The San Francisco call., 1909-01-05
VIG|LANTFS' BULLETS
fND'' ''RUSTL[R' GANG
Four Cattle Thieves Rddled
With Shot in Lonely Canyon
by Avenging Ranchers
Posse PursueS Robbers to Ref
uge in Mountains and Duel
to Death Ensues
Especial Dispatch TO The Call


SAN DIEGO, jan As the result of
a desperate fight which is reported to
have occurred last Saturday morning
between gang of four cattle rustlers
and posse of Mexican ranchers the
desperadoes were wiped out OF exis-
tence and their bodies left In the open
country for the coyotes TO prey upon,
while the vigilantes emerged from the
ARRAY with one man desperately
wounded.
The battle occurred on the eastern
boundary of San Diego county about
20 miles north of the international
boundary line between the United
States and Mexico. On account or the
remoteness of the locality 1t has been
possible to secure but few OF the de-
tails. The only news of the aHalr tnus
far received was brought In TO mesa
Grande today by a mounted man VINO
said he had passed the four bodies in
a. canyon. He had been on the lookout
for them, having heard reports OF the
battle.
The gang of cattle thieves was com
posed of two Aexicans, one white man
and an Indian. For some months past
they have been committing depreda-
tions below the line. The band mace
its headquarters in barren canyon IN
the mountainous districts bordering
upon the desert, having fortified den
there that was almost impregnable. IL
had been their habit to ride across the
line just after nightfall. going some
distance into Lower California. Large
numbers of cattle would be cut loose
from the main herds and driven across
the line into American territory to the
stronghold of the robbers, there TO De
kept until they could be disposed or
with the least possible risk or detec-
ton. OF late the depredations OF the
band are said to have become so ire
quent as to arouse the Mexican ranch
ers to the necessity for drastic actlon.
A meeting of the ranchers was held
about a month ago, and at that tlme
vigiIante committee was organized.
The robbers in some manner learned
of the action of the ranchers, but In
spite of this fact rode across the line
last Friday night. They cut out
bunch of about 100 head of cattle and
then made a rush for the American
side. Within a couple of hours from
the time of the raid the loss OF cattle
was discovered.
The Mexican vigilantes were sum-
moned and pursuit started The rob-
bers succeeded in making their way
across the line to the American slde,
but at the entrance to their canyon
were overtaken. The vigflantes imme-
diately engaged the robbers In nerce
battle, Whlch Is reported 10 nave iaslou
more than an hour,
The robbers entrenched themselves
behind rocks, but the accuracy with
which the vigilantes used their rifles
soon counted, and in little more than
an hour all of the robbers had been
riddled with bullets. The ranchers col
lected the stolen cattle and with their
wounded comrade returned to Lower
California, leaving the bodies or the
robbers where they had fallen.
Sheriff Jennings has instructed his
deputies at Warmers Springs and San
Felipe to investigate the affair, but IT
Is not believed that any action will be
taken after the reports of the deputies
are rendered.