The San Francisco call., 1897-08-29
The MADEIRA Bandit Now
Roaming in Fresno
County.
Is Accompanied by Band of
Cutthroats, and Trouble Is
Looked For.
Believed to Be Planning to Attack
Prospectors Bound for the
GoldfieIds.

FRESNO. CAL, Aug. 28.-Cliff Regan,
the outlaw, has been seen recently in the
mountains of this county and is causing
considerable anxiety among the residents
there and the owners of the stage lines.
1t is thought that the reports of the gold
discoveries on Pine Ridge have brought
him across the San Joaquin from MADEIRA
County, and it is not at all unlikely that
he may be heard from in decided way in
the near future.
few days ago this remarkable young
criminal appeared at Burris' saloon, about
five miles above Academy, and purchased
some liquor. He had drink OF whisky,
and. besides, purchased flask which he
took with him. Regan was alone at the
time. coming to the place on horseback.
He spoke a few words pleasantly to the
proprietor of the place, and departed as
quietly as he had come. The outlaw did
not think that the saloonman knew who
he was. Regan did not say very much.
He came in from the hills to the west and
returned IN the same direction.
The other place at which the fugitive
from justice appeared was Widow Waite's
farm on Pine Ridge, about four miles
above Toll House. He stopped here one
morning ana obtained breakfast He was
alone, and had little to say. tie seemed
to think that no one recognized him, and
was very careful not to reveal his identity.
The people at the house were much
frightened while Regan was there, and
their fears were not ailayed entirely after
he had gone, for the fact that the
notorious outlaw was in the country was
sufficient to cause them much worry.
These visits OF Regan have become gen.
orally known through the foothills and
mountains, and every body is on the look
out. Probably the most alarmed are Jo-
seph House and A. w. Petrea, who run
rival stage lines from this city to the
ridge on the road which passes both the
Burris and Waite places. They have
stopped carrying money on their stages
because of the presence of the outlaw, and
they would not be much surprised to have
q hold-up any day. The stages carried
considerab BILE money for employees at the
mills, who sent their checks tor wages
down to Fresno to have them cashed and
had tn e money brought back on the stages.
AS much as $500 or $500 was often taken
up at one time. The stage owners have
discontinued this business. with the state
ment to the mill employees that their
money will be brought up only if they
will not hold the stage owners responsible
should a stage be robbed. House has
ceased taking money up on both his Pine
Ridge and Wildwood lines.
1t is reported that Regan crossed over
from MADEIRA County with three other
men-two half breed Indians and Mexi-
can-who constitute the gang of which he
is leader.
1t is supposed that they have esta blished
a camp somewh here in the mountains, and
that kegan is reconn offering to lay plans
for committing some depredations The
outlaw probably presumes that the people
who are going up to the new mining field
have money with them, and that the
nifty to make haul. He may also be ex.
pecting miners down with their cleanups.
In fact it would not be at all unlike this
daring outlaw to make a swoop with his
gang down upon some mining camp.
Cliff Regan has been classed as an out
law for mum ber of years past. He was
raised in Auberry Valley, in this county.
and knows every trail and nook in the
mountains of MADEIRA, Fresno and Tulare
counties. To catch him is a very difficult
proposition The people are all afraid Of
him and they dare do nothing that might
displease him.
Once Regan participated in the robbery
of Chinese store in MADEIRA County with
two other men. named Green and Ltrsen.
The outlaw was caught some time after
ward by half-breed named John Murphy,
whom the officers had employed to take
up the chase.
Murphy and Regan had a pitched bat
tie and the outlaw surrendered after his
gun had been shot to pieces. BY turning
States evidence Regan succeeded in get
ting off with light sentence for the re b.
berry. After he had served it he returned
to the MADEIRA Mountains, where he has
been stealing horses ana cattle off and on
with punity ever since. About a year
ago he ran off herd of horses from Ma
dera County and crossed the summit to
Mono County, where ne sod them.