Herbert Dean Ely

Massacre Gold Herbert Dean Ely

"Massacre Gold" is a fictionalized story based upon the massacre, in Arizona, of the Peralta Miners; and the origin of the Lost Dutchman Mine's gold. In 1848, in the Office of El Presidente Santa Anna of Mexico, a deal was struck between El Presidente and Don Miguel Peralta of Arizpe, Sonora. The agreement provided funding and military support for a large expedition to proceed northward into the area of Sonora, which eventually would become southern Arizona. The expedition's mission: to retrieve as much remaining gold from the old mines in the north as possible, before negotiations regarding the Gadsden Purchase could be completed. These mines were originally controlled by Spanish Missionaries over a hundred years earlier; and later, by the Peralta family under a younger Don Miguel Peralta. The trek through the desert was long and difficult. The event is portrayed from the positions of both the Peralta Miners as well as the Yavapai and Apache tribes. The lives of the personnel of this enterprise became interwoven as the huge caravan moved toward the old mines. Don Miguel Peralta - the Sonoran aristocrat, Manuel Peralta - his son, El Capitan Garces - Captain of Cavalry, U-Day-Ah - the Yavapai girl, O-hi-Cama - the Yavapai warrior, Nann-Chaddi - the Yavapai chieftain, and Lieutenant Diego DaVia - the very capable soldier; all move inevitably toward the final tragedy at "Massacre Ground". The story continues to this day in the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine in Arizona. And yes, I have been there.