Highwaymen of the Valley; The Head in a Jar
The two most feared and well known of highwaymen, that often made their way through the Yuba Sutter area, were Joaquin Murietta and Tom Bell.
According to Archive.Org, "Joaquin Murietta, who for a long time was the terror of travelers, and lonely settlers, never operated to any extent in this vicinity. He had a sister living in Marysville, whom he frequently visited. He was there for a considerable time, in 1850 and 1851, and was known as" a notorious character. After the killing of Joaquin, considerable doubt existed as to the identity of the dead robber. His head was amputated and, with the hand of "Three-fingered Jack," was exhibited throughout the State. While in Marysville, Joaquin's sister visited the exhibition and, after gazing upon the head, remarked in Spanish to a gentleman, within the hearing of Judge O. P. Stidger, "That's not my brother." Ahen asked who it was, she smilingly replied, "It is Joaquin Gonzales." This would seem to lend some credence to the rumor that the real Joaquin Murietta had escaped."
Joaquin Murrieta Carrillo (sometimes spelled Murieta or Murietta), was also known as the "Mexican Robin Hood" or the "Robin Hood of El Dorado". In the 1850s, Joaquin was one of the most infamous outlaws of California. Some say he was either an infamous bandit or to others, a Mexican patriot. "Take from the rich and give to the poor" was his signature.
His life, death and all that in between are surrounded by the fact, fiction and twice as much folklore. So much so, for this article I will say, nothing here can be proven nor disproven. I will just write what I find.
I do however try to figure out how this man who showed up much time with another man named Tom Bell, that I previously researched. Seemed his ties to Marysville were strong, just like Tom's. Other than that, they were comparable in legend. The difference being, that Tom Bell's gang only murdered if necessary to pull a job, and Murietta indiscriminately killed at will. Both these men terrorized the Goldfields frequently knowing pockets near or around the Marysville- Sacramento area were fat.
I found no reason to believe that the two ever pulled any jobs together, or knew each other. But, there is no doubt that they knew of each other.
One story I found written by Yellow Bird, John Rollin Ridge, says that Murrietta was living about 3 miles from Marysville in the fall of 1851, in a small tent-camp called the Sonoran Camp. He stayed there with a mistress.
The Marysville Herald, November 13th, 1851:
"Seven men have been murdered within three or four days in a region of country not more than 12 miles in extent."
Shortly after this article emerged, two men traveling from The Feather River to Honcut Creek came across four Mexicans, dragging an American from their horse, that they had just lassoed with their lariat around the neck. Undetected, the two men didn't interfere but instead reported what they had witnessed. Authorities searched the area, and 6 more men had been found murdered there. The mark of a lariat was discovered on all the victim's necks.
Suspicion led back to Sonoran Camp, which has been primarily occupied by Mexicans who apparently had no jobs but spent money freely. Seems that the generous Murietta had spread around the generosity of his nature to his fellow occupants.
This suspicion came to fruition when one Mexican thief fell into the hands of the "Vigilance Committee of Marysville", who had threatened him by running him up a tree with a rope.
Yuba County Sheriff R. B. Buchanan, with a posse in tow, headed to the Sonoran Camp by moonlight, with the intention of arresting three suspects. They managed to get through a fence, only to be attacked from behind by three Mexicans who were watching them. The sheriff was severely wounded when he was shot by a pistol. The ball struck him near his spine and passed through his body, exiting near his belly button.
The three attackers escaped, and Buchanan was taken back to Marysville to receive treatment. He survived his wounds miraculously.
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| Joaquin Murietta |
According to Archive.Org, "Joaquin Murietta, who for a long time was the terror of travelers, and lonely settlers, never operated to any extent in this vicinity. He had a sister living in Marysville, whom he frequently visited. He was there for a considerable time, in 1850 and 1851, and was known as" a notorious character. After the killing of Joaquin, considerable doubt existed as to the identity of the dead robber. His head was amputated and, with the hand of "Three-fingered Jack," was exhibited throughout the State. While in Marysville, Joaquin's sister visited the exhibition and, after gazing upon the head, remarked in Spanish to a gentleman, within the hearing of Judge O. P. Stidger, "That's not my brother." Ahen asked who it was, she smilingly replied, "It is Joaquin Gonzales." This would seem to lend some credence to the rumor that the real Joaquin Murietta had escaped."
Joaquin Murietta In Marysville
Joaquin Murrieta Carrillo (sometimes spelled Murieta or Murietta), was also known as the "Mexican Robin Hood" or the "Robin Hood of El Dorado". In the 1850s, Joaquin was one of the most infamous outlaws of California. Some say he was either an infamous bandit or to others, a Mexican patriot. "Take from the rich and give to the poor" was his signature.
His life, death and all that in between are surrounded by the fact, fiction and twice as much folklore. So much so, for this article I will say, nothing here can be proven nor disproven. I will just write what I find.
 |
| Article mentioning both Tom Bell and Joaquin Murietta |
I do however try to figure out how this man who showed up much time with another man named Tom Bell, that I previously researched. Seemed his ties to Marysville were strong, just like Tom's. Other than that, they were comparable in legend. The difference being, that Tom Bell's gang only murdered if necessary to pull a job, and Murietta indiscriminately killed at will. Both these men terrorized the Goldfields frequently knowing pockets near or around the Marysville- Sacramento area were fat.
I found no reason to believe that the two ever pulled any jobs together, or knew each other. But, there is no doubt that they knew of each other.
One story I found written by Yellow Bird, John Rollin Ridge, says that Murrietta was living about 3 miles from Marysville in the fall of 1851, in a small tent-camp called the Sonoran Camp. He stayed there with a mistress.
The Marysville Herald, November 13th, 1851:
"Seven men have been murdered within three or four days in a region of country not more than 12 miles in extent."
Shortly after this article emerged, two men traveling from The Feather River to Honcut Creek came across four Mexicans, dragging an American from their horse, that they had just lassoed with their lariat around the neck. Undetected, the two men didn't interfere but instead reported what they had witnessed. Authorities searched the area, and 6 more men had been found murdered there. The mark of a lariat was discovered on all the victim's necks.
Suspicion led back to Sonoran Camp, which has been primarily occupied by Mexicans who apparently had no jobs but spent money freely. Seems that the generous Murietta had spread around the generosity of his nature to his fellow occupants.
This suspicion came to fruition when one Mexican thief fell into the hands of the "Vigilance Committee of Marysville", who had threatened him by running him up a tree with a rope.
Yuba County Sheriff R. B. Buchanan, with a posse in tow, headed to the Sonoran Camp by moonlight, with the intention of arresting three suspects. They managed to get through a fence, only to be attacked from behind by three Mexicans who were watching them. The sheriff was severely wounded when he was shot by a pistol. The ball struck him near his spine and passed through his body, exiting near his belly button.
The three attackers escaped, and Buchanan was taken back to Marysville to receive treatment. He survived his wounds miraculously.
Yellow Bird writes, "He, in common with everyone else, was for a long time afterward in ignorance that he had received his wound in personal encounter with the redoubtable Joaquin himself."
Joaquin Murietta's Death
A young woman, who viewed the head in Marysville, claimed to be Murrieta's sister. She said she did not recognize the head as her brother. She argued as it did not have a characteristic scar on it. It's said that numerous sightings of Murrieta were reported after his death. Harry Love, who supposedly captured Murieta, was criticized for showing the remains in large cities far from the mining camps, where Murrieta might have been recognized. It's been claimed that Love and his Rangers killed some innocent Mexicans and made up the story of the capture of Murrieta to claim the reward money.
Although many say the head still exists, others say it was destroyed while on exhibit in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake.
In a documentary, "The Head of JoaquinMurietta" a man claims to have had the head, but buried it years prior to talking to director John Valadez:
Los Angeles Star, Volume 3, Number 17, 3 September 1853
Joaquin's Head is in San Francisco and is exciting much attention. It has been recognized by many persons, among them Don Andres Pico and Hon J. J. Warner, as the head of Joaquin Murieta. The Heald gives the following description of it :
[Murrieta] "The head itself is in a complete state of preservation and bears the impress of his character in every feature and lineament. It is that of a man about the middle size, apparently between twenty and twenty-five years old. The forehead is high and well developed, the cheekbones elevated and prominent, and the mouth indicative at once of sensuality, cruelty, and firmness. The hair, of a beautiful light brown with a golden tint, is long and flowing; the nose high and straight, and the eyebrows, which meet in the middle, dark and heavy.— The eyes, now closed in death, are said to have been dark blue, with a keen restless glance and when excited, a glare of ferocity like that of an infuriated tiger. The face tapers off to the chin, upon which, and on the upper lip, there is a thin beard like that of a young man who had never shaved. Under his right eye, there is a small scar, the mark, no doubt, of some desperate conflict. The death of this monster is an occasion for general rejoicing, and all honor is due to the noble fellows who have rid the state of such a monster."
Joaquin Murietta's Death
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| Captain Harry Love |
1853- Murietta had become California's most feared killer, along with his group of henchmen who terrorized the Sacramento Valley and beyond. So much so, that in this year of 1853, California’s State Legislature passed a resolution authorizing a group of young wranglers and ex-soldiers to hunt down and exterminate Murietta and his men.
The California Rangers were created with the intention of stopping these groups and specifically, to kill Murietta. They were expected to return with proof of the death of Murrieta once the deed was done.
The Rangers, was led by Captain Harry Love, a tough veteran of the Mexican War former Texas Ranger.
Two months went by that the Rangers searched for Murrieta. July 25, 1853, Love and his posse reach the San Joaquin Valley where they encounter smoke from a campfire. They ride into camp and are instantly greeted by a gentleman who says, "Talk to me, I am the leader of this band." One of the Rangers immediately recognizes Joaquin, and yells, "This is Joaquin boys! We've got em at last!"
This ensues a battle. Blades and guns blazing, the fight is bloody. A bandit Bernardino Garcia, known as "Three Fingered Jack" takes aim at Love and the band of Rangers take him down with 9 seperate shots.
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| Ranger William Henderson |
Murietta jumps horse back to escape the gunfire, realizing that this is all about him. Desperate to get away, he takes the horse down a 15 ft embankment where Ranger William Henderson fired his shotgun at him. He hits the horse in the leg, dropping Murietta. Now on foot, Ranger John White fires at Murietta, as does Henderson. Murietta falls face first into the ground.
As they approached they heard him say “No tire mas. Yo soy muerte,” (“Don’t shoot anymore, I’m dead”). Those were his last words.
According to the Rangers, they carried out their assignment, eliminating Murietta and most of his gang, They ended up collecting a $5,000 bounty that was on Murietta's head, -literally.
According to the Rangers, they carried out their assignment, eliminating Murietta and most of his gang, They ended up collecting a $5,000 bounty that was on Murietta's head, -literally.
Both Murietta and Garcia were allegedly killed in this raid. Since proof was expected, they took the head of Murietta and the hand of Three Fingered Jack and preserved them in jars full of whiskey.
They head and finger traveled to different shows for a $1 a view.
Besides Joaquin's head, there was also the alleged hand of Bernardino Garcia known as "Three Fingered Jack".
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Allegedly the fingers of
Bernardino Garcia was known as
"Three Fingered Jack"
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A young woman, who viewed the head in Marysville, claimed to be Murrieta's sister. She said she did not recognize the head as her brother. She argued as it did not have a characteristic scar on it. It's said that numerous sightings of Murrieta were reported after his death. Harry Love, who supposedly captured Murieta, was criticized for showing the remains in large cities far from the mining camps, where Murrieta might have been recognized. It's been claimed that Love and his Rangers killed some innocent Mexicans and made up the story of the capture of Murrieta to claim the reward money.
Although many say the head still exists, others say it was destroyed while on exhibit in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake.
Or did it? Did Murietta's head perish in the earthquake? Some say no.
WOW.com: " Faces of Death II, 1981 fake documentary film about death. Murrieta's head in the jar was believed to have survived the earthquake and was sold to different collectors; its current "owner" has it on display and explains the legend."
In a documentary, "The Head of JoaquinMurietta" a man claims to have had the head, but buried it years prior to talking to director John Valadez:
"Disillusioned over the possibility of creating a film, Valadez decided to forego the project.
It wasn’t until a decade later that a strange package in the mail would change his mind.Valadez confirms this fact.
“When I opened the package I was surprised. It had been so long since I had given up on finding Murrieta’s head that I never imagined it would show up at my doorstep in the dead of winter at my home,” said Valadez.
According to Sigurdor Christophersen who founded the JoaquÃn Murrieta Horse Pilgrimage three decades ago in the Central San JoaquÃn Valley, he told Vida en el Valle that his research indicated that the jar holding the outlaw’s head was destroyed during the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.
“The original head was destroyed when it was displayed at a place that resembled a little shop of horrors in San Francisco. However, whether or not the head actually belonged to the real JoaquÃn Murrieta remains a mystery,” said Valadez."
Los Angeles Star, Volume 3, Number 17, 3 September 1853
Joaquin's Head is in San Francisco and is exciting much attention. It has been recognized by many persons, among them Don Andres Pico and Hon J. J. Warner, as the head of Joaquin Murieta. The Heald gives the following description of it :
[Murrieta] "The head itself is in a complete state of preservation and bears the impress of his character in every feature and lineament. It is that of a man about the middle size, apparently between twenty and twenty-five years old. The forehead is high and well developed, the cheekbones elevated and prominent, and the mouth indicative at once of sensuality, cruelty, and firmness. The hair, of a beautiful light brown with a golden tint, is long and flowing; the nose high and straight, and the eyebrows, which meet in the middle, dark and heavy.— The eyes, now closed in death, are said to have been dark blue, with a keen restless glance and when excited, a glare of ferocity like that of an infuriated tiger. The face tapers off to the chin, upon which, and on the upper lip, there is a thin beard like that of a young man who had never shaved. Under his right eye, there is a small scar, the mark, no doubt, of some desperate conflict. The death of this monster is an occasion for general rejoicing, and all honor is due to the noble fellows who have rid the state of such a monster."
  The head that many claim to be that of Joaquin Murietta, who is it? |
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Awesome documentary. Thank you so much for all your hard work to tell the real story of this Mexican tragedy.
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