The herald., 1897-02-28
THRROR.STRUCK MEXICANS
Portify Themselves 10 the Railroad Coal
Chutes
The Women and Children Quartered In the
Depot
The Twenty-Five Americans Who Are Living
In Bagdad VIII Not Be Taken
While Their Ammunition
Holds Out
Special to the Herald.

rs John Moss, a full-blood Piute Indian,
and the head medicine man Of that tribe,
rode into this village in the afternoon
and put UP at the only hostelry this town
pioneer Of California He bought pro-
visions for himself and horse, stating
that he Intended to return to Stuart's
camp, some Is miles north of here, next
morning. He was provided with all the
necessaries asked, including lodging.
The next afternoon. while in conversa-
tion with a Mexican, Of which this town
has a superabundance, he was asked to
take q drink. He said: II have plenty
Of money and have tried to get drink,
hut the bartender won't sell to me-"
During this conversation he displayed
$50 or $50 in gold. The Mexican who was
in his company approached the barten-
der and pawned his revolver for 50. get
ting in return a pint of whisky and 81
change. About one hour after the same
Mexican and Indian revisited the saloon.
The Mexican tried to persuade the In
dian to buy the revolver he had pawned
at the bar. The Indian said: mo: I
have a much better gun" Thereupon
the Indian called the bartender to show
the weapon he had left there during the
day. The Indians weapon. being put on
exhibition. proved 80 much the superior
in comparison to the Mexican's that the
latter desisted from further importantly.
The two left the saloon and that was the
last seen Of the Indian. The next morn
ing the Mexican seemed to have plenty
Of money and whisky was bought with
out stint.
In the meantime the horse and sup
supplies bought by the Indian were still
at Stewards inn. On the evening Of the
26th G. e. Boyd and Major Stewart, in
conversation in reference to the non
appearance Of the Indian, came to the
conclusion that something unusual had
happened to the chief. So convinced
were they that foul play had been COM
mitted that the next morning they made
up posse Of white men and visited the
Mexican village in search Of the Indian.
The search was made in the town known
as Chihuahua, but no evidence Of the In
dian was found. Not satisfied. they made
a circuit Of the town at half mile cir
cumference. They soon struck a trail
that led to the north. Following this,
they found the body of the chief about
three-quarters Of mile out OF town, hid
under a growth Of greasewood bushes.
The body was brought back to town and
a committee Of citizens again searched
the Mexican portion Of the town for evil
dence. None was found.
The three Mexicans last seen in the
company of the Indian were arrested
and now await the coroners inquest.
The chief was undoubtedly killed with
either an ak or coal pick, as the wounds
on his head are similar to those inflicted
with such weapons.
4NAS eAeSAAOoAi dA 1uuldn woman rode
into town and said she was looking for
her husband, known as Johnny Moss.
She said his prolonged absence had
alarmed her, and she had taken his trail
following 1t to this place. Upon being
advised of her husbands fate. she. In
dian-like, said: "A tooth for a tooth
and, Notwithstanding all requests. rode
away to her people, some 80 or 40 miles
north Of here. The Mexicans, learning of
this, are In terror Of an Indian attack
and have fortified themselves In the Goa,
chutes Of the Atlantic and Pacific rail-
way, and their wives and children are
quartsred in the depot, to be protected
by the Americans. who number about
25. Should there be an attack, the citi-
sens Of Bagdad will make good show
as long as ammunition holds out.
Johnny Moss was an influential medi-
cine man among his tribe, which makes
the situation serious. and the most con-
servative expect visit from his people.
Coroner Keating, o. M. Sprecher, as-
sistantv district attorney. and c. H. Mat
tinsly. stenosrapher, Of San Bernardino.