"[24], Authorities in Arizona did not convene a criminal inquest regarding Ruth's death. The start of the most famous legend to come from the mountains, that of the Lost Dutchman Mine, begins with these fortune-seekers. For the next ten years, Waltz would often appear in Phoenix, with saddlebags filled with some of the richest gold ore many had ever seen, before disappearing once again into the Superstition Mountains. 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. Another version of the tale states that Waltz actually learned of the mines location from Ken-tee. 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. 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. Ruth disappeared while searching for the mine in the summer of 1931. Said to be the most famous lost mine of all time, it continues to draw prospectors to the Superstition Mountains of Arizona in This does not deter the many seekers the search, itself, is simply too intriguing. During their outing, Jenkins found a heavy quartz rock that he later learned was heavily laden with gold. "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. For the next century, the Peralta family and their laborers would make infrequent forays into Arizona bringing out loads of ore. Weavers Needle in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, courtesy Wikipedia. To this day, his death remains a mystery; however, it is but one more life claimed by the mountain and perhaps, its curse. 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. 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. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. Sure that he was mad, even the Apache left him alone. Just a year later, two deer hunters were driven off the mountain, when again rolling boulders appeared to have been pushed by someone or something down the mountain towards them. Two months later, Piper was found dead. He knew that gold had been found in the Superstition Mountains. 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. Later that year, two easterners went looking for the lost mine. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. The Superstitions are now a federal wilderness area and Arizona State Park, so even if the gold were found it would have to be surrendered to the government. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. The true story of a prospecting success. Malm was later sent to the county poor farm, not doing much better himself. However, Thorne had to agree to be blindfolded for the 20-mile trip. Herman Petrasch accused his brother, Rhinehart, of not paying attention to Jacobs bedside clues and the disagreement led to their never speaking again. Location: Apache Junction, AZ. Old Fort McDowell, photo by Tom McCurnin, courtesy Ghosttowns.com. A century and a half later, having heard of the rich gold to be found in the Superstitions, Jesuit priest Eusebio Francisco Kino, whose objective was to establish missions and Christianize the Indians, was lured by the tales. WebOne of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. In his 1945 book about the Lost Dutchman's mine. When the doctor agreed, he was taken to a place that was allegedly near the mine, where a pile of gold ore had been stacked near the base of the canyon wall. WebBackground: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. WebOngoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. The story of the missing mine started when the Peralta family moved to the area in the early 19th century to try their luck at mining. Later, Waltz was suspected of high-grading ore from the Vulture Mine and was dismissed. 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 A day-use entrance is $10 per vehicle. 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. Another found it in the Western Superstitions. Allegedly, there were rifle shots and indications of foul play. Quite literally so, according to Southwestern Folklore author and researcher Byrd Granger. However, before relocating to what is now Pinal County, Arizona, Waltz worked at the Henry Wickenburgs Vulture Gold Mine near Wickenburg, Arizona. 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. But, after five weeks, the three returned with nothing. Two years later, in 1980, the skeleton of a man named Rick Fenning was found. According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. In 1970, a seasoned prospector named Al Morrow was killed by a boulder that fell into a tunnel that he was digging. Famed Apache Geronimo is sometimes mentioned in relation to this story. The Superstition Mountains by Carol Highsmith. It was even said a candle box containing high-grade gold ore was found under his bed. , The Waterbury Democrat. "Dutchman" was a common American term for a German ("Dutch" being the English cognate to the German demonym "Deutsch", and not a reference to the Dutch people). One of the boys legs was crushed. If he had, we still wouldnt know where the mine is, but we would know where it isnt a useful piece of information, since the mine has been found multiple times in at least five counties. 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 [5] One Lost Dutchman's mine is said to be in Colorado, another in California; two are said to be located in Arizona. That same year, two California boys, who were hiking on Superstition Mountain, also vanished. The Lost Dutchman Mine is said to be a rich goldmine located somewhere in the southwestern American state of Arizona. The Lost Dutchman Mine is said to be a rich goldmine located somewhere in the southwestern American state of Arizona. Thorne earned the respect of tribal leaders as he cared for the sick and injured, and after curing several Apache of an eye disease, he was offered an opportunity to be led to the gold in the Superstitions in 1870. Where was the mine? The cause of death was undetermined. James Reavis tried to assert that the Peralta family had a Spanish land grant and a barony granted by the King of Spain, which included a huge swath of Arizona and New Mexico, including the Superstition Mountains. 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. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). WebThe Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is a fabled gold mine located in the Southwest, though it's exact whereabouts are unknown. Many believe it's hidden in the Superstition Mountains, and it's rumored a curse falls upon all those who try to find it. Two more men who were hiking in the Superstitions that year became involved in some kind of dispute. Allowed to remove the blindfold, Thorne found himself in a canyon where a large unusual rock pinnacle loomed to the south. In the 1850s, two prospectors are said to have come upon three dead burros with intact pack saddles that contained some $37,000 worth of gold. The second was the Big Rebel filed in the Walnut Grove Mining District. WebFor more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has haunted the minds and souls of treasure seekers throughout the world. One of the game's goals is to earn money, which can be achieved by searching gold in a river, mining for gold, or capturing wanted criminals. Days Past is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners International (www.prescottcorral.org). The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated November 2019. The following year another man named Dennis Brown, was also found dead of a gunshot wound. In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. Some historians believe that any gold found in this rugged terrain was probably hidden there, perhaps even having been the fabled lost Aztec treasure. On the northwest slope of the mountain, in an area now referred to as Massacre Ground, all but one of the miners were ambushed and killed by the Apache. In 1934 the Superstitions claimed the life of Adam Stewart, the cause of death unknown. But for thousands of others, the mine and its legends are extremely real, hidden in the forbidding peaks of the Superstition Mountains. Separately, however, they both spent much of the rest of their lives looking for the lost mine. Waltz; however, was able to escape and before long, was running a saloon in Tortilla Flats. WebBackground: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. There have been at least three discoveries of the mine since the 1960s, and in all three cases, good gold was found. 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. Waltz was buried in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. The start of the most famous legend to come from the mountains, that of the Lost Dutchman Mine, begins with these fortune-seekers. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. [27], Throughout the 20th century, various expeditions and individuals continued to search the Superstitions for the Lost Dutchman Mine. 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. The soldiers replied that the ore had been picked up while crossing Superstition Mountain, where they had also spied an old mine. (2004). He was one of the few who were well-prepared to prospect in unpromising locations. In a story that echoes some of the earlier tales, Ruth's son Erwin C. Ruth was said to have learned of the Peralta mine from a man called Pedro Gonzales (or Gonzalez). The path to these riches is paved in mystery and doom. 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. The Lost Dutchman is Americas most famous lost mine, and many people have risked their lives searching for it. WebOne of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. In 1937, a man named Jenkins, along with his wife and two children were having a picnic on the mountain. Apparently, he Willing died in 1874 before there had been a thorough investigation of the documents or opportunity to cross examine him on the stand as was later done with Reavis. 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. 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. The soldiers are alleged to have presented some of the gold, but to have been killed or to have vanished soon after. 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". 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