John Daniel Evans, 'El Baqueano' (1862-1943)

Description

John Daniel Evans was born in Mountain Ash and was 3 years of age when he sailed with his family to Patagonia aboard the 'Mimosa' in 1865. He was raised on the family farms in the Glyn Du area, near Trerawson. He became well-known as the leader of a number of expeditions in search of new land in Patagonia, earning him the nickname 'El Baqueano' - a leader and one familiar with the pampas.

In March 1884, as he returned home after leading an exploratory trip in search of gold and other minerals, he had a miraculous escape when he and another three Welshmen were attacked by a group of indigenous people. The three others were killed, but John Daniel Evans managed to escape after his horse 'Malacara' jumped to safety down a steep incline. The remains of the three Welshmen were buried near the place where they were killed, now known as 'Dyffryn y Merthyron' (The Valley of the Martyrs). Years later, a monument was erected on the grave.

During the 1880s and 1890s, John Daniel Evans led a number of important expeditions in search of new lands where the Welsh could settle, as well as for valuable minerals and metals. In 1891 he decided to settle in the Cwm Hyfryd (or Bro Hydref) area at the foot of the Andes. He opened the first mill in the area, giving the new village the name 'Trevelin' [Mill-Town]. He returned to Wales in 1923, his first visit since leaving the country in 1865, and he also visited London and France. A few years later, he travelled to Italy, Palestine and Egypt. He died at his home in Trevelin in 1943.

This photograph of John Daniel Evans was taken in 1900.