Wild Bill's

PH-53 California Rangers Badge by Pieces of History

On May 11, 1853 California Governer John Bigler signed a legislative act authorizing the organization of a band of California Rangers under the command of Captain Harry Love. Their purpose? To capture or kill the infamous bandito Joaquin Murieta, ringleader of a gang of men believed to be responsible for much of the cattle rustling, robberies and murders taking place in the Mother Lode region. In July  of 1853 the rangers came across the group of bandits near Arroyo Cantua in San Benito County. After a confrontation, two of the banditos were killed by the rangers. The rangers cut off the hand of one and the head of the other. The Rangers claimed that the head belonged to the infamous Joaquin Murieta!