Amador ledger., 1910-01-21
RANCHERIA WASSA-
GRE RECALLED
True Story of This Great
Tragedy
Tracking the MurdererS.
Confined from last week.

view the scene. Strong men shuddered
as they looked upon the CORY spectacle
of blood weak ones quailed with terror
and fear with feeling of expectancy
that it might be repeated elsewhere.
Excitement ran throughout the country
breakers high. The timid at night
sought the fastness of the woods rather
than stay in their houses at night.
Mexicans of good repute dare not ven
ture out without they had a passport from
some well known American citizen.
The law officers like sleuth- hounds
started now on the murderers' track.
John A. Phoenix was sheriff of the
county, and his brother and George
Durham as his deputies. The sheriff
was man OF daring venture, impulsve
in his nature, and brave to actual rash
ness. He was an expert pistol shot, and
prided himself upon his accuracy. He
could hit cap box thrown into the air 9
out of 10 shots. His daring courage
gave him over confidence and ultimately
proved his ruin, which will be seen
hereafter. Durham was fearless
officer, cool and deliberate, statwart in
size and fearless in action. When hunt
ing desperadoes he believed in getting
the advantage, and holding it in a des-
perate encounter The sheriff's brother
was a man of different temperament.
He too was deliberate in his action, tall
and dark complexion, rather spare and
sineWy, with a keen dark Latin eye and
with the tenacity of a bulldog that gave
him an iron WILL and when once in
desperate encounter he was there to stay.
The three then started on the murderers'
trail. They tracked them across the San
| Joaquin river into the lowlandS-the
favorite haunts of Mexican desperadoes.
1t was here the famous bandit Joaquin
Muriatta was shot to death. From there
their trail led past the town now known
as Livermore thence they veered south
west heading for the mesa lands beyond
San Jose. The place at that time was
only a village. The stretch Of wild
country around it was owned as'SpanIsh
grants. Wild Mexican cattle roamed at
will cross its fastness, feeding upon its
succulent grasses. Far back upon the
mesa stood all old adobe house that had
followed in the wake of the Franciscan
friars. 1t was here they had tracked
the bandits. The officers knew they
were inside these adobe walls, perhaps
taking a siesta. A noon-day sun with
out CLINT or blur hung above its walls
The officers stopped out from the place
mile or more, and held consultation.
John A. Phoenix did not want to wait a
moment He desired to make the
attack Immediately. Durham counseled
patience.
".ohn, said Durham, 1--WE had
better wait till nightfall and creep in on
them in the darkness.
"No, replied the sheriff, there
isn't Mexican in California that | am
afraid of. They might escape besides.
In their nature they are towards. | can
whip every damn Mexican in that adobe
house myself. -
"John'' replied Durham, don't fool
yourself. They will fight like the
very dare devils of hell for their free
dom or their lives. If you insist
though, | am ready to go with you, but
my word is that some Of our lives, may
be all of us will pay the forfeit.
"Then" | insist" said the sheriff, "
laconcallv.
Without another word the three
officers examined their Colts revolvers
and drew their belts more tightly around
their waists. They then made a detour
in order to keep out of sight of the one
open door that stood partly aar in the
house before them. They had got
within 100 yards of the house when by
chance or vigilance one of the MeXicans
came out doors. On espying the officers
he beat hasty retreat to the inside of
the structure The officers in double
quick time now made for the house and
when within 40 yards of the place seven
we'll armed Mexicans came rushing out.
The sheriff leyeled his pistol at the
foremost man the daredevil OF the
crowd The sharp report of the pistols
reyerberated simultaneously and the
Mexican fell pierced through his heart
dead But look the Mexican had killed
the sheriff. A terrific battle now en-
sued, Pistol shots were cracking like
the popping from a bunch OF frecrackers.
II was fight to death between the two