Great discoveries have been made in the name of hunting for hidden wealth, but much blood has been shed in those same pursuits, too. "[24], Authorities in Arizona did not convene a criminal inquest regarding Ruth's death. This late 1800s ore chute is proof of mining activity in the Superstition Wilderness. [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. ARKANSAS: Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs Crescent Hotel in Arkansas. There, he claimed to have. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). 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. Only one (sometimes two) could not be accounted for. That ore was recently analyzed by spectrographic analysis, and the results indicate that his ore does not match the ore from any known source. The legend continues to explain that the luck of the Peraltas eventually ran out and they were ambushed by the Apache, who left no trace of the treasure and only a few survivors who brought the tale of the hidden horde back to Mexico. He gradually gained the respect of the old-timers who, in their later years, shared much of the knowledge they had gathered themselves. In many areas they cannot, and will not for any reason land, and actually have designated no fly zones. 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. He was one of the few who were well-prepared to prospect in unpromising locations. 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 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. [5] One Lost Dutchman's mine is said to be in Colorado, another in California; two are said to be located in Arizona. In the next century, the Peralta family extracted gold from this mine. The early Spanish the Peraltas the Jesuits and many others all came to the Superstition Mountains looking for legendary gold. If you get it hurt you better have your own team. But it was the Apaches who became the areas most famous native residents, using the mountains as a stronghold during the 1800s when the whites began their westward expansion, lured by the promise of gold. However, despite several men claiming to have found the mine, no one ever came forward with the gold. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. Richman, Irwin. He further stated, after examining the two holes [in the skull], that it appeared that a shotgun or high-powered rifle had been fired through the head at almost point-blank range, making the small hole when the bullet entered and the large hole when it exited".[23]. Further legends claim the conquistador and his men were bearing their own reserves of gold, looted from previous expeditions, but ended up leaving it behind when they escaped whatever was killing them. Through Coxs widow, Feldmans group gathered firsthand knowledge that Cox excavated a mine and uncovered a stash of Spanish bullion, a fact that has been almost substantiated by the use of Ground Penetrating Radar. The story of the Peralta Stones is that they lead you to a small almost invisible ledge, 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 man. Supposedly, the Superstition Mountains have long been a sacred site for the nearby Apache tribe of Native Americans. Recommended. It was supposedly discovered and kept secret by a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz in the 19th century, hence the . In fact, after five years including thousands of hours of research and then four . Peralta's Family. The conquistador and his men arrived and made their way deep into the mountains, despite the warnings of danger from the local Apache. Its believed the group buried their amassed bullion, hoping to return at a later time. He really did emigrate from Germany, though this seems to have occurred decades before the legends claim, because there are verified documents showing he filed to become an American citizen in 1848, long before he supposedly arrived in 1860, according to the Superstition Mountain Museum. "The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine." Thomas admitted she drew the map herself but claimed she based it on descriptions given by the Dutchman, according to Skeptoid. Legend of the Superstition Mountains: With Keenan Johnston, Mark Dodson, Frank Augustine, Wayne Tuttle. Waltz is also said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map to the gold mine. Mules and horses carried raw ore to the chute; the dumped ore tumbled out the front into wagons that carried it away. Or, he never made any such claims at all and Thomas made up the whole story based on some gold ore she found in Waltz's possessions. The Superstition Mountains in Arizona are bound to be home to at least a few good stories by virtue of their name alone. Either way, she went to the mountains for a while to search. [7] A man named Miguel Peralta and his family did operate a successful mine in the 1860s but near Valencia, California, not in Arizona. Lost Dutchman's Cabin in the Superstition Mountains StrangeAgo October 21, 2017 In this article, two men went in search of the Dutchman's mine and claimed they found his cabin. Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. "Dutchman's Gold" was the season 4, episode 19 of, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 00:14. [10] Trouble came after Willing learned that the deed was entirely bogus. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. This is what brought him to the Superstition Mountains (yes, that's their real name) near what is today the city of Phoenix, Arizona. The main shaft heads down to two tunnels. 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). Many of Ruth's personal effects were found at the scene, including a pistol (not missing any shells) and the metal pins used to mend his broken bones. But Blair suggested that this core story was distorted in subsequent retellings, comparing the many variants of the Lost Dutchman's story to the game of Chinese whispers, where the original account is distorted in multiple retellings of the tale.[15]. Waltz did claim to have a treasure, but he really didn't and was simply telling tall tales to make his life seem more interesting, then Julia Thomas believed him. Gold fever is infectious. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. 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. It's likely this legend just got re-adapted to the Superstitions to boost the legend of the Lost Dutchman's mine. He had worked as a miner but was an amateur prospector at best. But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. The Lost Dutchman's Mine Legend in the Superstition Mountains Documented by Timothy Draper Categories & Site Details: Famous Treasure Stories, Field Research, Gold, Gold & Doubloons, Metal Detectors, Mining Legends, Mysteries, Spanish History, Spanish Treasure, Treasure Sites in America Table of Contents Arizona's most notorious lost treasure story for both believers and otherwise takes place in the mysterious Superstition Mountains. Web. These trails traverse from the desert floor up into the edges of the mountains. I will make a statement in the near future that will surprise a lot of Dutch Hunters it surprised me. Except perhaps not. They were never seen again. Clue 16 - Miliary Map. He was a student of mining and was knowledgeable in geology. Since federal regulations restrict the use of power equipment, the headframe operates much like it would have in the 19th century. While we are rather skeptical of the finding of the Lost Dutchman claim, if the new find is rich in gold it will do until the old discovery is really brought to light. Arcana Exploration has been there on four separate trips the first in October of 2015. Jesse Capen was obsessed with the legend of the lost gold, despite the lack of hard historical evidence. In the years after the massacre, the legend around the Lost Dutchman Mine grew, attracting treasure-seekers who hoped to find the cache (perhaps worth about $200 million according to one estimate). According to historian Tom Kollenborn, the Superstition Mountains were an unlikely place to strike it rich: 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). 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. #1. He contracted it as a young child, when he was enthralled with books and stories of hidden treasures and lost gold. each. LOST DUTCHMAN MINE FOUND - FINALLY! Feldman absorbed every bit of information he could find on the history of mining in the region. They found gold in the 1840s but were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches. Arcana Exploration is made up of a group of five friends and supporters, from central Ohio, who until five years ago knew very little if anything about the LDM. The earliest Lost Dutchman's mine in Arizona was said to have been near Wickenburg, about 180km (110mi) north-west of the Superstition Mountains: a "Dutchman" was allegedly discovered dead in the desert near Wickenburg in the 1870s alongside saddlebags filled with gold. . Let may say this; it is not important who engraved the stones, and if itwas Tomlinson and he being the maker or someone else being the engraver of the stones while historically interesting it is not the most important thing. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). Jacob Waltz does appear to have been a real person; whether he was simply used as the basis for the story or actually found the lost gold is another story. [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). After a five-year wait, HEAT obtained a Treasure Trove Permit for the purpose of re-excavating a mine in the Superstition Wilderness. This is their turf and only the highly experienced and prepared should venture forward. In his 1945 book about the Lost Dutchman's mine. And now we get to the real problem with these legends there's basically zero evidence any of them ever happened. Campground check-in is 2 p.m. We miss it. The conquistador ordered the men to stay close together so they weren't picked off, but this didn't help. Only the materials differ. Apparently, he was rewarded. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. After growing up on the East Coast and California, Feldman moved in 1968 to Arizona where he established a successful stable offering trail rides and pack trips into the rugged mountains that were once home to the Apaches. This is trails end; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters. Wikimedia CommonsThe grave of Jacob Waltz. Now wait a minute isnt the fabled Lost Dutchman Mine located in the Superstitions? Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. Image property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona. However, despite several men claiming to have found the mine, no one ever came forward with the gold. 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. Keep in mind for security reasons for now I have to be selective on what we divulge. Shortly after the Dutchmans death in 1891, a cache of incredibly rich gold ore was taken from a candle box beneath his bed. Waltz fell ill and died in 1891, but not before revealing the location of an alleged gold mine to Julia Thomas, the neighbour who cared for him. In fact, Julia Thomas was the very first so-called "dutch hunter," combing through the mountains and seeking the lost gold. When: Open 365 days a year. It does not matter if Tomlinson engraved them or someone else did, exactly when they were made is not important, what matters is what is on them. The Lost Dutchman gold mine is believed to be situated in a state park in Apache Junction, Arizona, although its exact location is unclear. The soldiers are alleged to have presented some of the gold, but to have been killed or to have vanished soon after. PERALTA DESCENDENTS HAVE GIVEN US DOCUMENTS 100S OF YEARS OLD. 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. All were unsuccessful; a few are said to have never left the mountains. The Weavers Needle rock column of Arizonas Superstition Mountains is often said to mark the location of the Lost Dutchman Mine. 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. Sadly, the 35-year-old became another target of the fables when he disappeared from the Tonto National Forest in 2009. See more in Season 1, Episode 1, \"Secrets of the Lost Map.\"#LegendoftheSuperstitionMountains Subscribe for more from Legend of the Superstition Mountains and other great The HISTORY Channel shows:https://histv.co/SubscribeToHistoryFind out more about the show and watch full episodes on our site:http://www.history.com/shows/Check out exclusive The HISTORY Channel content:History Newsletter: www.history.com/newsletterWebsite - http://www.history.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/HistoryTwitter - https://twitter.com/historyThe HISTORY Channel is the leading destination for award-winning original series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive, and entertaining manner across all platforms. 2017. (From left) Eric Shervey, Ron Feldman and Josh Feldman discuss sweeping the area to ensure the tunnels are where they suspect. A note from Ruth saying he needed help and had discovered the mine was found in the Salt River. Jacob Waltz was a German immigrant, the Dutchman of the eponymous mine (dutch being a corruption of deutsch, the German word for German). Thorne claimed that he was taken captive by Navajos in 1854, and that during his captivity he had discovered a rich gold vein. 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 rewarded when they struck gold in the 1840s. This is very important! Intrigue Journal. Feldman and his partners in HEAT (Historical Exploration and Treasures) go daily into the Superstition Wilderness east of Apache Junction in Arizona, and with government permission, manually dig for a lost Spanish Mine. from. 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. This account is usually dated to about 1870. Since his death in the 1890s, many have tried to. Granger wrote that "fact and fiction blend in the tales",[3] but that there are three main elements to the story: In 1977, Granger identified 62 variants of the Lost Dutchman's story some of the variations are minor, but others are substantial, casting the story in a very different light from the other versions. Indeed, there's yet another legend purporting to explain where the Dutchman might have acquired his gold. The Dutchman found this mine, and his 'story' advises he 'obtained' it from Mexicans miners who were working it. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. Wikimedia CommonsThe Weavers Needle rock column of Arizonas Superstition Mountains is often said to mark the location of the Lost Dutchman Mine. In the weeks and months to come we will use much of the historical information, and show how it ties directly to what we have found. Later that year, two easterners went looking for the lost mine. And importantly I have hard facts that the Stones are linked to other historical information. The detailed record keepers the Mexican miners were, there is not another mine in here that would 'fit' for this time and location. So far, they've filmed at locations that include the Treasure Hunter of the Year Awards, held at Apache Junction's Mammoth Saloon in March, and at Goldfield Ghost Town, an attraction that features a zip line and live staged gunfights. In 1847-1848 during the time of the Hidalgo Treaty when Mexico sold the territory to the United Sates the Peraltas, knowing they would lose access to their mines made one last trip bringing hundreds of miners from Sonora to mine as much as they could, but were attacked by Apaches.