JOAQUIN MURRIETA

On July 25 back in 1853 Joaquin Murrieta was supposedly killed by California Rangers led by L.A. Deputy Sheriff Harry Love.

Joaquin and his gang had been terrorizing Anglos in Central California, and the state had put a reward of $6,000 on his head.

Just before the reward deadline had run out Harry Love and his men ran into a group of Mexican outlaws and engaged in a fire-fight.

When I said the reward was “on his head” it was literally that. Love brought in Joaquin’s severed head in a jar of whiskey.

Since there were several Spanish outlaws with the name of Joaquin, many said it wasn’t “the Joaquin.”

But Harry Love didn’t care. He got his $6,000 and later he took Joaquin’s head on tour for a $1 a look.