Los Angeles County, CA History Transcribed by Kathy Sedler This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their own work. An Illustrated History of Southern California - The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago - 1890 CRIMES. Los Angeles is not without a record of crimes dark and bloody. After the first spell of the gold fever from 1848 to 1850 a large number of people were drawn here by the good times. The wine, fruit and cattle of Los Angeles found a market in the mines, and money and gold-dust were plentiful. Men from every quarter of the globe, mostly unaccustomed to prosperity, and freed from the restraints of home surroundings, plunged into excesses of every kind. Gambling, drinking, fighting and other disorders ran riot, and crime flourished. This era of crime, common to all new countries, and sometimes recurring in older communities, at last ran its course. In 1851 there came from the north a party of thirty rough men, under the command of one Irving, ostensibly bound for Arizona. They threatened to hang two grandsons of Jose Maria Lugo, then in jail charged with a murder committed in Cajon pass, Lugo having refused their previous offer to rescue the young men for a certain sum. They were prevented from carrying out their plans by the timely arrival of a military party. About the last of May, this precious gang, then reduced to sixteen, left for Mexico, but while they were endeavoring to kidnap some of the Lugo family near San Bernardino, all but one man were slain by Indians, in a ravine west of Timoteo valley. On October 26, 1854, Felipe Alvitre, a half-breed Indian, was arrested for the murder of James Ellington, at El Monte, and he was hanged January 12, 1855. On November 8, 1854, Mrs. Cassin, wife of a merchant, was murdered in her own door by a Mexican, who then was pursued and killed in the suburbs. From a pamphlet by Ben. C. Truman is taken the following account of early lawlessness at Los Angeles: "Shortly after the capture and death of Joaquin Murrietta, Luis Bulvia, one of his lieutenants, came to Los Angeles County, bringing with him a remnant of Murrietta's gang. Here they were joined by Atanacio Moreno, a bankrupt merchant, who in the reorganization of the party was elected captain, Senati being a member of the same. Society in Los Angeles was in a most disorganized condition. It had been found necessary to equip a company of rangers, who, upon occasions, took the law into their own hands, and were always ready to assist in the arrest of malefactors or put down disturbances. In 1854 a party of lewd women, who had but lately arrived from San Francisco, signalized the opening of an elegantly fitted-up bagnio by a grand ball, to which certain men were invited. While the revelry was at its height, Moreno, with his gang, numbering eighteen men, swooped down upon the scene of the festivities, surrounded the house, and demanded unconditional surrender. Certain of the party were detailed, who entered the ball-room, and relieved every man and woman of all the valuables they had about them. Leaving, they went to the house of a then resident of Los Angeles, recently deceased, and robbed it in the most thorough and systematic manner; after which they committed an outrage too horrible for recital. A perfect reign of terror existed. Citizens were under arms; the rangers were scouring the country, but outrages seemed to multiply. But a short time after the event just narrated the same band made another raid upon Los Angeles, robbed several houses, and carried off a number of Mexican girls. During one of their forages a deputy city marshal was assassinated by Senati. A price was set upon his head; $1,500 was offered for his delivery at the jail yard, alive or dead. The jailor was awakened one night by a demand for admission. Opening his doors, he found Moreno with an ox cart containing the dead bodies of Bulvia and Senati. Moreno claimed that he had been captured by Bulvia's gang, and that he managed at once to free himself and compass the death of the men whose bodies were in the cart. Bulvia and Senati were identified by the women who had been so cruelly outraged, as members of the party by whom the offense was committed. The reward offered for the delivery of Senati's body was paid to Moreno. For a few days he was the lion of the town, and lived royally upon his blood-money. He happened one day to step into the jewelry store of Charles Ducommun, who then did business on Commercial street below his present stand, and offered a watch for sale. Mr. Ducommun at once recognized it as the watch taken from the husband of the woman above alluded to, at the time of the assassination. Mr. Ducommun asked Moreno to wait until he stepped out for the money to complete the purchase. Instead of looking for money Mr. Ducommun made a straight track for the headquarters of the rangers, and informed Captain Hope, who was then in command, of the facts above stated. William Getman at once arrested Moreno. He was tried, convicted of robbery, and sent to the State Prison for fourteen years. It afterward transpired that he had killed Bulvia and Senati in the most treacherous manner. He and Senati were left alone in camp, all the other members of the gang having left on a scout. While Senati was cleaning his saddle, Moreno blew his brains out, supposing he could get his body into town and obtain the reward before any of their companions returned. Bulvia had not, however, gotten out of the sound of the shot which killed Senati. He returned to camp and asked the meaning of it. Moreno told him that Senati's pistol had gone off accidentally. Bulvia inquired where Senati was, and was told that he was sleeping. Distrusting Moreno, he stooped to raise Senati's blanket from his face, when Moreno completed his murderous work by plunging a sword blade through his heart! The bodies of Senati and Bulvia were buried on Mariposa Hill, where they were disinterred in 1886 when excavations were made for the present county jail. Their bones were carted to the city's dumping grounds. On October 13, 1854, one David Brown killed Pinckney Clifford in this city, the act causing great excitement. A public meeting on the next day was appeased only by the mayor's promise that if the law should fail, he would resign and help to punish the murderer. Brown was tried November 30. The District Court, Benjamin Hayes, Judge, sentenced him to be executed on January 12,1855. The same day had been fixed by that court for the execution of Felipe Alvitre for the murder of James Ellington at El Monte. Brown's counsel, J. R. Scott and J. A. Watson, had obtained a stay of execution from the Supreme Court. Public expectation waited for it, but a like stay did not come for the wretched, friendless Alvitre. This still more inflamed the native Californian and Mexican portion of the population. The fatal day arrived, and with it a gathering at the county jail of a great multitude of all classes. Meanwhile, the mayor had resigned. Sheriff Barton posted within the jail yard an armed guard of forty men. Alvitre was hung�the rope broke, he fell to the ground. "Arriba! arriba! " (Up! up!) was the cry from outside; and all was instantly adjusted and the law's sentence carried into effect. Words fail to describe the demeanor then of that mass of eager, angry men. Suspense was soon over. Persuaded by personal friends, the odds against him seeming too great, Sheriff Barton withdrew the guard. The gate was crushed with heavy timbers, blacksmiths were procured, and the iron doors were forced. Within the next hour Brown was dragged from his cell to a corral across the street, where, amidst the shouts of the people he uttered some incoherent observations, but quickly was hung from a beam of the corral gate. Another cell held a third person condemned for a later day, but him the crowd did not molest. He was finally allowed a new trial, by the Supreme Court, and at Santa Barbara he was acquitted. It was stated that a week after the lynching an order of the Supreme Court in favor of Alvitre, was received, it having been delayed by various causes. On May 30, 1856, Nicholas Graham was hung for the murder of Joseph Brooks in the previous January. A large crowd attended, but there was no disturbance, as he confessed from the scaffold his crime. In 1856 crime had increased to such a degree that a vigilance committee was organized, with Myron Norton as chairman, and H. N. Alexander, secretary. They expelled a great many people, some of whom returned later, and became very pretentious folk in Los Angeles. On January 22, 1857, came the band of Pancho, Daniel and Juan Flores. Through the day they plundered the stores of Miguel Krazewsky, Henry, Charles and Manuel Garcia, finishing their work by the cruel murder of the German merchant, George W. Pflugardt. Sheriff James H. Barton, on the night of the 22d, left the city with a party consisting of William H. Little, Charles K. Baker, Charles F. Daley, Alfred Hardy, and Frank Alexander. Within fifteen miles of San Juan on the San Joaquin Rancho, the next morning, Little and Baker advanced a few hundred yards in pursuit of a man in view on horseback. The bandits, eight in number, sallied out from behind a hillock, killed the two men, and then attacked Barton's party. After a short conflict Barton and Daley were killed, the other two escaping only through the swiftness of their horses, and bringing the news to Los Angeles, where five companies, French, German and Americans, and two of native Californians, were organized; also one at El Monte and one at San Bernardino. A company of United States infantry came from Fort Tejon; and at San Diego, under a warrant issued by the district judge, Captain H. S. Burton placed at the disposal of the sheriff thirty of his mounted artillerymen. These companies scoured the country. One body, under James Thompson, was sent toward the Tehunga, with some of the infantrymen, who were stationed near Simi pass as a lookout. Two of the soldiers, hidden behind the rocks, captured a man who had come for water, mounted on a poor horse, unarmed, and only a little dried beef tied to his saddle. He gave his name as Sanchez, said he belonged to San Fernando Mission, was out hunting horses, and would now go no farther. Taken into camp, Pancho Johnson recognized him as Juan Flores. In accordance with a vote of the mass of the people, he was executed on February 14, 1857, on the top of Fort Hill, in the presence of almost the entire population. In January, 1858, Sheriff Murphy found Pancho Daniel concealed in a haystack near San Jos�, and he was jailed in Los Angeles. His case came before the District Court, and great delay ensued, owing chiefly to the challenging of successive venues of jurors, the case at last being transferred to Santa Barbara County. On November 30, at about 6:30 A. M., as Richard Mitchell, the jailer, was on his way to Market, he was stopped and made deliver over the keys of the jail. A piece of artillery was planted so as to bear upon the jail door, and a large number of men marched from a neighboring corral. The door was opened, and Pancho Daniel was summoned to come forth, which he did with coolness and resignation. At 7:20 he was hung in the jail-yard. The body was delivered to his wife. A coroner's jury examined a number of witnesses, and rendered a verdict that he "came to his death by being hanged by some persons to jury unknown." On September 27, 1857, at the Montgomery saloon, Thomas King and Lafayette King quarreled over a game of cards, and as the other was leaving the house, Thomas King stabbed him to the heart. He was arrested, tried, convicted of willful murder, and, on February 16, 1858, hung at the same time as Leonardo Lopez, for the murder of Pflugardt. Late in the evening of March 30, 1857, James P. Johnson, of El Monte, entered the saloon of Henry Wagner, at Los Angeles, evidently bent on making a disturbance. He was at last persuaded to leave, but returned and shot Wagner dead. After a long and tedious trial he was convicted, and he suffered death at Los Angeles, October 3, 1857. About the time Sheriff Barton and party were murdered, the citizens of El Monte hanged four Mexican desperadoes, and the Angele�os went further, in hanging eleven Mexicans, for connection with criminal acts. On January 7, 1858, Sheriff William C. Getman was killed by a maniac, who was in turn shot by citizens. A noted Mexican desperado named Alvitre, was hanged by a mob at El Monte, April 28, 1861, for the murder of his wife. On October 17, of the same year, Francisco Cota was hanged by a mob for the murder of Mr. Leck that morning. On January 24, 1862, Ciriaco Arza was hanged for the murder of Frank Riley, an Irish peddler, the previous May. On November 17, 1862, John Rains, of Cucamonga was murdered near the Azusa Rancho. A Mexican named Cerradel, who had been sentenced to ten years in San Quentin, was hung by citizens on Banning's ferry-boat at Wilmington, while being taken as a prisoner to the steamer Senator. On November 21, 1863, "Boston" Damewood, Chase, Wood and two Mexicans, all of the criminal class, were taken from the jail and hanged by citizens on Spring street. On December 17, of that year, Charles Wilkins was hanged by the vigilance committee for the murder of John Sanford near Fort Tejon. In January, 1864, Edward Newman was killed near San Bernardino, and one of his supposed murderers was killed by a posse on the Santa Ana river. Another Mexican, supposed to have shared also in the killing of Newman, was hanged in June for the murder of a fellow-countryman. On April 23, 1865, Robert Parker, a carpenter, was called to his door and shot down by parties then unknown. Later on a Mexican was found guilty of this, and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment. On July 5, of this year, occurred one of the most desperate and sanguinary affrays ever witnessed in Los Angeles. On the night of July 4,at a ball at the Bella Union, now the St. Charles Hotel, Under-Sheriff A. J. King had some difficulty with one Robert Carlisle, who cut him severely. About noon on the next day, as the stages were leaving for the steamers, and as the hotel and express office were both crowded with people, Frank and Houston King, brothers of the under-sheriff, entered the bar-room of the hotel, and with pistols attacked Carlisle, who defended himself in like manner. Shot succeeded shot with great rapidity, and soon Houston King fell, disabled by a ball from Carlisle's pistol. His brother continued the fight unaided. The people fled panic-stricken. A stray ball killed a stage-horse at the door. A bystander was shot down accidentally, and some eight or ten had their clothes pierced by the leaden hail. At last the combatants reached the sidewalk, where Frank King seized his antagonist and beat him over the head with the revolver till it was useless. So far, King was uninjured, but Carlisle was fairly riddled with balls. With a last effort the latter broke away, staggered into the doorway, leaned painfully against the casing, raised his pistol in both hands, and fired his last shot. Frank King fell, shot through the heart. Carlisle died three hours later. Houston King finally recovered, was tried for the murder of Carlise, and was acquitted. In July, 1865, George Williams and Cyrus Kimball, of San Diego, were on their way to Los Angeles with their families, and encamped for the night by the Santa Ana river. About sunrise in the morning, while the women and children were at some little distance from the camp, seven American cut-throats (the leader being Jack O'Brien), rode up and deliberately shot the two men dead. When the women came up to see what occasioned the firing, they found their husbands dead, and were ordered by the assassins, under pain of death, to hand over all the money of the party. This they did, and the scoundrels left, having secured over $3,000. They never were captured. In 1869, Horace Bell, formerly a ranger, was indicted for murder in the second degree for killing a Mexican. The principal witness dying before the case came to trial, a nolle prosequi was entered. On October 31, 1870, a quarrel between Policeman Joseph F. Dye and City Marshal Warren led to a shooting affray upon the public street between the two, in which Warren was killed and several spectators more or less wounded. Dye was tried and acquitted. The notorious Chinese massacre occurred on October 24, 1871. For two or three days previous, two Chinese factions had been quarreling over the possession of a woman of their race. Both sides purchased arms and ammunition and fortified themselves on either side of Negro alley, and exchanged shots. On the 23d, four of the combatants were arrested, and after a preliminary hearing, were released on bail. On the next morning the fight was renewed, and several officers and citizens interfered to preserve the peace. Officer Bilderrain and two citizens were wounded, one fatally, presumably by stray shots. The news of Robert Thompson's death spread like wild-fire, and brought together a large crowd, composed mainly of the lower class of Mexicans and the scum of the foreigners. The more they talked and drank, the more excited they became, and when an unlucky Chinaman put his head outside a shanty, he was instantly seized. The mob, now fairly thirsting for blood, dragged him to the corner of Temple and New High streets, and strung him up to a gateway. The rope broke, and the poor wretch fell to the ground, begging for mercy from his Christian persecutors, in vain. He was again strung up and his life choked out. The fury of the mob was but whetted by this taste of blood, and they returned to Chinatown for fresh victims. Torches were applied, but this with caution, from fear of a general conflagration. Then hose was laid, and efforts made to flood the Chinamen out. Excited individuals, more forward than the others, climbed upon the house�tops and shot through various openings into the rooms below. Wherever a miserable Chinese could be forced out, he was at once hurried away and hanged. Five were suspended in a row to an awning on the corner of Los Angeles and Commercial streets; and three more were hung on the gateway before-mentioned. To the crime of murder was added that of theft. The stores of Chinatown were looted. The knife, rope and pistol were in active use for more than three hours; the dead bodies of eighteen Chinese, one of them a child, were to be counted. The authorities endeavored in vain to quell the mob. Efforts were made by such citizens as R. M. Widney, H. T. Hazard, H. C. Austin, and others, and they were successful in saving several more Chinese from murder. The excitement finally wore itself out. An inquest was held, lasting several days, and a few of the mob were imprisoned in San Quentin for a short time, although the leaders escaped punishment. It is said that more than one citizen of Los Angeles who to-day make great pretentions helped that night to murder the Chinese and violate order. The United States Government paid a heavy indemnity to the Chinese empire for its slain citizens. In 1871, two brothers named Bilderbeck, were murdered in Tejunga canon, and David Stephenson was shot by a posse in Lower California in resisting arrest for this crime. In June, 1874, a Mexican named Gordo was hanged at Puente for a murderous attempt upon William Turner, a storekeeper. The most noted criminal associated with Los Angeles County was Tiburcio Vazques, the outlaw. This man was born in 1837 in Monterey County. He early became a highwayman, robbing stages, stealing horses, and even committing murders without number. After the awful tragedy of Tres Pinos he came to Los Angeles County. On April 16, 1874, at the head of a band of robbers, he visited the rancho of Alexander Repetto, at the Arroyo Seco, and tying Repetto to a tree compelled him, on pain of instant death, to sign a check on Temple & Workman's bank at Los Angeles for $800. A nephew of Repetto was then dispatched to Los Angeles to cash the check, being warned that at the first symptom of treachery his uncle would be killed. The boy's manner excited suspicion at the bank, and its officers detained him until he told why the money was needed so urgently. Sheriff Rowland at once organized a posse and started for the place, but the boy, by hard riding across country, reached home ahead of them, paid the ransom, and released his uncle. The robbers fled, and, when not more than 1,000 yards ahead of the officers, they robbed John Osborne and Charles Miles of Los Angeles, whom they met on the road, and then made good their escape. This was the last exploit of Vazquez, plans for whose arrest had long been quietly laid by Sheriff William R. Rowland. Again and again the game had escaped him, but he was to be at last successful. Early in May he learned that Vazquez was making his headquarters at the house of "Greek George," about ten miles due west of Los Angeles, toward Santa Monica, and near the Cahuenga pass. The house, built in the form of an L, of adobe, was at the foot of a mountain, the foot of the letter toward the range, and the shank extending south. Behind the house ran a comparatively disused road, leading from San Vicente through 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 an outlook over the plain for many miles toward Los Angeles. Other windows in like manner commanded the other points of the compass. The middle section 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 Vazquez had in Los Angeles confederates, who kept him well informed as to all plans for his capture. Therefore the utmost secrecy was necessary. The morning of Thursday, May 15, was determined on for making the attack, and the preceding day the horses for the sheriff's party were taken, one by one, to a rendezvous. It was decided that, to disarm suspicion, Sheriff Rowland should remain in Los Angeles, and the attacking force was placed under the command of the under-sheriff, Albert Johnson. The other members were Major H. M. Mitchell (attorney at law of Los Angeles); J. S. Bryant (city constable); W. E. Rogers (of the Palace saloon); B. F. Hartley (chief of police); George A. Beers (special correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle), and two others, all armed with shot-guns loaded with slugs, and with rifles and revolvers. At 1:30 a. m. they started, and by 4 o'clock they reached Major Mitchell's bee-ranch, not far from the house of Greek George, where Mr. Johnson left part of his companions, while with the rest he climbed the mountains to reconnoiter. At first a heavy fog obscured all objects, but as this lifted, they could discern a horse, answering in description to that usually ridden by the bandit, which was picketed near the house. Twice a man resembling Vazquez issued from the house and led this horse to the spring, then back to his picket. Soon a second man, believed to be the bandit's lieutenant, Chavez, went in pursuit of another horse, and then Mr. Johnson prepared for action. His two companions, Mitchell and Smith, went in pursuit of the man last seen, while he returned to the bee-ranch, marshaled his forces, and prepared to attack the house. Fortunately at this moment a high box-wagon drove up the ca�on from the direction of Greek George's house. In it were two natives, and into it the sheriff's party at once clambered, taking with them one of the men. They commanded the driver to turn his horses and drive back as close as possible to George's house, promising to shoot him dead at the least sign of treachery. He obeyed his instructions and soon the house was surrounded. As the party advanced upon the door leading into the dining-room it was partially opened by a woman, who, as she caught sight of them, slammed it shut, with an exclamation of affright. They burst it in just in time to see Vazquez spring from the table where he had been eating, through the narrow kitchen window, in the end of the house facing south. As he went through an officer fired on him with a Henry rifle, and as he rushed for his horse shot after shot showed him the hopelessness of escape. Throwing up his hands, he advanced toward the party and surrendered, saying in Spanish: " Boys, you have done well; I have been a damned fool, but it is all my own fault. I'm gone up." The man Mitchell and Smith had gone after was taken, and still another was arrested. A large number of arms was found in the house, all of the latest pattern and finest workmanship. Greek George was arrested in Los Angeles. Vazquez was conveyed to the city and placed in jail. Here he received the best of medical treatment, and, as his injuries were only flesh-wounds, he soon recovered. Much maudlin sympathy was expended on him by weak-headed women while he remained in Los Angeles jail. His last victim, Mr. Repetto, called to see him. After the usual salutation, Repetto said: " I have called, Se�or, 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." Vazquez returned his thanks in the most impressive manner, and began to speak of repayment, when Repetto 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 to my house." " Ah, Se�or," replied Vazquez, " 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 reimburse you. Se�or Repetto, I am a gentleman, with the heart of a gentleman," this with the most impressive gesture, and laying his hand upon his heart. He was taken to San Jose, tried for murder, found guilty, and was there hanged on 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. On October 10, 1877, Victor Fonck was shot in the leg by C. M. Waller, keeper of the Land Company's bath-house at Santa Monica. He died two days later from the effects of the wound. At the time of the shooting, Fonck was erecting a private bath house on the beach, in defiance of warnings not to do so, and Waller claimed that, in doing the shooting, he was acting on instructions from H. Parker, agent of the land company. Waller was found guilty of involuntary homicide, and was sentenced to one year in the penitentiary. Parker, found guilty of murder in the second degree, was sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary. This had such an effect on himself and his young wife that they both died broken-hearted before the sentence could be carried into effect. In February of 1883, occurred a cause c�l�bre in the criminal records of Los Angeles. Maggie O'Brien, a young Irish girl of Los Angeles, had aroused the jealousy of the wife of William McDowell. She had left her home, ostensibly to visit friends, and, after she had been absent some weeks, not having been seen by the parties for whose house she professed to be starting, Rose, the wife of McDowell, presented herself to the authorities with the story that her husband, having summoned Miss O'Brien to Colton, had murdered her, and had thrown the body into an arroyo. Notwithstanding the absence of motive for the crime on the part of McDowell, who was fond of Maggie, and of various circumstances tending to prove that not he, but his wife, was the guilty party, McDowell was convicted of the crime, and he was hanged at San Bernardino, March 28, 1884. In this year also occurred the murder of Henry Amadon, a locomotive engineer, by his wife and her accomplices.