San Benito County History

This section is excerpted from A Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California by Henry D. Barrows and Luther A. Ingersoll, and published by The Lewis Publishing Company in 1893.

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Vasquez, the Bandit.

The name of Vasquez, around which so much odium attaches, because of the acts of outlawry of one who bore that name, Tiburcio Vasquez, once belonged to a respectable family in Monterey; and some members of that family still reside in Monterey county, who are industrious and law-abiding citizens. Tiburcio, who even before he arrived at the age of maturity took to evil ways, was born in Monterey county, in 1837, it is said that before he was twenty years old he kept a low dance house in Monterey, where some Americans who frequented the place quarreled with him, and his house acquired a bad name, so that he was compelled to abandon it. He insisted that they were the aggressors, and that he only defended himself and his friends. Refusing to be arrested, be left Monterey and went to Mendocino county, where again an unsuccessful attempt was made to arrest him, resulting in a fight and his escape the second time. He himself says that he then went to his home in Monterey and begged his mother's blessing, and told her that thereafter he was going to defend himself.

Having become embittered, partly through his own faults and partly through the faults of others, he evidently had became desperate and reckless; and he commenced stealing horses, robbing stages, etc., and as other desperate characters joined him he became bolder and more reckless in his career of crime in different parts of the State. In 1857 he was arrested for stealing horses at Los Angeles and sent to the State prison, from which he made his escape, but was soon caught and sent back to the penitentiary, where he remained till his discharge in 1863.

But his old instincts returned and he turned highwayman again, with Procopio and Soto, and others. His party made an attack on Tres Pinos, in San Benito county, and killed three men and bound several others; and Vasquez threatened one of these latter with instant death unless he had his wife bring a certain sum of money as a ransom, which she brought. After the awful tragedy at Tres Pinos, Vasquez made his way south, and on the road it is said he seduced the wife of one of his men, Antonio Leiva, who in revenge gave the officers at Los Angeles much evidence concerning his criminal career, his methods, etc. Vasquez and Chavez subsequently robbed a stage on the Owens river road, capturing considerable booty in the form of money, watches, etc. April 16, 1874, at the head of a small gang of robbers, he made his appearance at the sheep ranch of a wealthy Italian, Alexander Repetto, about six miles east of the city of Los Angeles. Tying Repetto to a tree he compelled him, under pain of instant death, to sign a check on Temple & Workman's bank, Los Angeles, for $800. A young man, a nephew of Repetto, was then sent to Los Angeles to get this check cashed, and warned that at first indication 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 so urgently needed. Sheriff Rowland was notified and he at once organized a posse and started for the San Gabriel mission; but the boy, by hard riding across the country, reached the ranch ahead of them, paid the ransom and released his uncle. The robbers fled north across the mission road toward the mountains, as the sheriff had expected, and met Charles E. Miles and John Osborne, whom they robbed of valuable gold watches when almost in sight of the officers, and then quickly continued their flight to the mountains and made good their escape.

This was Vasquez's last exploit as a highway robber.

For a long time Sheriff William B. Rowland of Los Angeles county had been quietly laying plans for his arrest. Again and again the game had escaped, but "it is a long lane that has no turning." Early in May, 1874, he learned that Vasquez was making his headquarters at the house of "Greek George," about ten miles due west of Los Angeles, and north of Santa Monica, and 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 a letter L, the foot of the letter being toward the mountain range, and the shank extending southward. 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 a lookout over the plain toward Los Angeles for many miles. Other windows in like manner commanded the remaining 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 Vasquez had confederates in Los Angeles, who kept him constantly posted as to all plans laid for his capture. This being the case, the utmost secrecy was necessary. The morning of Thursday, May 15, was determined on for making the attack, and during the following day horses for the sheriff's party were taken, one by one, to a rendezvous 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, Albert J. Johnston. The remaining members were: Major H. M. Mitchell, attorney at law in Los Angeles; J. S. Bryant, city constable; B. F. Hartley, chief of police; W. E. Rogers and D. K. Smith, citizens; and George A. Beers, special correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle. The party were armed with rifles, shotguns (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 Under-Sheriff Johnston 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 it lifted they could discern a horse, answering in appearance to that usually ridden by the bandit, picketed near the house. Twice a man resembling Vasquez came out of the dwelling and led this horse to the spring, then back again and re-picketed him. Soon a second man, believed to be the bandit's lieutenant (Chaves), went in pursuit of another horse; and then Johnston 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 just at this moment a high box wagon drove up the cañon from the direction of Greek George's house. In this were two natives, and the sheriff's party at once climbed 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 on 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 dining-room, a woman opened it partially, then, as she caught sight of them, slammed it to, with an exclamation of fright. 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 end of the house facing south. As he went through an officer 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 and advancing toward the party, he surrendered saying in Spanish:

"Boys, you have done well. I have been a d--d fool, but it is all my own fault. I am gone up." Two other men were arrested at the same time, the one Mitchell and Smith went after, and another. A large number of arms, all the latest patterns 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 he soon recovered. Much maudlin sympathy was expended on him by weak-headed women, who took flowers to him while he remained in Los Angeles jail. His last victim, Mr. Repetto, of San Gabriel, called to see him. After the usual salutations, Repetto 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 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 I 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 reimburse you. "Señor Repetto, yo Soy un caballero, con. el corazon de un. caballero!" (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 José and tried for murder, and being found guilty was 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 finally broken up.

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This section is excerpted from A Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California by Henry D. Barrows and Luther A. Ingersoll, and published by The Lewis Publishing Company in 1893.