TSCRA’s field inspectors—its unique law enforcement arm—are legendary for protecting and recovering the property of its members. Capturing the Noted Bandit was printed in the very first issue of The Cattleman in June 1914. This first-person, true account by Cattle Raisers Chief Inspector John R. Banister tells of trailing cattle thieves on horseback, mountain ambushes and riverside shootouts . . .

Lina Baiza was a desperado—and a real one, too. From a cattle thief in the beginning, he soon developed into a robber, outlaw and murderer, feared by all in the country where he operated. Two terms he served in the penitentiary, and at the time of his capture, indictments were pending against him for theft, bloodshed and murder.

On February 9th, 1913, Field Inspector J.A. Harvick and River Guards Jack Howard and Joe Sitter, arrested one Chico Cana at Pilares, Texas, on capias charging cattle theft, leaving for Valentine with their prisoner on the following morning. In the meantime, Lina Baiza and Manuel Cana organized and placed an armed force on each of the three mountain trails leading to Valentine.

Into a death trap

The officers rode into this death trap about two miles from Pilares, and were fired upon by the bandits, who were concealed behind large rocks. River Guard Jack Howard was killed, both Sitter and Inspector Harvick were seriously wounded, and the prisoner escaped.

Baiza was indicted by the State and Federal Grand Jury at Marfa and El Paso, and a reward is said to have been offered for his capture.

Sentinels were put out by the bandits, and when officers left for the scenes of their raids, they were informed and retreated across the border. Thus this bold ex-convict and robber at the head of his band of lawless and unscrupulous men continued his operations until his capture on the morning of March 29th, 1914.

Late in the month of March this office received notice that many cattle were being stolen from members of the association in that section of the country, and that a competent field inspector or detective was badly needed. Chief Field Inspector John R. Banister was instructed to go to their assistance at once, and the remainder of the story can best be told by Mr. Banister in the following report:

Banister’s report

“I arrived at Valentine early in the morning of March 25. Here I met M. B. Chastain, sheriff of Presidio County, also inspector for the association and River Guards Joe Sitter, Chas. Craighead and Sam Neal, who informed me that range depredations had been reported in the Rio Grande country, and that they were preparing to work that section, and requested me to go with them.

“After necessary preparations, we packed three mules and started out. We followed a trail through the mountains and on the morning of March 27 came to the Rio Grande about four miles below Pilares, a Mexican village.

A herd of cattle was being held opposite our camp in Mexico, awaiting American purchasers. The parties in possession of the cattle were estimated at from 40 to 60 men. They were heavily armed and reported to have an abundant supply of cartridges and mescal.

“We were informed that they were suspicious that we intended seizing the cattle as soon as crossed, and they demanded and received pay on the Mexican side of the river. They kept sentinels posted about on high points and appeared to be watching us closely. There were almost continuous shrieks and desultory shooting throughout until the herd was paid for, delivered and the band dispersed. In the meantime, in a difficulty among themselves, one of their number was killed and another shot through the arm and shoulder.

“On the morning of the 29th we packed our mules and proceeded down the Rio Grande en route to Candelaria, about 25 miles away. Soon after leaving camp we inspected the herd above mentioned, and note was made of a few cattle belonging to members of the association.

A dash for the river

“When about 15 miles below Pilares, we suddenly came upon a Mexican settlement. It was very brushy all around the houses, but our approach was discovered by dogs. As we drew near, some Mexicans came out of the house, and presently one of them mounted a horse and made a dash for the Rio Grande, some 50 yards away.

“Sitter spurred his horse to the door of one of the huts and asked who that was. ‘Lina Baiza,’ he was told and instantly we were in hot pursuit. ‘Halt,’ cried Officers Sitter and Chastain, but he continued his flight, being then almost to the Rio Grande. By this time we were all dismounted and firing became general. Baiza was seen to reel in his saddle. Presently his horse fell into the river near the point of an island and Baiza crawled into a small drift.

“Sheriff Chastain mounted his horse and said, ‘Boys, let’s go to him.’ Another of the party and I mounted and, with Mr. Chastain, rode across to the island, dismounted and approached the drift in which the fugitive had taken shelter. We could not see Baiza until we were within a few feet of the drift, and when discovered, he was seen to adjust himself toward us and prepare to shoot, and he was killed.

“I stooped over some logs and was examining his wounds when I heard the river guards on the bank yell for us to get away. Almost instantly we were fired upon by members of Baiza’s band from the Mexican side. Sheriff Chastain, Sam Neal and another of our party narrowly escaped being struck by bullets. We were therefore forced to leave the body lying in the drift.

Avoiding an ambush

“Leaving the scene of the Baiza incident, we were compelled to make a detour of the north over rough mountains and gorges in order to avoid a clash with an armed force which we could plainly see within rifle range of our trail 400 or 500 yards below.

“With the aid of field glasses from the top of the mountain, we counted 12 men dismounted and lined up facing our trail, all of them with guns in their hands evidently believing that we would proceed on our trail down the Rio Grande toward Candelaria. We could see numerous others scattered about, and most of them also had guns. We learned later that these were members of the ‘red-flaggers’ band with Lina Baiza and Chico Cana as leaders, and they were operating independently of either Constitutionalists or Federals, belonging to neither.

“On the evening of the 29th we camped at Candelaria, and one of our party ‘rustled’ what he thought was a bottle of ‘Sotol,’ but when poured into a tin cup, it was found to be a deadly acid. One of our party took some of it in his mouth, and it burned him so that he did not get over it for two days. On close examination, the bottle was found to be labeled ‘Poison,’ and we are inclined to believe that it was simply an honest mistake.

On March 30th we captured a man named Calanche, charged with cattle theft. We also recovered two hides with original brands cut out and fresh brands placed on them. The ears also showed that the original marks had been cut out. We placed the hides on our pack mules and went to one of Mr. Brite’s ranches, where we camped for the night. On the following day River Guards Sam Neal and Chas. Craighead took the prisoner and two hides and went to Marfa, where he was placed in jail. Mr. Chastain and I continued on to Valentine.

“We have since been informed that Chico Cana, the other leader of this notorious band of outlaws, was captured and lynched by soldiers of Mexico, and his scalp offered to American River Guards.”