Welcome back viewers
This week's hero is...
Elfego Baca
Elfego Baca was born on February 10, 1865, in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Territory. He grew up in Topeka, Kansas before returning to New Mexico in 1880 after the unexpected passing of his mother. He was inspired by his father to become a lawman. Four years later, Baca was appointed deputy sheriff of Socorro Country, New Mexico. Little did he know, that bringing law and order to the state was going to test him beyond all limits.
In October of 1884, Elfego Baca spotted a local cowboy who was wanted for public drunkenness. When he approached to take the man (Charlie McCarty) into custody, the latter refused to comply and grabbed one of Baca's guns from it's holster. When Baca drew his second gun, a couple of other cowboys (who were McCarty's companions) drew their guns on him. Baca was forced to retreat. When one of the assailants attempted to pursue him, Baca shot his attackers horse causing it to fatally throw its rider.
After a judge dismissed the charges against Charlie McCarty, he ordered a local rancher named Bert Hearne to round up a posse, apprehend Baca, and bring him in for questioning about the gunfight. However, Hearne (who was a racist) had no intention of taking Baca alive and resolved to make an example of him. Hearne told his posse that Elfego Baca was leading a Mexican uprising in New Mexico and that he was better off dead.
Hearne and his posse rode into the small town of Frisco and cornered Elfego Baca in the local jail. When Baca refused to come out with his hands up, the posse opened fire. Baca returned fire and killed Hearne with a gunshot to the torso. The rest of the group continued to pour fire into the prison. Baca continued to return fire. With his superior marksmanship, he successfully killed three more of his attackers and wounded eight.
In order to end the bloodshed, a newly appointed deputy from Socorro approached the prison and convinced Baca to surrender. At his trial for the murder of Bert Hearne, Baca's defense attorneys entered into evidence the doors and walls of the prison where the latter at taken cover. During the shootout, more than 400 bullets were counted in the door alone. After being shown how determined the posse was to kill Baca, the jury voted for acquittal.
After being released, Elfego Baca resumed his career as a lawmen and rose to the rank of Sheriff of Socorro County. He quickly established a reputation of convincing outlaws to come quietly without resisting. Due to his fame after the Frisco Shootout, most outlaws chose not to test him. For the rest of his life, he worked as a marshal, a lawyer, a school superintendent, and a district attorney. He died on August, 27, 1945. Today he is remembered as one of New Mexico's most revered and influential lawmen.
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-elfegobaca/
https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/life/2016/11/01/nine-lives-elfego-baca/92907392/
https://truewestmagazine.com/legend-elfego-baca/
No comments:
Post a Comment