the brigand's hat Joaquin
Minded one of the Americans in the
and the other in the abdomen and
oped away without scratch.
mong the many parties organized to
It Joaquin and his band was one
ded by Harry Love, who with eight
bis rangers came one day upon party
Mexicans encamped in the hills. Six
hem were seated round a small fire,
f IRE preparations for breakfast were
Hng forward; the seventh, a richly
ssed man with slender, graceful figure,
blooming in the pride of manly
uty, was washing down a superb bay
BE at little distance from the fire.
Iauin was unknown to the rangers,
b dashed into camp before they were
covered and succeeded in cutting off
robbers from their horses. Captain
q rode up to the one standing by
horse and inquired where they were
ng.
To Los Angeles, the chief replied.
turning to one of the others the Cap
put the same question, but received
entirely different answer. Joa luln
his lips and spoke up angrily: al
mand here address yourself to me-"
then moved few steps toward the
around which lay the saddles,
hkets and arms of the party. He was
red to stop, and when he did not
NJ Love cooked his revolver and told
4 to stand or he would be shot. The
BIZ tossed his hair back scorufully,
le his eyes blazed, and stepped back,
IA to the side of his handsome steed
ing his jeweled hand lightly on the
he. At this critical moment Lieuten-
Byrnes, with whom Joaquin was we'll
PAINTED, moved up, and Joaquin,
izing that his game was ended, called
TO his followers to save themselves
est they could. He threw himself
the back of his horse, and without
lie or bride dashed down the noun
He leaped precipice, falling
u the shock, but regaining his feet in
oment. remounted and dashed on.
se at his heels came the rangers,
g as they rode. Soon the gallant
ia. struck in the side, fell to the earth