Salida Museum, 406½ U.S. 50, is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) with a presentation by attorney Michael A. Espinosa of Pueblo.
Espinosa will speak and sign copies of the book he edited on his family’s history at 1 p.m. Saturday. Refreshments will be served and admission is free, but donations will be accepted.
“Trail of the Espinosa Outlaws: Reign of Terror 1857 to 1863” was written by Michael’s father, L. Andres Espinosa, during the lifetime of L. Andres’ father, Humberto Espinosa, who told the family stories of the Espinosas who staged a reign of terror in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas over murders and assaults committed by the invading Americanos after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
The 1848 treaty ended the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848 with the result that Mexico ceded to the U.S. present-day Texas, California, Nevada and Utah as well as parts of present-day Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming.
“It has taken three generations of Espinosas to bring this book to light,” Michael said. “My father, L. Andres Espinosa, wrote it during his lifetime and vetted much of the information in the fictional narrative from his father, Humberto’s, storytelling.”
Michael, with his sister’s support, further edited the book, which was published in March by Vanishing Horizons of Pueblo.
The story of the outlaws made news in 1863, and some Eastern newspaper articles claimed the Espinosas murdered 300 people. The Espinosas were supposedly linked to every murder within the state, regardless of how far away they happened.
The Western novel Michael Espinosa created involves two families with the name Espinosa and their exploits, intercession in land grant issues and treatment of Mexicans after the treaty was signed. Amidst a picture of life in snowy Colorado, the Espinosa outlaws evade the Fort Garland-based military and mercenaries until legendary frontiersman Tom Tobin tracked them down.
Earle Kittleman of the Salida Museum board said, “The murderous trail of the Espinosas through New Mexico and Colorado territories as recorded by the Anglo press takes on new meaning when told from the Hispano viewpoint. Michael Espinosa gives us the compelling story passed down through generations of his family – the other side of the peso, so to speak.”
“Trail of the Espinosa Outlaws” gives a different version of the events in 346 pages of narrative, a press release from Vanishing Horizons stated. The book sells for $28 and can be purchased at the signing at the museum or through the publisher at VanishingHorizons.com, or call 719-561-0993 or 719-544-4040 for more information.
Salida Museum continues with summer hours from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday until Oct. 1, when winter hours will go into effect.
