The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-08
Coils. Bradbury, Harvey, Martin
and Moore at the Head
INDIANS MUST BE KILLED
A Concession Given From the Mexican
Government
A Little Army to Be Organized Of Fighting
Men-dood Pay and Ranch to
the Survivors

The Capital OF yesterday publishes the
following somewhat extraordinary story:
The Times last week had very hum
orous article regarding q trip to be made
to Tiburon island by Colonel John Brad
bury, J. Downey Harvey, Peter Martin
and Colonel Walter s. Moore. The names
are right Ms far as they go, but there are
others who ara connected with tnc pro
jsct and men of equal wealth and infiu-
ence with those IN mentioned. There is also
much more behind this thing than a
mere trip for pleasure and adventure.
Il is nothing less than the conquest OF
a country by the sword. and blood WIZ
How like water before it Is completed.
riburon island is situated IN the Gulf OF
California, one hundred miles north OF
Guymas, and two hundred miles south of
the Colorado river, and only q few miles
from the mainland of Mexico. 1t is about
six times as large as Catalina Island, and
is rich and fertile of soil, with good har-
bors, and with mineral resources vast
and valuable. 1t is almost an unknown
land, from the fact that 1t is inhabited
by fierce and warlike tribe OF Indians
known as the Ceris Indians: IL Is even
claimed that they are cannlbale. THESE
warriors made excursions to the main
land, and either killed or drove off all the
Indians living there. The troops of Mex
leo were ordered to the scene. and sue
ccsded in preventing these incursions to
tho Cefis into their island home met
with repuisc. One company of Mexican
troops after another landed at the island
but none returned to tell the tale. They
were lured into the interior OF the Island
and fell easy victims to the Gers. After
the loss OF Il great many troops the Mex.
lean government concluded that it had
not lost any Ceris Indians and contented
itself with con timing them to the island.
n These losses and defeats have ranked
r L. ant h.Nur
and 1t has Ions been known that grant
of the island would be made to any COM
pany that would conquer it and annihi-
late the Indians. This is the leading
clause i'll the concession. The Ceris In
dians must ba killed, and not mem Der
OF the tribe left living, No quarter is to
be shown. conservative estimate
places the value of this island at 81, 000.-
900, without at al! taking into account the
value of the gold, silver. copper. coal
and other minerals which are said to eX-
list upon the island. In thee piping
times OF peace nobody has dared to
tackle the proposition. Some who con-
siuered it were deferred from fear; others
because they had conscientious scruples
against shedding the blood of these In
dians. The first consideration shonld be
given some weight for it is certain that
the Indians will NOT be the only ones to
suffer They viii! kill scvera! times their
own nuInber before they are finally sub.
dued, or rather. destroyed. The second
soruple is Of valid These Indians are
plood- thirsty. murderous and crafty, and
not only III IrGer and mutilate, but de-
YOUR those so unfortunate az to fall into
their hands. Any good God-fearing man
would be doing work'in the cause OF hu-
mainly. by assisting to rid the earth OF
these i:nspeakabiy cruel creatures. 1t Is
ss-much "a duty to kill them AS it rs
duty to Kill a mad dog that is running at
large and threatening humanity.
An agent of Messrs. Bradbury ct al. is
now in the City OF Mexico procuring the
concession to TiburOn island. News was
received Tuesday from this gentleman,
whOis one of the best known men in Los
Angeles, and has been before connected
in enterprises with Colonel Brad bury, that
the co .cession had been granted and duly
signed. Immediately on receipt OF this
news the work OF recruiting troops and
purchasing ammunition and supplies was
commenced. Only mon OF proven fight
ipg qualities will be enrolled, and many
of them will come from Texas. New Mex
leo and Arizona. There are estimated to
oe only forty grown male Indians on the
island, but in such esteem do tho con-
Querers hold the proves of this handful
that a company OF 300 tghters will De en-
listed to 90 against the Indians. The
troops are to be under the command OF
Col. |. II. Polk. who will come up from
Mazatlan for that purpose. and will here
after be known as general. Tho troops
will mass at Guaymas ann take boats from
there to tho island. They will BIZ armed
with Manlicher rifles ami the latest i'm
proved small arms. Several small pieces
of artillery will also be taken along. ns
we'll as horses. The commissary depart
ment will be the care OF Col. Walter S.
Moore, and the troops will be fed as
tro0ps were never fed before.
The money for this expedition will be
put up by Colonel Bradbury and other
wealthy gentlemen, and large amount
will be required to carry it to a successful
termination. Each soldier who enlists
for the war is to receive $3.50, which is OF
itself SIS, COO, and the arms and provis-
ions and trans poTtaton will cost at least
xl5Q, 600. In addition, each soldier who is
alive when the island is conquered Is to
receive dead to 100 acres Of good land.
If soldier is killed, the land and his
wages 60 to his widow or other heirs.
This will give the island a population
from the day it is conquered, ana care
will he taken in the selection of the Iuen
to see that they will make good citizens
after the war is over.
1t is the intention OF the Tiburon Con-
quest company, as the new corporation
il called, to establish a little government
"a iepu blic-of its own, and have a pro-
tectorats extended over il by the United
States. To this Mexico, it is understood,
bias consented.
One OF the objects the company has in
view is to establish great resort, and
lines Of steamers will bs put on from both
Yuma and Guaymas. The climate being
delightful, the island will soon become
one of tho noted resorts of the world.
The island is teening with game, and
this will be protected. In fact, game and
games will be imported there. TIE
agricultural possibilities wi be developed
to the fullest extent. and mining will also
be great industry.
This 10 one of the best and most favor
abs schemes of this century. and the
men who are actively engaged in pushing
it are Just the people to bring it to a sue
cessful conclusion. 1t only requires
money aud nerve, and both requisites are
represented to a marked degree in the
different members o. the COMPANY
That the expedition is to be attempted is
now fixed fact, and the Capital will
have a war correspondent on the ground.