He had metal pins in his leg, and used a cane to help him walk. Web. In 1977, 292 acres (118ha) abutting the Tonto National Forest were set aside as the Lost Dutchman State Park. Blair suggested that this Waltz could be the same Waltz who later came to be regarded as the legendary Dutchman, and that he Americanized the spelling of his family name. To these, Waltz would give contradictory statements and directions. Having taken on a terrible chill, he was attended to by a woman named Julia Thomas, who tried to nurse him back to health, but Jacob had contracted pneumonia. Whether out of greed or, some kind of dispute over how they would handle their new-found wealth, Hernandez killed his friend Ferreira. 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 legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. He sent friends back to his home to see if they could find the gold that he had kept there. Where was the mine? They found gold in the 1840s but were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches. 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 [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. 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. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). All traces of the mine were covered up. Quite literally so, according to Southwestern Folklore author and researcher Byrd Granger. Does the Lost Dutchman Mine really even exist, or is it nothing more than a tall tale perpetuated throughout the years? [12] Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858. The legend of the lost mine, as well as the tales of its curse, continued to grow over the years as more and more stories were told, relating mysterious deaths, disappearances, and small gold finds. They found gold in the 1840s but were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches. It does not. The cause of death was unknown. Waltz began prospecting in California in the 1850s. Three years later his headless skeleton was finally discovered. [12] The three soldiers set out to find the gold, but without success. 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. Gonzales claimed descendant from the Peralta family and said he had information on the whereabouts of the mine. 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 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. In 1949 a man named James Kidd disappeared in the Superstitions. He was one of the few who were well-prepared to prospect in unpromising locations. Ruths son, a lawyer, had helped a man called Pedro Gonzales with a legal matter and in return, was given some old maps. It was then that the pair moved near the Superstition Mountain range. This was the first official recording of the mines existence. In 1865, Thorne was working as an army doctor at Fort McDowell, Arizona. 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. 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. Sinking dozens of shafts into the mountainside, they found little gold, other than some scarce remains from the Peralta Massacre. Jacob Waltz moved to the Salt River Valley in 1868 and purchased a 160-acre farm on the north bank of the Salt River. Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. 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. Two years later, in 1980, the skeleton of a man named Rick Fenning was found. [8] The mine was quite profitable, earning about $35,000 in less than one year; Blair described this as "an unusually good return" for such a small gold mine to earn in such a relatively brief period. The fact of the finding of the mine for the past twenty years has kept alive the mining industries of the territory. People want to think the Lost Dutchman mine has gold hanging off the walls. Waltz; however, was able to escape and before long, was running a saloon in Tortilla Flats. It does not. WebThe Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine (also known by similar names) is, according to legend, a rich gold mine hidden in the southwestern United States. The player was free to roam around the desert and town at will constrained only by the need to make sure they had enough food to eat and a safe place to sleep. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. 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. The next person to come across the mine was a man named Dr. Abraham Thorne. WebA curved arrow on a mysterious map inscribed on stone surfaces pointed to the identical place, confirming the location. Many believe it's hidden in the Superstition Mountains, and it's rumored a curse falls upon all those who try to find it. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. WebThe Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Found! A skull with two bullet holes was found six months later. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. In early 1952, a man named Joseph Kelley of Dayton, Ohio was also searching for the lost mine. In 1963, a man named Vance Bacon, also working to tunnel through Weavers Needle, fell to his death. [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". 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. Two years later, in December 1936, another life was claimed by the mountain when hobbyist, Roman OHal, a broker from New York, died from a fall when he was searching for the Lost Dutchman. When nothing had been heard of Ruth for six days, the cowboys boss, a man named Tex Barkley, went looking for the treasure hunter. He is blindfolded and taken there by a circuitous route, and is allowed to take as much gold ore as he can carry before again being escorted blindfolded from the site by the Apaches. WebLegend tells of the Lost Dutchmans gold mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of brutal Arizona desert known as the Superstition Mountains.. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. Troubles with the Apaches made the familys mining operation dangerous. WebFor more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has haunted the minds and souls of treasure seekers throughout the world. They were never seen again. Days Past is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners International (www.prescottcorral.org). Arcadia Publishing. Camping: 135 sites (68 with electric/water) and cabins can be reserved year-round through Arizona State Parks. Many believe it's hidden in the Superstition Mountains, and it's rumored a curse falls upon all those who try to find it. In February 1951, Dr. John Burns, a physician from Oregon, was found shot to death on Superstition Mountain. WebThe Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is a fabled gold mine located in the Southwest, though it's exact whereabouts are unknown. Please direct any comments or errors to webmaster@sharlot.org. With the body were several gold nuggets. The next year, with the Mexican-American War in full swing, Pedro was the only one willing to return to Arizona, determined to extract as much gold as possible before their holdings became part of the United States. The following year, brothers, Richard and Robert Kremis, were found dead at the bottom of a high cliff. Years later, a man called Dr. Thorne treats an ailing or wounded Apache (often alleged to be a chieftain) and is rewarded with a trip to a rich gold mine. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. The coroners jury ruled that there was no evidence of foul play.. This and other Days Past articles are also available at https://sharlothallmuseum.org/articles/days-past-articles.l. Delivering it to Jacob, it was placed under his sickbed. That same year, two California boys, who were hiking on Superstition Mountain, also vanished. Julia Thomas became the first searcher for the lost mine. He vanished and was never seen again. In the 1870s, Jacob Waltz (or Walz,) who had befriended one of the Peralta heirs, was allegedly told the location of the mine. But, Adophs son, Erwin, was convinced his father had been killed. People want to think the Lost Dutchman mine has gold hanging off the walls. Blair had little doubt that Waltz related to Thomas the location of an alleged gold mine. Ruth had in his possession what he claimed was a map giving the location of 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'. (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. Ruths treasure map was found at his original campsite. Undaunted; however, Julia and the Petrasches made an expedition into the Superstitions that summer, trying to find the mine. After the land was ceded to the United States, the Peralta party was trespassing on U.S. soil. 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. 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