THE PROSPECTOR'S SECRET
Treasures of the Pimeria Alta
by Paul Hathaway
6 x 9, 444 pages, hardcover with jacket
ISBN 978-0-9840669-0-2
Price $22.95
The story begins in Harshaw, a tough Arizona territorial mining town in the desert mountains near the Mexican border. The year is 1887, a time when the U.S. Army cavalry is finally getting control of the feared Apaches, who for the previous 200 years had terrorized the Spanish, Mexicans and gringos who dared to enter their land. The last of the renegade Apaches are being killed, or captured and placed on reservations by the soldiers.
A crusty old prospector–Jack McAllister–shows up in town. He appears to be just another drunk and desperate fellow paying for his next meal by panning for gold in the Patagonia Mountains. But Jack McAllister is not who he seems to be. He is a flawed soul with a mysterious past, which is the focus of the story.
The Prospector’s Secret–Treasures of the Pimeria Alta deals with the first part of Jack McAllister’s life. It takes the reader from Mexico to England and to the Southern states during the 1850’s. The fast moving story uses lost treasures, intrigue at the highest level, Indian raids, Santa Ana, brewing Civil War, glued together with humor, tragedy and unexpected events which ultimately brings Jack McAllister to Harshaw.
About the Author
Paul Hathaway was born on a cattle ranch in southern Arizona during the early months of World War II. His great-grandfather, Judge Richard Harrison, was a California ‘49er who came to the Arizona Territory in 1879. Having lost an election, together with his long-time interest in mining, Judge Harrison was prompted to move to Washington Camp, where the Holland and Davis mines plus other related operations were opening. The Judge and his family settled nearby at La Noria, on the Mexican border.
During those early territorial times, profitable legal occupations were limited. Mining and ranching were two. Several family members opted for ranching. Two of their ranches remain in operation to this day (2009).
During his youth, Paul worked on the family ranches. He enjoyed staying at remote camps and working with ranch cowboys. Normal activities included branding, pumping water, doctoring screw worm infected animals along with building and repairing miles of barbwire fence. He developed a keen appreciation for the harsh reality of raising cattle in the hills and mountains of southern Arizona.
Paul obtained an engineering degree from the University of Arizona in 1964. Afterwards, Paul and his wife, Earlene, continued in the ranching business. He also pursued a parallel engineering career with the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, travelling extensively to perform his work.
History and travel have been lifelong interests of Paul’s. This book has given Paul the opportunity to develop his interests and put them into novel form. He hopes it will be enjoyable to the reader.
The book is available directly from the author.
For more information, or to order copies of the book, please contact the author at hathaway@dakotacom.net