Silva’s White Caps – A Vicious Outlaw Gang of New Mexico
From approximately 1879 to 1893, the dusty streets and sprawling landscapes of Las Vegas, New Mexico, were terrorized by a ruthless band of outlaws known as Silva’s White Caps. Also referred to as La Sociedad de Bandidos (The Society of Bandits) and the Forty Bandits, this gang operated as a mafia-like organization under the iron fist of its leader, Vicente Silva. Their reign of terror was characterized by violence, intimidation, and a complex web of criminal activities that left an indelible mark on the history of the American West.
The Rise of Vicente Silva and His Empire of Crime
Vincente Silva was more than just a common bandit; he was a shrewd businessman and a charismatic figure in the community. Owning and operating the Imperial Saloon on Moreno Street, Silva presented a facade of respectability while orchestrating a vast criminal enterprise. The saloon served as the gang’s headquarters, a place where plots were hatched, deals were made, and loyalties were tested.
The White Caps’ primary objective was to seize control of land that had traditionally been used as common pasture. To achieve this, they employed a range of brutal tactics, including fence-cutting to disrupt farming, arson to destroy property, and physical assaults to instill fear. Their actions aimed to drive out settlers, particularly those of Anglo descent, and consolidate Silva’s power over the region.
A Community Under Siege
The Silva Gang’s reign of terror extended far beyond land disputes. They were notorious for committing a wide array of crimes, earning them a reputation as one of the most vicious and cruel gangs ever to operate in New Mexico. Cattle rustling, robbery, and even murder were commonplace, leaving the community in a constant state of fear and uncertainty.
One particularly gruesome incident that shook the region was the murder of Colonel W. A. Adams and his two sons. The three men were found dead at their sheep ranch, riddled with bullets and stab wounds. Initially, suspicion fell on local Pueblo Indians, who were believed to be seeking revenge against the white settlers. However, it was later revealed that Colonel Adams had stumbled upon the truth about the Silva Gang’s activities and was about to expose them as the perpetrators of widespread theft and violence.
The Facade of Respectability
Despite his involvement in heinous crimes, Vicente Silva cultivated an image of respectability within the community. He was known as a gracious host at his saloon, often entertaining guests with charm and hospitality. He also presented himself as a charitable man, donating money to the church, the Orphans’ Home, and the poor. This dual persona allowed him to maintain a level of trust and influence, making it more difficult for law enforcement to penetrate his criminal network.
Disappearances and Unsolved Mysteries
As the Silva Gang’s power grew, so did the number of mysterious disappearances in the region. Miners and cowboys carrying money, particularly those without close relatives in the area, vanished without a trace. Pedro Vejar, a wool merchant, was last seen heading to Las Vegas in May 1890 after selling his wool for $200. Antonio Vasquez, a Santa Fe Railroad employee, was last seen at Silva’s saloon, partially drunk, after collecting two months’ pay. Ramon Oberro disappeared in the winter of 1891-92, along with $300 from a mule sale. Despite diligent searches by family and friends, no clues were ever found to explain their fates.
Escalating Violence and Lawlessness
In July 1891, over 70 cattle were reported stolen, and three area post offices were robbed, further highlighting the gang’s brazen disregard for the law. The violence escalated that summer when George E. Payson, a rancher in San Bernalillo County, was found dead in his ransacked home. Payson had been brutally murdered, and his house had been robbed of money and valuables. Several heads of cattle had also been killed and skinned on the ranch, indicating the gang’s involvement in livestock theft.
Sheriffs and their deputies scoured the countryside in search of the thieves and killers, and local ranchers formed vigilante groups to protect their property. However, despite their efforts, the thefts, killings, and disappearances continued, creating an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness throughout the region.
The Turning Point: Betrayal and Exposure
The tide began to turn in October 1892 when Refugio Esquibel, a wealthy rancher in San Miguel County, discovered that four of his best-bred horses were missing. He tracked the horses to Silva’s isolated ranch and found them in a small rock corral. Esquibel immediately notified Sheriff and gang member Patricio Maes, who was arrested at the scene.
Fearing that he would be lynched, Maes secretly confessed what he knew about the Silva Gang to the authorities. He was then released for a week to gather more information for the police. However, Vicente Silva soon learned of Maes’ betrayal and called a nighttime meeting of all the gang members at his saloon.
The Mock Trial and Murder of Patricio Maes
At the meeting, the gang members held a mock trial, where they accused Maes of being an informant and found him guilty. On October 22, 1892, Maes was hanged in the middle of a snowstorm on a bridge over Gallinas Creek. When his body was discovered, a coroner’s jury ruled that he had been lynched for an unknown crime, but the truth behind his murder would soon be revealed.
The Downfall of Vicente Silva
Following the murder of Patricio Maes, events moved quickly, and Silva fled to a secret hiding place in the mountains near Los Alamos, New Mexico, on October 26th. While he was in hiding, he was indicted for horse and cattle stealing on November 7, 1892, and the Territorial Governor offered a $1,000 reward for his capture.
Suspecting that his brother-in-law, Gabriel Sandoval, was going to inform on the gang about the lynching of Maes, Silva ordered him killed. Three crooked lawmen and gang members, Jose Chavez y Chavez, Eugenio Alarid, and Julian Trujillo, carried out the order, shooting and killing Sandoval in February 1893. Sandoval’s body mysteriously disappeared, further fueling suspicions about the gang’s involvement in numerous unsolved crimes.
The Final Act of Betrayal and the End of the White Caps
As Silva’s paranoia grew, he began to suspect his wife of questioning her brother’s disappearance. Fearing that she would betray him, he ordered his men to dig her a grave. However, as the men dug, they began to discuss their dissatisfaction with the meager $10 payment they were receiving. They decided that Silva had become too unpredictable and dangerous, and they turned on him.
When Silva appeared with his wife’s body, the men robbed and murdered him, burying his body along with his wife’s. This act of betrayal marked the official end of Silva’s White Caps and their reign of terror.
Justice Served and the Aftermath
In March 1893, lawmen from San Miguel and Santa Fe Counties gathered a wealth of evidence about the members of Vicente Silva’s gang. Twenty arrests were made in a few weeks, and several men were brought back from Texas and the southern part of the Territory. Many of those arrested began to cooperate with the authorities, providing information in exchange for leniency.
The body of Mrs. Silva was exhumed from a shallow grave near San Pedro, revealing a dozen mortal stab wounds on her chest. The frightful lacerations on her hands told the story of her desperate struggle with her husband as he stabbed her to death.
The wheels of justice turned slowly, but eventually, some of the men were convicted. Four were sentenced to death, but their sentences were commuted to life in prison. Three were hanged, and others received shorter sentences. The crooked lawmen Jose Chavez y Chavez, Eugenio Alarid, and Julian Trujillo were convicted of Patricio Maes’ death and sentenced to life in prison.
The full extent of the Silva Gang’s crimes will never be known, as their activities were spread over a wide area and committed by different groups of men. However, their legacy remains as a dark chapter in the history of New Mexico, a reminder of the violence and lawlessness that plagued the American West during the late 19th century.
The Enduring Legacy of Silva’s White Caps
Silva’s White Caps left an indelible mark on the history of New Mexico, their story serving as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of life on the frontier. Their crimes and the circumstances surrounding their downfall continue to fascinate historians and true crime enthusiasts alike, solidifying their place in the legends of the American West.
