(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. It seems likely there was no Dr. Thorne, but there was a doctor in New Mexico who told a similar tall tale, except he was kidnapped by the Navajo tribe in his story. ZERO ZIP NADA!! And the answer is absolutely yes! [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. Still, there is by no means a consensus among Dutch Hunters and many dismiss it entirely, regardless of scientific evidence. 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 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. The newcomers, thus, became the Pennsylvania Dutch. This is their turf and only the highly experienced and prepared should venture forward. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. Thorne sold the ore for $6000 and became a wealthy man. Apache Junction, AZ 85119-8409, Phone options: 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. 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. Waltz is also said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map to the gold mine. Allegedly, people saw the Jesuits come up to the Superstition Mountains with their loads of gold, but when they were spotted again on the other side, the mules carried no loads. "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. Humankind has been enthralled by lost treasure legends for ages. 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. To paraphrase an old Dutch Hunter, I dont know where the Dutchman is, but I know a thousand places it isnt! The meaning here is that gold can only exist in a prerequisite set of geological conditions. When you visit, follow the hard rock mining process from mine to bullion. According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. 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. Much of the interior is so brutal with severe weather shifts (the Apache winds) that much of the interior is off limits for search and rescue. This beautiful program is designed to start with a famous Arizona sunset draping gracefully over the Superstition Mountains, and end under the light of the full moon. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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. 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. 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. In June 1931, Dr. Adolph Ruth set out on a two-week voyage through the legendary Superstition Mountains in search for the lost treasure. The case for the Pit Mine is not new, in fact it has been an open secret for quite some time. Nobody else has ever been able to find that rich of ore since then anywhere else in AZ. 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. One day he travelled to the fabled site of the mother lode, Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona, and never came back. Superstition Mountain, Arizona, by Kathy Alexander. Get Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains gear at https://my-store-cadb1e.creator-sprin. 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. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. Come on. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. 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. 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. Kino is believed to have had a rich goldmine somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. Considering that any mining activity in the area would be a federal crime, you can understand why folks might not be so forthcoming with information. In any case, the event led to the naming of the Massacre Falls after it. If these conditions do not exist, gold will not exist. 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. 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. While the Jesuits were eventually allowed to return to the area, it seems they either forgot the treasure or couldn't find it, and so it was still in the mountains when it was perhaps discovered by none other than the Dutchman himself, Jacob Waltz. But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. Allegedly, Dr. Thorne tried to find the cave again but was unsuccessful, or found it and was killed. In 1875, James Rogers made a claim there and dubbed it The Silver Chief. These cookies do not store any personal information. Much of the truth has laid obscured in old Spanish, Jesuit and Catholic Church documentation, including maps, expedition journals, and diaries and in many cases with those buried in long ago lost and forgotten graves. Paperback $39.95 9 Used from $24.95 The Saga of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine legend. He never came home. There's another story that supposedly took place three centuries earlier also involving a treasure stashed away in the area. We are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. Legends have. Bellhop Jesse Capen, 35, was obsessed with the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. 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. 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. There are many stories about hidden gold in the Superstition Mountains, and these usually mention the Peralta Family. Director: Earl Bellamy | Stars: Dale Robertson, John Litel, Myron Healey, John Dennis. The Superstition Mountain Mining Company (SMMC) No, we're not really a mining company. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. 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 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. 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). Most likely because Pedro de Peralta had been the Spanish Governor of New Mexico (in the 1600s) his family name of "Peralta" was the inspiration for a number of legends in the American Southwest. The location in question is called the Pit Mine or The Silver Chief. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. 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 Apaches (North American Indians), the entryway to hell is in the Superstition Mountains. Now riddled with tunnels, the mountain is a death trap for the . The Lost Dutchman mine is far from the beginning of the legends of gold hidden in the Superstition Mountains. Fact Analysis: 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. 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. They came back from the mountains hauling a lot of gold and saying there was far more from whence it came. 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. [4] 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. As a counter to Ed Piper, we have Celeste Jones, who was kind of a cult leader from California who . Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. Dec 18, 2016 #6 JFDIAFF: "The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine." This is trails end; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters. Rogers was partnered with Aaron Mason, foreman of the Silver King mine. Dec 4, 2008 4,168 3,192. So let me say it again, the documentation found ON the stones is the most important thing not so much who carved them. There, his blindfold was removed and he saw a cave full of gold. Researchers point to an old beliefby local farmersthat the nearby Pima Native American tribe were superstitious about the mountains. Surprisingly, he was a real man. There are secrets yet in those mountains, blood and gold in the most literal sense. He reportedly said it came from a secret mine in the Superstition Mountains. 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.. Richman, Irwin. 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. There are lots of similar tales of gold-hunting soldiers, too, from all over the southwest. Join us as we explore the Mysteries, Legends and stories of the Superstition Mountains. [27], Throughout the 20th century, various expeditions and individuals continued to search the Superstitions for the Lost Dutchman Mine. Because of what we have discovered at the site, Arcana Exploration believes we have proof for the first time that there is a common link between Waltz and the Peraltas. 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. 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. 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. Then the Apaches killed Jacob Weiser,or according to some, Waltz himself did it. 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 Jesuit priests were the most educated and loyal orders to the King of Spain (and to the Pope). 4087 East Apache Trail Instead, he went missing and his skull was found 6 months later with two large circular holes. From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. Ruth ended his note with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. It is generally accepted that the Peraltas and roughly 400 peon miners were massacred by the Apaches sometime around 1848. Finally, there really was a successful gold mining family named Peralta, but they were in California, not Arizona, according to Gold Rush Nuggets. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. The legend goes that an immigrant named Jacob Waltz found the mine and then took his secret to the grave. These steep, jagged volcanic mountains were formed over 29 million years ago and they cover an area of 160,000 acres. Home. That's just the name we use for the group of mining exhibits that you'll experience when you visit the museum. (Latin Heart Reader / Wikimedia Commons). After he had spent many years in their midst, the Apache Elders decided to reward his selfless service with gold. Admission The stories of conquistadors and Jesuits bearing gold are completely unverifiable without documentation or archaeological evidence. They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta 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. (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.). This problematic paradox, I believe, is the product of years of misdirection to steer seekers to the west side of the mountains. It does not matter if Tomlinson engraved them or someone else did, exactly when they were made is not important, what matters is what is on them. They are anchored by Superstition Mountain, a large mountain that is a popular recreation destination for residents of the Phoenix, Arizona, area. Those of us local to the area and who have researched the subject know that. To paraphrase an old Dutch Hunter, I dont know where the Dutchman is, but I know a thousand places it isnt! The meaning here is that gold can only exist in a prerequisite set of geological conditions. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. So, where is it then? The 500-year-old mines of Bolivia's Cerro Rico mountain produced the silver that once made the Spanish empire rich. It is common knowledge that someone was working the mine in the late 1990s, though what exactly they extracted varies between tellers. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. A lack of historical records leaves uncertainty as to whether a Peralta family ever had possession of land, or mines, in or near the Superstition Mountains. Mike . [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. [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. The earliest Lost Dutchman's mine in Arizona was said to have been near Wickenburg, about 180km (110mi) north-west of the Superstition Mountains: a "Dutchman" was allegedly discovered dead in the desert near Wickenburg in the 1870s alongside saddlebags filled with gold. Mike . A not-insignificant number of those Dutch hunters have gotten hurt or even killed. Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. A two-room rock house in a cave across the canyon from the mine, The peak of Weavers needle being visible from the top of the mine, The military trail being visible below, but not vice versa, It being in a smaller east-west canyon inside a north-south running canyon, The case for the Pit Mine is not new, in fact it has been an open secret for quite some time. "Dutchman's Gold" was the season 4, episode 19 of, This page was last edited on 6 April 2023, at 12:08. 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. [12] Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858. 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. Ask any prospector and they will tellyou,gold is where you find it. 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. [5] One Lost Dutchman's mine is said to be in Colorado, another in California; two are said to be located in Arizona. These Native American legends aren't the only tales involving religion and gold stores in the area. Erwin passed the information to his father Adolph, who had a long-standing interest in lost mines and amateur exploration. If you were inclined to seek it out, your starting location would be the Rogers Trough Trailhead, though you would not be taking that trail, rather you would be backtracking along the ridge, roughly northwest, in generally the same direction as the primitive road you drove in. No, were not really a mining company. Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. When is the documentary goimg to start back up? The initial search party found no trace of him, but then, in December 1931, they found a human skull with two holes from a .44 caliber. A map is available in the gift shop and signage along the path explains the stages. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at[emailprotected]. Silver prices plummeted around the turn of the century, causing most silver mines, including The Silver Chief, to shut down and be abandoned. Reports of inexplicable sounds, sightings, and events have led to claims of supernatural beings and even aliens. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. Combine these with the legends of the indigenous Pima Indians and the mountains live up to their name. Going on a year now. The Pit Mine is located close to the Randolph Mining District, which is historically well known and produced vast amounts of silver. They planned to return, but once they left, they were never seen again. The two Jacobs found the gold but refused to tell anyone else where it was. Shrouded in mystery, the mine is not only allegedly rich in gold but is also said to have a curse upon it, leading to a number of strange deaths and people who mysteriously go "missing" when they . Traditionally, the mountains were deemed to be part of the Slieve Felim 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. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. [3] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine. It seems likeliest one of two things happened. The Peralta Massacre is a legend that Apaches supposedly ambushed a mining expedition the Peralta family sent into the mountains. Skeptoid Podcast. [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. Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. In 1875, James Rogers made a claim there and dubbed it The Silver Chief. Supposedly, the Peraltas actually found a very rich gold vein and set up a mining operation. This is considered to be the starting and gathering point for most Dutch Hunters. Once again, only rumors kept the legend alive, and these events drove even more Dutch hunters to the dangerous mountains. of Mines and Mineral Resources Bureau of Mines and Mining Field Engineers Report Silver Chief 1979, 1980 as being among the mines to have been revisited during that 1979 silver boom. He had acquired maps that he was sure would lead him straight to the gold. 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. 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". One of the worst kept secrets of the Superstition Mountains. At the low elevations, you will encounter tall saguaro cactusand Ponderosa pines at higher levels, and these are generally near the streams. [7] A man named Miguel Peralta and his family did operate a successful mine in the 1860s but near Valencia, California, not in Arizona. 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. (Chris J / Flickr). 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). 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 one of their 18 mines was very rich and they considered it their alfa mine. Great discoveries have been made in the name of hunting for hidden wealth, but much blood has been shed in those same pursuits, too. The old Silver Chief mine, Ted Cox's Ridge Pit Mine is documented by Dept. Hiking and camping are popular activities.
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