Horace Bell (1830-1918) left Indiana to seek gold in California. In 1852, he moved to Los Angeles and later became involved in American filibustering in Latin America and saw service in the Union Army before returning to Los Angeles after the Civil War to become a lawyer and newspaper publisher. Reminiscences of a ranger (1881) includes anecdotes of Bell's experiences as a Los Angeles Ranger pursuing Joaquin Murietta in 1853, a soldier of fortune in Latin America, a Union officer in the Civil War, and a Los Angeles newspaper editor. He provides lively ancedotes of Los Angeles and its residents under Mexican and American rule, emphasizing cowboys and criminals and native Americans. Throughout, Bell gives special attention to the fate of Hispanic Californians and Native Americans under the United States regime. For another collection of Bell's reminiscences, see On the old west coast (1930).

Horace Bell (1830-1918) left Indiana to seek gold in California. In 1852, he moved to Los Angeles and later became involved in American filibustering in Latin America and saw service in the Union Army before returning to Los Angeles after the Civil War to become a lawyer and newspaper publisher. Reminiscences of a ranger (1881) includes anecdotes of Bell's experiences as a Los Angeles Ranger pursuing Joaqun̕ Murietta in 1853, a soldier of fortune in Latin America, a Union officer in the Civil War, and a Los Angeles newspaper editor. He provides lively anecdotes of Los Angeles and its residents under Mexican and American rule, emphasizing cowboys and criminals and native Americans. Throughout, Bell gives special attention to the fate of Hispanic Californians and Native Americans under the United States regime.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 edition. Excerpt: ...La Paz presented his authority, sealed with the great seal bearing the symbolical nopal and Mexican reptile, to old General Blancarte, who ruled with a rawhide and laid the said rawhide on hard and heavy on all occasions. I say when Zerman presented his patent of authority and told Blancarte to get out, Blancarte called a file of ragged ruffians who collared Zerman, and Blancarte told Zerman to get in, and he was accordingly tumbled neck and heels into the La Paz lock-up, where he signed an' order for his followers to land without arms and form in front of the Quartel General, which being in due form accomplished, old Blancarte had the whole batch of fools securely ironed and sent in to keep company with their stern leader. The upshot of all this was that the whole party were finally shipped across the gulf to San Bias, and compelled to foot it all the way to the City of Mexico, each patriot carrying a chain fastened to his ankle and conveniently thrown over his shoulder by way of ornament. Smith, who was refractory, to the utmost degree, was specially honored with a pair of the aforesaid chains, one on each leg, and fastened together in the middle. They were imprisoned in the City of Mexico, and kindly treated, long enough to enable the proper authorities to inquire the reason of their foolishness, when they were released, the most of them finding employment, those who were mechanics, among whom was our angelic Smith, being placed in the government shops and foundries. Some took to the army, like poor Bob, others, following the bent of their inclinations, went to running their faces and playing monte, as had been their wont in this land of gold. And so ended the ambitious designs of the stern Admiral on our poor neighbors of Lower...