Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-06-08
JOAQUIN MURIETA THE BANDIT.
Ills Life and Adventures Told by
bancroft, the Historian.

/ Until quite recently. says the San
p Francisco Alta. California has been
cursed at times by the presence OF reg
ularly organized banditt. They were
made mp of desperate MeXicans or
their California cousins, who pursued
their career of robbery and boodshed
till EXTERN by the outraged com.
munity. BY far the most renowned
leader OF these was joaquin Murieta.
whose audacity and daring exploits
have given rise TO many romantic
stories, without color OF truth, but the
facts. as recorded by the Pacific coast
historian. Hubert Howe Bancroft. are
startling enough. Joaquin. having
passed his majority by only a few
years. was active and athletic, and very
graceful movement. A high forehead
gave his face an intellectual cast Long
flowing hair of glossy black fell on his
shoulders and on his upper lip thin.
silky moustache appeared, as though
untouched by razor. Hs manner
was frank and cordial. his voice silvery,
and though so youthful in appearance,
there was that about him made him
both loved and feared. and which m.
pressed both friend and stranger alike
with profound respect.
Joaquin was ALWAYS spendidly
mounted; in fact, much of his success
depended on horses. 1t was the special
I pt s.
brotherhood to keep the company
well supplied with the best horses
in the country. There were also men,
bers living in towns among peaceful in
habitants and pursuing honest voca-
t ons who were sp es and kept the off
GERS Of the band advised on matters
which were To Their interest.
One evening Joaquinwas sitting at
monte table IN "A small town when I'm
American boastfully offered TO bet that
he would XII the scoundrel Joaquin
the first time they met. Joaqu n. car
ried away by one of his daredevil I'M
pulses. sprang upon the table. and.
thrusting bis pistol IN the mans face.
he cried: Il take the bet; joaquin is
before you. Then tossing the corner
of his serape over his shoulder. he
! jumped down. strod out of the room.
mounted his horse and rode away, with
some of his henchmen at his heels
Riding along one day the chief met
young Joe Lake. playmate of his
boyhood. In the course of their con-
versat on Joaquin revealed his present
mode of living. and said: Joe. YOU
are the only American whose good
opinion | crave. Believe me nv friend
| was driven TO il by hellsh 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 be-
tray me; do not d vulge hav ng met me
here. II you DO Ishal be very sorry"
significantly tapping the stock of his
revolver. Lake deemed 1t his duty 10
apprise the authorities of Murieta's
presence. and the usual precautions
began. The next morning portly
ranchero came up to Lake and saving.
You betrayed me. joel" plunged
knife into his breast and rode away
unframed.
In the early part of March. 1852.
Joaquin. unattended. visited large
Mexican camp. presenting the appear
ance of dashing cavalier, with plum
ell sombreno. goldlaced cloak. and
gayly caparisoned steed, as he slowly
rode down the principal thoroughfAre
Of the camp tnkling his spurs TO the
measures of some Lively fandango. and
was the cynosure of many admiring
chances from the eyes of the senoritas.
Paus nc in front of a saloon. he called
for drink and was just lifting i to
his lips when an American. one of two
who were standing together and rec
ogniZed him. drew u revolver and fired
n shot that cut the plume of the bril-
gand's hat. joaquin wounded one of
the Americans n the arm and the
other in the abdomen, and galloped
away without a scratch.
Among the many parties organized
to hunt joaquin and his band was one
headed by Harry Love. who. with eight
of his rangers, came one day upon a
party of Mex cans encamUed in the
hills. Six of them were seated round
small fire, where preparations for
breakfast were going forward; the sew
enth. a richly dressed man. WITH slen.
der graceful figure and blooming in the
pride of manly beauty. was washing
down superb bay horse at a little
distance from the fire. Joaquin was
unknown TO the rangers, who dashed
into camp before they were discovered
and succeeded in cutting the robbers
oil from their horses. Captain Love
rode up 10 the one standing by his
horse and inquired where they were go
ing.
10 Los Angeles" the chief replied.
Turning to one of the others the cap
tain put the same question. but receiv-
ell an entirely different answer. Joa-
quin ! his lips and spoke up angrily,
Il command here; address yourself to
me. He then moved few steps to-
ward the fire around VIII ch lay the
saddles. blankets. and arms Of the par
". He was ordered to stop and when
lie did not heed Love cooked his revol-
yer and told him TO stand or he would
I've shot. The chief tossed his hair back
scornfully. while his eyes blazed. and
stepped backwards TO the SIDE of his
handsome steed resting his jeweled