The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-01-05
MPALING MEXICAN BANDITS.
Horrible Cruelties Practiced on the
Other Side of the Line.
Thrilling Pursuit, the Attack, Capture
and Reyenge-Pitching Knives at an
American Ranchman.

and Reyenge-R1tchlng hni'es at e'h
American Ranchman.
The Indian Mexican rancheria of
Temescal (signifying in Indian Hot
Bathn) was long the headquarters of
Mexican horse thieves and bandits. The
hot springs were originally settled by
the Indians because of the medicinal
qualities of the waters. Here they
would flock after their tribal wars TO
be healed, or in seasons of epidemic,
after the Mexicans brought their diseases
to people whom they came to clvilize.
The Mexicans soon dispossessed the In
dams and the place was known as the
headquarters of Bras Angelina and his
bandits until a few years ago. Iemesca
is situated in beautiful valley fifty
miles south of Los Angeles, and is one
of the prettiest and most romantic spots
in Southern California" writes j. M.
Scanland in the Chicago Tribune. 1T is
favorably situated for refuge, yet it's
beautiful surroundings would seem to
shut our tall ideas of crime. mn
In order to rout the bandits some OF
the settlers called upon Maj. j. Bank
head Magruder, commanding company
of United States troops at Jurupa,
where once stood a Mexican fort, a few
miles south Of San Bernardino. The
infantry could be of no use, but, by per-
mission of the commandant, Capt.
Smith, the Quartermaster, son OF
Extra Billy" Smith, ex-governor OF
Virginia, made requisition upon him
self for mum Der of mules for the men.
Under Capt. Smiths command we
started for the bandits camp at Temes-
cal. Presently we saw detachment of
men coming from the direction of San
Bernardino. They were Mormon set
tiers under the command of their
Sheriff, Cliff, also in pursuit of the rob
bers With this well equipped company
of more than 100 men we rode directly for
the famous Robbers Camp" at Temes-
cal. The night was clear and calm, the
moon shone brightly, and our FURNISHED
muskets flashed warning signals as they
cleaned and glistened under the moon
beams. The road being hard and rocky
the sharp clatter of our we'll shod
mustangs, and the heavy, clumsy tread
OF the wagon mules assured us that our
success in surprising the robbers was in
a rapid movement. After entering the
Temescal Valley we halted moment for
rest before the charge.
Arranging the details of attack, we
charged up the road at @double quick"
time. The infantry were not good
neutrality-suspicious. held on to their horses
as boys just learning to ride, few fell
from their plug mules, and all were left
far behind excepting Capt. Smith, who
rode to the front on we'll groomed
horse. The Mormons were well up with
ms, and, turning a sharp bend in the
road where we expected to surprise their
sentinels, we charged into their camp.
But not bandit. They had heard our
clatter and stole away.
We followed their trail up Cold Water
Canon, sometimes on the banks of the
stream, in its shallow bed, and upon the
precipice. Finally we reached the very
summit of the Grand Temescal Noun
tain. The day was unusually clear and
beautiful, and like an ocean of emerald
the limitless plains of San Louis Rey
lay to our right, and to the left the ocean
with its cluster of islands like dots upon
the universe. In admiring this grand
panorama we had quite forgotten the
robbers.
We looked down upon the valley and
around, but no robbers were in sight.
We followed the trail along the ridge OF
the mountain for several miles, when we
descended to the plains. 1t was now
sunset and we camped on little island
of woods" fianked on each side by par
alIel roads, which united at each end,
thus forming an island. In the center
was a spring.
In a few moments sentinel ex-
claimed, the enemy!" He was instructed
net to challenge, but to let them pass.
The men were concealed in the woods,
and each was instructed to keep his gun
pointed at the man opposite him, and at
the signal to fire. The bandits rode into
the trap, boasting and laughing, evil
IDENTIFY all intoxicated. There was a
wine press CIR distillery near, and in COM
ing down the noun tain they had taken
another trail and gone to ranch to
have grand dinner with vino. 1t was
scarcely dark as they rode by, but the
thick growth of the trees amid which
we were concealed shut out the few
CLEANS of lingering daylight, which
more effectually aided our purpose. As
the last man passed our extreme left
Capt. Smith, who had taken position
there, fired the signal shot, bringing
down his man. Then there was vol
ley, which seemed but the report CT one
quo. Instantly detachment wheeled to
the right and another to the left at each
end Of the road thus cutting off their
retreat. Every saddle was emptied-
thirty-three bandits dead and seventeen
wounded, some only slightly, but not
one escaped the unerring marksmen.
A double guard was placed around the
camp. We slept among the dead and
wounded robbers.