The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-25
a FAMOUS MEXICAN BANDIT.
Garza's 3 Exploits Recall the More Des-
perats ones OF Joaquin Murietta.
Fyopt TIE Ns1r Vork T-iBrtue

From the Nev York Tribune.
SAN DIEGo CAL. Feb. 2A-The recent
exploits Of the bandit Cara on the Next
can border. which have given the Mexican
and United States troops a great deal OF an
noyance, recall to old Californisns the ed-
ventures IN this state Of one Of the most
daring highHaymen ever known. The name
of Joaquin Murietta 10 the gold fever days
was Enown all along the Pacific coast. This
outlaw was a Mexican. He was educated
in the school Of revolution in Mexico. where
the line between rebel. robber, pillager and
patriot had been to q great extent obliter-
ated. He was accused Of horse stealing
by Californisns and fed from the
law>abidiRg community where he had
lived. He regarded himself as
champion Of his country rather than an
outlaw. or medium hight and somewhat
slender In figure, he was extremely active
and athletic, and no less graceful in move
meut than handsome in person. Long,
flowing hair OF glossy black fell on his
shoulders, and on his upper LIP was thin.
silky mustache. His manner was frank and
cordial, bis voice silvery and OF generous
utterance and though be was so youthful
in appearance there was that about him
which made him both loved and feared, and
which impressed friend and stranger alike
with profound respect. Thus was Joaquin
Murietta ia 1852, when he lived at Los
Angeles, ut the beginning OF bis desperate
career.
The injustice done him by the horse-thlef
pursuers ranked in Joaquin's mind, and he
registered an oath of vengeance against
Americans, which he relentlessly kept,
rarely sparing even the innocent. To
avenge the wrongs inflicted on himself and
his countrymen, who were constantly
kicked and cuffed and robbed, was now the
purpose of his life. Within a few months
the dashing boy was at the head Of an or
gauized band Of highuaymen, which raw
ished the country in every direction. Men,
bers OF the band who disobeyed their supe-
rior officers were punished with death.
Joaquin was always splendidly mounted.
Much Of his success depended on his horses
and the special business OF certain members
Of the robber band was TO provide supply
Of the best horses IN the country. The dar-
ing of the young chieftain was amazing
During a dance at San Jose, joaquin be-
came involved in fight, was arrested and
fined $l2. Being in charge of Deputy Sheriff
Clark, who did not know the prisoner,
Joaquin invited the officer to 20 with him
TO his house to get the money. Clark had
become obnoxious 70 Murietta for his
vigorous pursuit Of the band. On reach.
ing an unfreouented place the robber
suddenly turned upon the officer, and with
smile said. Accept the compliments OF
Joaquin" and drove his jewelled poinard to
the hilt 10 Clark's breast One evening not
long afterwards Joaquin was sitting at a
monte table, in a small town on the Feather
river, when an American boastfully offered
to bet $500 that he would kill the scoundrel
Joaquin the FIRST time ne met him. Carried
away by one Of his dare devil impulses,
Joaquin sprapK upon the table, and thrust
ing his pistol IN the mans face cried:
81 take the bet: Joaquin is before your
~. 20 l.
his shoulder he strobe out of the room and
rode away with come of his companions.
While visiting in Los Angeles, Joaquin
heard that Deputy Sheriff Wilson OF San Ia
Barbara intended to capture him dead or
alive. The robber got up sham fight be-
tween two Indians in front of Wilson's
hotel. When the latter cane out to see the
fight, Joaquin rode at him and Kissing his
own terrible name in Wilson's ear sent a
bullet through the officers head and rode
away.
One evening Joaquin rode into camp
where twenty-five miners were at supper
| and sitting sideways on bis horse began talk-
| ing. One miner recognized the robber and
shouted: That lie Joaquinl Why in the
| name OF God don't you kill him9" Squirting
his horse, with one bound be cleared tae
camp and dashed down the canon. Finding
| his way blocked there he returned toward
the camp, to avail himself OF a narrow
coyote trail around the brow OF the preoipice
that overhung the canon. A shower Of
| bullets greeted his temperance, but none
touched him, as he dashed up and along
that dizzy path, waving his dagger and
shouting defiance. Once passing a saloon
the robber called for a drink and was jus
| lifting IL to his lips when an American fired
a shot that out the plume Of the brigand'i
hat. The drink was never taken, but
joaquin, after wounding the American II
| the arm and another man In the abdomen
galloped away without a scratch.
After three years of this bloody work BY
Joaquin's band the California legislator,
| authorized Harry Lave and twenty ranger
| to equip themselves for the capture of tn,
| robbers. Their trail was followed closely
| aud the Mexicans were found In camp near
TETON Pass. Six of them were seated rounC
a small fire, where breakfast was cooking
while the seventh, he of the slender tigur
and graceful limbs, and large black eye
and long black hair, perfect Apollo, richl,
dressed, blooming in the pride OF health ant
| manly beauty, was washing down q superb
bay Aorse at little distance from the fire
Joaquin was well known to the rangers, VIII
dashed into the camp before they were dis
covered and succeeded in cutting the robber
or from their horses. Capt. Lave rode VI
to the one standing by his horse, and In
quired whittier they were going. ITO Lo
Angeles" the chief replied. Turning G
one of the others, the captain put the sam
qestion, when an entirely different answe
was returned. Joaquin bit his lip and spok
up angrily. ~ command here; address
yourself to me-" He then moved fe
steps toward the fire. around which lay til
saddles, blankets and arms OF the party
He was ordered to stop, and when he di
not heed Lave told him 60 stand or he woul
shoot. The chief tossed his hair bac
scornfully, while his eyes blazed with ii
lightnings OF his wrath, and, steppin
backward, he stood again by the side OF h
: handsome steed,s his jewelled han
resting lightly on his NAME AT this oriti
, cal moment Lieut.. Byrnes, with whoI
Joaquin was well acquainted. moved W
, and Joaquin, realizing that the game wa
up, called out to his followers to save then
selves as best they could, and threw hin
self upon his charger without saddle {
: briddle, and sped down the mountain Ill
tempest. He leaped his horse over
precipice, when he fell, but was on his fe
again in a moment, and. remounting, Il
daring rider dashed on. Close at
D heels came the rangers, firing as they rod
and soon the gallant steed fell to the cart
s and Joaquin ran on afoot. Three bal
r pierced his body aud made an end TO Il
= bloody handed robber.
SatIsfaction