New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-21
FAMOUS MEXICAN BANDIT
he EXPLOITS OF CARA RECALL THE MORE


THE EXPLOITS OF CARA RECALL THE MORE
DESPERATE ONES OF JOAQUIN MURIETTA.
San Diego. Cal. Feb 1O.-The recent exploits Of the
bandit Cara on the Mexican border, which nave gwen
the Mexican and United states troops great deal OF
annoyance recalls to old Californans the an'eh'u"
In this state Of one Of the most daring high"aynen
ever known. The name Of Joaquin Muretta III INC
gold fever days known all along the racine coast
This outlaw was Mexican. lie was eduested III u'o
school of revolution ia Mexico where the llne between
rebel robber plager and patriot had been to great
extent obllterated He was accused OF horseseaIins
by Californans and fed from the law-aolding com-
munity where he had lived. lie regarded himself as
champion Of his country rather than IN ouua"' VI
medium height and somewhat slender In hgure' no
was extremely active and athletic and no less graceful
in movement than handsome In person. Long nowlnS
hair OF glossy black fell on his shoulders and on his
upper lip Thin silky mustache Ills manner was
frank and cordial, his voice slvcry ana OK generous
utterancc, and though he youthful In appear
ance there was that about him which made him Dotn
loved and feared and which impressed friend and
stranger alike with profound respect. Thus was
Joaquin Murietta in 1862, when he lived at Los
Angeles, at the beginning Of his desperate career.
The injustice done him by the borsethief pursurers
ranked In Joaquin's mind and he registered an oath
OF Vengeance against Americans, which he relentlessly
kept, rarely sparng even the Innocent To avenge the
lnnlcted on himself ana MS cOuutryHeu, WHO
were constantly Kicked and cufed and robbed was now
the purpose OF his life. Within a few months the
daslng boy was at the head Of organized band Of
hlgiwaymen. which ravaged the country in every drec-
ton Members Of the band who disobcyed their su.
pericr officers were punished with death.
joaquin was always splendidly mouRted Much
Of his success depended his horses and the special
business OF certain members OF the robbcr band was
to provide supply of the best horses in the country.
The daring OF the young chieftain amazing. Dur
ing dance at San Jose Joaquin became involved In
fight, was arrested and fined 49, Being in charge
OF Deputy Sheriff Clark who did rot know the prisoner
Joaquin invited tho officer 10 go with him to his
house for the money. Clark had become o.
noxious to Murieta for his vigorous pursuit Of the
band. On reaching unfreqnented place the robber
suddenly turned upon the officer, and with smile
said Accept the compliments Of Joaquin and drove
his jewelled poinard TO the hit In Clarks breast
one evening not long aftcryard Joaquin was sitting
at a monte table In a small town the Feather River
when an American boastfuy offered TO bet SJoo that
he would kill the scoundrel joaquin the first time ne
met him. Carried away by one Of his daredevil I'M
pulses Joaquin spraDg upon the table, ana thfsuhs
his pistol in the mans face cried:
Il take the bet; Joaquin Is before you
Then tossing the OF his cape over his shoulder
no strobe out Of the room and rode away with some
OF his companions. While visiting In Los Angees'
JOAQUIN heard that Deputy sheriff wilson OF santa
robber got up sham fight between two Indians In
front of Wilson'S Hotel. When the latter came out 10
see the fight joaquin rode at him ana hsssue ms
own terrible in Wilson'S ear sent bullet through
the officers head ard rode away.
One evening Joaquin rode into a camp where twenty
five miners were at supper, and sitting sideways on
his horse began talking. one miner recognized the
robber and shouted That Is joaquin! Why In the
name OF God don't you kill hint" Squirting his horse,
with one bound he cleared the 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 tho
precipice 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 saloon
the robher called for drink and was just iftng 10
his lips when an American Tired shot that cut the
plume of the brigands hat The drink was never
taken but joaquin. after wounding the American In
the arm and another in the abdomen. saloped
litcr three wears of this bloody work BY Joaquins
band the California Legislature authorized Harry Lave
aud twenty 10 equip themselves for the capture
the MeNcans were found in camp near Tclon Pass,
Six of them were seated round small fire. where
breakfast was cooking while me seventh; ne OF me
eyes and long black hair perfect Apollo richly
dressed blooming IN the pride Of health ana manly
beauty, washing down a superb bay horse at
little distance from the fire. Joaquin was well known
to the rangers who dashed into the camp before they
were discovered and succeeded in cutting the robbers
"y from their horses. Captain Lave rode up to the
one standing by his horse, and inquired whittier
they were going. ITO Los Angeles the chief
,cnled Turning to one Of the Others, tho
captain put the same question. when an en- en-,
,lrcy different answer was returned. Joaquin ht
his lip and spoke up argrib. Il command here:
address yourself to me- lie then moved few steps
kets and arms Of the party He was ordered 10 stop
and when he did not heed Lave told him TO stand
or he would shoot. The chief tossed his hair back
scornfully while his eyes blazed with the lightnines
Of his wrath. aud. stepping backward he stood again
tr tho cid nf ais
resting lightly on It's At this critical moment
Lieutenant Byrnes, with whom Joaquin was we'll
acquainted moved up. and joaquin realizing that the
game was up. called ont 10 his followers to save
themselves a. best they could and threw himself upon
his charger without saddle bride. and sped down
the mountain HE tempest lie leaped his horse over
a praciplcc whep he fell. but was on his feet again
i'm a moment and. rcnounting. the daring rider dashed
on Close ut his heels came the rangers, firing they
rode and the gallant steed fell TO the earth. and
Joaouln ran on afoo, Three balls pierced his body
and made an end OF the bloody handed robber.