USA > California > Monterey County > History of Monterey County, California : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, farms, residences, public buildings, factories, hotels, business houses, schools, churches, and mines : with biiographical sketches of prominent citizens > Part 38
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His first exploit was the robbery of some peddlers in Monte- rey county ; next he captured and robbed a stage. Soon after this he found himself at the head of a band of Mexican desper- adocs, who acknowledged him as a leader, and obeyed his com- mands. He continued his career of crime until 1857, when he was arrested in Los Angeles county for horse-stealing; was convicted and took up his abode at San Quentin. Wearying of the place, he escaped, but was shortly recaptured, and served until 1863.
Soon after his discharge, he joined Procopio and Soto, both noted bandits, and aided these worthies in their many enter- prises throughout California, until Soto was slain in a fight with Sheriff Harry Morse, of Alameda county. Vasquez mod- estly attributed his own many escapes to his courage (mi valor), as he said he was ever ready to fight, though he always endeavored to avoid bloodshed.
Along with some members of his band he now organized a raid on Tres Pinos, which is here given in full by Mr. A. Snyder :-
"About 5 o'clock P. M. of August 26, 1873, Adon Leiva and one Gonzales came into my storo, as they had done at other times, and bought some articles, and paid for them. They hung around the store until about sundown, at which time William Burnett arrived with the New Idria stage, which arrived half an hour early that evening. I tben changed the mail and stepped outside to seo the stage off. In five or six minutes after thio stage left for New Idria, Vasquez, Chaves, and one Moreno, appeared in front of tho storo on horseback, armed with rovolvers and rifles. They alighted from their horses and ticd thom to the fence, close up to tho store porch, at the same time. I watched thom closely,
OF
county.
Children.
old.
Schools.
tendance.
maintained,
ary of teachers.
876 85 815,000 00 8 25,001 00
1876
10
18
10
16,500 07 27,405 00 18,126 35 28,637 00
808
7 9-10
74 401
1877
Male.
Female.
Valuation of school
7
23
1,523
704 002
No 1, IMPORTED NORMAN STALLION RIVIER, 5 YEARS OLD No/2 FULLON 7 YEARS OLD OWNED BY W. B. FORD, SALINAS MONTEREY CO CAL
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EXPLOITS OF VASQUEZ, THE NOTED BANDIT.
as they were better armed than when, on other occasions, the same parties had visited my store, purchased goods, paid for them and went away. I noticed while they were tying their horses, that Chaves had a lot of rope in his side coat- pocket. They cyed me very closely while they were tying their horses. Just then Mr. Lewis Smith, a neighbor, stepped into the store and called for a broom. I told him that I did not like the looks of those fellows. In a moment after, Vasquez came up to me and inquired for a letter for some Spanisb name. I then stepped behind the desk to look for a letter for the name called for. At the same time I beard some one say two or three times, in an audible tone of voice, "Lay down." I did not find any mail for the name called for, and turned around to tell him there was none, when I saw my clerk, Mr. John Engrath, and Mr. Smith, and Mr. Henry Murry, lying on the floor, and right across the room from me stood Gonzales and Don Leiva with six-shooters open on mne, also Moreno standing in the door aiming a rifle at me, and tell- ing me to lie down. I did not lie down at the first request, and my first impulse was to shoot one of them with a rifle I had within wy reach, it having but one load in it. I then thought of my family in tbe adjoining building, and that, should I shoot one of them, they would kill me anyway, and perhaps, my family. They then spoke to me again, with vengeance, and told me if I did not lie down at once they would blow the top of my head off right where I was standing, at the same time drawing a bead ou mc. I need not tell how large those cylinders looked to mne at that moment, but will say that they secmed to enlarge every moment. Taking all things into consid- eration, I submitted and lay down behind my desk. And right here I must acknowledge that it was the most trying thing I ever did in my life; but to save my own life aud that of my family, I submitted and told them to help themselves. Vasquez then tied my hands very tightly on my back, laid me on my face, and covered me all over with a blanket. They then tied my clerk, tying his hands on his back, and his feet to his hands; they laid him on his face, and then they tied Mr. Smith's and Mr. Murry's hands on their baeks. Then, before pilfering the store and our pockets, Vasquez made a few remarks, as follows : "Boys, I am sorry to treat you in this manner, but if I was to turn out to make my living by work, and the people should find out who I am, they would hang mne inside a week's time. And the only way I have to make a living is by robbing other people, and as long as other people have money, I will have my share of it, at the risk of my life." And he further stated to me that I had submitted, and my life should be spared. They then went through our pockets, after which they pilfered the store. At this time I heard Mr. Haley, who was driving a four-horse team for Mr. A. B. Grogan, calling me by name five or six times. I dared not answer. They finally hit him on the head with a six- shooter, took him down out of the wagon, tied him to the
fore-wheel, and took what spare change he bad, leaving him in that condition, with the horses attached to the wagon. Fear- ing that the horses would start, he worked himself loose, but remained in a stooping position, that they might not detect his being untied. By this time a Mr. Conly, his wife and one little boy eame along, and were stopped. Mr. Conly was taken off the wagon and brought near the store, and tied down on the ground; at the same time Mrs. Conly screaming at the top of her voice, they threatened to shoot her if she did not quit screaming, as she would alarm the neighbors. Just then Mrs. Snyder came out of her door, walked up to Mrs. Conly, took her by the hand and led her into the house, telling her to be quiet and maybe their lives would be saved. Mr. Conly's little boy got down on his hands and knees, crawled across the road, climbed a fence, and went across the river to one of the neighbors. The hostler at the stable was confronted and told to lie down. The boy, not knowing what it meaut, laughed at them. They hit him over the head with a gun, then tied him and took him back of the barn.
MURDER OF THREE CITIZENS.
Mr. George Redford, from Gilroy, with a four-horse team drove up, and was unhitching his team. They ordered to lie down. He, being a little deaf, may not have understood them, but ran onee around his wagon, then into the stable, when they shot him through the heart. At this moment a Frenchman, who had stopped for the night with a band of sheep, was near the barn. He knew them, and they knew him. They instantly shot at him, tear- ing his upper teeth out. He ran, jumped over a fence into an adjoining field, then baek in front of the store, and they after him, and as he jumped the fence again, upon the store porch, they shot him through the breast. I heard him fall and struggle in death.
At this moment I heard another shot, in front of the hotel. Mr. Leland Davidson, who was proprietor of the hotel, had been sick for several days, and was not, aware of what was going on. He heard the shooting, and arose from bis chair, went to the front door, and had it partly open, wben his wife ran in from the back part of the honse, screaming to her husband to close the door, stating, at the same time, tbat robbers were robbing the store. She ran up to her husband , and reached her arm over his shoulder in the act of closing the door. At this moment Vasquez appeared in front of the door and instantly raised his rifle and fired through the door, the ball entering Mr. Davidson's heart. He fell back in his wife's arms and expired in a moment. They then came into the store, took me up and took me to the room where my family was. They ordered me to havo my wife hand over all the money that was in the house. Mrs. Snyder told them she would if they would spare her husband's life. They told ber
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EXPLOITS OF VASQUEZ, THE NOTED BANDIT.
tbat her husband had submitted to their request, and his life should be spared. After getting what money there was in the bouse, they started back to the store with me. On the way back, Chaves and Vasquez stoppel and beld a conversation in Spanish. Vasquez finally told him, in English, that he was Captain of this band, and that, as I had submitted, my life should be saved. They then took me back to the store, laid me down on my side, with my bands tied on my back, and covered me with a blanket, after which they commenced pack- ing their borses with goods taken from the store. My hands, having been tied so tight, at this time became very painful; my arms were swollen up to my shoulders. I made a special request of them, for the third timo, to loosen the ropes around my wrists, as they were tied so tight that the ropes cut through the skin. (I wore the sores on my wrists for two months afterwards.) Vasquez finally came to me and exam- ined the ropes, and said they were too tight. He loosened them for me, and I thanked him kindly for doing so, as it afforded me great relief. They then took down sardines oysters, crackers, and cheese, and ate a hearty supper.
VASQUEZ REQUESTED TO HURRY.
I told them I wisbed they would hurry, as I had not had my supper, and was hungry. They replied that they, also, were hungry, and would not leave until they got through eat- ing their lunch. When they had finished eating, Vasquez told them to go to the stable and bring away all of the good borses, which they would drive ahead of them. The robbers took eleven horses out of the stable and drove off with them, two of them being my own. They shot and killed one blind horse that was in the stable. I was robbed of about six hundred dollars' worth of goods, two horses, about $430 in coin, mny watch, and weapons. It was supposed that they got about $1,200 in coin from all parties altogether. The robbers theu left, and we all arose to our feet, and Mr. Smith's boy, not being tied, untied bis father, and his father untied the rest of us. I at once went to where my family was, and found them all safe. I then went into Mr. Davidson's room, and found him dead, and his wife lamenting over him. I returned to the store, where I found the Frenchman lying on his back, dead, on the store porch. I took a lantern, went to the barn, and found George Redford lying on his face, dead, on a pile of hay in one of the stalls. The next morning found us surrounded by some two hundred of the neighbors, who had learned of the robbery and murder. During the shooting, Mrs. Snyder and Mrs. Sam Moore, who were in the house at the time, had forethought enough to lie flat down upon the floor in order to escape the bullets that were flying around."
Thus ends the robbery at Paicines, as given by A. Snyder.
Vasquez started with his band for Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles county, and while on the road, succeeded in seducing
the wife of Adon Leiva (his Lieutenant). The latter caught the pair in flagrante delicto, and swearing revenge, proceeded at once to Los Angeles, where he surrendered himself, and there- after furnished the officers with much valuable information regarding the methods pursued by Vasquez.
Soon after this, assisted only by his new Lieutenant, Chaves, he robbed the stage at Coyotes Holes Station, on the Owens River road, capturing, in all, sixteen men from whom they took two hundred dollars in money, besides watches, jewelry and pistols.
HIS OPERATIONS AT SAN GABRIEL.
His next act of importance was at San Gabriel, where, on April 16, 1874, he and his band visited the house of Alexander Repetto, disguised as sheep-herders, and tying Repetto to a tree, compelled him, under pain of instant death, to sign a check on Temple & Workman's bank, Los Angeles, for eight hundred dollars. A nephew of Repetto's was then dispatched to Los Angeles to get this cashed and was warned that at the first symptom of treachery his uncle would be killed. Upon arrival at the bank, the boy's manner excited suspicion and the bank officers detained him until he told why the money was needed so urgently. Sheriff Rowland at once organized a posse and started for the mission, but the boy, by hard rid- ing across country, reached there ahead of them, paid the ran- som and released his uucle. The robbers Hled, and when not more than a thousand yards in advance of the officers, robbed John Osborne and Charles Miles of Los Angeles, whom they met in a wagon; then away again and made good their escape. This was the last exploit of Vasquez.
For a long time Sheriff William R. Rowland, of Los Angeles, had been quietly layiug plans for his arrest. Again and again the game had escaped him, but "it is a long lane that has no turning." Early in May, 1874, he learned that Vasquez was making his head-quarters at the house of "Greek George," about ten miles due west of Los Angeles, toward Santa Monica, aud not far from the Cahuenga Pass.
The house was situated at the foot of a mountain, and was built of adobe, in the form of the letter L, the foot of the letter being toward the mountain range, and the shank extending south. Behind the house ran a comparatively disused road, leading from San Vicento throughi La Brea Rancho to Los Angeles. In front of the house a small bunch of willows surrounded a spring, and beyond these a vast rolling plain stretched westward and southward to the ocean.
A window in the north end of the building afforded a look- out for many miles. Other windows in like manner com- manded the remaining points of the compass. The middle sec- tion of the shank was used as a dining-room, and a small room in the southern extremity as a kitchen.
It was well known that Vasquez had confederates in Los
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EXPLOITS OF VASQUEZ, THE NOTED BANDIT.
Angeles, who kept him constantly posted as to all plans laid for his capture. This being the case, the ntmost secrecy was necessary. The morning of Thursday, May 15th, was deter- mined on for making the attack, and during the preceding day horses for the Sheriff's party were taken one by one to a ren- dezvous on Spring street, near Seventh. To disarm suspicion, it was determined that Sheriff Rowland should remain in Los Angeles, and the attacking force (eight in all) was placed in charge of the Under Sheriff, Mr. Albert Johnson. The remaining members were : Major H. M. Mitchell (attorney-at law of Los Angeles), J. S. Bryant (City Constable), E. Harris (policeman), W. E. Rogers (of the Palace saloon), B. F. Hartley (Chief of Police), D. K. Smith (a citizen), and Mr. Bcers (of San Francisco, special correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle). The party were armed with rifles, shot guns (loaded with slugs), and revolvers.
At 1:30 A. M. they started, and by 4 o'clock had arrived at Major Mitchell's bee ranch, situated up a small cañon not far from the house of Greek George. Here Mr. Johnson left a portion of his party, while with the rest he climbed the mountains to reconnoiter. A heavy fog at first obscured all objects, but as this lifted, they could discern a horse, answer- ing in appearance to that usually ridden by the bandit, picketed near the housc. Twice a man resembling Vasquez came out of the dwelling, and led this horse to the spring, then back again and re-picketedl him. Soon a second man, believed to be the handit's Lieutenant (Chaves) went in pursuit of another horse, and then Mr. Johnson prepared for action.
VASQUEZ SURROUNDED.
His two companions (Mitchell and Smith) went in pursuit of the man last scen, while he returned to the bee ranch, mar- shalled his forces and prepared to attack the house. Just at this moment (providentially it would almost seem) a high box wagon drove up the cañon from the direction of Greck George's bouse. In this were two natives, and the Sheriff's party at once clambered into the wagon and lay down, taking with them one of these men. The driver they commanded to turn his horses and proceed back to Greek George's house, driving as close thereto as possible, and promising him that ou the least sign of treachery they would shoot him dead. He obeyed his instructions, and in a short time the house was reached and surrounded.
As the party advanced upon the door leading into the din- ing-room, a woman opened it partially, then, as she caught siglit of them, slammed it to with an exclamation of affright. They burst in just in time to see Vasquez spring from the table, where he had been eating breakfast, and through the narrow kitchen window, in the eud of the house facing south. As he went through officer Harris fired on him with his Henry rifle, and as he rushed for his horse, shot after shot showed him the
utter hopelessness of escape. Throwing up his hands, he advanced toward the party and surrendered, saying: "Boys, you have done well; I have heen a d-d fool, but it is all my own fault. I'm gone up." Two other men were arrested at the same time (the one Mitchell and Smith went after, and auother). A large number of arms all of the latest pattern and finest workmanship, were found in the house. Greek George (George Allen) was arrested in Los Angeles.
Vasquez was conveyed to Los Angeles and placed in jail. Here he received the best of medical treatment, and as his injuries were only flesh wounds, soon recovered. Much maudlin sympathy was expended on him by weak-hcaded women while he remained in Los Angeles jail.
His last victim, Mr. Rapetto, of San Gabriel called to see him. After the usual salutations, Rapetto remarked : "I have called, signor, to say that so far as I am concerned, you can settle that little account with God Almighty. I have no hard feelings against you, none whatever." Vasquez returned his thanks in a most impressive manner, and began to speak of repayment, when Rapetto interrupted him, saying: " I do not expect to be repaid. I gave it to you to save further trouble, but I beg of you, if you ever resume operations, not to repeat your visit at my house,"
"Ah, señor," replied Vasquez, "If I am so unfortunate as to suffer conviction, and am compelled to undergo a short term of imprisonment, I will take the earliest opportunity to reim- burse you. Scuor Rapetto, I am a cavalier, with the heart of a cavalier! Yo soy un caballero, con el corazon de un cabal- lero!" This with the most impressive gesture and laying his hand upon his heart.
He was taken to San Jose, and tried for murder. Being found guilty, he was there hanged March 19, 1875.
Several others of the band were captured and sent to San Quentin. Some were shot by officers, and the whole band was thoroughly broken up.
VASQUEZ'S OWN ACCOUNT.
-
In reply to questions of a press reporter, Vasquez gave the following account of himself, substantially :-
" I was born in Montercy county, California, at the town of Monterey, August 11, 1835. My parents are both dead. I have three brothers and two sisters. Two of my hrothers reside in Monterey county, one unmarried and one married : the other resides in Los Angeles county ; he is married. My sisters are both inarried ; one of them lives at San Juan Bau- tista, Monterey county, the other at the New Idria quicksilver inincs. I was never married, but I have one child in this county a year old. I can read and write, having attended school in Monterey. My parents were people in ordinarily good circumstances, owning a small traet of land, and always had enough for their wants. My career grew out of the cir-
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EXPLOITS OF VASQUEZ, THE NOTED BANDIT.
cumstances by which I was surrounded. As I grew up to manhood, I was in the habit of attending balls and parties given by the native Californians, into which tho Americans, then beginning to be numerous, would force themselves and shove the native-born inen aside, monopolizing the dance and the women. This was about 1852. A spirit of hatred and revenge took possession of me. I had numerous fights in defense of what I believed to be my rights and those of my countrymen. The officers were continually in pursuit of me I believed we were unjustly and wrongfully deprived of the social rights that belonged to us. So perpetually was I involved in these difficulties, that I at length determined to leave the thickly settled portions of the country, and did so. H gathered together a small band of cattle, and went into Mendo- cino county, back of Ukiah, and beyond Falls Valley. Even here I was not permitted to remain in peace. The officers of the law sought me out in that remote region, and strove to drag me before the courts. I always resisted arrest. I went to my mother and told her that I intended to commence a different life. I asked for and obtained her blessing. and at once commenced the career of a robber. My first exploit consisted in robbing some peddlers of money and clothes in Monterey county. My next was the capture and robbery of a stage coach in the same county. I had confederates with me from the first, and was always recognized as leader. Robbery after robbery followed each other as rapidly as circumstances allowed until, in 1857 or '58, I was arrested in Los Angeles for horse-stealing, convicted of grand larceny, sentenced to the penitentiary, and was taken to San Quentin, and remainedl there until my term of imprisonment expired in 1863. Up to the time of my conviction and imprisonment, I had robbed stage coaches, wagons, houses, etc., indiscriminately, carrying on my operations, for the most part, in daylight, sometimes, however, visiting houses after dark.
LEADS A FEARFUL LIFE.
"After my discharge from San Quentin, I returned to the house of my parents, and endeavored to lead a peaceable and honest life. I was, however, soon accused of being a confed- erate of Procopio and one Soto, both noted bandits, the latter of whom was afterwards killed by Sheriff Harry Morse, of Alameda county. I was again forced to become a fugitive from the law officers ; and, driven to desperation, left home and family, and commenced robbing whenevor opportunity offered I made but little money by my exploits. I always managed to avoid arrest. I believe I owe my frequent escapes solely to my courage (mi valor). I was always ready to fight when- ever opportunity offered, but always endeavored to avoid bloodshed.
"I know of nothing worthy of note until tho Tres Pinos affair occurred. The true story of that transaction is as fol-
lows: I, together with four other men, including Chaves, my Lieutenant, and one Leiva (who is now in jail at San Jose, awaiting an opportunity to testify, he having turned State's evidence), camped within a short distance of Tres Pinos. I sent three of the party, Leiva included, to that point, mak- ing Leiva the Captain. I instructed them to take a drink, examine the locality, acquaint themselves with the number of men around, and wait until I came. I told them not to use any violence, as when I arriverl, I would be the judge, and if anybody had to be shot I would do the shooting. When I arrived there with Chaves, however, I found three men dead, and was told that two of them were killed by Leiva, and one by another of the party named Romano; the rest of the men in the place were all tied. I told Leiva and his com- panions that they had acted contrary to my orders, that I did not wish to remain there long. Leiva and his men had not securedl money enough for my purpose and I told a woman, the wife of one of the men who were tied, that I would kill him if she did not procure funds. She did so, and we gathered up what goods and clothing and provisions we needed, and started for Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles county.
HIS EXPLOITS IN TULARE COUNTY.
"I went to King's River in Tulare county where, with a party of eight men besides myself, I captured and tied up thirty-five men. There were two stores and a hotel in this place. I had time to plunder only one of the stores, as the citizens aroused themselves and began to show fight. The numbers were unequal and I retired. I got about eight hundred dollars and considerable jewelery by this raid. I went from there to a small settlement, known as Panama, on Kern River, where myself and party had a carouse of three days, dancing, love making, etc. El Capitan Vasquez was quite a favorite with the señoritas. It was well known to the citizens of Bakersfield, which is only two or three miles from Panama, that I was there, and arrangements were made for my capture ; but the attempt was not made until I had been gone twenty-four hours. They then came and searched the house in which I was supposed to be concealed. When I left Panama, I started for the Sweet-water mountains, and skirted their base, never trav- elling along the road, but keeping along in the direction of Lone Pine. I returned by the way of Coyote Holes, where the robbery of the stage took place. Here Chaves and myself cap- tured the diligencia and sixteen men. Chaves hold his gun over them while I took their money and jewelry. We got about $200 and somo pistols, and jewelry, watches, etc .; also a pockot-book belonging to Mr. James Craig, containing about $10,000 worth of mining stock, which I threw away. Ono man was disposed to show fight, and to preserve order I shot him in the leg and made him sit down. I got six horses from the stage company, two from tho station."
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