The Pit Mine IS the Silver Chief Mine. Surprisingly, he was a real man. [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. The beginning and end of the tale will be told with ore. Gold ore has its own fingerprint, discernible from other gold ore. 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. The conquistador and his men arrived and made their way deep into the mountains, despite the warnings of danger from the local Apache. But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. 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. Cox was a contrarian to the accepted Waltz lore of the day and had his own theories about thePeraltasand Waltz. There are many variations of this story, including that the mine is cursed, killing anyone who . 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. The record high temperature is 128 degrees. 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. Once again, just ask Gollum. 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. Just to connect some dots, Mason was the fellow who staked the two soldiers who turned up dead while seeking their lost bonanza. Cox also believed he had found the Dutchman, though it is unclear to which one of his claims he made this attribution. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. The Superstition Mountains ( Yavapai: Wi:kchsawa) is a range of mountains in Arizona located to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Researchers point to an old beliefby local farmersthat the nearby Pima Native American tribe were superstitious about the mountains. (2004). Intrigue Journal. They found what they were looking for and then some, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. 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. I have been lucky enough to uncover a few, which you will forgive me if I keep, at least for now. Towards the very south of the Silvermine Mountains is the highest peak in the mountains, Keeper Hill or in Irish Sliabh . 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. If you get it hurt you better have your own team. When the townspeople went to look for them, they found nearly all of the family slaughtered. Many other mysterious deaths in the Superstition Mountains followed that of Ruths in the subsequent years, including two soldiers from the U.S. Army. It's also worth noting the mountains aren't known to have gotten their ironic name from any of the above legends. 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. 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. 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. There's no evidence they ever came to Arizona at all. 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 Superstition Mountain Historical Society was formed on December 27, 1979. (Latin Heart Reader / Wikimedia Commons). Despite his efforts, Willing was never able to recover the money he gave to Peralta. Previously, comparative tests which could prove that the matchbox and the Pit Mine samples were related were destructive in nature. There are numerous hiking trails that hikers can access from multiple points, one of the more well-known ones being the Peralta Trailhead. 3: Gift Shop and Event Manager Dave McElligott Click here for Part Eleven ofThe Lost Dutchman Mine. Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. Many people took the landmark to be the Weavers Needle but had no luck finding any gold nuggets in its vicinity. Yet, legend insists that it does. From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. The mine is there to be seen, appraised, and judged in any way you see fit, but the story of how it got there is the real treasure. [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. They didnt find it because its not in the superstitions Too bad i cant post pictures, because i know exactly where it is, Did you ever think the Dutchman might have used another mine location to through 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. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. The Pima Indians famously feared the mountain that they knew as Ain-we-gophon (Superstition Mountain). The neighboursJulia Thomas, Rhinehart Petrasch, and Hermann Petraschspent weeks looking for the gold, but failed to find it. Buy "In Search of the Heart" by Phil Reinhardt at http://www.superstitionmountainmuseum.org/museumgifts/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_. 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. Going on a year now. 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. Yet, legend insists that it does. That's not even counting those hunting the treasure in the ensuing years. Over the next few weeks and months I will share some photos that will not give away the location but will show things that until now have never been shown before. Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is a supposedly rich gold mine either in the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere in Mexico. The case for the Pit Mine is not new, in fact it has been an open secret for quite some time. 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. 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. While he allegedly worked as a miner at numerous mines earlier in his life, eventually Waltz decided he wanted to prospect on his own. Those of us local to the area and who have researched the subject know that. In fact, after five years including thousands of hours of research and then four expeditions starting in 2015, The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has been found by Arcana Exploration and Discovery. Regardless, Dr. Thorne helped the man and he recovered, according to Legends of America. The area is filled with ghost tales, monster . It is a prominent landmark located generally south and east of the Salt River, rising approximately 3,000 feet (910 m) above the Salt River Valley. Certainly, do not expect it to be an open space you can pop into and have a look around. To determine if the skull was Ruth's, it was examined by Dr. Ale Hrdlika, a well-respected anthropologist who was given several photos of Ruth, along with Ruth's dental records. Waltz died in 1891 of pneumonia, but before he passed, he gave a few final clues to the location of his mine and even provided a crude map to it. These steep, jagged volcanic mountains were formed over 29 million years ago and they cover an area of 160,000 acres. The easy 1.5 mile trail features some rocky, rough terrain but with little elevation gain. That, in and of itself, is a separate legend. He was able to find the richest ore in history right smack dab in the middle of the Superstition Mountains. 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. Jacob Waltz took to returning to the mountains only when he needed the gold. Indeed, there's yet another legend purporting to explain where the Dutchman might have acquired his gold. 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. The Superstitions Mountains lie within the Tonto National wildlife refuge and consist of 242 square miles not counting other designated and preserved area's that boarder the Tonto National Forest and wildlife refuge. 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. New posts Top Treasure Finds Search forums Members Current visitors New profile posts Search profile posts. Closer than ever to the $200 million payday, Wayne and the team head into the heart of darkness where a cryptic find weaves an even bigger mystery, in Season. Some searchers for the mine have disappeared in likely wilderness accidents. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Ruth did not return as scheduled, and no trace of him could be found after a brief search. He had metal pins in his leg, and used a cane to help him walk. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. There are several paths that go through the brush and cacti. This also fits Waltzs description. That's just the name we use for the group of mining exhibits that you'll experience when you visit the museum. 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. People have been seeking the Lost Dutchman's mine since at least 1892,[2] while according to one estimate, 9,000 people annually made some effort to locate the Lost Dutchman's mine. 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. It was the fifth-largest fire in Arizonas history, it raged for over a month, despite the strenuous containment efforts of over 600 firefighters. In speaking with one local historian and trusted source, he connects quite a few players to the site, not the least of which is Herman Petrasch. 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. Hardie agrees to join a father searching for his son who is seeking a lost gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains. Barkely repeatedly urged Ruth to abandon his search for the mine, because the terrain of the Superstition Mountains was treacherous even for experienced outdoorsmen, let alone for the 66-year-old Ruth in the heat of the Arizona summer. (Chris J / Flickr). They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. 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. When I was a young buck, I used to always visit my dad in Arizona. Web. However, they eventually disappeared after a trip into the Superstitions. 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. each. 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 fact, the Dutchman lies on the eastern edge of the Superstitions, a few miles southwest of Iron Mountain. Waltz was buried in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. 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. The Lost Dutchman mine is far from the beginning of the legends of gold hidden in the Superstition Mountains. The weather in the Superstition Mountains is notoriously unpredictable, with storms seeming to come out of nowhere and accompanied by abrupt drops in temperatures. 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. To recoup the costs of the search, Julia Thomas actually began to make handmade copies of Waltz's map and sell it to others. It is a ranger-guided hike focusing on the aesthetic . More please. For more. The exact year varies, but the story goes that a rich Mexican mining family named Peralta also came to the area in search of gold. And now we get to the real problem with these legends there's basically zero evidence any of them ever happened. As a reward, Dr. Thorne was blindfolded and led to a cave in the mountains. There have been many books, films, and cartoons about the Lost Gold of the Superstition Mountains. The hellhole supposedly also sends out tremendous winds, and these cause the infamous dust storms of the region. I also believe the mine was never lost. 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. Alleged lost gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. The conquistador ordered the men to stay close together so they weren't picked off, but this didn't help. Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. So where did all these rumors of lost gold in the Superstition Mountains originate? Is it possible he took his own life? Some think this mine was first excavated by Mexico's Peralta family, then commandeered by Apaches or simply abandoned. 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. A map is available in the gift shop and signage along the path explains the stages. This problematic paradox, I believe, is the product of years of misdirection to steer seekers to the west side of the mountains. Fact Analysis: 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. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. The highest peak of the range is Keeper Hill or Slievekimalta at 694 metres (2,277 ft) high. Either way, she went to the mountains for a while to search. The old Silver Chief mine, Ted Cox's Ridge Pit Mine is documented by Dept. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. Supposedly, the Superstition Mountains have long been a sacred site for the nearby Apache tribe of Native Americans. They either mined or found enormous gold deposits in the Superstition Mountains. For the first time ever, Arcana Exploration has undeniable physical proof that the mine exists, proof that is to say, photographic physical documentation that many of the generally excepted clues, are in fact real and do exist and are physically present in one location. 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. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. The Superstition Mountains to the east of Phoenix, AZ reportedly hold a legendary motherlode of gold known as the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. The 500-year-old mines of Bolivia's Cerro Rico mountain produced the silver that once made the Spanish empire rich. Ruth ended his note with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. Thomas admitted she drew the map herself but claimed she based it on descriptions given by the Dutchman, according to Skeptoid. I understand that it has been filled in recently and the surrounding area may have been hit by recent wildfires. It appears no one ever bothered to just ask the Native Americans in the area if the mountains were sacred. We know today they're not actually sedimentary rock, but volcanic, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. Among the many legends to have emerged from the area, one of the most enduring ones is that of The LostDutchmansGold Mine. Nov 19, 2003 #8. 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. 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. 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. 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. On our may trip in 2016 one day it reached 108 degrees, that same day up on the mountain, climbing on a surface of Granite and sandstone ours guys Trek watches read what they were breathing at an actual 119 degrees. One of the worst kept secrets of the Superstition Mountains. Another well-known Dutch Hunter, Jack San Felice, boldly made the case for the Pit Mine in his book. [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. In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. The mountain is also frequented with mysterious sounds that many people have claimed to have heard. For instance, about six of the maps are relevant, others may be relevant, but for now do not appear to be. [27], Throughout the 20th century, various expeditions and individuals continued to search the Superstitions for the Lost Dutchman Mine. 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 average high temperature in June, July and August, is 104 degrees. The early Spanish the Peraltas the Jesuits and many others all came to the Superstition Mountains looking for legendary gold. Still, there is by no means a consensus among Dutch Hunters and many dismiss it entirely, regardless of scientific evidence. There's another story that supposedly took place three centuries earlier also involving a treasure stashed away in the area. As the story goes, Waltz had some minor success drawing gold out of the mountains, and eventually, he started coming back to town with huge loads of high-grade gold ore. Many people have died trying to find it over the years, and, even with all the modern technology at our disposal today, the exact location of the mine in the vast wilderness still remains an enigma. Intrigue Journal. As a counter to Ed Piper, we have Celeste Jones, who was kind of a cult leader from California who . It is common knowledge that someone was working the mine in the late 1990s, though what exactly they extracted varies between tellers. They supposedly did and brought a good amount of gold back to town according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. 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.. This is considered to be the starting and gathering point for most Dutch Hunters. A man named Harry LaFrance was said to have been hiking in the Superstitions, and when he took refuge in a cave from a sudden storm, he found a very large pile of gold bars. These Native American legends aren't the only tales involving religion and gold stores in the area. Frank Jacobs. These cookies do not store any personal information. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. Full Moon Hike at Lost Dutchman. 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. I cannot speak for the current condition of the mine. 9 May 2022. Rogers was partnered with Aaron Mason, foreman of the Silver King mine. It seems likeliest one of two things happened. [7] A man named Miguel Peralta and his family did operate a successful mine in the 1860s but near Valencia, California, not in Arizona. In the version in which the Apaches killed the Peralta Family, the surviving member then went on to get embroiled in a brawl fight years later. 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). The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. Except perhaps not. Jesse Feldman, son of Ron Feldman, indicated his belief that the mine was in the Rogers Trough area in his bookJacobs Trail. None of this rules out that he simply found a cache of abandoned gold, of course, and when he died, he did have in his possessions some high-grade gold ore, though its value is unclear and it may have just been for attracting potential investors in his prospecting operations. While walking out of the horizontal shaft, you will walk over a 2' x 8' walkway. Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. Lastly, the alleged mine directions Ruth had were from an 1895 newspaper account. Sometimes, this discarded cache of gold is said to be the origin of Jacob Waltz's treasure. 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'. 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. In any case, the event led to the naming of the Massacre Falls after it. 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 are a non-profit corporation under Section 501 (c) 3, organized to collect and preserve the history and legends of Arizona's Superstition Mountains, and to support research, education and publications involving the region. Official estimates vary (the Superstition Mountains are also a popular hiking area and sometimes it's likely difficult to tell if someone was just hiking and got lost or was looking for the Lost Dutchman), but there are at least some every decade.
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