So what do we really know about these legends, Waltz, and the Superstition Mountains? The man said Dr. Thorne could take as much as he could carry, at which point he was blindfolded again and led out. There's some evidence to suggest he engaged in a shady practice called highgrading basically claiming ore is more valuable than it really is. (Chris J / Flickr). First, let's talk about the geology of the mountains. Pingback: Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! Supposedly, the Superstition Mountains have long been a sacred site for the nearby Apache tribe of Native Americans. Students 11-17 $4.00 This problematic paradox, I believe, is the product of years of misdirection to steer seekers to the west side of the mountains. The easy 1.5 mile trail features some rocky, rough terrain but with little elevation gain. Ask any prospector and they will tell. One of the worst kept secrets of the Superstition Mountains. Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. In 1875, James Rogers made a claim there and dubbed it The Silver Chief. There are several paths that go through the brush and cacti. We know today they're not actually sedimentary rock, but volcanic, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. Ted Cox and the Ridge Pit Mine Here amongst this vast maize of volcanic interior, fixed and clinging to the mountain side, flanked on one side by a very small almost invisible ledge is the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, 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. The legend then states that, sometime later, the last Peralta survivor(s) were helped out of some kind of bind by Jacob Waltz, and in his debt, they gave him the only thing they had of value: a map to the Peralta family mine in the Superstition Mountains, according to Cowboys and Indiansmagazine. Waltz is attacked and wounded by marauding Apaches, but survives at least long enough to tell a man called Dr. Walker about the mine. Jesuit Treasure in the Superstitions - DesertUSA.com/mb3 Dec 4, 2008 4,168 3,192. And the answer is absolutely yes! Ruth ended his note with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. Aug 15, 2007 1,941 906 Primary Interest: Superstition Mountain - Wikipedia [12] Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858. And now we get to the real problem with these legends there's basically zero evidence any of them ever happened. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition 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. There's the thrill of the hunt, solving the clues, and what could be a better payoff than a big cache of riches? 4: Volunteer Coordinator 9 May 2022. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. Sometimes, this discarded cache of gold is said to be the origin of Jacob Waltz's treasure. According to Blair, the story may have its roots in the efforts of three U.S. soldiers to locate gold in an area of New Mexico, based on an allegedly true story related to them by Dr. Thorne of New Mexico; see above. Nobody has been able to interpret them correctly. It's also worth noting the mountains aren't known to have gotten their ironic name from any of the above legends. The conquistador ordered the men to stay close together so they weren't picked off, but this didn't help. 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. There are many variations of this story, including that the mine is cursed, killing anyone who . January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. This land grant was the basis of the James Reavis Arizona land swindle (Reavis became Willing's partner and continued to try to prove the authenticity of the land grant for years after Willing's death). When the townspeople went to look for them, they found nearly all of the family slaughtered. 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. Combine these with the legends of the indigenous Pima Indians and the mountains live up to their name. Instead, he went missing and his skull was found 6 months later with two large circular holes. 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. The Pit Mine IS the Silver Chief Mine. In an addition to this legend, it's claimed two soldiers came to the Superstitions after hearing of Dr. Thorne's story to see if they could locate the cache. 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. Finally - The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Is Found! Behind The Scenes menu tab will take you to additional "Behind the Scenes" materials . (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. I personally spoke with Ron a few months back when he described his findings to me, which he is publishing in a forthcoming book. This account is usually dated to about 1870. People off his Mine that he cover up with a ironwood tree :The books give me my [5] One Lost Dutchman's mine is said to be in Colorado, another in California; two are said to be located in Arizona. Thorne is said to be either unwilling or unable to relocate the mine. The men must deal with a lack of water and the fact that the map leads him into lands held sacred by the Apaches. Superstition Mountains - Wikipedia The Gold Rush was in full swing and Waltz wanted a piece of those potential fortunes. Lost Dutchman State Park | Arizona If you get it hurt you better have your own team. Rogers was partnered with Aaron Mason, foreman of the Silver King mine. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. What there is documentation to support is that the Dutchman may have been a con man. However, they eventually disappeared after a trip into the Superstitions. The case for the Pit Mine is not new, in fact it has been an open secret for quite some time. Intrigue Journal. Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. It involves murder, secrets, and a whole lotta sweet, sweet gold. To recoup the costs of the search, Julia Thomas actually began to make handmade copies of Waltz's map and sell it to others. You need at a bare minimum, at least a three- man team. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine - Wikipedia The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. 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. Julia, whose occupation is sometimes listed as a nurse and sometimes as a baker, took care of Waltz late in life and the two became close friends. There's no evidence they ever came to Arizona at all. Many people took the landmark to be the Weavers Needle but had no luck finding any gold nuggets in its vicinity. 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. 4087 East Apache Trail . In it, he puts together the clues and evidence and makes a convincing case for the Pit Mine. James Rogers was the man who actually discovered the ledge and he became a partner with Enslinger. There's another story that supposedly took place three centuries earlier also involving a treasure stashed away in the area. The Superstition Mountain Mining Company (SMMC) No, we're not really a mining company. Other prominent features that fit Waltzs clues, among many others, include: Skeptics will tell you, as will anyone who has hiked those mountains, that there are many other places that fit these descriptions and that seeing faces, or other objects, in rocks can be simple pareidolia, and there is a fair amount of truth in that. One day he travelled to the fabled site of the mother lode, Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona, and never came back. Frank Jacobs. 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. The map is supposedly filled with clues, and there are many others purportedly given by Waltz at various points in his life according to legends, but it's hard to prove he actually ever said any of those things. It is a ranger-guided hike focusing on the aesthetic . But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Director: Earl Bellamy | Stars: Dale Robertson, John Litel, Myron Healey, John Dennis. There, his blindfold was removed and he saw a cave full of gold. So what about Jacob Waltz? Waltz was buried in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. Another well-known Dutch Hunter, Jack San Felice, boldly made the case for the Pit Mine in his book. 1: Recorded description of the museum. The newcomers, thus, became the Pennsylvania Dutch. They found what they were looking for and then some, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. These steep, jagged volcanic mountains were formed over 29 million years ago and they cover an area of 160,000 acres. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. Story Of A Little Known Mine In The Superstition Mountains In Arizona They planned to return, but once they left, they were never seen again. VISIT Supposedly, the Peraltas actually found a very rich gold vein and set up a mining operation. This seems to have been made up solely for the various legends, according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. He even has a gravesite you can visit today in Arizona. That, in and of itself, is a separate legend. Without going into a lengthy scientific explanation, I will say that geology defies the existence of gold in most of the Superstition Mountains, especially on the western side. Free Lecture: Arizona's Four Peaks Amethyst Mine - Superstition In the weeks and months to come we will use much of the historical information, and show how it ties directly to what we have found. Later I will give more details and then begin providing information on how things fit together. He died on October 25, 1891, after having been nursed by an acquaintance named Julia Thomas (she was usually described as a quadroon). [10] Trouble came after Willing learned that the deed was entirely bogus. How To Enjoy The Beauty Of Arizona's Superstition Mountains 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. Legend of the Superstition Mountains - History A not-insignificant number of those Dutch hunters have gotten hurt or even killed. Apparently, Waltz began to hint he knew of a secret gold vein hidden in the mountains, even giving out a few clues to its location. When they immigrated to Pennsylvania from Deutschland (Germany), the locals mistook Deutsch for Dutch. Some have died on the search. Kino is believed to have had a rich goldmine somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. Yet, legend insists that it does. Reports of inexplicable sounds, sightings, and events have led to claims of supernatural beings and even aliens. Up on the mountain, if someone breaks a leg; it will take at least two on the team to get you down; it is dangerous for three healthy climbers, much less one with broken body parts. 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. Silver Member. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. Thorne sold the ore for $6000 and became a wealthy man. Indeed, there's yet another legend purporting to explain where the Dutchman might have acquired his gold. Except perhaps not. Forgive me if I currently do not have the technical documentation for the claim as the current pandemic has prohibited me from obtaining the source material. Superstition Mountain, Arizona, by Kathy Alexander. The story sometimes claims there were arrows all around, and so thus it must have been the Apache protecting their sacred mountains. The short "Discovery Trail" is a clear route with several placards giving the natural history of the area. In some versions, he's not just a man but the chieftain of the Apache tribe. 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. 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. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). Over the next few weeks I will share some images that are safe for us to show. Explore The Mysteries. There is a Superstition Mountain Museum at 4087 N. Apache Trail, Highway 88 in Apache Junction. July 3, 1947 James A Cravey, age 62, a retired photographer, was reported missing after he had chartered a helicopter June 19, 1947 to drop him off in the Superstition Mountains to look for the Lost Dutchmans Mine. This is only speculation, what I do know is that, people who have dismissed the information on the stones, no matter who carved the stones, those non believers have been badly mistaken. The highest peak of the range is Keeper Hill or Slievekimalta at 694 metres (2,277 ft) high. It was the fifth-largest fire in Arizonas history, it raged for over a month, despite the strenuous containment efforts of over 600 firefighters. [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. 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 1977, 292 acres (118ha) abutting the Tonto National Forest were set aside as the Lost Dutchman State Park. Jesse Feldman, son of Ron Feldman, indicated his belief that the mine was in the Rogers Trough area in his book, . Supposedly a mine with fabulously rich gold deposits. And importantly I have hard facts that the Stones are linked to other historical information. His expeditions led to the discovery of several of what he called Spanish mines which, at the time, was in contradiction to accepted history. Despite his efforts, Willing was never able to recover the money he gave to Peralta. Blair suggested that "fragments of this legend have perhaps become attached to the mythical mine of Jacob Waltz".[6]. Rogers was partnered with Aaron Mason, foreman of the Silver King mine. The Lost Dutchman Mine, Arizona - Legends of America Animals like deer coyotes, pumas and bobcats live here, existing alongside birds, rodents, snakes, and other reptiles. Silvermine Mountains - Wikipedia ENTER THE HEART OF DARKNESS | Legend of the Superstition Mountains (S1 Cerro Rico: Devil worship on the man-eating mountain - BBC News Mining History - Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. 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. They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. He really did die in 1891 of pneumonia. Here's the thing about the Julia Thomas map to the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, which is still sold and used today: Jacob Waltz didn't actually draw it. Some think this mine was first excavated by Mexico's Peralta family, then commandeered by Apaches or simply abandoned. The Superstition Mountains ( Yavapai: Wi:kchsawa) is a range of mountains in Arizona located to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area. After the conquistadors and priests are purported to have come and gone from the Superstition Mountains, legend tells of another group who arrived sometime in the earlier half of the 1800s. He was able to find the richest ore in history right smack dab in the middle of the Superstition Mountains. Paperback $39.95 9 Used from $24.95 The Saga of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine legend. Unfortunately, when a group followed the clues given in Ruth's letter, they found nothing. Don Miguel Peralta was the head of a powerful and wealthy Mexican family from Sonora, and they were either ranchers or operated mines or did both. In 1875, James Rogers made a claim there and dubbed it The Silver Chief. And is that information relevant? The Superstition Mountains to the east of Phoenix, AZ reportedly hold a legendary motherlode of gold known as the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. There have been many books, films, and cartoons about the Lost Gold of the Superstition Mountains. I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. Still, this doesn't dissuade treasure hunters. Since James Reavis, "the Baron of Arizona", was convicted of fraud when the Peralta family genealogy and other documents to support the land grant (and a barony associated with that land) were determined to be forgeries it also raises questions about the original purchase of the land grant by Dr. George M. Willing Jr. (the transaction had supposedly occurred at a primitive campsite to the southeast of Prescott without the benefit of the typical documentation; instead of a notarized deed, the conveyance was recorded on a piece of greasy camp paper bearing signature of several witnesses). What really happened to Ruth? The neighboursJulia Thomas, Rhinehart Petrasch, and Hermann Petraschspent weeks looking for the gold, but failed to find it. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. Now riddled with tunnels, the mountain is a death trap for the . 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. 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. According to the tales, a Spanish conquistador (often said to be Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, but sometimes reported as any number of other explorers, real and fictional) came to the Superstition Mountains in the mid-1500s searching for a mythical city of gold, one of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold, somewhere in the mountains, according to Legends of America. In some versions of this story, Waltz was actually plundering these shrines for his own gold. Phoenix Ghosts - Superstition Mountains: Ghosts & More Gary also spoke to the Feldman family, who have been searching for the mine since the 1960s, under patriarch Ron's tutelage. 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. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. It is here were you will reach areas that are barely penetrable, this is where most trails stop abruptly for safety reasons. He had acquired maps that he was sure would lead him straight to the gold. So where did all these rumors of lost gold in the Superstition Mountains originate? 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. As a counter to Ed Piper, we have Celeste Jones, who was kind of a cult leader from California who . Yet, legend insists that it does. However, things can go wrong. 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. Blair contended that this story can be divided into "hawk" and "dove" versions, depending on whether the German(s) are said to behave violently or peacefully. [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". Once again, just ask Gollum. The weather in the Superstition Mountains is notoriously unpredictable, with storms seeming to come out of nowhere and accompanied by abrupt drops in temperatures. Blair insisted that the Peralta portion of the story is unreliable, writing: "The operation of a gold mine in the Superstitions by a Peralta family is a contrivance of 20th century writers". On 8 June 2019, a fire broke out in the Superstitions Wilderness area and soon spread across 26,000 acres. Travis Tumlinson, a policeman, discovered the Peralta Stones on a roadside near the Superstition Mountains in the 1940s. FREE with paid Adult Get Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains gear at https://my-store-cadb1e.creator-sprin. In gratitude, Gonzales told Erwin about the Peralta mine in the Superstition Mountains, and gave him some antique maps of the site (Gonzales claimed to be descended from the Peralta family on his mother's side). They're convinced the mine is to the east of the mountains at the. Home. "Tex" Bradford of Globe Arizona went in search of the "Lost Dutchman Mine"; by October 1933 he had been missing for nine months. These are rectangular, cross-shaped, and heart-shaped stones with etchings of a horse, a priest, a dagger, a trail, topographic features, and Spanish inscriptions. 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. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. 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. New posts Top Treasure Finds Search forums Members Current visitors New profile posts Search profile posts. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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.

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