Peralta massacre
Encyclopedia
The Peralta massacre was the alleged killing of a Mexican family by Apache
s in about 1848
. It is generally featured as an element of the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine
.
There are many variations to the story, but it generally includes these details: During the 1840s, the Peralta family of northern Mexico supposedly developed rich gold mine(s) in the Superstition Mountains
. In 1848, during a routine expedition to carry gold back to Mexico
, the large party was ambushed by Apaches, and all were killed except for a few Peralta family members who escaped. According to the legend, the Apaches buried and hid the gold and covered up the mine.
However, according to historian Robert Blair, the Peralta Massacre never occurred; see the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine
for a more detailed explanation.
The author T.E. Glover in his book, The Lost Dutchman Mine of Jacob Waltz, wrote of a U.S. Cavalry trooper named William Edwards who was present for the discovery of the deceased remains. The Cavalry leaders assumed that these were bodies from an Indian battle between fighting tribes. But trooper Edwards noticed that at least one of the skulls had a gold filing, common to Mexican (Spanish) aristrocracy. He returned at a later date, and found even more human remains further up the canyon. It is reported that he, and then later his son, spent much of their lives searching for the lost mine.
There are also newspaper articles which refer to mule remains being found, one by one, with saddle bags filled with gold. The last one was published in 1903. It is presumed that the mules scattered during what had to be a very loud battle.
The Peralta Massacre is depicted in a flashback in the 1949 film Lust for Gold, starring Glenn Ford
and Ida Lupino
.
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
s in about 1848
1848 in Mexico
Events in the year 1848 in Mexico.-Events:* February 2 – Mexican–American War: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, ending the war and ceding to the United States virtually all of what is today the southwest of that country....
. It is generally featured as an element of the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine
Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine
The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine is reportedly a very rich gold mine hidden in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona in the United States...
.
There are many variations to the story, but it generally includes these details: During the 1840s, the Peralta family of northern Mexico supposedly developed rich gold mine(s) in the Superstition Mountains
Superstition Mountains
The Superstition Mountains , popularly referred to as "The Superstitions", are a range of mountains in Arizona located to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area...
. In 1848, during a routine expedition to carry gold back to 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...
, the large party was ambushed by Apaches, and all were killed except for a few Peralta family members who escaped. According to the legend, the Apaches buried and hid the gold and covered up the mine.
However, according to historian Robert Blair, the Peralta Massacre never occurred; see the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine
Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine
The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine is reportedly a very rich gold mine hidden in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona in the United States...
for a more detailed explanation.
The author T.E. Glover in his book, The Lost Dutchman Mine of Jacob Waltz, wrote of a U.S. Cavalry trooper named William Edwards who was present for the discovery of the deceased remains. The Cavalry leaders assumed that these were bodies from an Indian battle between fighting tribes. But trooper Edwards noticed that at least one of the skulls had a gold filing, common to Mexican (Spanish) aristrocracy. He returned at a later date, and found even more human remains further up the canyon. It is reported that he, and then later his son, spent much of their lives searching for the lost mine.
There are also newspaper articles which refer to mule remains being found, one by one, with saddle bags filled with gold. The last one was published in 1903. It is presumed that the mules scattered during what had to be a very loud battle.
The Peralta Massacre is depicted in a flashback in the 1949 film Lust for Gold, starring Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
and Ida Lupino
Ida Lupino
Ida Lupino was an English-born film actress and director, and a pioneer among women filmmakers. In her 48-year career, she appeared in 59 films and directed seven others, mostly in the United States. She appeared in serial television programmes 58 times and directed 50 other episodes...
.
See also
- 1848 in Mexico1848 in MexicoEvents in the year 1848 in Mexico.-Events:* February 2 – Mexican–American War: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, ending the war and ceding to the United States virtually all of what is today the southwest of that country....