lost dutchman mine

In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. Another version of the tale states that Waltz actually learned of the mines location from Ken-tee. Now all we had to do was dig, and we would surely find one of the richest and most hunted treasures in the worldthe Lost Dutchmans Gold Mine, secreted in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Lewing claimed self-defense. Quite literally so, according to Southwestern Folklore author and researcher Byrd Granger. He was one of the few who were well-prepared to prospect in unpromising locations. The 66-year-old Ruth stayed at the ranch of Tex Barkely as he prepared for his expedition. Along with members of the Petrasch family, she searched the mountains but found nothing. There have been at least three discoveries of the mine since the 1960s, and in all three cases, good gold was found. Ironically, it is also one of the most found lost mines in America. Scientists say that the Superstition Mountains dont contain the type of mineral deposits that produce gold. While there, he met an Apache girl named Ken-tee, who despite the fact that Waltz was almost 60 years old, became his mistress. People often asked of him the obvious questions Where was the gold coming from? 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. 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]. WebBackground: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. Apparently, he WebThe Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is a fabled gold mine located in the Southwest, though it's exact whereabouts are unknown. [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". In his pack was gold ore, later discovered to be identical to that of the rich ore Jacob Waltz had found earlier. Ongoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. In April of 1958, a deserted campsite was discovered on the northern edge of the mountain. 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. The mines location remains a mystery to this day. But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. He was a student of mining and was knowledgeable in geology. 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). However, Thorne had to agree to be blindfolded for the 20-mile trip. A reward was immediately offered by the family and searchers combed the mountain for the next 45 days but Ruth was not found. People want to think the Lost Dutchman mine has gold hanging off the walls. 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. They found gold in the 1840s but were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches. Though he preferred his own company and his large library of books to being with others, he never turned away a visitor to his retreat and often traveled to the area mining camps to sell his vegetables. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Suggest edits to improve what we show. 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. He was one of the few who were well-prepared to prospect in unpromising locations. For over a century, treasure hunters have sought the treasures supposedly lost in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, but what do we really know about the events surrounding this tale? So, if any of the earlier tales of gold founds are true, where did it come from? $89+ per night for cabins. When people tried to follow him out of town, he would lose them in the many clefts and canyons on the peak. 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 WebLost Dutchman Mine is a non-linear adventure game which puts the player in the role of a gold miner, circa 1860. A day-use entrance is $10 per vehicle. 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. 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. Legend tells that they were attacked while on a mining expedition in 1848, and only a few survived to tell the tale. Thomas Glover is the author of three books on Jacob Waltz and the Lost Dutchman Mine. Around the turn of the century, two prospectors who went by the names of Silverlock and Malm began to work on the northern edge of Superstition Mountain. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. He vanished and was never seen again. 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. This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. It involves murder, secrets, and a whole lotta sweet, sweet gold. Though the coroner acceded that foul play might have been involved, the original statement was never changed. Since James Reavis, "the Baron of Arizona", was convicted of fraud when the Peralta family genealogy and other documents to support the land grant (and a barony associated with that land) were determined to be forgeries it also raises questions about the original purchase of the land grant by Dr. George M. Willing Jr. (the transaction had supposedly occurred at a primitive campsite to the southeast of Prescott without the benefit of the typical documentation; instead of a notarized deed, the conveyance was recorded on a piece of greasy camp paper bearing signature of several witnesses). He soon returned to Pinal, saying that he had found an old mine, describing it as the most God-awful rough place you can imagine a ghostly place. Dearing; however, continued to work as a bartender until he could save enough money for the excavation. In 1955, Charles Massey, who was hunting with a 22, was found shot between the eyes by a heavy-caliber rifle bullet. 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. The player can freely explore a town and a vast desert, limited only by the protagonist's necessity to eat and rest. Both died within two years. 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. It is thought that Apaches stole the gold and hid it in the mountains. Mason sent out a search party, who found the nude bodies of both men, shot in the head. Julia Thomas, having invested everything she owned into the venture to find the mine, never attempted to find it again. December 09, 2019 Many believe it's hidden in the Superstition Mountains, and it's rumored a curse falls upon all those who try to find it. 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. But in the 1990s, roughly 100 years after the Dutchmans death, Feldman believes he found it. Through the summer, he lingered in a wasted condition, giving clues to his caretaker, Julia, and to his rescuers, Herman and Reinhardt Petrasch. Troubles with the Apaches made the familys mining operation dangerous. 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. That same year, an elderly couple was found murdered in an automobile. 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. It was tied in a blanket and his skull was found about thirty feet away. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. 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. It does not. All traces of the mine were covered up. Quick Facts: Lost Dutchman State Park Camping. At least a dozen Lost Dutchman mines are found yearly and, strange to relate, many of them turn out to be remarkably good producers. "The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine." Two months later, another prospector from Denver, Colorado named Walter J. Mowry was found in Needle Canyon. Although there has been no proof that the mine exists, from then on, many people have joined the search for the hidden gold. Though it is not known if he found the fabled Dutchmans Mine, his forays did produce the coveted shining metal, adding more fuel to the legend of gold in the Superstitions. Ruths son, a lawyer, had helped a man called Pedro Gonzales with a legal matter and in return, was given some old maps. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. One of the most professional and serious-minded efforts was led by Oklahoma City private detective Glen Magill, who organized multiple expeditions in the late 1960s and early '70s, and claimed on at least two occasions to have identified the location of the mine, later to concede he was either mistaken or the locations were "played out," or bereft of gold. WebThe Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is a fabled gold mine located in the Southwest, though it's exact whereabouts are unknown. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. He was living in Arizona in the 1860s and did mine for a living. When the Spanish arrived in 1540, the region was inhabited by the Apache Indians, who considered Superstition Mountain to be sacred ground, as it was home to their Thunder God. 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. Ruth had in his possession what he claimed was a map giving the location of One man found it in the Four Peaks and extracted several thousand dollars of ore back when gold was $20 an ounce. Superstition Mountain, Arizona by Kathy Weiser-Alexander. All Rights Reserved. In the 1870s, Jacob Waltz (or Walz,) who had befriended one of the Peralta heirs, was allegedly told the location of the mine. Ruths untimely demise did nothing to dissuade further searchers. WebOngoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. In the summer of 1880, two recently discharged soldiers from Fort McDowell, showed up in Pinal, Arizona looking for work at the Silver King Mine. With the body were several gold nuggets. Though the house was gone, searchers were later able to locate five sacks of gold worth about $15,000. 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. Let the prospector keep on finding the old lost mine and he is made, no matter it is not the original.. Ruth was searching for lost Peralta Mines, especially that of the Lost Dutchman. Apache Before the Storm, Edwards S. Curtis, 1906. Five days later, another skeleton was found, which was later identified as William Richard Harvey, a painter from San Francisco. Temperatures during the day can easily climb to more than 100 degrees and at higher elevations can drop into the freezing temperatures at night. In 1976, a prospector named Howard Polling was found dead of a gunshot wound. 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. Dr. George M. Willing Jr. paid Peralta $20,000 for the mining rights for an enormous swath of land about 3,000,000 acres (12,000km2) in southern Arizona and New Mexico based on a deed originally granted by the Spanish Empire in the 18th century. Troubles with the Apaches made the familys mining operation dangerous. [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. The coroners jury ruled that there was no evidence of foul play.. The Superstition Mountains can be seen behind these old buildings in nearby Goldfield,Arizona by Kathy Weiser-Alexander. However, by 1877, he and another man by the name of Jacob Weiser (or Wisner,) returned to the Superstitions. In 1870, Waltz had a homestead of about 160 acres (0.65km2) near Phoenix where he operated a farm.[18]. Clapp had been missing since July. Malm was later sent to the county poor farm, not doing much better himself. The first was the Gross Lode filed in the Walker Mining District. The soldiers are alleged to have presented some of the gold, but to have been killed or to have vanished soon after. But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. 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. This does not deter the many seekers the search, itself, is simply too intriguing. (2004). The tales of the Lost Dutchman mine might have passed into history if it wasnt for Adolph Ruth, who decided to find the gold in the summer of 1931. 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