Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-06-07

The lifo OF the Mexlcalt, or Call
fornian. bandit OF the early days was
romantic as we'll as criminal-more
romantic than the typo depicted in
many OF the novels, especially by
writer's who never saw even the
mildest type Of road agents. Thur
clio Vasquez was typical Mexican
higwayman, whose band OF cut
throats hold California In terror.
Vasquez's criminal career began
when he was about 18 years of age
as a member OF Anastacio Garcia's
band. for never at time after the
American occupation until recently
was California free from Mexio ioan
bandits At a fandango IN Monterey
one night his chief quarreled with
another Mexican. An American
constable was killed whilo attempt
ing to arrest them. Next morning
one OF tho Mexicans was hanged by
the vigilantes, Garcia was captured
and hanged at Los Angeles and Vas
quez escaped, being secreted, at the
house Of Garcia's sister.
While in the states prison for
stealing horses. Vasquez planned
an escape with others He was
wounded, but made his escape and
again took to the road. afterwards
robbing a sheriff who was in purGuit
of him
To the ordinary observer he
seemed to be quiet and inoffensive
and possessing soft persuasive
voice. He was not suspected OF be-
ing the bold robber. for few Amori-
cans knew him personally. He
frequently rode into the towns,
noted the preparations being made
for his capture. and acted accord
ingly.
One OF his most daring exploits
was that near the New Almaden
quicksilver mines, according to tho
Philadelphia Times. His band had
raided the village of Enriquita,
killed u man and taken several hum
dreds Of dollars from the store, which
they had set on fro. Vasquez wore
a mask, and was not suspected until
after the inquest. He was appoint
ed interpreter at the inquest and his
manner Of testifying created sus-
picion. Next day he left in advance
OF vigilance committee.
His next adventure was q romance,
blended with crime and the usual
vengeance Hewas thrown from his
horse and seriously hurt noar tho
residence OF one Rafael Moreno, who
was wealthy and had a daughter
passing fair with the pretty name of
Anita Under the ministrations of
the dark-eysd senorita Vasouez re-
covered slowly. Us we read in the
novels OF such cases. and. as we
further resd. the sequel was the
same--he ran away with the old
mans daughter but the prosaic
senior pursued Vasauez with shot
gun. shot him and brought his ro-
mantle daughter home.
As soon as he recovered from his
wound Vasquez was again in the sad
die, and the country became more
alarmed than ever. AS soon as q
robbery was committed his band es-
caped to the almost inaccessible
Businesses of Cantua canyon, which
spot was unknown to the Americans.
who wero astounded at the sudden
disappearance of the bandits-as
complete as if the earth had swal-
lowed them.
in Cantua canyon. in the Mount
Diablo mountains. near the head
quarters of this band. Abdon Leiva
lived. He had pretty wife. aged
about 25 years, also two small chill
dren. His wife Rosario, seemed
charmed with the gallantry and dare
deviitry OF Vasquez, and persuaded
her husband to Join the gang, which
had then been reduced to about ten
men. through the aid of some Amcri-
can sharpshooters. Leiva hesitated
and his wife taunted him with cow
ardice. He had not long been u
member before he became jealous of
Vasquez. When sent on a mission
one day he resorted to the usual tao
tics of sudden return, with the
usual results. He drew his pistol,
uttered "carajo" and was about to
tire
This exclamation, which all McSi-
cans deem necessary before action,
p;aced him at T. disadvantage, for on
thc instant Chavez. the lieutenant of
Vasquez. leveled pistol at Leiva's
head with another ''carajo." Tho
unfaithful woman sought protection
III the arms OF Vasquez from her in
tnria.ed husband. A compromise