Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. A few folks who had claims prior to 1983 were allowed to continue to work them for a time, but I don't believe any of those claims are still being worked today. As a reward, Dr. Thorne was blindfolded and led to a cave in the mountains. There, his blindfold was removed and he saw a cave full of gold. Cox was a contrarian to the accepted Waltz lore of the day and had his own theories about thePeraltasand Waltz. The early Spanish the Peraltas the Jesuits and many others all came to the Superstition Mountains looking for legendary gold. Paperback $39.95 9 Used from $24.95 The Saga of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine legend. New posts Top Treasure Finds Search forums Members Current visitors New profile posts Search profile posts. Also, as previously mentioned, no Native American tribes in the region seem to have any history of treating the mountains as anything other than regular mountains. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. In fact, the Dutchman lies on the eastern edge of the Superstitions, a few miles southwest of Iron Mountain. Later I will give more details and then begin providing information on how things fit together. The Silvermine Mountains or Silvermines Mountains ( Irish: Sliabh an Airgid) [1] are a mountain range in County Tipperary, Ireland. When you visit, follow the hard rock mining process from mine to bullion. (Part 1) When the Spanish explorers discovered and began the exploration of the Americas the King of Spain required that a priest accompany the conquistadors. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. There is a lot of speculation about Aaron Mason and his involvement, but one interesting fact is that the man became a millionaire during this time. We know today they're not actually sedimentary rock, but volcanic, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. Perhaps this is why many of the legends involve people bringing gold to the mountain and leaving it hidden there. 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. The search has been a profound one and I discovered that it wasnt the mine I was looking for, but the story. 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. This is their turf and only the highly experienced and prepared should venture forward. To begin with, there was never any real Dutchman involved with the lost gold mine. 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. [9] As of 1975, ruins of the Peralta mine were standing.[9]. 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. I personally spoke with Ron a few months back when he described his findings to me, which he is publishing in a forthcoming book. 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. Allegedly, Dr. Thorne tried to find the cave again but was unsuccessful, or found it and was killed. 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. In 1875, James Rogers made a claim there and dubbed it The Silver Chief. So who killed the Spanish treasure hunters that came to the land? [28], One fact against the existence of "Lost Dutchman Mine" is that Waltz was a "placer miner"; while the gold pieces he had were in quartz, the Superstition Mountains are in fact volcanic. It is rumoured that if the stones are put together in the right way, they are a map to the Peralta Familys gold deposits. . That is not to say that it was hidden in plain sight, defying discovery under our very noses, but rather that it was concealed by the collective expectations of generations of Dutch Hunters, veiled in legend. Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. Waltz found it in the mountains and came to grab gold out of it as needed. 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. [3] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine. John D. Wilburn in his book Dutchman's Lost Ledge of Gold (1990), wrote that the Bulldog Gold Mine near Goldfield, Arizona, fits very well the description Jacob Waltz gave as the location of his 'lost mine'. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. Nobody has been able to interpret them correctly. Everyone loves a good treasure hunting story. Intrigue Journal. 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. 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). By Catharina Moh. What really matters, though, is that Waltz the namesake Dutchman, or "Deutsch" (German) man wouldn't reveal the mine's location. There are lots of similar tales of gold-hunting soldiers, too, from all over the southwest. It is here were you will reach areas that are barely penetrable, this is where most trails stop abruptly for safety reasons. While walking out of the horizontal shaft, you will walk over a 2' x 8' walkway. According to their folklore, the mountain guards an ancient storehouse of precious metals and treasures, and anyone who ventures forth to get the treasure is likely to die. Famed Apache Geronimo is sometimes mentioned in relation to this story. 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. In June 1931, Dr. Adolph Ruth set out on a two-week voyage through the legendary Superstition Mountains in search for the lost treasure. Superstition Mountain, Arizona, by Kathy Alexander. Those of us local to the area and who have researched the subject know that. . [4] So what do we really know about these legends, Waltz, and the Superstition Mountains? 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. This also fits Waltzs description. The photographic evidence taken at the site along with a selection of maps combined with historical documentation together, links the most generally accepted and related informational evidence too present day boots on the ground reality. 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. Director: Earl Bellamy | Stars: Dale Robertson, John Litel, Myron Healey, John Dennis. To underline his great find, he had also written Veni, Vidi, Vici (I came, I saw, and I conquered) in his diary. After he had spent many years in their midst, the Apache Elders decided to reward his selfless service with gold. 5: Museum Administration and Membership matters, E-MAILVolunteering questions: [emailprotected]Site rentals: [emailprotected]Membership questions: [emailprotected]Retail and event issues: [emailprotected]Accounting issues: [emailprotected]Administrative and other issues: [emailprotected]FAX(480) 288-6524, Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day and Easter. [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. Arcadia Publishing. Traditionally, the mountains were deemed to be part of the Slieve Felim Mountains. 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. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. He really did die in 1891 of pneumonia. He turned out to be the surviving Peralta, and, to express his gratitude, he gave them directions to his familys gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. 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. In many areas they cannot, and will not for any reason land, and actually have designated no fly zones. Once again, just ask Gollum. [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. Hardie agrees to join a father searching for his son who is seeking a lost gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains. In this story (actually two interconnected stories), members of the Apache tribe are said to have a very rich gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains. [27], Throughout the 20th century, various expeditions and individuals continued to search the Superstitions for the Lost Dutchman Mine. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. Now the Last Similarities There is a Company that claims there millions of tons of copper under a Area in the Superstition's. They tested that area, it just so happens to be a Area the Mexicans mined back in the day. "Dutchman" was a common American term for a German ("Dutch" being the English cognate to the German demonym "Deutsch", and not a reference to the Dutch people). The story goes that in the mid-1700s, the Superstition Mountains were visited by a group of priests of the Jesuit Order, and they came with over 240 mules loaded down with gold, according to the Denver Post. Thorne sold the ore for $6000 and became a wealthy man. In the first, a doctor (sometimes said to be an Army doctor) called Dr. Thorne was said to have had a Native American man who needed medical assistance brought to him. Superstition Mountain is located within the greater Superstition Mountains range 43 miles east of Phoenix, Arizona, in the fringe of the state's central mountain region. C. Colt1911 Tenderfoot. Many of Ruth's personal effects were found at the scene, including a pistol (not missing any shells) and the metal pins used to mend his broken bones. The Superstition Mountain Mining Company (SMMC) No, we're not really a mining company. Keep in mind for security reasons for now I have to be selective on what we divulge. Then around 1692, the Jesuit padre father Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition Mountains. [12] Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858. Sep 2, 2019 5 6 . Votes: 53 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. Some think this mine was first excavated by Mexico's Peralta family, then commandeered by Apaches or simply abandoned. Jacob Waltz took possession of his mine in 1869, six years before the Silver Chief was filed as an original location. There are many stories about hidden gold in the Superstition Mountains, and these usually mention the Peralta Family. FREE with paid Adult Still, there is by no means a consensus among Dutch Hunters and many dismiss it entirely, regardless of scientific evidence. Two prominent landmarks here are the Weavers Needle and the Miners Needle. [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. The Peralta Massacre is a legend that Apaches supposedly ambushed a mining expedition the Peralta family sent into the mountains. The record high temperature is 128 degrees. What there is documentation to support is that the Dutchman may have been a con man. The legend goes that an immigrant named Jacob Waltz found the mine and then took his secret to the grave. 9 May 2022. He was able to find the richest ore in history right smack dab in the middle of the Superstition Mountains. I always heard about the Lost Dutchman Mine in the Superstition Mountain. Silver King Mine Superstition Mountains. Still, there is by no means a consensus among Dutch Hunters and many dismiss it entirely, regardless of scientific evidence. [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. Surprisingly, he was a real man. And importantly I have hard facts that the Stones are linked to other historical information. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. The Lost Dutchman Mine Part Eleven: The Stone Maps, The Lost Dutchman Mine Part Ten: The Dutch Hunters, Linda Hazzard: Seattles First Serial Killer. The closest approximate was a German miner of the PennsylvaniaGerman community. 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. Two Pennsylvania Dutchmen, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser, were prospecting for gold in the area, when, one night, they happened to save a mans life in a bar brawl. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Home. More please. They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. He never came home. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. It is common knowledge that someone was working the mine in the late 1990s, though what exactly they extracted varies between tellers. I have been lucky enough to uncover a few, which you will forgive me if I keep, at least for now. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. He reportedly said it came from a secret mine in the Superstition Mountains. A doctor from Illinois, Doctor Abraham Thorne, provided his service to treat the indigenous people of the Southwest. On 8 June 2019, a fire broke out in the Superstitions Wilderness area and soon spread across 26,000 acres. Hiking and camping are popular activities. Some have died on the search. Lastly, the alleged mine directions Ruth had were from an 1895 newspaper account. Only one (sometimes two) could not be accounted for. 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. The Jesuit Treasure of the Superstition Mountains. According to Legends of America, the Native Americans in the area believed the Thunder God of their religion lived in the Superstition Mountains, and thus they were required to protect it with lethal force, killing any who might set foot on the mountain and disturb their deity. For over a century, treasure hunters have sought the treasures supposedly lost in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, but what do we really know about the events surrounding this tale? In 1875, James Rogers made a claim there and dubbed it The Silver Chief. The Chief Silver mine is completely dry except for one area. However, they eventually disappeared after a trip into the Superstitions. It is generally accepted that the Peraltas and roughly 400 peon miners were massacred by the Apaches sometime around 1848. Waltz was buried in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. While Francisco Coronado did exist and did explore what is now the southwestern United States, there's nothing indicating he ever visited the Superstitions. Supposedly, the Peraltas actually found a very rich gold vein and set up a mining operation. If you need rescued, they will land two miles away and hike in to get you. Blair suggested that this Waltz could be the same Waltz who later came to be regarded as the legendary Dutchman, and that he Americanized the spelling of his family name. That, in and of itself, is a separate legend. 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. Jacob Waltz took to returning to the mountains only when he needed the gold. Mike . Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. In some versions of this story, Waltz was actually plundering these shrines for his own gold. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Finally The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Is Found! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The highest peak of the range is Keeper Hill or Slievekimalta at 694 metres (2,277 ft) high. The Pit Mine IS the Silver Chief Mine. If these conditions do not exist, gold will not exist. It's likely this legend just got re-adapted to the Superstitions to boost the legend of the Lost Dutchman's mine. Travis Tumlinson, a policeman, discovered the Peralta Stones on a roadside near the Superstition Mountains in the 1940s. 1: Recorded description of the museum. Indeed, there's yet another legend purporting to explain where the Dutchman might have acquired his gold. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. [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. He died of pneumonia in 1891 and, according to the three neighbours who cared for him, he left them the box of gold under his bed and directions to the gold mine. 4087 East Apache Trail Bellhop Jesse Capen, 35, was obsessed with the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. The one, tangible piece of evidence still in existence are the samples remaining from the ore taken by Dick Holmes, namely the matchbox. 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. The average high temperature in June, July and August, is 104 degrees. Next week I will list some clues that are absolutely relevant to what we have physically on site. The conquistador ordered the men to stay close together so they weren't picked off, but this didn't help. People off his Mine that he cover up with a ironwood tree :The books give me my However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. According to Thomas, it was on his deathbed that Jacob Waltz shared the story of his secret mine, and even provided a map to it filled with clues. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In yet another version of the tale, two (or more) U.S. Army soldiers are said to have discovered a vein of almost pure gold in or near the Superstition Mountains. It's an entire genre all its own, from pirate maps to all the stuff Nicolas Cage got up to in the National Treasure movies. He had metal pins in his leg, and used a cane to help him walk. One day he travelled to the fabled site of the mother lode, Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona, and never came back. Waltz is also said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map to the gold mine. His skull with two holes in it identified as bullet holes was recovered about six months after he vanished, and the story made national news, thus sparking widespread interest in the Lost Dutchman's mine.[22]. 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. Still, this doesn't dissuade treasure hunters. Richman, Irwin. Except perhaps not. Then, she took the map that was either from Waltz's imagination or her own and made a whole lot of money selling copies of it. Is it possible he took his own life? The Pit Mine is located close to the Randolph Mining District, which is historically well known and produced vast amounts of silver. Many believe there is a connection and that they sold their families mine to Waltz and his partner. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Museum Members are FREE. Depending on the season, you'll see not only gorgeous desert vegetation but also wildlife. Alleged lost gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. To recoup the costs of the search, Julia Thomas actually began to make handmade copies of Waltz's map and sell it to others. Or, he never made any such claims at all and Thomas made up the whole story based on some gold ore she found in Waltz's possessions. The case for the Pit Mine is not new, in fact it has been an open secret for quite some time. The Pima Indians famously feared the mountain that they knew as Ain-we-gophon (Superstition Mountain). From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. "Dutchman's Gold" was the season 4, episode 19 of, This page was last edited on 6 April 2023, at 12:08. The weather in the Superstition Mountains is notoriously unpredictable, with storms seeming to come out of nowhere and accompanied by abrupt drops in temperatures. Rogers was partnered with Aaron Mason, foreman of the Silver King mine. According to the Apaches (North American Indians), the entryway to hell is in the Superstition Mountains. Eventually, the conquistador ordered his men to flee and he never returned to the mountains, which they called Monte Supersticin, thus giving the mountains the name of Superstition. These cookies do not store any personal information. The location in question is called the Pit Mine or The Silver Chief. None of the tribes in the area ever considered the mountains to be sacred, and while the Apache tribe does have a thunder deity in their religious beliefs, they don't claim he lives in the Superstitions. The mountain is also frequented with mysterious sounds that many people have claimed to have heard. No, were not really a mining company. 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. Another detail which casts doubt on the story is the fact that, according to Blair, there was never any Dr. Thorne in the employ of the Army or indeed of the Federal Government in the 1860s. Please note that admission prices for Special Events are subject to change. Other storytellers claim that the Peralta Family escaped with gold, but another family died in the massacre. There is a Superstition Mountain Museum at 4087 N. Apache Trail, Highway 88 in Apache Junction. [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". Click here for Part Eleven ofThe Lost Dutchman Mine. (Latin Heart Reader / Wikimedia Commons). A not-insignificant number of those Dutch hunters have gotten hurt or even killed. Ruth did not return as scheduled, and no trace of him could be found after a brief search. Superstition Mountain has an elevation of 5,024 feet. STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. You need at a bare minimum, at least a three- man team. But what they actually found has been a hidden secret that people have been trying to piece together for last 125 years. We at Arcana Exploration believe we can show that this was later worked by Jacob Waltz, and after his death came to be known as the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. "Tex" Bradford of Globe Arizona went in search of the "Lost Dutchman Mine"; by October 1933 he had been missing for nine months. Both of these legends are sometimes set before the Dutchman arrived in Arizona, but some time afterward, and thus Dr. Thorne and the soldiers may have stumbled across the Lost Dutchman's mine.
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