[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. Most believed that Ruth died, probably from the extreme desert heat, and his body was carried away in parts by wild animals. Some have died on the search. Said to be the most famous lost mine of all time, it continues to draw prospectors to the Superstition Mountains of Arizona in Ruths treasure map was found at his original campsite. However, in 1846, four descendants of the original grant, Enrico, Pedro, Ramon, and Manuel Peralta, decided to make another foray into Arizona, risking not only the curse, but also the wrath of the Apache. He was a student of mining and was knowledgeable in geology. [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. Never shaving or cutting his hair, he seldom bathed and rumors said he was prone to running naked through the canyons, firing a pistol into the sky. 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. Four days later, an investigation determined it belonged to an Austrian student named Franz Harrier. The Lost Dutchman story actually begins in the 1800s when the wealthy, Mexican Peralta family came to the region to work mines under a Spanish land grant. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. August 16, 1896: George Carmack finds gold in the Yukon | History 101, Ancient Roman city found off English highway | History 101. Three years later his headless skeleton was finally discovered. 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 Now all we had to do was dig, and we would surely find one of the richest and most hunted treasures in the worldthe Lost Dutchmans Gold Mine, secreted in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, Arizona. In 1963, a man named Vance Bacon, also working to tunnel through Weavers Needle, fell to his death. The coroners jury ruled that there was no evidence of foul play.. Clapp had been missing since July. In 1976, a prospector named Howard Polling was found dead of a gunshot wound. He had metal pins in his leg, and used a cane to help him walk. 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). Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated November 2019. Some searchers for the mine have disappeared in likely wilderness accidents. 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]. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. 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. The first was the Gross Lode filed in the Walker Mining District. The lost Dutchmans gold mine location Ramiro valdez Oct 28, 2021 2 Replies 38 Views 8K Sunday at 7:31 PM EDN E Peter's Canyon, The Jeauits, and the Lost Dutchman LDWhitneyAuthor Jan 22, 2023 2 3 Replies 55 Views 3K Feb 16, 2023 LDWhitneyAuthor Clue 4 Peaks Lined up as 1 ConceptualizedNetherlandr Apr 19, 2014 8 9 10 Replies 181 Views 23K The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine hit the headlines in 2009 when Denver native Jesse Capen, 35, disappeared in Arizona's Tonto National Forest during a search for the mine. In the first decade of the 1700s, he began to explore the region, finding several sources of gold. Next to his decomposing body was a small sack of gold ore. Many believe it's hidden in the Superstition Mountains, and it's rumored a curse falls upon all those who try to find it. These many variations and tales; however, only add to the intrigue of the Lost Dutchman enticing hundreds of treasure-hunting hobbyists, as well as seasoned prospectors, to continue to search for the elusive gold. [13] In most versions of the tale, Jacob Waltz locates a rich gold mine in the Superstition Mountains (in many versions of the story, they rescue or help a member of the Peralta family and are rewarded by being told the location of the mine). In 1984, a prospector named Walt Gassler, who had been searching for the Lost Dutchman for most of his life, was found dead in the Superstitions. Please contact SHM Library & Archives reference desk at 928-445-3122 Ext. The lost mine is thought to be located somewhere near Weavers Needle, the main landmark of the Superstition Mountains, even though the area has been diligently searched by hundreds of people. The secret or the mystery as to why Waltz never filed another claim after leaving the Bradshaws is the question addressed in the presentation of The Lost Dutchmans Mine: A Mystery Solved? The question is, if Jacob Waltz found a rich gold mine, why didnt he file a claim? 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. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. 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. Troubles with the Apaches made the familys mining operation dangerous. The lost Dutchmans gold mine location Ramiro valdez Oct 28, 2021 2 Replies 38 Views 8K Sunday at 7:31 PM EDN E Peter's Canyon, The Jeauits, and the Lost Dutchman LDWhitneyAuthor Jan 22, 2023 2 3 Replies 55 Views 3K Feb 16, 2023 LDWhitneyAuthor Clue 4 Peaks Lined up as 1 ConceptualizedNetherlandr Apr 19, 2014 8 9 10 Replies 181 Views 23K Another version of the tale states that Waltz actually learned of the mines location from Ken-tee. Julia Thomas became the first searcher for the lost mine. The cause of death was said to have been a perforated ulcer.. The Lost Dutchman Mine is the most famous in American history. But, his condition was worsening as he suffered a stroke and was paralyzed to the point that he could barely speak. In 1937, a man named Jenkins, along with his wife and two children were having a picnic on the mountain. Over the years, many people have tried to find the Lost Dutchmans mine, and several have lost their lives searching for gold hidden in the Superstition Mountains. In 1748, the Superstitions, as well as some 3,750 square miles of what is now Arizona, were given to Mexican cattle-baron, Don Miguel Peralta of Sonora, in a land grant. In 1970, a seasoned prospector named Al Morrow was killed by a boulder that fell into a tunnel that he was digging. [12] The three soldiers set out to find the gold, but without success. Quite literally so, according to Southwestern Folklore author and researcher Byrd Granger. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. To make even more money, he then went to work at the Silver King Mine. He soon returned to Pinal, saying that he had found an old mine, describing it as the most God-awful rough place you can imagine a ghostly place. Dearing; however, continued to work as a bartender until he could save enough money for the excavation. All traces of the mine were covered up. The land not only contained a rich gold mine, but also several silver mines. 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. In January 1956, a man from Brooklyn, New York reported to police that his brother, Martin Zywotho, who he believed was searching for the Lost Dutchman Mine, had been missing for several weeks. In 1949 a man named James Kidd disappeared in the Superstitions. He died in 1891 and, on his deathbed, he confessed to his neighbor, Julia Thomas, who was caring for him, where to locate the mine. The path to these riches is paved in mystery and doom. The Lost Dutchman is Americas most famous lost mine, and many people have risked their lives searching for it. Speculation was rampant, with some saying he was killed by Apache and others alleging he was killed by Waltz. The player can freely explore a town and a vast desert, limited only by the protagonist's necessity to eat and rest. The soldiers replied that the ore had been picked up while crossing Superstition Mountain, where they had also spied an old mine. The Lost Dutchman is Americas most famous lost mine, and many people have risked their lives searching for it. There have been at least three discoveries of the mine since the 1960s, and in all three cases, good gold was found. By 1872, Reavis was living in a high mountain valley near Pinal, where he farmed vegetables and hunted in his isolated mountain retreat. Blair had little doubt that Waltz related to Thomas the location of an alleged gold mine. Ruth was searching for lost Peralta Mines, especially that of the Lost Dutchman. Some say a man named Jacob Weiser aided him, although no trace of Weiser exists. In February 1951, Dr. John Burns, a physician from Oregon, was found shot to death on Superstition Mountain. To this day, his death remains a mystery; however, it is but one more life claimed by the mountain and perhaps, its curse. Along with members of the Petrasch family, she searched the mountains but found nothing. WebA curved arrow on a mysterious map inscribed on stone surfaces pointed to the identical place, confirming the location. Ruths son, a lawyer, had helped a man called Pedro Gonzales with a legal matter and in return, was given some old maps. His wife could not remember the location of the find. Location: Apache Junction, AZ. This was the first official recording of the mines existence. A further search found the rest of his remains and effects, but the maps were gone. Generally speaking, this mine is claimed to be situated in the Superstition Mountains, described by one source as a collection of rough terrain that has gained the name of a single mountain which lies to the east of Phoenix, the Arizonan capital. He was one of the few who were well-prepared to prospect in unpromising locations. Another tale describes an eccentric prospector named Elisha Marcus Reavis, who was better known in the area as the Madman of the Superstitions or the Old Hermit. One of Arizonas most interesting characters, Reavis was actually college-educated and taught school before he began to prospect during the California Gold Rush. In June 1931, yet another event added to the legends of Superstition Mountain when Adolph Ruth, a Washington D.C. veterinarian, and avid treasure hunting hobbyist went missing in a wilderness area of the peak. Now all we had to do was dig, and we would surely find one of the richest and most hunted treasures in the worldthe Lost Dutchmans Gold Mine, secreted in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, Arizona. When they showed a bag of gold ore to the Silver King Manager, Aaron Mason, the manager was stunned to see how rich the ore was and immediately began to ask where they had found it. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. For more details, call the Museum at 445-3122 or visit the sponsors websites at www.sharlothallmuseum.org and www.prescottcorral.org. Fees: $25-$35 per campsite. For years afterward, prospectors flocked to the area not only in search of the mine but also in search of Mexican gold spilled during the massacre. 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? (2004). The mystery is shrouded in history, lore and several curious deaths. WebLost Dutchman Mine is a non-linear adventure game which puts the player in the role of a gold miner, circa 1860. The following year another man named Dennis Brown, was also found dead of a gunshot wound. 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. Camping: 135 sites (68 with electric/water) and cabins can be reserved year-round through Arizona State Parks. People want to think the Lost Dutchman mine has gold hanging off the walls. Temperatures during the day can easily climb to more than 100 degrees and at higher elevations can drop into the freezing temperatures at night. A month later, the missing mans body was found with a bullet hole above his right temple. WebBackground: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. 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