Petra Parra – Grant County Elopement and Witness
After her abduction from the Mimbres by Pilar Perez, who killed her brother and later Deputy Sheriff Hall, Petra Parra was returned to her parents and lived in Georgetown [4]. While there she married an American named Wilson [4]. When Perez was captured, she was brought to Silver City and detained in jail as a witness against him, and soon afterward Wilson left the country [4]. After Perez’s trial and conviction she was released [4]. In 1888, she eloped with married man Francisco Lara; her father Dionicio Parra found them camped on the Mimbres and fired several shots at Lara, who escaped by swimming the river, while Parra was captured and brought home to Silver City [1][2]. Lara was later tried and convicted but freed on bond [3]. On March 22, 1889, Lara left his family again and with Parra started on foot for Whitewater Station, where it is supposed they took the train to El Paso or Mexico [3][5].
Sources
- There was a sensation in Mexican society… (1888)There was a sensation in Mexican society Wednesday caused by the simultaneous dis- appearance of Francisco Lara, aged 25 years and married, and Petra, aged 15, daughter of Dionicio Parra. The girl had a quarrel a…
- The Mexican elopement mentioned last… (1888)The Mexican elopement mentioned last week came near resulting in a tragedy. Dio- nicio Parra, the father of Petra, who ran away with Francisco Lara, a married man, found the guilty couple camped on the Mimbres, …
- Eloped Again (1889)Eloped Again The readers of the Enterprise will recall the item that appeared in this paper some months since, in regard to the elopement of Francisco Lara and Petra Parra, both Mexicans, and subsequent capture…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1889-03-08 (1889)being John Brockman. Last Monday night Lara left his family for the second time, and with the girl Parra started for Whitewater station on foot, where it is supposed the couple took the outging train for …
- Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1889-03-08 (1889)g him slightly with its feet. Mr. Pennewell then beat a hasty retreat, and was not further molested. During the same afternoon the animal made an attack on two Mexicans, but without doing them any serious …