Heraclio Bernal
Encyclopedia
Heraclio Bernal was a bandit
from the Sinaloa
region of Mexico
. He is widely known as the "Thunderbolt of Sinaloa."
, dominating parts of Sinaloa and Durango
. The band was believed to have reached up to 100 men strong, often participating in illegal acts such as; robbing stagecoaches, attacking armories
, raiding mines for silver which was later sold, and stealing from the rich residents of towns he raided. During Bernals ten year stint as a bandit and as a political rebel, he managed to evade capture repeatedly due to his established good relations with the lower class and important people of the region he operated within. It is also believed police and soldiers would sell Bernal, and other bandits, weapons and ammunition.
Throughout Bernal's career he was heavily pursued by the local governor, often challenging and mocking him. Stories exist of Díaz holding a dinner for dignitaries and upon hearing of such event, Bernal countered with an even more lavish dinner in a neighboring town. While the stories are in doubt, they lead to Bernal being viewed as a hero by the people of the surrounding villages.
It is believed, in 1883, Bernals group was joined by five of the Parra brothers, including Ignacio Parra whose gang would absorb many of Bernals members following his death.
In 1885 Bernal attempted to enter government service and sent word, to then president José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori, of an offer. In exchange for service as an officer, Bernal wanted 30,000 pesos to finance himself and his security and the release of any of his captured gang members, including his imprisoned brother. Díaz refused the offer and it is believed Bernal could have received a pardon had he not requested such a high payment.
In time the government would move soldiers into the Mazatlán
region and form anti-guerrilla forces to track down Bernal. A ransom of 10,000 pesos was placed on the capture of Bernal and he was soon after setup in an ambush by two of his gang members. Bernal died on January 5, 1888.
exist placing Bernal in the role of a hero and promoting his exploits. One of the more popular involves changing of the colors of the horse Bernal is riding on and the features of description:
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
from the Sinaloa
Sinaloa
Sinaloa officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sinaloa is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 18 municipalities and its capital city is Culiacán Rosales....
region of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. He is widely known as the "Thunderbolt of Sinaloa."
Bandit years
Bernal led a group of pistoleros, who operated along the mining zones of the Sierra Madre OccidentalSierra Madre Occidental
The Sierra Madre Occidental is a mountain range in western Mexico.-Setting:The range runs north to south, from just south of the Sonora–Arizona border southeast through eastern Sonora, western Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguascalientes to Guanajuato, where it joins...
, dominating parts of Sinaloa and Durango
Durango
Durango officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Durango is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. The state is located in Northwest Mexico. With a population of 1,632,934, it has Mexico's second-lowest population density, after Baja...
. The band was believed to have reached up to 100 men strong, often participating in illegal acts such as; robbing stagecoaches, attacking armories
Armory (military)
An armory or armoury is a place where arms and ammunition are made, maintained and repaired, stored, issued to authorized users, or any combination of those...
, raiding mines for silver which was later sold, and stealing from the rich residents of towns he raided. During Bernals ten year stint as a bandit and as a political rebel, he managed to evade capture repeatedly due to his established good relations with the lower class and important people of the region he operated within. It is also believed police and soldiers would sell Bernal, and other bandits, weapons and ammunition.
Throughout Bernal's career he was heavily pursued by the local governor, often challenging and mocking him. Stories exist of Díaz holding a dinner for dignitaries and upon hearing of such event, Bernal countered with an even more lavish dinner in a neighboring town. While the stories are in doubt, they lead to Bernal being viewed as a hero by the people of the surrounding villages.
It is believed, in 1883, Bernals group was joined by five of the Parra brothers, including Ignacio Parra whose gang would absorb many of Bernals members following his death.
In 1885 Bernal attempted to enter government service and sent word, to then president José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori, of an offer. In exchange for service as an officer, Bernal wanted 30,000 pesos to finance himself and his security and the release of any of his captured gang members, including his imprisoned brother. Díaz refused the offer and it is believed Bernal could have received a pardon had he not requested such a high payment.
Politics and death
In 1887 Bernal entered the role of a political rebel, creating a platform which called for following the 1857 Constitution of Mexico and putting an end to re-elections. The move to enact such a policy was past its time as many of those who would have backed Bernal, now preferred to have Díaz maintain control.In time the government would move soldiers into the Mazatlán
Mazatlán
Mazatlán is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa; the surrounding municipio for which the city serves as the municipal seat is Mazatlán Municipality. It is located at on the Pacific coast, across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula.Mazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning...
region and form anti-guerrilla forces to track down Bernal. A ransom of 10,000 pesos was placed on the capture of Bernal and he was soon after setup in an ambush by two of his gang members. Bernal died on January 5, 1888.
Ballads/Corridos
Over thirty corridos or folk balladsFolk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
exist placing Bernal in the role of a hero and promoting his exploits. One of the more popular involves changing of the colors of the horse Bernal is riding on and the features of description:
Que rechulo era Bernal, en su caballo retinto, con su pistola en la mano peleando con treinta y cinco |
How beautiful was Bernal, On his black horse, With his pistol in his hand, Fighting against thirty-five. |