Frank Baker & the Chaffre Martinetti Store

On Sunday, September 9, 1877, around sunset, in the small town of Colorado, New Mexico, Frank Baker, Ponciano Dominguez, and one other man, all members of Jessie Evans’ Boys, rode up to the small home and adjoining general store on the outskirts of a town owned by Chaffre Martinetti, an 83 year-old Italian merchant. It was rumored around town that old Chaffre was rather wealthy, having hoarded thousands of dollars inside an iron safe in his store. Chaffre’s daughter and son-in-law, Benito Cruz, also lived with him.

The three men dismounted in front of Chaffre’s store and called out to the old man to open up, as they wanted to make some purchases. Martinetti refused, as it was Sunday, but the men claimed they were just weary travelers in need of coffee and a few other supplies.

The old man finally acquiesced, and let the men in. They proceeded to round up the various necessary supplies and headed out the door. When Chaffre pointed out that the men had not yet paid, Ponciano leveled his pistol right at Chafre’s head, saying “Here’s your pay.” He ordered Chaffre to give him the keys to the iron safe, but before Chaffre could either agree with the demand or refuse, Ponciano shot him in the head.

Chaffre fell to the ground, severely wounded but not yet dead. He shouted an alarm, and Ponciano struck Chaffre on the head with his pistol.

At this time, Chaffre’s daughter came into the store from their home, and the men took hold of her and demanded the keys to the safe. She cried out, and her husband Benito Cruz rushed into the store to help her. Before he could reach her, Ponciano shot him in the chest, and died instantly.

In the struggle to get free of her captors, Chaffre’s daughter and the men had scuffled outside, right on the threshold of the store entrance. She managed to free herself and jump back into the store. Seeing this, Chaffre caught the door with his foot and closed it, leaving the men outside, and keeping his foot against the door. The men tried to get the door back open but could not.

At that time, six other men arrived at the store and joined their amigos outside. Being unable to force the door back open, the banditti rode off before the other townspeople got to the scene.

By the time residents were able to arrive and assist Chaffre and his daughter, the bandits were gone. They appealed to the Justice of the Peace to form a posse to go after them, but the Justice, being apparently sufficiently unnerved by the prospect of chasing after these men, refused to do so, saying he had no jurisdiction.

Chaffre Martinetti died from his wounds on November 25, 1877.