Oak Creek Canyon
When Cortez reached a deep and secluded part of the canyon, one unfortuante member of his armada accidentally stumbled and fell into a deep cavern. This cavern was not only filled with a plethora of gold veins embedded within the rock walls, but also had a vast underground river running right through it. Cortez decided to make this cavern the safe new hiding place for his newly aquired Incan relic. He even stationed a few of his soldiers in the cavern to set up a small mining operation to obtain all the gold present in the cave walls. With his treasure safe and sound, and his gold mining operation in place, the spanish warlord travelled back down to South America in search of more gold and treasure. Unfortunately, Cortez soon met his end once he reached the dangerous continent, and his armada was quickly disbanded. The soldiers Cortez had stationed in the caverns of Oak Creek Canyon soon recieved word of the warlords defeat, and decided they would keep their small gold mine to themselves. But shortly after they mutiny, the soldiers mysteriously disappeared and were never heard from again.
Fast-forwarding to the early 1880's, we find that the gold rush is now in full swing - and it's infectious spirit has now reached the quiet hills of Oak Creek. A small mining company known as the Quicksilver Mining Co. ran the Sinaqua out of the canyon and quickly established a small mining camp in the canyon. The mines soon saw a prosperous return on their mining efforts, and the small mining operation soon grew into the creation of a small mining town. But shortly after word spread about the mine, trouble began for the Quicksilver Mining Co.
A group of bandits known as the Diablo Gang began to make small strikes on the mining operations, stealing several thousand dollars in gold. The mining forman did everything he could to try and twart all attacks the Diablo Gang mounted against the company. But, despite his best efforts, the company was soon forced to close the mining operation and cut their losses. The Diablo Gang ceased bothering anhy of the surrounding mines for unknown reasons. It is rumored that they were only interested in finding the lost treasure of Cortez, and the Gold was only a small bonus for the gang. After several months, it was assumed that the Gang lost interest and simply looted whatever Gold they could from the caverns.
Now that the Gold rush had passed, a small tourist company placed a generous offer on the old Quicksilver Gold mines. They intended to have regular tours running through the mines so that people could get a glimpse at the lifestyle the miners had while the mining operation was still active. The tourist company is denying rumors that there is a lone bounty hunter running loose through the mines. Known popularly as Ghost Rider, this bounty hunter is rumored to be searching for the Diablo Gang with intent of capturing the leader of the gang and bringing him to trial. More to come...