The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-12
THE sCoURGE OF sINALoA.
The Most Famous of the Mexican
Bandits Killed.
From the Nepo York Times.


CITY OF MEXICO, VIA Ell PASo, Jan. s.
Official information has been received of the
killing of Eraclio Bernal, the famous bandit.
There was $4,000 reward, dead or alive, for
Bernal, the scourge of Sinaloa, the terror of
Durango, the most famous bandit of the
many that this republic has produced. His
name was more of a terror TO the defense
less inhabitsntS of the Sierras than was that
of Attlla to the ancient Romans.
Bernal was born at Moeria, Sinaloa, in
the year 1850 He was consequently in his
3Sth year at the time of his death. He, in
bis early manhood, bore the reputation of a
law-abiding and hard working citizen.
About twelve years ago he was tried and
convicted of a crime of which he was said
to be innocent He escaped from prison,
swearing that the authorities if they ever
caught him again. would be really justified
in condemning him to the prison. He be-
came h ghwayman, and by the holiness
of his miSdeedS and the skill displayed in
carrying them out, soon became notorious.
He gathered around him band of men of
like desperate character, who, under his
leadership, terrorized most of the districts
i'll Sinaloa and Durango. At first he limited
himself to attacking the dilligences or
stage coaches, but he soon increased in bold
ness, and would present himself before a
hacienda or village and levy tribute on the
citizens. If his terms were refused he would
attack and pillage the place, carry off all
the booty, and, ii armed resistance were Of
fered, he would not hesitate to murder the
people.
1t is claimed that the bold outlaw never
killed men willfully or for the mere pleasure
of killing, but only when resistance was
made to his demands, or when it was neces-
sary for his own safety. His capture has
been often announced, hut a few days later
denial of the news has invariably followed.
The State and Federal authorities finally
decided to ma determined and continu-
Gus effort to pursue Mexico's Fra Diavolo'
until he should be captured or killed, and
his band of robbers extermnated. For over
two years the troops have secured the
mountains of Sinaloa, and have penetrated
into almost inaccessible Businesses among
the rocks, and trailed the outlaws through
dense forests Many were the conflicts be-
tween the troops and the banditti, but the
former were generally victorious. Many of
Bernafs companions were captured and
shot, but Eraclio invariably managed to
| give the authorities the slip.
Bernal was tall anu well built, handsome,
| and of strong constitution, and an ideal
bandit He always journeyed by night, on
| swift and well trained horses. When he in
| tended to attack ranch or villege he al
distant from his camp, and after nights
ride would make his appearance before it
about daybreak. He was trne and kind to
| his loyal, though lawless, followers, and
though reckless and bold by nature. he
| never exposed the lives of his comrades un-
necessarily. He was If jovial disposition,
but at times be was filled with melancholy
as he thought of his miserable past and Lis
certain future. During these repentant mo
ments he would swoop down on the nearest
town TO attend the parish church, and while
the trembling priest chanted the mass, Ber-
nal and his picturesque band in the back
| ground would devoutly cross themselves
and recite their prayers. Then mounting
| their horses they would disappear as on the
wings of the wind, leaving the villagers in
peaceful possession. These penitent moods
rarely were Of long duration, and perhaps
the same village that had been the scene Of
| his devotional exercises would a few days
later be selected for ravage and rapine.