Francisco Arias
Francisco Arias, 33, was born near Descadero and still had relatives living in the area. He was one of two men held in the Santa Cruz jail when a body of men broke open the jail yard door and took the keys from the jailer and under sheriff. According to a letter from Santa Cruz reprinted in the Daily Gazette, the men were taken to a place of execution and hanged from the beams of the Upper San Lorenzo bridge, and their bodies were found on the morning of May 20, 1877.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A letter from Santa Cruz, reprinted in the Daily Gazette, says a mob broke open the jail yard door, took the keys from the jailer and under sheriff, and hanged him from the Upper San Lorenzo bridge.
Reported by: letter from Santa Cruz, reprinted in the Daily Gazette (reporters).