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| targets = White Settlers or [[Anglos]]
| targets = White Settlers or [[Anglos]]
| criminal_charge = First Degree Murder of 32 people
| criminal_charge = First Degree Murder of 32 people
| date = Spring 1863 - Fall 1863
| date = Spring – Fall 1863
| body_discovered = [[Fort Garland]], [[Colorado]]. Head along with his cousin's brought in by sack for bounty money
| body_discovered = [[Fort Garland]], [[Colorado]]. Head along with his cousin's brought in by sack for bounty money
| nationality = Mexican
| nationality = Mexican
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| motive = A vision of the [[Virgin Mary]] to “kill and kill again until the blood of 600 [[Anglos]] had been spilt all over New Mexico”
| motive = A vision of the [[Virgin Mary]] to “kill and kill again until the blood of 600 [[Anglos]] had been spilt all over New Mexico”
}}
}}
'''Felipe Nerio Espinosa''' ({{circa|1827}}-1863) was a notorious [[Mexican-American]] murderer who killed an estimated thirty-two people in the [[Colorado Territory]] during throughout the spring and fall of 1863.
'''Felipe Nerio Espinosa''' ({{circa|1827}} – 1863) was a notorious [[Mexican-American]] murderer who killed an estimated 32 people in the [[Colorado Territory]] throughout the spring and fall of 1863.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Felipe Nerio Espinosa was probably born in what is today [[El Rito, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico|El Rito Unincorporated Community]],
Felipe Nerio Espinosa was probably born in what is today [[El Rito, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico|El Rito Unincorporated Community]], [[Rio Arriba County]], [[New Mexico Territory]] (at that time, [[Santa Fe de Nuevo México]]) although some sources cite his place of birth as [[Veracruz, Veracruz|Veracruz]], Mexico. His parents were Pedro Ignacio Espinosa, who was born in [[Abiquiu, New Mexico]], and Gertrudis Chavez. He had a brother named Vivian.
[[Rio Arriba County]], [[New Mexico Territory]] (at that time, [[Santa Fe de Nuevo México]]) although some sources cite his place of birth as [[Veracruz, Veracruz|Veracruz]], Mexico. His parents were Pedro Ignacio Espinosa, who was born in [[Abiquiu, New Mexico]], and Gertrudis Chavez. He had a brother named Vivian.


The [[Mexican census]] of 1845 from [[El Rito, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico|El Rito, New Mexico]] lists several members of the Espinosa family, while the 1860 US Census lists a Felipe Nerio Espinosa living in Conejos, San Fernando Valley, [[Taos, New Mexico]] with his wife and two children, a girl of five and a son of two.
The [[Mexican census]] of 1845 from [[El Rito, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico|El Rito, New Mexico]] lists several members of the Espinosa family, while the 1860 US Census lists a Felipe Nerio Espinosa living in Conejos, San Fernando Valley, [[Taos, New Mexico]] with his wife and two children, a girl of five and a son of two.


==Killing spree==
==Killing spree==
[[File:Felipe Espinosa Committing Murder in the middle of nowhere of New Mexico.jpg|thumb|Rendering of the Espinozas from an old calendar]]
There is no definitive reason as to why the Espinosa brothers began their rampage but evidence suggests it was because the US Army had been tasked with arresting the pair over alleged robberies in the area. When the two men did not give themselves up, one of their homes was burned and their property confiscated. The pair had ended up in American territory after the signing of the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] in February 1848. It had ceded the area and its Hispanic settlers to the United States following the conclusion of [[Mexican–American War]] (1846–1848). In the decade that had followed the treaty, many Hispanic people had lost title to their lands because territory courts showed an inclination to settle land disputes in favor of White settlers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.5280.com/2019/12/the-long-forgotten-vigilante-murders-of-the-san-luis-valley/|title=The Long-Forgotten Vigilante Murders of the San Luis Valley|website=www.5280.com|date=December 2019}}</ref>
There is no definitive reason as to why the Espinosa brothers began their rampage but evidence suggests it was because the US Army had been tasked with arresting the pair over alleged robberies in the area. When the two men did not give themselves up, one of their homes was burned and their property confiscated. The pair had ended up in American territory after the signing of the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] in February 1848. It had ceded the area and its Hispanic settlers to the United States following the conclusion of [[Mexican–American War]] (1846–1848). In the decade that had followed the treaty, many Hispanic people had lost title to their lands because territory courts showed an inclination to settle land disputes in favor of White settlers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.5280.com/2019/12/the-long-forgotten-vigilante-murders-of-the-san-luis-valley/|title=The Long-Forgotten Vigilante Murders of the San Luis Valley|website=www.5280.com|date=December 2019}}</ref>


Aided by his brother Vivian, Espinosa began his murder spree in the thinly populated area of what is now [[Fremont County, Colorado]]. "The brothers' first victim was found in May 1863, his corpse mutilated and the heart hacked out of his chest. During that summer, twenty-five more people were attacked and killed in similar fashion."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legendsofamerica.com/outlaw-espinosagang/|title=The Bloody Espinosas – Terrorizing Colorado – Legends of America|website=Legendsofamerica.com|access-date=15 December 2018}}</ref>
Aided by his brother Vivian, Espinosa began his murder spree in the thinly populated area of what is now [[Fremont County, Colorado]]. "The brothers' first victim was found in May 1863, his corpse mutilated and the heart hacked out of his chest. During that summer, twenty-five more people were attacked and killed in similar fashion."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legendsofamerica.com/outlaw-espinosagang/|title=The Bloody Espinosas – Terrorizing Colorado – Legends of America|website=Legendsofamerica.com|access-date=15 December 2018}}</ref>


Espinosa sent a letter to Territorial Governor [[John Evans (Colorado governor)|John Evans]] stating his intention to murder 600 "[[gringo]]s", including the governor himself, if he and the other members of his gang were not granted property and some 5000 acres in Conejos County where they once were. He demanded that Governor Evans give full pardons for himself and his followers, along with {{convert|5000|acre|km2}} of land in [[Conejos County]] and appointments in the Colorado Volunteers. The letter also threatened that more [[Anglo]]s, including the Governor himself, would be killed if the demands were not met.
Espinosa sent a letter to Territorial Governor [[John Evans (Colorado governor)|John Evans]] stating his intention to murder 600 "[[gringo]]s," if he and the other members of his gang were not granted pardons, some {{convert|5000|acre|km2}} in [[Conejos County]], and appointments in the 1st Colorado Volunteer Infantry Unit.


Lawmen, including Conejos County Sheriff Emmett Harding and Colorado Volunteer Commander S. B. Tappan, were dispatched to find Espinosa, but they met with little success. A posse out of [[Park County, Colorado]] finally managed to track the brothers southwest of [[Canon City, Colorado]]. Vivian was shot and killed in the ensuing gunfight but Felipe escaped. After hiding out for the remainder of the summer, Felipe recruited a fourteen-year-old nephew named Jose and resumed the rampage. Soon after, legendary tracker [[Tom Tobin]] was enlisted by the US Army find the pair. In a matter of days, Tobin found the outlaws' camp and in a brief gunfight shot and killed both Espinosas. He took their heads back to [[Fort Garland, Colorado]].<ref name=":0">Kutz, J.: "Mysteries & Miracles of Colorado", Rhombus, 1993</ref>
Lawmen, including Conejos County Sheriff Emmett Harding and 1st Colorado Volunteer Infantry Unit Commander S.B. Tappan, were dispatched to find Espinosa, but they met with little success. A posse out of [[Park County, Colorado]] finally managed to track the brothers southwest of [[Canon City, Colorado]]. Vivian was shot and killed in the ensuing gunfight but Felipe escaped. After hiding out for the remainder of the summer, Felipe recruited a 14-year-old nephew named Jose and resumed the rampage. Soon after, legendary tracker [[Tom Tobin]] was enlisted by the US Army to find the pair. In a matter of days, Tobin found the outlaws' camp and, in a brief gunfight, shot and killed both Espinosas. He took their heads back to [[Fort Garland, Colorado]].<ref name=":0">Kutz, J.: "Mysteries & Miracles of Colorado", Rhombus, 1993</ref>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
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* [https://www.grunge.com/666576/the-untold-truth-of-outlaw-felipe-espinosa/ The Untold Truth of Outlaw Felipe Espinosa]. Grunge.com. 20 January 2022.
* [https://www.grunge.com/666576/the-untold-truth-of-outlaw-felipe-espinosa/ The Untold Truth of Outlaw Felipe Espinosa]. Grunge.com. 20 January 2022.
* [https://serialkillercalendar.com/FELIPE-ESPINOZA-ONE-OF-AMERICAS-FIRST-SERIAL-KILLERS.php Felipe Espinoza: One Of America's First Serial Killers]. Serialkillercalendar.com.
* [https://serialkillercalendar.com/FELIPE-ESPINOZA-ONE-OF-AMERICAS-FIRST-SERIAL-KILLERS.php Felipe Espinoza: One Of America's First Serial Killers]. Serialkillercalendar.com.




{{DEFAULTSORT:Espinosa, Filipe}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Espinosa, Filipe}}
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[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Colorado]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Colorado]]
[[Category:Fugitives]]
[[Category:Fugitives]]
⚫
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American people shot dead by law enforcement officers in the United States]]
[[Category:Male serial killers]]
[[Category:People from El Rito, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:People from El Rito, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Racially motivated violence against white Americans]]
⚫
[[Category:Latino people shot dead by law enforcement officers in the United States]]
[[Category:Racially motivated violence against European Americans]]
[[Category:Serial killers from Colorado]]

Latest revision as of 19:17, 12 September 2024

Felipe Espinosa
Born
Felipe Nerio Espinosa

c. 1827
Rio Arriba County, New Mexico Territory, U.S. or
Veracruz, Mexico
Died1863 (aged 35–36)
Colorado, U.S.
Cause of deathGunshot and Slit Throat by Tom Tobin
Body discoveredFort Garland, Colorado. Head along with his cousin's brought in by sack for bounty money
NationalityMexican
Other namesThe Axeman of Colorado
Spouse
Maria Secundida Hurtado
​
​
(m. 1854)​
Parent(s)Pedro Ignasio Espinosa (Father)
Maria Gertrudes Cháves (Mother)
RelativesJosé Vivian Espinosa (brother)
Julian Espinosa (cousin)
MotiveA vision of the Virgin Mary to “kill and kill again until the blood of 600 Anglos had been spilt all over New Mexico”
Criminal chargeFirst Degree Murder of 32 people
Details
Victims32
DateSpring – Fall 1863
CountryU.S.
State(s)Colorado
Target(s)White Settlers or Anglos

Felipe Nerio Espinosa (c. 1827 – 1863) was a notorious Mexican-American murderer who killed an estimated 32 people in the Colorado Territory throughout the spring and fall of 1863.

Early life

[edit]

Felipe Nerio Espinosa was probably born in what is today El Rito Unincorporated Community, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico Territory (at that time, Santa Fe de Nuevo México) although some sources cite his place of birth as Veracruz, Mexico. His parents were Pedro Ignacio Espinosa, who was born in Abiquiu, New Mexico, and Gertrudis Chavez. He had a brother named Vivian.

The Mexican census of 1845 from El Rito, New Mexico lists several members of the Espinosa family, while the 1860 US Census lists a Felipe Nerio Espinosa living in Conejos, San Fernando Valley, Taos, New Mexico with his wife and two children, a girl of five and a son of two.

Killing spree

[edit]

There is no definitive reason as to why the Espinosa brothers began their rampage but evidence suggests it was because the US Army had been tasked with arresting the pair over alleged robberies in the area. When the two men did not give themselves up, one of their homes was burned and their property confiscated. The pair had ended up in American territory after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in February 1848. It had ceded the area and its Hispanic settlers to the United States following the conclusion of Mexican–American War (1846–1848). In the decade that had followed the treaty, many Hispanic people had lost title to their lands because territory courts showed an inclination to settle land disputes in favor of White settlers.[1]

Aided by his brother Vivian, Espinosa began his murder spree in the thinly populated area of what is now Fremont County, Colorado. "The brothers' first victim was found in May 1863, his corpse mutilated and the heart hacked out of his chest. During that summer, twenty-five more people were attacked and killed in similar fashion."[2]

Espinosa sent a letter to Territorial Governor John Evans stating his intention to murder 600 "gringos," if he and the other members of his gang were not granted pardons, some 5,000 acres (20 km2) in Conejos County, and appointments in the 1st Colorado Volunteer Infantry Unit.

Lawmen, including Conejos County Sheriff Emmett Harding and 1st Colorado Volunteer Infantry Unit Commander S.B. Tappan, were dispatched to find Espinosa, but they met with little success. A posse out of Park County, Colorado finally managed to track the brothers southwest of Canon City, Colorado. Vivian was shot and killed in the ensuing gunfight but Felipe escaped. After hiding out for the remainder of the summer, Felipe recruited a 14-year-old nephew named Jose and resumed the rampage. Soon after, legendary tracker Tom Tobin was enlisted by the US Army to find the pair. In a matter of days, Tobin found the outlaws' camp and, in a brief gunfight, shot and killed both Espinosas. He took their heads back to Fort Garland, Colorado.[3]

[edit]

The Felipe Espinosa story is the foundation for Adam James Jones's book, The Vendetta of Felipe Espinosa (2014).

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Long-Forgotten Vigilante Murders of the San Luis Valley". www.5280.com. December 2019.
  2. ^ "The Bloody Espinosas – Terrorizing Colorado – Legends of America". Legendsofamerica.com. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  3. ^ Kutz, J.: "Mysteries & Miracles of Colorado", Rhombus, 1993
[edit]
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