The Lost Padre Mine, New Mexico
The arid landscapes of New Mexico, steeped in history and whispered tales of fortune, hold many secrets beneath their sun-baked surfaces. Among these captivating stories is the legend of The Lost Padre Mine, New Mexico, a tale of a rogue priest, hidden gold, and the relentless pursuit of Spanish conquistadors. This narrative, passed down through generations, speaks of a time when the promise of precious metals drove men to extremes, and the allure of riches clashed with the rigid control of the Spanish Crown.
In the waning years of the 18th century, a pivotal period marked by Spanish dominion over the territory, a figure emerged who would become central to this enduring legend. Father LaRue, a priest stationed in Chihuahua, found himself privy to a dying soldier’s secret. The soldier, on his deathbed, spoke of a significant gold deposit nestled within the mountains north of El Paso del Norte, a settlement that would eventually become El Paso, Texas. This revelation would set in motion a chain of events that would forever link LaRue’s name to the lore of The Lost Padre Mine, New Mexico.
The soldier’s description was remarkably precise, painting a vivid picture of the mine’s location. He instructed LaRue to journey north from El Paso for a day until three distinct peaks became visible on the horizon. Upon sighting these peaks, the path would lead eastward across the unforgiving desert towards the mountains. Within the first mountain range, a basin cradling a spring at the foot of a solitary peak would mark the final destination. It was upon this isolated mountain, the soldier claimed, that a rich vein of gold lay waiting to be discovered. This detailed account provided the foundation for the enduring quest to find The Lost Padre Mine, New Mexico.
Fate intervened shortly after the soldier’s demise. Chihuahua was struck by a devastating drought and famine, plunging the settlement into despair. Faced with the impending crisis, Padre LaRue rallied the villagers, proposing a daring migration north in search of a more hospitable climate and a reliable water source. The villagers, desperate for survival, agreed to follow their spiritual leader on this perilous journey.
The group embarked on their trek north, crossing El Paso del Norte and following the course of the Rio Grande until they reached the small village of La Mesilla, situated near present-day Las Cruces, New Mexico. As they journeyed further north, the three peaks described by the dying soldier materialized on the horizon. Guided by this landmark, LaRue led his followers eastward across the treacherous Jornada del Muerto desert, a stretch of land known for its harsh conditions and lack of water. After enduring the rigors of the desert crossing, they finally arrived at the San Andreas Mountains.
Following the soldier’s instructions, LaRue and his followers explored the mountains, eventually discovering a basin with a spring nestled at the base of a solitary peak. The landscape matched the soldier’s description perfectly, fueling their hopes of finding the promised gold. LaRue, now convinced that they were on the right track, established a new settlement near the spring, christening it Spirit Springs, located in present-day Dona Ana County. He then dispatched his men to scour the mountainside for the elusive gold vein.
The search proved fruitful. On one side of the peak, in a deep canyon southwest of the springs, the miners located a rich vein of gold. Eager to exploit their discovery, they began tunneling into the mountain, following the vein as it descended into the earth. As they delved deeper, the ore became increasingly rich, confirming the soldier’s promise of a significant gold deposit. LaRue, overseeing the operation, assigned dozens of monks and Native Americans to the arduous task of mining the gold, forming it into ingots, and stockpiling it within a natural cavern inside the mountain. For two years, LaRue oversaw the extraction of gold from the mountain, accumulating a considerable fortune.
Word of LaRue’s clandestine mining operation eventually reached the ears of Spanish authorities in Mexico. Whispers of a priest who had established his own empire and was extracting vast quantities of gold piqued their interest and raised suspicions. The Spanish Crown, ever vigilant in protecting its interests, wasted no time in assembling an expedition to investigate the reports. To them, LaRue had not only abandoned his post without authorization from church officials in Mexico City, but, more importantly, he had failed to remit the "Royal Fifth," or Quinta, of the gold, which was rightfully due to the Spanish Crown for shipment to Spain.
A small contingent of soldiers arrived in La Mesilla to purchase supplies, and it was there that they learned of the approaching Mexican Army. News of the impending arrival spread quickly, reaching LaRue and his followers at Spirit Springs. Realizing the imminent danger, LaRue ordered his men to conceal all traces of the mine, knowing that the Spanish soldiers would stop at nothing to seize the gold.
Working tirelessly day and night, LaRue and his followers labored to seal the entrance to the mine, hoping to hide their operation from the approaching soldiers. When the soldiers finally arrived and confronted LaRue, demanding to know the source of the gold used to purchase supplies in La Mesilla, the priest refused to divulge any information. His defiance was met with brutal consequences. LaRue was subjected to torture, as were many of his loyal followers. Despite the relentless interrogation, they remained steadfast in their silence, refusing to reveal the location of the mine.
Frustrated by their lack of success, the soldiers searched the entire area, but their efforts proved futile. They found no clues that led them to the hidden mine or the accumulated gold. Empty-handed and defeated, the soldiers eventually returned to Mexico, leaving behind a legacy of mystery and intrigue. The fate of The Lost Padre Mine, New Mexico remains an enigma.
While historical accounts suggest that LaRue’s activities centered around the Organ Mountains, situated between present-day Las Cruces and Alamogordo, the legend places the mining operation deep within the San Andres Mountains, north of Las Cruces. It is here, according to the enduring narrative, that the treasure remains concealed, awaiting rediscovery. The tale of The Lost Padre Mine, New Mexico serves as a potent reminder of the allure of gold, the clash of cultures, and the enduring power of legend in shaping the history of the American Southwest. The exact location of The Lost Padre Mine, New Mexico is still unknown today.