Papago Indians attack El Plomo

In the Plomo Papers compiled by Darrow Dolan, there are court records and other documented material that discuss the Papago Indian's attack on El Plomo in 1898. At this time the Papago have began cattle raising, and there was no government control over the border between Arizona and Mexico. Chona, a Papago Indian who worked in Plomo gave oral testimony that the employers of Papago Indians said they were going to fight them if they left Plomo. Chona goes on to say they stayed, and the Mexicans still said it was time to fight. Another Papago Indian named Francisco Johnson gave oral testimony about Papago Indians stealing horses, and because there were no white men in southern Arizona or Mexico, there was nobody to fear. Johnson's testimony highlights the relationship between the Mexicans and Papago Indians, and that most people were unsure of who owned what during this time period.  The report by the State Department says 40 Papago Indians attacked El Plomo, to steal cattle. Cattle was becoming popular in the southwest, and stealing cattle from Mexicans was an easy way for the Papago to make money.