Bernal led a group of pistoleros, who operated along the mining zones of the Sierra Madre Occidental, dominating parts of Sinaloa and Durango.[4] 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 Bernal's 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.[1][3]
Throughout Bernal's career he was heavily pursued by the local governor Francisco Cañedo, often challenging and mocking him. Stories exist of Bernal challenging Cañedo and President Porfirio Díaz. When Diaz held a dinner for local dignitaries, Bernal is said to have countered with an even more lavish dinner in a neighboring town. While the stories are in doubt, they led to Bernal being viewed as a hero by the people of the surrounding villages.[1]
At some point, probably in 1883, Bernal's group was joined by five of the Parra brothers, including Ignacio Parra whose gang would absorb many of Bernal's members following his death.[3]
In 1885 Bernal attempted to enter government service and sent word to president Díaz of an offer. In exchange for service as an officer, Bernal wanted 30,000 pesos to finance himself and his security. He also demanded the release of any of his captured gang members, including his imprisoned brother. Díaz refused the offer, though it is believed Bernal could have received a pardon had he not requested such a high payment.[1]
Politics and death
In 1887 Bernal entered the role of a political rebel, creating a platform which called for a return to the 1857 Constitution of Mexico, which had barred repeated re-elections of the same candidate. 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 repeatedly re-elected to maintain control.[1]
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 set up in an ambush by two of his gang members. Bernal died on January 5, 1888.
Ballads/Corridos
Over thirty corridos or folk ballads 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:[5]
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.
Aspects of Bernal's life may have evolved into the folk-saint Jesús Malverde.[6]
^ abcdeVanderwood, Paul J. (1992). Disorder and Progress: Bandits, Police, and Mexican Development. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 207, 11, 44, 93. ISBN0-8420-2439-5.
^Lomax, John A. (2007). American Ballads & Folk Songs (1934). READ BOOKS. p. 368. ISBN978-1-4067-5090-4.
^ abcKatz, Friedrich (1998). The Life and Times of Pancho Villa. Stanford University Press. pp. 68. ISBN0-8047-3046-6.
^ abHamnett, Brian R. (25 November 1999). A Concise History of Mexico. Cambridge University Press. pp. 178. ISBN0-521-58916-9.
^Paredes, Américo (1970). With His Pistol in His Hand: a border ballad and its hero. University of Texas Press. p. 233. ISBN0-292-70128-4.
^Quinones, Sam, True Tales from Another Mexico: The Lynch Mob, the Popsicle Kings, Chalino, and the Bronx, UNM Press, 2001, p.227
January 31, 2023
heraclio, bernal, 1855, 1888, bandit, from, sinaloa, region, mexico, widely, known, thunderbolt, sinaloa, bernal, bodyborn1855died1888mazatlánother, names, thunderbolt, sinaloa, occupation, bandit, revolutionarycriminal, chargebanditry, contents, bandit, years. Heraclio Bernal 1855 1888 was a bandit from the Sinaloa region of Mexico He is widely known as the Thunderbolt of Sinaloa 1 2 3 4 Heraclio BernalBernal s bodyBorn1855Died1888MazatlanOther names Thunderbolt of Sinaloa Occupation s bandit revolutionaryCriminal chargeBanditry Contents 1 Bandit years 2 Politics and death 3 Ballads Corridos 4 See also 5 ReferencesBandit years EditBernal led a group of pistoleros who operated along the mining zones of the Sierra Madre Occidental dominating parts of Sinaloa and Durango 4 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 Bernal s 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 1 3 Throughout Bernal s career he was heavily pursued by the local governor Francisco Canedo often challenging and mocking him Stories exist of Bernal challenging Canedo and President Porfirio Diaz When Diaz held a dinner for local dignitaries Bernal is said to have countered with an even more lavish dinner in a neighboring town While the stories are in doubt they led to Bernal being viewed as a hero by the people of the surrounding villages 1 At some point probably in 1883 Bernal s group was joined by five of the Parra brothers including Ignacio Parra whose gang would absorb many of Bernal s members following his death 3 In 1885 Bernal attempted to enter government service and sent word to president Diaz of an offer In exchange for service as an officer Bernal wanted 30 000 pesos to finance himself and his security He also demanded the release of any of his captured gang members including his imprisoned brother Diaz refused the offer though it is believed Bernal could have received a pardon had he not requested such a high payment 1 Politics and death EditIn 1887 Bernal entered the role of a political rebel creating a platform which called for a return to the 1857 Constitution of Mexico which had barred repeated re elections of the same candidate The move to enact such a policy was past its time as many of those who would have backed Bernal now preferred to have Diaz repeatedly re elected to maintain control 1 In time the government would move soldiers into the Mazatlan 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 set up in an ambush by two of his gang members Bernal died on January 5 1888 Ballads Corridos EditOver thirty corridos or folk ballads 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 5 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 Aspects of Bernal s life may have evolved into the folk saint Jesus Malverde 6 See also EditOutlaw Folk heroReferences Edit a b c d e Vanderwood Paul J 1992 Disorder and Progress Bandits Police and Mexican Development Rowman amp Littlefield pp 207 11 44 93 ISBN 0 8420 2439 5 Lomax John A 2007 American Ballads amp Folk Songs 1934 READ BOOKS p 368 ISBN 978 1 4067 5090 4 a b c Katz Friedrich 1998 The Life and Times of Pancho Villa Stanford University Press pp 68 ISBN 0 8047 3046 6 a b Hamnett Brian R 25 November 1999 A Concise History of Mexico Cambridge University Press pp 178 ISBN 0 521 58916 9 Paredes Americo 1970 With His Pistol in His Hand a border ballad and its hero University of Texas Press p 233 ISBN 0 292 70128 4 Quinones Sam True Tales from Another Mexico The Lynch Mob the Popsicle Kings Chalino and the Bronx UNM Press 2001 p 227 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Heraclio Bernal amp oldid 1016525892, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
