Children 10 and under When the townspeople went to look for them, they found nearly all of the family slaughtered. gold is where you find it. These include Barry Storms book Thunder Gods Gold, published in 1945, detailing his own efforts to find the gold, and the Glen Ford and Ida Lupino movie, Lust for Gold, from 1949. The Superstition Mountains to the east of Phoenix, AZ reportedly hold a legendary motherlode of gold known as the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. Also, there's no documentation showing he ever filed a claim for a mine in the Superstitions or any paperwork showing where he allegedly sold mass amounts of gold. Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. "Dutchman's Gold" was the season 4, episode 19 of, This page was last edited on 6 April 2023, at 12:08. TheSuperstition Mountains, furthermore, are the abode of the Thunder God, and he causes the frequent regional thunderstorms. Then later the Mexicans including the powerful Peralta family made forays to the area from Sonora and are believed to have had 18 gold mines in the Supers. They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. I have been lucky enough to uncover a few, which you will forgive me if I keep, at least for now. [3] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine. There are several paths that go through the brush and cacti. The Pit Mine IS the Silver Chief Mine. But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. 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. Waltz died in 1891 of pneumonia, but before he passed, he gave a few final clues to the location of his mine and even provided a crude map to it. [12] The three soldiers set out to find the gold, but without success. Kinos Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson unlike other missions in California was both massive and opulent, and still stands today. No one knows for sure, but his disappearance and death, while better-documented than other legends revolving around the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, may have simply furthered the legend and put even more treasure seekers in danger. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. Legend of the Superstition Mountains - History Supposedly, the Peraltas actually found a very rich gold vein and set up a mining operation. No, were not really a mining company. Silver King Mine Superstition Mountains. There, his blindfold was removed and he saw a cave full of gold. So where did all these rumors of lost gold in the Superstition Mountains originate? How To Enjoy The Beauty Of Arizona's Superstition Mountains Famed Apache Geronimo is sometimes mentioned in relation to this story. Supposedly a mine with fabulously rich gold deposits. And now we get to the real problem with these legends there's basically zero evidence any of them ever happened. A not-insignificant number of those Dutch hunters have gotten hurt or even killed. He was able to find the richest ore in history right smack dab in the middle of the Superstition Mountains. (Latin Heart Reader / Wikimedia Commons). Silvermines, historically known as Bellagowan (Irish: Bal tha Gabhann), is a village in County Tipperary in Ireland.It lies immediately north of the Silvermine mountain range and takes its name from the extensive mines of lead, zinc, copper, baryte and silver nearby. He really did emigrate from Germany, though this seems to have occurred decades before the legends claim, because there are verified documents showing he filed to become an American citizen in 1848, long before he supposedly arrived in 1860, according to the Superstition Mountain Museum. Image property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona. 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. Today along route 88 is a pull off gravel road, that leads out behind the Lost Dutchman Museum, you follow it to a designated area, here you will find marked trail signs with trails simply marked as the Massacre Grounds.. Arcana Exploration is made up of a group of five friends and supporters, from central Ohio, who until five years ago knew very little if anything about the LDM. However, Blair argued that there is a strong likelihood that there never was a second man named Weiser, but rather that a single person named Waltz was, over the years, turned into two men as the legend of the Dutchman's mine evolved. In 1931, the two sought the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, but Adolph Ruth, against his son's wishes, went looking alone, according to Skeptoid. The beginning and end of the tale will be told with ore. Gold ore has its own fingerprint, discernible from other gold ore. Intrigue Journal. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. The Superstition Mountain Mining Company (SMMC) No, we're not really a mining company. Do some math. 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. Dec 4, 2008 4,168 3,192. 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. 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. Mike . [8] The mine was quite profitable, earning about $35,000 in less than one year; Blair described this as "an unusually good return" for such a small gold mine to earn in such a relatively brief period. Superstition Mountains - Ghost, lost mines, murder and mayhem. But Blair suggested that this core story was distorted in subsequent retellings, comparing the many variants of the Lost Dutchman's story to the game of Chinese whispers, where the original account is distorted in multiple retellings of the tale.[15]. What there is documentation to support is that the Dutchman may have been a con man. Waltz is attacked and wounded by marauding Apaches, but survives at least long enough to tell a man called Dr. Walker about the mine. 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]. Mystery of 'deathtrap' lost gold mine where people seek fortune - but While this doesn't mean it's impossible there's gold to mine up there, it makes it far less likely. He died on October 25, 1891, after having been nursed by an acquaintance named Julia Thomas (she was usually described as a quadroon). While walking thru the shaft holding a digging iron one day, I was tapping the floor to make sure it was solid. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Surprisingly, he was a real man. 3: Gift Shop and Event Manager Dave McElligott The weather in the Superstition Mountains is notoriously unpredictable, with storms seeming to come out of nowhere and accompanied by abrupt drops in temperatures. And the answer is absolutely yes! Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). Thorne is said to be either unwilling or unable to relocate the mine. Let's start with the basics. This is considered to be the starting and gathering point for most Dutch Hunters. Recently, however, non-destructive tests have become possible and the two samples have been compared. [29][clarification needed]. Pingback: Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! After one hundred and twenty- five plus years incredibly, the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has been found, proving that the legend is more than mere myth and as predicted by Jacob Waltz himself No miner will ever find my mine. They are anchored by Superstition Mountain, a large mountain that is a popular recreation destination for residents of the Phoenix, Arizona, area. This is trails end; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters. [25] Blair noted that the conclusion of the Arizona authorities was rejected by many, including Ruth's family, and "those who held onto the more romantic murdered-for-the-map story". Choice of of building material I like Ironwood +, There is a typo that should be alpha mine not alfa mine. In 1875, James Rogers made a claim there and dubbed it The Silver Chief. Like most legends, when you strip it down as close to the truth as possible, it is never as glorious as imagined. This is what brought him to the Superstition Mountains (yes, that's their real name) near what is today the city of Phoenix, Arizona. [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. (In truth, Apaches make up just one of the tribes found in the area, but these were typically all lumped in as "Apache" by white settlers who didn't appreciate the differences in Native American tribes.). The man said Dr. Thorne could take as much as he could carry, at which point he was blindfolded again and led out. 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. [16] A man called Jacob Walz was born in September 1810 in Wrttemberg. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. These are tall, volcanic formations in the wilderness and are popular as hiking destinations. Full Moon Hike at Lost Dutchman. 1: Recorded description of the museum. Sign up for exclusive updates, previews and special content: So, where is it then? The one, tangible piece of evidence still in existence are the samples remaining from the ore taken by Dick Holmes, namely the matchbox. Those of us local to the area and who have researched the subject know that. 4: Volunteer Coordinator These steep, jagged volcanic mountains were formed over 29 million years ago and they cover an area of 160,000 acres. To recoup the costs of the search, Julia Thomas actually began to make handmade copies of Waltz's map and sell it to others. The legend goes that an immigrant named Jacob Waltz found the mine and then took his secret to the grave. We miss it. Admission 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. Depending on the season, you'll see not only gorgeous desert vegetation but also wildlife. "The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine." For instance, about six of the maps are relevant, others may be relevant, but for now do not appear to be. Many people have dismissed them as a hoax. One of the most professional and serious-minded efforts was led by Oklahoma City private detective Glen Magill, who organized multiple expeditions in the late 1960s and early '70s, and claimed on at least two occasions to have identified the location of the mine, later to concede he was either mistaken or the locations were "played out," or bereft of gold. Lost Dutchman State Park | Arizona Towards the very south of the Silvermine Mountains is the highest peak in the mountains, Keeper Hill or in Irish Sliabh . Story Of A Little Known Mine In The Superstition Mountains In Arizona Keep in mind for security reasons for now I have to be selective on what we divulge. Mine records show that one possibly two Peralta family members with possible links connecting them to the 1848 massacre, also worked at the Vulture mine during the same time period as Waltz. Web. 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. It's not even out of the question the expedition was a misdirect to make it seem like she and her cohorts were looking for something to bolster the legend. Silver Member. Nobody has been able to interpret them correctly. When is the documentary goimg to start back up? 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. In the version in which the Apaches killed the Peralta Family, the surviving member then went on to get embroiled in a brawl fight years later. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. 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. ZERO ZIP NADA!! But there's no evidence he was any sort of engineering or mining genius like some legends claim. In fact, Julia Thomas was the very first so-called "dutch hunter," combing through the mountains and seeking the lost gold. Only one (sometimes two) could not be accounted for. In some versions, he's not just a man but the chieftain of the Apache tribe. Tantalizingly, Ruth's checkbook was also recovered, and proved to contain a note written by Ruth wherein he claimed to have discovered the mine and gave detailed directions. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. Intrigue Journal. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. Fact Analysis: Adults $7.00 The Apaches were either enraged over the violation of their sacred mountains or wanted to steal the gold from them. That, in and of itself, is a separate legend. Behind The Scenes menu tab will take you to additional "Behind the Scenes" materials . The Superstitions Mountains lie within the Tonto National wildlife refuge and consist of 242 square miles not counting other designated and preserved areas that boarder the Tonto National Forest and wildlife refuge. Going on a year now. Take, for example, the story of Adolph Ruth, an experienced treasure hunter who typically worked with his son, Erwin. 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. [11] According to Blair, the origin of this story can be traced to a doctor named Thorne who was in private practice in New Mexico in the 1860s. Please note that admission prices for Special Events are subject to change. They planned to return, but once they left, they were never seen again. The Superstition Mountains, with a name like that you might as well give away fancy proton-backs, of the Ghostbuster variety, at the visitor's center, is a series of jagger tooth mountains in Arizona just the east of Phoenix. Supposedly, the Superstition Mountains have long been a sacred site for the nearby Apache tribe of Native Americans. He had acquired maps that he was sure would lead him straight to the gold. A map is available in the gift shop and signage along the path explains the stages. VISIT In 1847-1848 during the time of the Hidalgo Treaty when Mexico sold the territory to the United Sates the Peraltas, knowing they would lose access to their mines made one last trip bringing hundreds of miners from Sonora to mine as much as they could, but were attacked by Apaches. The mountain is also frequented with mysterious sounds that many people have claimed to have heard. Nov 19, 2003 #8. Rogers was partnered with Aaron Mason, foreman of the Silver King mine. Dec 18, 2016 #6 JFDIAFF: [5] One Lost Dutchman's mine is said to be in Colorado, another in California; two are said to be located in Arizona. Of course, one obvious argument against this being the Dutchman is the fact that The Silver Chief was a silver mine, not a gold mine. He really did die in 1891 of pneumonia. It is my understanding that the results, while not conclusive, state that there is about a seventy-five percent chance that they came from the same source. The rest of his remains were found a month later about a mile away. They were supposedly dug up in the desert, in area east of Gold canyon and Tucson in the late 1940s byTravis E Tomlinson. 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. According to legends, a man named Jacob Waltz, the titular Dutchman (though he was actually German and not Dutch), came to America to seek out his fortune around the 1860s, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. Legend tells of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of brutal Arizona desert known as the "Superstition Mountains." The promise of a $200 million mother. Some searchers for the mine have disappeared in likely wilderness accidents. "The St. Johns herald. "[24], Authorities in Arizona did not convene a criminal inquest regarding Ruth's death. Animals like deer coyotes, pumas and bobcats live here, existing alongside birds, rodents, snakes, and other reptiles. The Peralta Stones are a set of engraved stone tableted works that are approximately 18 inches long and weigh about 25 lbs. Still, there is by no means a consensus among Dutch Hunters and many dismiss it entirely, regardless of scientific evidence. The Superstition Mountains and the Legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. Cox was a contrarian to the accepted Waltz lore of the day and had his own theories about thePeraltasand Waltz. While popular with campers, hikers, and adventure seekers, these mountains are also known for their exceedingly hot summers, freezing winters, harsh winds, unpredictable storms, treacherous terrain, and mysterious happenings. The conquistador and his men arrived and made their way deep into the mountains, despite the warnings of danger from the local Apache. [9] As of 1975, ruins of the Peralta mine were standing.[9]. (Doug Dolde / Wikimedia Commons). I will make a statement in the near future that will surprise a lot of Dutch Hunters it surprised me. They are bound on three sides by U.S. Route 60, Arizona State Route 88, and Arizona State Route 188, and are visible from miles away. Great discoveries have been made in the name of hunting for hidden wealth, but much blood has been shed in those same pursuits, too. Some have died on the search. The Pima Indians famously feared the mountain that they knew as Ain-we-gophon (Superstition Mountain). It next surfaced in history in 1957 when it was claimed by a man named Quentin Ted Cox. OH, I almost forgot there is no cell phone service absolutely none. From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. 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. Finally, there really was a successful gold mining family named Peralta, but they were in California, not Arizona, according to Gold Rush Nuggets. 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). The newcomers, thus, became the Pennsylvania Dutch. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Come on. However, they eventually disappeared after a trip into the Superstitions. This account is usually dated to about 1870. It is here were you will reach areas that are barely penetrable, this is where most trails stop abruptly for safety reasons. People have been seeking the Lost Dutchman's mine since at least 1892,[2] while according to one estimate, 9,000 people annually made some effort to locate the Lost Dutchman's mine. He spent much of his spare time reading about it and searching for it. Two prospectors saved his life and, in gratitude, he gave them directions to the gold mine, thus setting off a wild goose chase that continues to the present day. Frank Jacobs. In most variants of the story, the family of a man called Miguel Peralta discovered the mine and began mining the gold there, only to be attacked or massacred by Apaches in about 1850 in the supposed Peralta massacre. Follow the Process. Sometimes, this discarded cache of gold is said to be the origin of Jacob Waltz's treasure. On 8 June 2019, a fire broke out in the Superstitions Wilderness area and soon spread across 26,000 acres. Just what does the LDM cave/mine entrance look like? Silvermines - Wikipedia The story of the Peralta Stones is that they lead you to a small almost invisible ledge, like a small birds nest perched in the middle of a forest of giant oaks concealed by the natural elements, it obscures itself from all beasts of prey especially man. He had worked as a miner but was an amateur prospector at best. Hardie agrees to join a father searching for his son who is seeking a lost gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains. It is about three and a half miles of rough trail, though, if youre observant, you will eventually come across some of the more infamous Dutchman clues. While this theory did not ignore the two holes in the skull, it did fail to explain how Ruth had managed to remove and bury the empty shell, then reload his gun, after shooting himself through the head". If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at[emailprotected]. Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. "Dutchman's Gold" was a chart hit in 1960 for, "When the Man Comes, Follow Him" episode of the, "The Peralta Map" episode of the CBS Radio series, The Lost Dutchman Mine ride was a popular attraction at, The Lost Dutchman's Mine features prominently in the, The Lost Dutchmans Mine is the subject of Season 6, Episode 10 of podcast Unexplained. [4], Robert Blair wrote "[t]here have been at least four legendary Lost Dutchman's gold mines in the American West, including the famed Superstition mine of Jacob Waltz". It is known as the Pit Mine because of the funnel like shape it was dug in, which was common in Spanish and Mexican mining. A man named Harry LaFrance was said to have been hiking in the Superstitions, and when he took refuge in a cave from a sudden storm, he found a very large pile of gold bars.
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