In February, 1848, the war with Mexico ended. Terms of that treaty ceded most of the southwest of the North American continent to the United States. Shortly after, rumors of gold in California began to filter back to the United States. Many of the men who fought in the Mexican War began to drift south with dreams of fabulous wealth. Many of them came along the Gila River Trail from Texas Most came to work hard. Others decided to capitalize on the hard work of others. Still others brought west with them quarrels from the east that could only end in violence and death.