lost dutchman mine

It is thought that Apaches stole the gold and hid it in the mountains. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. WebFor more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has haunted the minds and souls of treasure seekers throughout the world. 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, as well as people who mysteriously go missing when they attempt to locate the old mine. Temperatures during the day can easily climb to more than 100 degrees and at higher elevations can drop into the freezing temperatures at night. 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. Fees: $25-$35 per campsite. Undaunted; however, Julia and the Petrasches made an expedition into the Superstitions that summer, trying to find the mine. (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. Waltz began prospecting in California in the 1850s. Web10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About This abandoned old mining town, which has been refurbished as a tourist attraction, includes a mine tour, rides and shops. The shot in his skull was ruled an accidental shooting incident. There are several paths that go through the brush and cacti. Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. Troubles with the Apaches made the familys mining operation dangerous. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. In 1976, a prospector named Howard Polling was found dead of a gunshot wound. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. The headlines were sensational alleging that Ruth had been murdered for his map. The nearly 70-year-old man was found dead about four miles south of his home on a trail near Rogers Canyon. At the campsite were a bloodstained blanket, a Geiger counter, a gun-cleaning kit, but no gun, cooking utensils, and some letters, from which the names and addresses had been torn from. The mine is said to have been mined by a German immigrant, Jacob Waltz, who died before he could reveal its location. The soldiers replied that the ore had been picked up while crossing Superstition Mountain, where they had also spied an old mine. filed a transfer of claim to the Turkey Creek Mining District. However, by 1877, he and another man by the name of Jacob Weiser (or Wisner,) returned to the Superstitions. Scientists say that the Superstition Mountains dont contain the type of mineral deposits that produce gold. The start of the most famous legend to come from the mountains, that of the Lost Dutchman Mine, begins with these fortune-seekers. Waltz also filed on one mine in just his name, the General Grant, also in the Walnut Grove Mining District. Lavern Rowlee was shot by Ralph Thomas, who reported that he had been attacked by Rowlee and shot the other man in self-defense. Ruth was searching for lost Peralta Mines, especially that of the Lost Dutchman. Blair had little doubt that Waltz related to Thomas the location of an alleged gold mine. 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. Ironically, it is also one of the most found lost mines in America. Silverlock was picked up by lawmen, judged insane and sent to an asylum. The Lost Dutchmans Mine is featured in Season 1, Episode 21 of the television series Unsolved Mysteries. The episode first aired on April 12, 1989. For the next century, the Peralta family and their laborers would make infrequent forays into Arizona bringing out loads of ore. Ruths treasure map was found at his original campsite. Jacob finally died on October 25, 1891. 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 start of the most famous legend to come from the mountains, that of the Lost Dutchman Mine, begins with these fortune-seekers. The cause of death was unknown. The 66-year-old Ruth stayed at the ranch of Tex Barkely as he prepared for his expedition. His head had been severed from his body and was lying several feet away. 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. According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. A skull with two bullet holes was found six months later. Julia Thomas became the first searcher for the lost mine. [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". Ruth had in his possession what he claimed was a map giving the location of Lost Dutchman Mine is a simulation game that casts the player in the role of a gold miner in the 1860's. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. A reward was immediately offered by the family and searchers combed the mountain for the next 45 days but Ruth was not found. There May Be a Long-Lost Gold Mine in the Arizona Mountains By: Mae Rice For more than a century, adventurous souls have sought the Lost Dutchman Mine, and since 1891, more than a hundred people have claimed to find it. Both died within two years. [3] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine. [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. He knew that gold had been found in the Superstition Mountains. Arizona place-name expert Byrd Granger wrote, as of 1977, the Lost Dutchman's story had been printed or cited at least six times more often than two other fairly well-known tales, the story of Captain Kidd's lost treasure, and the story of the Lost Pegleg mine in California. However, before relocating to what is now Pinal County, Arizona, Waltz worked at the Henry Wickenburgs Vulture Gold Mine near Wickenburg, Arizona. There have been at least three discoveries of the mine since the 1960s, and in all three cases, good gold was found. In his search, Ruth utilized a map that his son had obtained in Mexico several years previous, which dated back to the period of the Mexican Revolution (1909-1923), and was later referred to as the Ruth-Peralta map. It was not his manner that earned him his eccentric reputation; rather, it was his appearance, his high intelligence and the isolated way that he lived. Weavers Needle in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, courtesy Wikipedia. Waltz, a German immigrant, who had relocated to Arizona some years previous, worked as a prospector and owned a homestead on the northern side of Superstition Mountain. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition Mountains. The player can freely explore a town and a vast desert, limited only by the protagonist's necessity to eat and rest. According to legend, a family by the name of Peralta moved north from Mexico in the early 19th century to try their luck at mining in the American West and their efforts were Quite literally so, according to Southwestern Folklore author and researcher Byrd Granger. In retaliation, the Apache, who were convinced that Ken-tee had betrayed the site of their secret shrine, they attacked Waltz and his Indian mistress, seizing Ken-tee and cutting out her tongue. The question is, if Jacob Waltz found a rich gold mine, why didnt he file a claim? It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. It would be his last. During this time, the Apache had turned their wrath against the Arizona settlers and the U.S. Army. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). In the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction east of Phoenix, Arizona, a legendary gold mine is supposedly located. 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. The next year, a prospector by the name of Joe Dearing, who was working as a part-time bartender in Pinal, heard the stories of the two dead soldiers and began to look for the lost mine. Delivering it to Jacob, it was placed under his sickbed. It does not. Two more men who were hiking in the Superstitions that year became involved in some kind of dispute. To this day, his death remains a mystery; however, it is but one more life claimed by the mountain and perhaps, its curse. In April of 1958, a deserted campsite was discovered on the northern edge of the mountain. In the 1870s, Jacob Waltz (or Walz,) who had befriended one of the Peralta heirs, was allegedly told the location of the mine. 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. But in the 1990s, roughly 100 years after the Dutchmans death, Feldman believes he found it. The Apache; however, refused to help them, telling them that if they dared to trespass on the sacred ground, the Thunder God would take revenge upon them, causing tremendous suffering and horrible deaths. His skeleton was discovered near Weavers Needle two years later. Skeptoid Podcast. Legend tells that they were attacked while on a mining expedition in 1848, and only a few survived to tell the tale. The soldiers are alleged to have presented some of the gold, but to have been killed or to have vanished soon after. In early 1952, a man named Joseph Kelley of Dayton, Ohio was also searching for the lost mine. Activities: Hiking, birdwatching, and stargazing. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. The story of the Lost Dutchman Mine might have become just another obscure legend had it not been for an easterner named Dr. Adolph Ruth, an amateur treasure-seeker who ambled into the Superstitions in the summer of 1931. Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. In 1945, a book about the Lost Dutchman Mine was written by Barry Storm, who claimed to have narrowly escaped from a mysterious sniper. According to legend, a family by the name of Peralta moved north from Mexico in the early 19th century to try their luck at mining in the American West and their efforts were (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). 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. But in the 1990s, roughly 100 years after the Dutchmans death, Feldman believes he found it. August 16, 1896: George Carmack finds gold in the Yukon | History 101, Ancient Roman city found off English highway | History 101. Allegedly, there were rifle shots and indications of foul play. Gathering up a few of his friends, the group amazingly stumbled onto the mines location. The Lost Dutchman is Americas most famous lost mine, and many people have risked their lives searching for it. Said to be the most famous lost mine of all time, it continues to draw prospectors to the Superstition Mountains of Arizona in Upon arriving at Ruths camp, the rancher could tell that no one had been there for at least a day and reported Ruth missing. His wife could not remember the location of the find. He knew that gold had been found in the Superstition Mountains. One man found it in the Four Peaks and extracted several thousand dollars of ore back when gold was $20 an ounce. Thomas Glover is the author of three books on Jacob Waltz and the Lost Dutchman Mine. That same year, Robert St. Marie, who was attempting to drill a hole all the way through Weavers Needle, was killed by prospector Edward Piper. The coroner could tell that the womans death was recent, but the gold was never explained. In his pack was gold ore, later discovered to be identical to that of the rich ore Jacob Waltz had found earlier. The rest of the treasure hunters body would not be found until the next month, in a small tributary on the east slope of Black Top Mesa. WebBackground: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. Many believe it's hidden in the Superstition Mountains, and it's rumored a curse falls upon all those who try to find it. People want to think the Lost Dutchman mine has gold hanging off the walls. Ruths family believed he had been murdered for the maps that had led him to the Lost Dutchman mine. Suggest edits to improve what we show. He was a student of mining and was knowledgeable in geology. It was even said a candle box containing high-grade gold ore was found under his bed. In 1870, Waltz had a homestead of about 160 acres (0.65km2) near Phoenix where he operated a farm.[18]. The two, sure that they could find the place, then headed towards Weavers Needle, but after two weeks had not returned. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. Ruths son, a lawyer, had helped a man called Pedro Gonzales with a legal matter and in return, was given some old maps. , The Waterbury Democrat. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Bohen was a Utah prospector who had been shot in the back. Not having much luck in California, he made his way to Arizona in the 1860s. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. WebLegend tells of the Lost Dutchmans gold mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of brutal Arizona desert known as the Superstition Mountains.. 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. But for thousands of others, the mine and its legends are extremely real, hidden in the forbidding peaks of the Superstition Mountains. Where was the mine? More than 20 years later, in 1927, a New Jersey man and his sons were hiking the mountain when rocks began to roll down on them from the cliffs above as if someone had pushed the boulders. The legend continued to grow and soon the lost mine was referred to as the Lost Dutchman, as many at the time confused the Germans with the Dutch. It does not. 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