Peter Kavanaugh: Mountain Key night boss arrested for ore theft

LEAD: Peter Kavanaugh, formerly night boss at the Mountain Key mine near Pinos Altos, New Mexico, was arrested in 1890 for stealing high-grade ore and selling it to the Silver City National Bank ^[1].

On May 29, Kavanaugh sold gold still mixed with quartz to the Silver City National Bank ^[1]. Hobart recognized the ore in the bank, traced the seller to Kavanaugh, and notified superintendent Boyle ^[1]. After investigation, Kavanaugh was discharged from the mine but remained in Pinos Altos until his arrest the following Monday ^[1]. At a preliminary hearing before Judge Givens on Tuesday, he was bound over in the sum of $300 to appear before the grand jury ^[1]. Later developments suggested considerable pilfering of rich ore had been occurring; three other suspected men fled to Colorado the day after Kavanaugh’s discharge ^[1].