‘The Mendocino Outlaws’ and other local books
Today we are publishing a lengthy article about ‘The Mendocino Outlaws,’ which was compiled by current Mendocino County District Attorney David Eyster.
The article (341 column inches) is much longer than we usually receive, but it is such an interesting chapter in the county’s history that we are squeezing as much of it into our print edition as possible. (It can be read in its entirety on our website at ukiahdailyjournal.com.
For those who would like to read more about the case (and see photos of some of those involved — both the criminals and the lawmen who pursued them), The Historical Society of Mendocino County still has copies available of John E. Keller’s “The Mendocino Outlaws,” which the society published in 1974. The 29-page publication also includes biographic information about the main participants, as well as an extensive bibliography, primarily of historic newspaper articles about the case.
Here’s a description of ‘The Mendocino Outlaws’ from the Historical Society’s website: “Even Hollywood writers couldn’t come up with a better true-crime story than this account of the 1879 manhunt that took place in late fall — labeled ‘unique among the annals of crime in Mendocino County.’ It contains murders, months-long chases by posse across several counties, escapes, a suicide, and shootings, which were endured by innocent citizens, the constable and his men, and the outlaws themselves. The organized band of exconvicts’ and robbers’ testimonies, trials, convictions, appeals, and requests for change of venue are all documented.” The Historical Society sells the publication for $10, and copies can be ordered from its website.
While you’re on the Historical Society’s website, take a look at some of the other local history books (and perhaps add a few of those to your cart as well). Proceeds from book sales go to support the work of The Historical Society of Mendocino County. There are books from around the county, by a wide variety of authors, including three of the local history books that I compiled for The Ukiah Daily Journal. Here’s a link to that section of the Historical Society’s website: http://mendohistoricalsociety.com/shop.html
The Historical Society headquarters in Ukiah, 100 S. Dora St., has been closed during the pandemic, however requests for information, books, photos and research can also be submitted by telephone, 707-462-6969, and email: mchs@pacific.net.