If you get it hurt you better have your own team. None of this rules out that he simply found a cache of abandoned gold, of course, and when he died, he did have in his possessions some high-grade gold ore, though its value is unclear and it may have just been for attracting potential investors in his prospecting operations. Thomas admitted she drew the map herself but claimed she based it on descriptions given by the Dutchman, according to Skeptoid. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Silver prices plummeted around the turn of the century, causing most silver mines, including The Silver Chief, to shut down and be abandoned. Bellhop Jesse Capen, 35, was obsessed with the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. Not only that, but some legends claim there were a number of shrines in the mountains filled with gold meant to be an offering to the Thunder God. This account is usually dated to about 1870. The Superstition Mountain Mining Company (SMMC) No, we're not really a mining company. The closest approximate was a German miner of the PennsylvaniaGerman community. Thorne claimed that he was taken captive by Navajos in 1854, and that during his captivity he had discovered a rich gold vein. Skeptoid Media, 29 Jan 2013. We have imaging taken, with Go-pros, Sony 7000s; Osmo stabilized film cameras and Dji Phantom and Bee-bop drones. Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. In the year 1870, with his consent, they blindfolded him and took him on a 20-mile trip to an unknown location piled with gold ore. The Jesuits, who had been collecting the gold for many years from various sources, were said to be fleeing as they had been expelled from the Spanish empire, who owned most of the land that would eventually become the southwestern United States at the time, according to the Great American History Blog. They didnt find it because its not in the superstitions Too bad i cant post pictures, because i know exactly where it is, Did you ever think the Dutchman might have used another mine location to through ZERO ZIP NADA!! When they immigrated to Pennsylvania from Deutschland (Germany), the locals mistook Deutsch for Dutch. A doctor from Illinois, Doctor Abraham Thorne, provided his service to treat the indigenous people of the Southwest. In speaking with one local historian and trusted source, he connects quite a few players to the site, not the least of which is Herman Petrasch. Finally, there really was a successful gold mining family named Peralta, but they were in California, not Arizona, according to Gold Rush Nuggets. For instance, about six of the maps are relevant, others may be relevant, but for now do not appear to be. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. The mine is named after German immigrant Jakob Waltz (c. 18101891), who purportedly discovered it in the 19th century and kept its location a secret. Jacob Waltz took possession of his mine in 1869, six years before the Silver Chief was filed as an original location. That's just the name we use for the group of mining exhibits that you'll experience when you visit the museum. There is a Superstition Mountain Museum at 4087 N. Apache Trail, Highway 88 in Apache Junction. Jesse Feldman, son of Ron Feldman, indicated his belief that the mine was in the Rogers Trough area in his bookJacobs Trail. Famed Apache Geronimo is sometimes mentioned in relation to this story. "The St. Johns herald. There's some evidence to suggest he engaged in a shady practice called highgrading basically claiming ore is more valuable than it really is. As early as September 1, 1892, The Arizona Enterprise was reporting on the efforts of Thomas and several others to locate the lost mine whose location was told to her by Waltz. Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. The man said Dr. Thorne could take as much as he could carry, at which point he was blindfolded again and led out. "[24], Authorities in Arizona did not convene a criminal inquest regarding Ruth's death. Additionally, there is a partial tunnel, or drift, in the canyon below that moves in the direction of the main shaft and was crudely walled up. Through the years, truth and fiction about . [21], Were it not for the death of amateur explorer and treasure hunter Adolph Ruth, the story of the Lost Dutchman's mine would probably have been little more than a footnote in Arizona history as one of hundreds of "lost mines" rumored to be in the American West. Silver King Mine The Pit Mine is located close to the Randolph Mining District, which is historically well known and produced vast amounts of silver. However, things started going wrong immediately as men began to disappear, later being found decapitated. Finally - The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Is Found! These steep, jagged volcanic mountains were formed over 29 million years ago and they cover an area of 160,000 acres. What there is documentation to support is that the Dutchman may have been a con man. The Superstition Mountain Historical Society was formed on December 27, 1979. Searching for The Gold of the Lost Dutchman Mine in Superstition Mountain This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Even if the stories of soldiers looking specifically for the Lost Dutchman mine are true, there's no evidence they actually found anything at all and didn't just move on empty-handed, no mysterious deaths required. Pingback: Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! [19][20] After this was unsuccessful, Thomas and her partners were reported to be selling maps to the mine for $7 each. Intrigue Journal. A not-insignificant number of those Dutch hunters have gotten hurt or even killed. Not much silver was recovered in the 1979 time period and there was no mention of gold having been taken. Since Jacob Waltz's death, thousands of people have searched all throughout the Superstition Mountains for the location of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, to no avail, according to USA Today. Cox was a contrarian to the accepted Waltz lore of the day and had his own theories about thePeraltasand Waltz. Keep in mind for security reasons for now I have to be selective on what we divulge. Barkely repeatedly urged Ruth to abandon his search for the mine, because the terrain of the Superstition Mountains was treacherous even for experienced outdoorsmen, let alone for the 66-year-old Ruth in the heat of the Arizona summer. Many other mysterious deaths in the Superstition Mountains followed that of Ruths in the subsequent years, including two soldiers from the U.S. Army. Director: Earl Bellamy | Stars: Dale Robertson, John Litel, Myron Healey, John Dennis. The earliest documentation of him in the U.S. is an 1848 affidavit in which Waltz declared himself to be "about 38 years old". The story sometimes claims there were arrows all around, and so thus it must have been the Apache protecting their sacred mountains. Further legends claim the conquistador and his men were bearing their own reserves of gold, looted from previous expeditions, but ended up leaving it behind when they escaped whatever was killing them. The praying hands formation at the Superstition Mountains range. When I started this series on the Lost Dutchman Mine, I opened with the claim that the mine had been located, which I believe to be true. The mine is there to be seen, appraised, and judged in any way you see fit, but the story of how it got there is the real treasure. However, even armed with the clues and map, no one in the area could find the Dutchman's mine, thus giving it the name of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine. Let's start with the basics. This is trails end; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters. Closer than ever to the $200 million payday, Wayne and the team head into the heart of darkness where a cryptic find weaves an even bigger mystery, in Season. Traditionally, the mountains were deemed to be part of the Slieve Felim Mountains. Yet, legend insists that it does. Lastly, the alleged mine directions Ruth had were from an 1895 newspaper account. The Jesuit Treasure of the Superstition Mountains. Students 11-17 $4.00 There are secrets yet in those mountains, blood and gold in the most literal sense. Great discoveries have been made in the name of hunting for hidden wealth, but much blood has been shed in those same pursuits, too. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. Later on came a long list of early and newly appointed Dons of Spain who also made forays into the Prima Alta looking for riches. But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. That's not even counting those hunting the treasure in the ensuing years. This seems to have been made up solely for the various legends, according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. Later I will give more details and then begin providing information on how things fit together. In researching this, I have had the fortune of speaking with some of the most knowledgeable historians and experts on the subject, which has only deepened my love for the Superstitions. From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. The men must deal with a lack of water and the fact that the map leads him into lands held sacred by the Apaches. Blair suggested that "fragments of this legend have perhaps become attached to the mythical mine of Jacob Waltz".[6]. Superstition Mountain, Arizona, by Kathy Alexander. What really matters, though, is that Waltz the namesake Dutchman, or "Deutsch" (German) man wouldn't reveal the mine's location. It is here were you will reach areas that are barely penetrable, this is where most trails stop abruptly for safety reasons. During Kinos time other Missionaries in California and Mexico were jealous and suspicious of Kino because, while they were poor and struggled his missions were rich and flourished, they said he had a secret gold mine from which he took rich gold and funded his missions and rancheros amassing 50 thousand head of cattle making him the Southwests first mega rancher. Hiking and camping are popular activities. It next surfaced in history in 1957 when it was claimed by a man named Quentin Ted Cox. Arcana Exploration. It's impossible to know for certain, but there is one big clue. The clues themselves do not prove that it is the Dutchman. And is that information relevant? While this doesn't mean it's impossible there's gold to mine up there, it makes it far less likely. Now riddled with tunnels, the mountain is a death trap for the . The Superstition Mountains to the east of Phoenix, AZ reportedly hold a legendary motherlode of gold known as the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. Admission Previously, comparative tests which could prove that the matchbox and the Pit Mine samples were related were destructive in nature. Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! He further stated, after examining the two holes [in the skull], that it appeared that a shotgun or high-powered rifle had been fired through the head at almost point-blank range, making the small hole when the bullet entered and the large hole when it exited".[23]. I will make a statement in the near future that will surprise a lot of Dutch Hunters it surprised me. Legend of the Superstition Mountains - History Ruth did not return as scheduled, and no trace of him could be found after a brief search. In 1977, 292 acres (118ha) abutting the Tonto National Forest were set aside as the Lost Dutchman State Park. The Lost Dutchman Mine, and the Superstition Mountain This is very important! Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains - Just another WordPress site Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. It is a prominent landmark located generally south and east of the Salt River, rising approximately 3,000 feet (910 m) above the Salt River Valley. This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. In 1875, James Rogers made a claim there and dubbed it The Silver Chief. The breathable air on some surfaces actually gets even hotter; this is the biggest killer in the Superstition Mountains and dont forget the rattle snakes, scorpions, tarantula spiders, Gila monsters plus huge mountain lions and dozens of other things that will take your life. In 1875, James Rogers made a claim there and dubbed it The Silver Chief. Elevation: 6,001 Feet (1,829 Meters) Primary Mineral: Copper Lat, Long: 46.3369, -113.26190 Map: View on Google Maps The trails in the Superstition Mountains range from short, easy strolls in the desert to strenuous climbs of some of the most dramatic volcanic peaks and everything in between. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains - YouTube On the east side of Phoenix in Arizona lies the spectacular range of the Superstition Mountains that straddle the Tonto National Forest and the Superstition Wilderness area. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. In fact, after five years including thousands of hours of research and then four expeditions starting in 2015, The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has been found by Arcana Exploration and Discovery. As a counter to Ed Piper, we have Celeste Jones, who was kind of a cult leader from California who . Thus, it seems these Jesuit priests might have stashed their treasure somewhere in the mountains as they passed through, thus ensuring the Spanish empire couldn't get their hands on the Jesuit fortune. Image property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona. By Catharina Moh. So who killed the Spanish treasure hunters that came to the land? Erwin passed the information to his father Adolph, who had a long-standing interest in lost mines and amateur exploration. Ask any prospector and they will tellyou,gold is where you find it. The Apaches were either enraged over the violation of their sacred mountains or wanted to steal the gold from them. In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. We will share as much as we can for now, but as I stated earlier we are preparing for a return trip, and the location has to remain secret. Except perhaps not. We miss it. He had metal pins in his leg, and used a cane to help him walk. A note in a bottle found floating down the Salt River said that he needed help on account of his leg and that he had found the Lost Dutchmans gold mine. The highest peak of the range is Keeper Hill or Slievekimalta at 694 metres (2,277 ft) high. If these conditions do not exist, gold will not exist. Dec 18, 2016 #6 JFDIAFF: The conquistador and his men arrived and made their way deep into the mountains, despite the warnings of danger from the local Apache. 1: Recorded description of the museum. [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. According to some storytellers, in September 1848, a band of Apaches slaughtered the entire Peralta Family, except one (someone had to live to tell the tale). After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. Thorne is said to be either unwilling or unable to relocate the mine. In his 1945 book about the Lost Dutchman's mine. After he had spent many years in their midst, the Apache Elders decided to reward his selfless service with gold. He'll tell you the ore assayed out to something like 10,000 ounces of gold to the ton. Story Of A Little Known Mine In The Superstition Mountains In Arizona . Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. Some of you reading this may know a lot, about the Lost Dutchman Goldmine, others may be new to the story of the Lost Dutchman Mine, so before going much further, I will do a very quick overview. It is a ranger-guided hike focusing on the aesthetic . For the first time ever, Arcana Exploration has undeniable physical proof that the mine exists, proof that is to say, photographic physical documentation that many of the generally excepted clues, are in fact real and do exist and are physically present in one location. Votes: 53 Many people have died trying to find it over the years, and, even with all the modern technology at our disposal today, the exact location of the mine in the vast wilderness still remains an enigma. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. Jacob's Trail : The legend of jacob waltz's lost dutchman gold Mine On our may trip in 2016 one day it reached 108 degrees, that same day up on the mountain, climbing on a surface of Granite and sandstone ours guys Trek watches read what they were breathing at an actual 119 degrees. The Superstition Mountain Historical Society Inc is a non-profit corporation organized to collect and preserve the history, legends, and lore of Arizonas Superstition Mountain, to support research, education, and publications involving the region, and to maintain a historical museum devoted to these endeavors. TheSuperstition Mountains, furthermore, are the abode of the Thunder God, and he causes the frequent regional thunderstorms. So let me say it again, the documentation found ON the stones is the most important thing not so much who carved them. Still, this doesn't dissuade treasure hunters. While a few versions have Waltz outright stealing the gold, in other versions, he either rescued or fell in love with an Apache woman who shared the secret of a gold vein her people had been mining for centuries, but as punishment for sharing the knowledge with an outsider, her tongue was cut out, ensuring she could never speak again. Blair cited evidence of the historical Jacob Waltz and suggested that additional evidence supports the core elements of the story that Waltz claimed to have discovered (or at least heard the story of) a rich gold vein or cache. If you need rescued, they will land two miles away and hike in to get you. An alternate view which better fits the lost mine legend is that he periodically appeared with large amounts of gold, The Sterling Legend by Estee Conatser reports that a Jacob Walzer sold $250,000 in gold to the U.S. Mint during the 1880s and had $1500 when he died in 1891. The Lost Dutchmans Mine is featured in Season 1, Episode 21 of the television series Unsolved Mysteries. The episode first aired on April 12, 1989. Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. He had worked as a miner but was an amateur prospector at best. First you drive to the outskirts of Phoenix and find Apache Junction, then pick up the old Apache Trail (route88) and go about 35 miles to Tortilla Flat, site of the old stage coach Pony express stop, along the Apache Trail. Sep 2, 2019 5 6 . However, despite bankrupting herself and spending a very long time in the mountains, she and her search party never found any evidence of a hidden gold cache, per Arizona Report. Depending on the season, you'll see not only gorgeous desert vegetation but also wildlife. Due to the out-of-control fire, the Arizona authorities were forced to close the State Route 88, and, along with it, public access to the Canyon, Apache Lake, Apache Campground, picnic sites, and trailheads. The beginning and end of the tale will be told with ore. Gold ore has its own fingerprint, discernible from other gold ore. Some have died on the search. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). The Legend Of The Lost Dutchman And His Gold Mine Explained 9 May 2022. And importantly I have hard facts that the Stones are linked to other historical information. Surprisingly, he was a real man. In fact, the location fits well for both the Doc Thorn and the Two Soldiers stories. In any case, the event led to the naming of the Massacre Falls after it. Around 1860 a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz moved into the Wickenburg Arizona area about 80 miles from Phoenix. The Supers are east northeast of Phoenix. Beyond Oak Island: Season 1 Episode 4; The Lost Dutchman Curse The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine (also known by similar names) is, according to legend, a rich gold mine hidden in the southwestern United States. Waltz found it in the mountains and came to grab gold out of it as needed. [volume], October 11, 1933, Page NINE, Image 9, "Arizona desert searched for missing Denver man seeking gold mine", "Mother of missing treasure hunter holds onto hope", "Body of man who hunted legendary 'Lost Dutchman's' gold mine believed found in Arizona mountains", "3 Utah men still missing on Arizona treasure hunt", "3 Search for men looking for Lost Dutchman's gold suspended", "More remains found in Superstitions; may be hiker's", "Escape - When The Man Comes, Follow Him", "The Lost Dutchman's Mine History and Bibliography", Arizona Mining Scams and Unassayable Ore Projects of the Late 20th Century, "Skeptoid #347: The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lost_Dutchman%27s_Gold_Mine&oldid=1148479290, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from April 2023, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from July 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. [26], Blair wrote that "the national wire services picked up the story [of Ruth's death] and ran it for more than it was worth", possibly seeing the mysterious story as a welcome reprieve from the bleak news that was otherwise typical of the Great Depression. He never came home. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This problematic paradox, I believe, is the product of years of misdirection to steer seekers to the west side of the mountains.
Linda Henry Obituary Bishopville Sc,
Determination Of Acceleration Due To Gravity By Compound Pendulum,
Columbia, Sc Cold Cases,
Como Quitar La Ansiedad De Comer Arroz Crudo,
Religious Exemption Vaccination Letter Oklahoma,
Articles S
