Salomón Pico facts for kids

Salomon Maria Simeon Pico (born September 5, 1821 – died May 1, 1860) was a Californio. Californios were people of Spanish or Mexican heritage living in California. Salomon was a cousin of Pío Pico, who was a former governor.

After the Mexican–American War, Salomon Pico led a group of bandits. They operated in the central coast counties of California. Some Californios saw him as a hero. They believed he was fighting against the American takeover of Alta California. Americans, however, saw him as a criminal. But many Californios protected him, viewing him as a defender of their people.

Early Life and Family

Salomon Pico was part of the Pico family of California. This was a very important Californio family. He was born on the Rancho del Rey San Pedro, near what is now Salinas, California. He was baptized at Mission San Juan Bautista.

His father, José Dolores Pico, was a soldier. He served at the Presidio of Monterey. Salomon's brothers included Antonio Maria Pico and José de Jesús Pico. José Pico had a long military career. By 1821, he helped manage the King's Ranch. This ranch supplied food and other items to the Presidio.

Salomon's mother, Maria Ysabel Cota, was from Santa Barbara. Salomon spent his early years on the Rancho del Rey. After his father died in 1827, he moved to Monterey with his mother. Monterey was the capital of Alta California. Here, Salomon had chances for education and learned about other cultures.

By 1840, Pico was getting ready to marry. He married Juana Vasquez on December 13, 1840, at Mission Santa Cruz. They first lived in Monterey and started a family. In 1844, Pico received a large land grant from Mexico. It was about 58,000 acres (235 square kilometers). This land was in the San Joaquin Valley, near the Stanislaus River and San Joaquin River. Today, this area is in Stanislaus County.

War and Gold Rush Impact

Pico fought for Mexico against the United States. This was during the Mexican–American War. Records show him as an Ensign in the Mexican army. He was listed among officers with General José Castro. They returned to Mexico together. Family stories say he worked as a scout and soldier during this time.

California became part of the United States. Pico likely returned to his ranch and family. In 1847, California had about 10,000 non-Native American people. It was a small community. Gold was found at Sutter's Mill on January 24, 1848. By August, the Gold Rush reached Pico's land.

His wife, Juana, became ill. Salomon took her to Monterey for medical help. Sadly, she died there on November 19, 1848.

Outlaw Years Begin

Central Coast Activities

Salomon Pico was deeply affected by his wife's death. He moved near Rancho Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County. During the day, he bought and sold horses and cattle. Southern California was known as the "Cow Counties." This was because many cattle were raised there.

The demand for food in the northern gold mines was high. This made selling cattle very profitable. Men would travel south with gold to buy cattle. Then they would drive the cattle north to sell them. Salomon Pico was in a good position to learn their plans.

At night, Salomon Pico and his gang became bandits. They operated on El Camino Real, south of Santa Maria. They ambushed men riding south from the gold fields. These men often carried gold to buy cattle. Many groups of two or three riders were never seen again after passing San Luis Obispo.

Most victims were Americans. Californios often saw Americans as enemies. Locals rarely reported the gang's crimes. If trials happened, the gang members were often found not guilty. This was because Californios were still the majority in the region. Also, Pico had ties to powerful Californio families.

The gang usually avoided county officials. Officials seemed to leave the bandits alone. One time, the Sheriff of Santa Barbara met Salomon Pico. Pico thought the Sheriff was a target for robbery. They faced each other for hours, trying to get an advantage. Pico then realized who he was dealing with. The Sheriff told Pico to leave. Pico waved goodbye and rode away.

Pico had a land grant, but he couldn't stop people from settling on it. He was not ready to remarry. It's not clear what happened to all the gold he took. But he quickly became very popular among his own people. By 1851, he was a well-known outlaw. He had a loyal gang and many supporters. He was so popular that people would let him ride his horse into their homes to hide from law enforcement.

Salomon Pico's time as a bandit in the Rancho Los Alamos area ended in 1851. John Caldwell, a mail rider, was killed near the Salinas Valley. A group of volunteers chased the killers. Near San Luis Obispo, they caught some men. This group included Salomon Pico and William Otis Hall, an American.

These men were tried by a vigilante court. They were sentenced to be hanged. But the official authorities saved them. Pico was released on bail because of his cousin Pío Pico's standing. Other Californios were also released. Only William Otis Hall remained in custody. On August 9, vigilantes broke into the jail. They carried out their court's ruling. Otis was executed. Fearing the same fate, Pico quickly left the area. However, his gang members continued their activities for years. New leaders like Pio Linares and Jack Powers took over.

Los Angeles County Activities

Salomon Pico likely moved south to Los Angeles County. Local Californios protected him there. On December 12, 1851, he tried to harm Judge Benjamin Ignatius Hayes. Pico thought Judge Hayes was Judge J. S. Mallard. Mallard had issued arrest warrants for people accused of murder. Pico was wounded later that night. Sheriff James R. Barton found his hiding place and they exchanged shots. The next morning, Pico had his arm treated in Los Angeles. The Sheriff was not told, as Pico was protected by friends.

In November 1852, Major General Joshua H. Bean was murdered. This led to new efforts to stop highway robbers in the county. The Vigilance Committee of Los Angeles arrested several Mexicans. They believed these men belonged to Salomon Pico's gang. One man, Reyes Feliz, confessed to being with Joaquin Murrieta. He also admitted to a murder at the mines. But he said he knew nothing about General Bean's death. Reyes Feliz was found guilty and executed for his confessed murder. Other arrested men also faced similar fates.

Southern California became too dangerous for Pico. He was pursued by the Los Angeles Rangers. Pico fled to Baja California to avoid capture. The New York Times reported on April 26, 1853, that Pico was very sick. He was in the town of Santo Tomas, in Lower California.

Pico became friends with José Castro. Castro had lived in San Juan Bautista. In 1853, Castro returned to Mexico. By 1856, he became the political chief of the Baja California frontier.

Life in Mexico

Pico often visited south of the border. By 1857, he moved to Santo Tomas, Baja California, Mexico. He became captain of the guard there. His boss was Colonel José Castro. Castro was the military commander of the Baja California frontier. He was also Pico's former superior in the war. Castro gave land grants in Baja California to his friends. Salomon Pico received a grant of 11 Leagues of land.

One time, Pico was guarding the jail. Four American businessmen from San Diego were held there. They were waiting for trial. Tensions were very high between Mexicans and Americans. People worried about a race war. A crowd of Mexicans marched on the jail. They wanted to harm the Americans. Salomon Pico stood alone between the mob and the jail. He talked the crowd into going home. At this moment, he became a defender of justice for everyone.

On April 14, 1860, Colonel Castro was killed. His killer was a man named Marquez. Feliciano Ruiz de Esparza took over command. He decided to remove outlaws from La Frontera. On May 1, 1860, he gathered and executed 15 such men. Salomon Pico was among them.

Legacy and Zorro Connection

Salomon Pico is one of the historical figures linked to the Zorro character. The author, Johnston McCulley, was inspired by stories of California bandits from the 1850s. Some people say Pico was very similar to the fictional Zorro.

Like Zorro, Salomon lived a double life. He defended justice at night. He rode a powerful horse. He also had the loyal support of his people. Some stories from his outlaw years connect clearly with parts of the Zorro legend.