The Head and the Hand

Lawmen took two grisly souvenirs from dead bandits.

July 25, 1853. A group of California Rangers led by Captain Harry Love guns down two bandits in San Benito County. It’s believed one is Joaquin Murrieta and the other Three-Finger Jack. Murrieta becomes a legend, especially among the Mexican population, who view him as fighting white oppression. The truth: Murrieta and his gang were after money, and they held up Chinese and other Mexicans in addition to Anglos. They also left up to 30 people dead. The Rangers cut off Murrieta’s head and Jack’s hand so identification could be confirmed (and the Rangers receive a $15,000 reward).