The San Francisco call., 1896-12-19
RURALES BALKED
CARDS VENTURE
Dunham Search Abandoned
Because of Mexican
Opposition.
The Posse Certain Of Arrest if
the Boundary Was
Crossed.
Steps Taken to Secure Cooperation
for an Expedition Below
the Line.

A@AAN D1110Os OA1sT OCSs 4C.-SOboAaC1-
able information regarding the search
made by Sheriff Lyndon of San Jose and
ex-Marshal Gard of Los Angeles for Muir
derer James E. Dunham leaked out to-
day. 1t was learned on the best authority
that the officers had secured what they
believed to be an authentic "tip' leading
them toward the Mexican border, and
even below the line. They intended, when
they LETT here, to penetrate into Mexico,
even though they knew it was against
the law for armed posses to enter a neigh
boring country. They hoped to keep
their mission and destination so secret
that the Mexican authorities would not
suspect anything, and then, after Dun
hams capture, they hoped either to hurry
hIm across the line without any nonsense
about requlsition papers or else to appeal
to Mexicos President and chief officers
in order to secure the CO operation OF the
Lower California officials.
Through the Ioquacity of local mem
Der of the party the scheme fell fiat. The
errand of Sheriff Lyndon was known be-
fore his arrival here and friends of Dun
ham, if they had been so minded, could
easily have posted him on the Sherifrs
mission and the probable destination of
the party. The Mexican officials knew to
a certainty that the American posse was
headed for the Mexican line and would
probably enter Mexico without warrant of
law or special permission. 1t was on this
account that Governor Sangines was
hastily notified and orders sent by him
for the gathering of a posse of twelve
rurales at Tia Juana to cooperate with
another posse at Mil to head off the
Americans and warn them out of the
country. If they refused to 60 the CO.
mandante OF the Mexican party was under
orders TO arrest the whole party and con-
vey it to Ensenada, the Americans to be
treated as prisoners charged with being
flibusters entering foreign state with
which the United States is at peace
Just how Marshal Gard and Sheriff Lyn-
don learned of the hasty but effective &C
tion of the Mexicans is not known, but 1t
is presumed that on account of the i'm
portance OF its mission the posse had Sc
cured the assistance of Mexican residents
OF Ensenada or Tia Juana to keep them
posted regarding the movements of Mexi-
can officers. Gard is well acquainted be-
low the line and could easily secure such
help.
With plans made for the departure and
no signs of suspicion on the part OF the
Mexicans Gard and Lyndon started out.
They had hardly left for DuIzura, how
ever, before the Mexicans notified Gov
ernor Sangines, who in turn lost no time
in ordering out the ruraes. The red
shirted guardians of the peace below the
line wanted nothing better than to give
chase to a lot of gringoes especially men
who might be charged with serious crimes
altar nT0tT and thau hurr oh ba;
carbines, looked to their sabers and in
spected the cinches on their wiry mus
tangs while awaiting orders at Tia Juana
to give chase.
While Gard, Lyndon and the two San
Diego Hawkshaws were running about in
the hills OF Dulzura and looking longingly
across the Mexican line the rurales were
making for the spot post haste, armed and
ready to give battle to the Americans if
they entered Mexican territory. Gard
evidently learned of this. as he never al
lowed his party to cross the border except
when the coast was clear, and then only
for mile or so. He was too shrewd to be
caught mapping by the Mexicans.
There was good deal of ground to be
covered on this side of the line, inasmuch
as the posse did not know the exact loca-
tion of the Robbers Roost" spoken of by
Murderer Dunham in his famous letter to
his wife. Gard prevailed upon his party
10 IOregO tne pleasures OF chaSe after
Dunham over the Mexican line, where
they were quite sure he would be found,
and thorough exploration was made of
the rough and unsettled country sur
rounding Dunham's bee ranch at Dulzura.
OF course nothing was found.
So the posse returned to San Diego.
Gard and Lyndon, chagrined by the fail
ure of their mission, told cock-and-buII
story of pursuing another man entirely,
and both solemnly denied that they were
not after Durham. But Gard was not de-
spondent over the matter. 1t is known
that he hardly returned to civilization be-
fore he set a movement on foot to secure
the proper papers authorizing him to en-
ter Mexico and enllsting the Mexican Off
cials in his behalf. If he is successful in
his application TO the authorities at the
City of Mexico new ex pedition will start
out within few days, headed direct for
the Cocopah Mountains below the line,
where Gard and Lyndon believe Dnnham
is located.
Sheriff Lyndon returned north to-day,
presumably for his home at San Jose.
Marshal Gard went to Los Angeles.