35 Facts About Procopio

Procopio's nickname was reportedly given due either to his red hair or his violent nature and bloodthirstiness.

Procopio was born in Mexico, either in Sonora, or near Jose de Guadalupe.

Procopio's parents were of mixed Spanish origin, and were reportedly "of roving habits".

Procopio's father was a vaquero, and Procopio was taught the same business at an early age.

Procopio's mother was the older sister of the most notorious bandit in California history, Joaquin Murrieta.

Joaquin Murrieta died in approximately 1853, when Procopio was approximately 12 years old.

Procopio's first reported involvement in banditry came on November 17,1862 when he was suspected in the murder of a Southern California rancher John Raines, on the Rancho Cucamonga.

John Boessenecker, writes that Procopio fled north and that another confederate Manuel Cerada was caught and fingered Procopio as one of the killers.

Shortly after the Raines incident, Procopio appeared in Alameda County.

Procopio joined, and soon assumed control of, a gang of bandits headquartered in the Livermore Valley.

Procopio's gang was suspected in the brutal murder of rancher Aaron Golding, his wife, and two children, at Corral Hollow on January 29,1863.

Procopio was arrested in 1863 for stealing a lot of cattle from a farmer named Pope at a ranch on the Arroyo Vaya.

Procopio took his pistol between his teeth, dove into the river and swam 50 or 60 feet to the other side.

Procopio surrendered after his ammunition was used, and he was tried and convicted in San Leandro of stealing Pope's cattle.

At his trial, Procopio accepted the entire blame for the theft, thereby exonerating his accomplice Narciso Bojorques.

Procopio was convicted and sentenced to nine years in the state prison at San Quentin.

Procopio was believed to be staying with Juan Camargo, a "fence" or receiver of stolen goods residing in Livermore.

Tomas Rodundo, alias Procopio, who is charged with many murders, and stage robberies, and other crimes, was captured today at his hiding place in San Francisco.

Procopio has been the terror of Southern California for years.

Procopio was surprised today, and had not time to draw his pistols, or, it is said, he would never have been taken alive.

Procopio was initially arrested for complicity in the murder of a Frenchman at Pleasanton, a crime for which his colleague, Bartolo Sepulveda, was given a life sentence.

Procopio was paroled in June 1877 and returned to banditry, leading a gang in raids near Fresno, Grangeville and Caliente.

However, Procopio escaped, formed a new gang and was alleged to have robbed a store in Hanford, California of $300 in jewelry.

Procopio's horse drowned as he attempted to cross a slough near Summit Lake.

One of the posse members attempted to question him, but Procopio reportedly fled into the fog.

The next day, the posse received a tip that Procopio was staying at a cabin owned by the Higuera brothers.

Procopio asked permission to dress himself and, when he put on his coat, drew two pistols from his breast pocket and opened fire.

Procopio is regarded as even a more dangerous man than Vasquez.

Procopio possesses a greater physical strength, is more blood-thirsty and revengeful, and is fully as cunning.

Procopio escaped through a thicket, though a Mexican national told Ellis the following day that Procopio had been slightly wounded by a shotgun blast.

One historical account reports that, in 1882, Procopio shot and killed an actor in a Mexican brothel, was arrested and executed by a firing squad.

Procopio got his title of Red-handed from his absolute wantonness and cruelty.

Procopio is said to have been the nearest rival of Three-fingered Jack.

The situation never was so desperate and pursuit never so near but what Procopio had time to slash or stab with his knife, or to drop some inoffensive person with his pistol.

Procopio seemed to love the feel and the color of warm blood, and so he used the knife whenever possible.