The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-04-10
JOAQUIN MURIETFA.
A Yuba County Cave Where He Bur-
led His Doodle.
The ''Death-Bed Secret, OF an Old
Prospector-How the Bandit
Chief Did Business.

There is sensation among some of the
young men in this locality, says a
Browns Valley correspondent of the
Marysville appeal, and it has developed
into an interesting story. The CORE
spondent questioned some of them and
this is what they tell:
Some forty years ago people travelling
IN this part OF the State Were frequently
stopped by the famous bandit, Joaquin
Murletta, and relieved of their valuables.
In some instances where the victims
were persons of prominence they were
escorted to the lonely lair of the bandits
and held for ransom.
1t was known to many of the early set
tiers OF those days that Murietta accumu-
lated considerable fortune in this way
one OF his last raids was made on pack
train which was carrying several months
clean up'' from mum Der of mines, and
the 'hauF' amounted TO thousands OF dol
lars. Murietta and his men proceeded
with their booty to their hiding place,
which Is how supposed to be cave To-
Gated about fifteen miles in an easterly
direction from Browns Valley.
On arriving at the cave the chief gave
orders for his men to enter and dig a hole
IN one corner and secrete the GOLD. They
laid aside their arms, went to work with
Will and i'll a short time had the treasure
safely buried and all traces OF the cache
removed.
Murietta coolly surveyed the work
while 1t was going on, and us soon as it
was finished to his satisfaction he drew
his revolver and shot and killed all his
followers except one, whom he MORALLY
wounded. This man was the last, and he
fell just as he reached his gun. With one
last effort he raised it, took quick aim at
his chief, fired and fell back apparently
dead.
The ball entered Murietta's shoulder
and disabled him so that he was forced to
leave the treasure cave and hurry away
10 settlement for surgical aid. Circum-
stances prevented his return very soon,
anu IL was some months afterward that
he was Killed While working his way
Dack from the southern part OF the State.
a lew hours alter Murietta had left the
cave prOSpector happened along, and.
nearing groans, proceeded to inVesligate
lie traced the sound to the cave, and on
looking down into it was Mortified to see
the bodies OF five dead men lying in their
gore ana sixth grooming in the apOnies
OF death. When the dyius bandit saw
the prospector he raised himself upon his
elbow, ana, pointing to the corner OF the
cave where the gold was, he told the
story of the crime in a lew words. and
then, with halt-uttered curse upon his
lips, lell Dack dead,
The prospectOr was aghast with horror
and IL was some time before he recovered
sufficiently TO return home. Once there
he was overcome with the thought that
he might be accused Of tile murder of the
six men. Justice was quick in those
days, ana not always particular in search
ing for the missing link in chain Of cir
cumstantial evidence.
So, he argued to Himself, that it would
be the safest plan to keep the secret in his
own bosom, and it was only on his death
bed that he summoned up sufficient cour-
age, and calling his children, told them
the dread story OF Murietta and the gold.
Four days ago party of eleven young
men, upon hearing the above story, set
out 10 explore the cave and secure the
hidden treasure. On their return they
were very close-mouthed, and to all in
quiries refused to tell a word of their ex-
periences on the trip.
y second party started out and re-
turned home tired and worn last even
ing. They were also disinclined to talk
at first, but one of the party told a friend
and so the whole thing leaked out. The
cave was found, but there We're no
bandits bones, no rust-eaten carbines, no
evidence of hidden treasures; nothing, in
fact, but six empty bottles bearing the
label of certain brand of whisky. Is
the whole thing an advertisement for The
whisky? That is the question that is
now being asked.