159 years ago this date (Jan 23, 1857), LA County Sheriff James Barton, Constable William Little, Constable Charles Baker, and Deputy Charles Daly were ambushed and killed by a gang of Robbers "Las Manillas" (about 50-60 strong) while en route to San Juan Capistrano (at a point across the 405 from present day Irvine Spectrum) in an attempt to halt the gang's rampage of looting and murder. It would Unite the people of Southern California; Gringo and Latino "Californio" militias, European immigrant militias, Mormon militias, US Army Dragoons, and warriors of the various California Indian tribes united to ride together, hunt down and destroy the outlaw gang as Las Manillas scattered to the wind. The fighting ranged from San Diego County to Santa Barbara. Another American would die from an accident while 2 posse members were wounded in the fighting over the next few days. By Feb 7, 1857, the fighting was over. At least 19 gang members died by that time. The last of the murderers (Andres Fontes) would be executed by Mexican authorities under the command of Feliciano Ruiz De Espana in 1860 along with 15 other Californian desperadoes whose unlawful behavior wore out their welcome with our southern neighbor.
Take a moment to remember fallen law enforcement officers and the wild days of America's frontier past. Many of the sites where all this happened still stand as forgotten witnesses in modern neighborhoods, shopping districts and even the sweeping coastal hills of Southern California.
-Dave