The herald., 1896-01-15
AFTER A VERY LONG CHASE
The Brutal Murderer of Mrs. Mary j.
Plat Captured
He Is an Indian Named Francisco Guayish
Good Work by Deputy Sheriiss
Aguirre and Iarsh

There is now in the county Jail an Indian
named Francisco Guavish whom there is
every reason to believe is the slayer oil
Mrs. Mary j. Platt, the school teacher of
the Pichango reservation, who was MUIR
dered under peculiarly brutal circum-
stances on the Goth of September, 1894.
Mrs. Platt. who was supposed not to have
an enemy in the world, was murdered, and
outraged, and the body partially burned in
an effort 10 conceal the crime by destroy
ing her house. He little daughter heard
her mothers deaths cream, 'and ran to no
tify friends, but when they reached the
spot the building was burning and the un-
fortunate woman's body was found in the
ashes.
A number of Indians were arrested for
the crime and tried in the United states
court before Judge Ross. The principal
witness against those accused was Fran
cisco Guavish, and an effort was made to
show that the murder was instigated by
Mateo Pa, the chief, in revenge for Mrs.
Platt taking the part of another Indian
against him. The evidence was such that
no conviction was obtained Guavish's ac-
tions attracted suspicion to him, and
Deputy Sherffs Martin Aguirre and A. w.
Marsh became convinced that he was the
guilty party. From that time to this
Guavish has never been allowed to get be-
yond the reach of the sheriff's office, and a
close watch has been kept on his move
ments. Whenever he could get away,
Aguirre has given the matter his personal
attention and in his absence he has had
trustworthy men watching the sus yect.
From Temecula Guavish went to Ocean
side, where he was employed as Sheep
herder, and some three months ago he re-
moved to Ballona, where he has since been
continuing his career of crime. 1t is
Known that he has committed three
highway robberies on the road between Los
Angeles and s .nta Monica. He stole three
horses, one bicycle. fifty sacks of grain, a
large quantity OF hay, and the eliminating
offense was the theft of the COW belonging
to DR.. Manning in this city few morn
ings ago. The latter act he did in broad
daylight, and was arrested by Officers
Leonard and Fitch. 1t will be remembered
that Guavish was seen by one of the Of
iicers before the theft going along With a
larlat. and little later coming along wi h
the COW, for which he was suspected and
arrested. At The time that he was coming
along dragging or pulling the COW Aguirre
and Marsh were both shadowing him, but
did not arrest him, as they desired to as
| certain the guilty butchers who were pur-
chasing the stolen beef. The balance Of
the stolen property has all been recovered
during the past week by AguiIre.
There are two others implicated in the
murder of Mrs. Platt, and they are now
under surveillance. The warrant charg
ing Guavish with the murder was sworr
out December 2Sth last, before the justice
of the peace at San Jacinto. 1t was read
to the Indian in Jail yesterday, who wa.
visibly affected, and refused to talk on the
ground that if he said anything he would
be hung. He will be taken to Riverside
today.
The evidence against Guavish is said te
be absolutely convincing, and there is nc
question but what he is the man who com