Actually there were several Gringos engaged in the mining industry in
Northern Mexico during this period. Former Santa Fe Traders like Robert
McKnight and James Baird who'd been imprisoned before the Santa Fe trade
became legal, the father and son team of Sylvester and James Ohio
Pattie, and even the notorious scalphunter James Kirker all had
interests in mining operations during the 1820-1840s. True, they were
often as not managers/protective services rather than operators -
shielding the Mexican workers from Apache attack. But they were
there!!!
Mike Dunning
Assistant Professor of History
University of Alaska Southeast - Ketchikan Campus
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