James C. Cooney was a sergeant of the U.S. Army in the 8th U.S. Cavalry when he found large silver and gold reserves in the Mogollon Mountains of Catron County , New Mexico . He was transferred to Fort Bayard , near Silver City , New Mexico in 1870 . While scouting for the 8th U.S. Cavalry north of Mogollon and east of Alma , he discovered silver ore in the Mogollon Mountains . He began working the claim after leaving the Army in 1876 . During a raid on settlers ' homes in the Alma Massacre in 1880 , Cooney was killed by local Chiricahua Apache led by Victorio .
Alma Massacre
Alma Massacre
James C. Cooney