Lost Bautista Mine:


Lost Bautista Mine:

It was in the 1860’s that a wealthy Mexican land owner names Juan Bautista Alvarado traveled from California to re settle in the Gila River Valley. It is stated in many places that Juan was a very kind and generous man, giving all he could to anyone who was in need and in any circumstances. 

One local Apache band was quite common to be found on Juan Bautista’s land since both lands boarded one another’s. Juan Bautista Alvarado quickly befriended the local Apache band and their chief and they became close friends. Juan would help give the Apache medical aid, gun powder, food, presents to any Apache children who would bring in fodder for his horses. 

After a time, the Apache Chief decided to bring Juan a gift of his own. He rode up to Juan’s ranch with several warriors, women and children. The chief instructed one of the children to give their friend a gift, as he had done so often to them. The child handed Juan three pieces of rust quartz laced with rich gold!!!!! 

The chief then said that he and his men will take him to the source and that he may take what ever he wanted, as a gift for his rare kindness and generosity. Juan thanked the chief, saddled up his horse and off the men rode deep into the Little Horn Mountains until they came to what is said a “Ledge that was red in color as that of rust on a blade, and everywhere along the ledge was gold laced ore”.

Juan filled everything he could, saddle bags, food pouch, even his own hat he filled with gold ore that he could pry out with the use of his knife and other rocks. He then noticed that there was actually a small mine there, where the Spanish had been working just a half century before. He went inside the entrance and found a pile of processed ore that was ready for smelting and then took off his jacket and proceeded to tie the wrist holes up and began to fill the sleeves with the gold. He sealed the entrance with a crude rock wall before he and the Apache departed the site.

He returned home a very happy man and with over 150lbs Of rich gold barring ore. Sadly Juan was never able to return to the location of the rich gold ledge because of his age and rapidly declining health. He passed before he could give clear directions to his family as to the location of his mine. To this day the mine has never been relocated and is still waiting to be found. 

The Little Horn Mountains are just east of the Kofa National Refuge and straddles Both Yuma and La Paz county lines. 

If while on your adventures this week, you happen to find your self in this area maybe explore and keep your eyes open, you never know what you might find! 

(Please respect and follow State, Federal law and private property and if you are unsure, it never hurts to ask permission.)

Don’t forget to pack plenty of water and stay hydrated. Also always tell others where you are going and when you’ll be back. 

I hope everyone has a fun & exciting week.

Stay Safe, Stay Alive, Keep Treasure Hunting!!

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