George Mallory's Lost Camera. This is very important! 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. Shortly after the Dutchmans death in 1891, a cache of incredibly rich gold ore was taken from a candle box beneath his bed. 9 May 2022. Because of poor health, Cox never returned to the mine, and it almost became forgotten. As a reward, Dr. Thorne was blindfolded and led to a cave in the mountains. Fortune seeker Barry Storm stumbles onto some clues that may lead him to the fabulous Lost Dutchman Mine, but others have tried and been murdered. Also, as previously mentioned, no Native American tribes in the region seem to have any history of treating the mountains as anything other than regular mountains. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. 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 the first, a doctor (sometimes said to be an Army doctor) called Dr. Thorne was said to have had a Native American man who needed medical assistance brought to him. 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. He never returned, and months later, an archaeological expedition encountered his remains, which indicated he had been shot, and a hand-written note claiming he had found the entrance to the mine. 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. The earliest documentation of him in the U.S. is an 1848 affidavit in which Waltz declared himself to be "about 38 years old". It is believed that all were killed except for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but managed to escape. Join Lawrence Fishburne as he uncovers the truth behind the strangest mysteries of all time in Historys Greatest Mysteries: Solved - https://histv.co/HGMSThe Lost Dutchman Gold Mine is the most famous lost mine in American history. 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. In some versions, he's not just a man but the chieftain of the Apache tribe. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. After one hundred and twenty-five plus years incredibly, the lost Dutchman gold mine has been found, proving that the legend is more than mere myth and as predicted by Jacob Waltz himself "No miner will ever find my mine". "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). Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. For instance, about six of the maps are relevant, others may be relevant, but for now do not appear to be. Waltz is attacked and wounded by marauding Apaches, but survives at least long enough to tell a man called Dr. Walker about the mine. RaksyBH/Shutterstock Ruth did not return as scheduled, and no trace of him could be found after a brief search. 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. 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. (Right) Bob Schoose (owner of Goldfield, Arizona) designed this headframe, which the team hand carried from the base camp to the site for construction. The short "Discovery Trail" is a clear route with several placards giving the natural history of the area. Perhaps this is why many of the legends involve people bringing gold to the mountain and leaving it hidden there. Kino is believed to have had a rich goldmine somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. National ArchivesA band of Apache braves in Arizona. While Francisco Coronado did exist and did explore what is now the southwestern United States, there's nothing indicating he ever visited the Superstitions. 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. 372 23K views 2 years ago Justin and Emiliano investigate the Lost Dutchman Goldmine, a legendary lost mine in the mountains of Arizona, which is said to contain over 200 million dollars. Adolph Ruth . After the conquistadors and priests are purported to have come and gone from the Superstition Mountains, legend tells of another group who arrived sometime in the earlier half of the 1800s. Blair argued that this Peralta story (well known to Arizona residents) was eventually incorporated in the Lost Dutchman's story, in a severely distorted version, following the renewed interest in the Lost Dutchman's mine in the 1930s. Going on a year now. I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. All of these elements can be found in the search for the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, reportedly well hidden in Arizona's mysterious-looking (and aptly named) Superstition Mountains (pictured above). This is what brought him to the Superstition Mountains (yes, that's their real name) near what is today the city of Phoenix, Arizona. This image was made from a tintype found in the Superstition Mountains by Bud Dunn, circa 1960. Jesse Capen was obsessed with the legendary Dutchman Gold Mine and was convinced he could locate the treasure hidden deep in the Superstition Mountains. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. It was loosely named Lost Deutschman or Lost German Mine, and to this day, anyone who researches or tries to find the gold are generally referred to as Dutch hunters. Then around 1692, the Jesuit padre father Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived. First, let's talk about the geology of the mountains. 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 Lost Dutchman Mine - Kindle edition by Ely, Sims. Top ways to experience Goldfield Ghost Town and nearby attractions. But they're even better known for something else: the legendary Lost Dutchman's Mine, a much-ballyhooed secret stash of wealth sought by daring adventurers known as "Dutch hunters." While the Jesuits were eventually allowed to return to the area, it seems they either forgot the treasure or couldn't find it, and so it was still in the mountains when it was perhaps discovered by none other than the Dutchman himself, Jacob Waltz. [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. Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. The photographic evidence taken at the site along with a selection of maps combined with historical documentation together, links the most generally accepted and related informational evidence too present day boots on the ground reality. While this theory did not ignore the two holes in the skull, it did fail to explain how Ruth had managed to remove and bury the empty shell, then reload his gun, after shooting himself through the head". April 1, 2018 (Borrego Springs) - Way back in the late 1820s, Thomas "Pegleg" Smith got lost in a sandstorm and hobbled up a hill on his wooden leg to get his bearings. 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. 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. [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=1137505190. The reason you can see Weavers Needle to the south is the same . 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. 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. [11] According to Blair, the origin of this story can be traced to a doctor named Thorne who was in private practice in New Mexico in the 1860s. Where: 46109 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction. 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. Gina Dimuro is a New York-based writer and translator. They planned to return, but once they left, they were never seen again. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. Though the remains had been scattered by scavengers, they were undoubtedly Ruth's. They came back from the mountains hauling a lot of gold and saying there was far more from whence it came. Some carved stones in the area are referred to as "Peralta Stones" and Spanish text and crude maps on them are considered by some to be clues to the location of a Peralta family gold mine in the Superstition Mountains, although others believe the stones to be modern fakes. Lyndon Graves 135 subscribers 10K views 4 years ago After 15 Long Years, and long battles with Government agencies , we have decided to reveal the treasures. The Superstition Mountains in Arizona are bound to be home to at least a few good stories by virtue of their name alone. He really did die in 1891 of pneumonia. 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. Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. The body of one dutch hunter (as they are known to locals) was found in the Superstition Mountains as recently as 2012. Clay Worst says the Dutchman bounced all over America obsessed with finding gold---and found nothing. Background Jesse Capen was born on June 2, 1974 in Colorado to parents David Capen and Cynthia Burnett. There's no evidence they ever came to Arizona at all. 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. ARIZONA, USA It's arguably the most famous legend in all of Arizona: A gold mine of unfathomable riches in the . [10] Trouble came after Willing learned that the deed was entirely bogus. However, despite several men claiming to have found the mine, no one ever came forward with the gold. In subsequent years, the Dutchmanas Waltz was calledworked both placer and lode gold mines in the region. [1], The Lost Dutchman's is perhaps the most famous lost mine in American history. However, things started going wrong immediately as men began to disappear, later being found decapitated. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. While this doesn't mean it's impossible there's gold to mine up there, it makes it far less likely. In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. 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. With Ida Lupino, Glenn Ford, Gig Young, William Prince. The Jesuits, who had been collecting the gold for many years from various sources, were said to be fleeing as they had been expelled from the Spanish empire, who owned most of the land that would eventually become the southwestern United States at the time, according to the Great American History Blog. Courtesy Collection of Greg Davis / Superstition Mountain Museum , The Lost Dutchman is one of the greatest lost mine stories of them all. Ruth had in his possession what he claimed was a map giving the location of the Peralta's Las Minas Sombreras. It's not even out of the question the expedition was a misdirect to make it seem like she and her cohorts were looking for something to bolster the legend. We are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. [3] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine. These Native American legends aren't the only tales involving religion and gold stores in the area. 2017. 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. SIMS ELY'S BOOK - The Lost Dutchman Mine. First. The Peralta Stones are a set of engraved stone tableted works that are approximately 18 inches long and weigh about 25 lbs. Ron Feldman has it and has had it all of his adult life. 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). There are lots of similar tales of gold-hunting soldiers, too, from all over the southwest. Skeptoid Podcast. Some have died on the search. He was one of the few who were well-prepared to prospect in unpromising locations. Famed Apache Geronimo is sometimes mentioned in relation to this story. That, in and of itself, is a separate legend. each. Ruth . They were supposedly dug up in the desert, in area east of Gold canyon and Tucson in the late 1940s byTravis E Tomlinson. It's very possible the clues are also unverifiable legends people have clung on to in hopes of finding riches. The story continues that the Peralta family found and mined gold in the Superstition Mountains. And importantly I have hard facts that the Stones are linked to other historical information. [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. 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. This seems to have been made up solely for the various legends, according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. For over a third of a century, he read stories and books about the Peralta Mines and the lost Spanish treasures hidden deep in the Superstitions, and he heard the tale of Jacob Waltzs famous Lost Dutchman Mine. 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 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. They found gold in the 1840s but were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches. Arcana Exploration has been there on four separate trips the first in October of 2015. He disappeared after going on a quest for the legendary 'Lost Dutchman's' gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. 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. Apparently, he was rewarded. have experience in the Superstition Mountains, actually looked for the mine themselves, found evidence to support the mines existence . Hola amigos - I am writing this post because of the continuing controversy over whether there is any real evidence of the famous Lost Dutchman's gold mine. Finally The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Is Found! It seems likeliest one of two things happened. They were never seen again. Finally, there really was a successful gold mining family named Peralta, but they were in California, not Arizona, according to Gold Rush Nuggets. 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. According to Thomas, it was on his deathbed that Jacob Waltz shared the story of his secret mine, and even provided a map to it filled with clues. Thorne claimed that he was taken captive by Navajos in 1854, and that during his captivity he had discovered a rich gold vein. Supposedly one of their 18 mines was very rich and they considered it their alfa mine. This first bucket of debris was five years in coming when the Forest Service finally released the first Treasure Trove Permit issued in the Superstition Wilderness. Around 1860 a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz moved into the Wickenburg Arizona area about 80 miles from Phoenix. Indeed, there's yet another legend purporting to explain where the Dutchman might have acquired his gold. 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. For more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has haunted the minds and souls of treasure seekers throughout the world. In this series, forensic geologist Scott Wolter -- considered a real-life Indiana Jones by some -- travels across the country to uncover some of the hidden treasures and to reveal the history. 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. 1873. Ruth disappeared while searching for the mine in the summer of 1931. (2004). The prospector went searching in 1961, and his headless body was found three years later. The nearly 70-year-old man was found dead about four miles south of his home on a trail near Roger's Canyon. Wikimedia CommonsThe grave of Jacob Waltz. 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. The record high temperature is 128 degrees. The man said Dr. Thorne could take as much as he could carry, at which point he was blindfolded again and led out. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Here he worked at the Vulture Mine as a paid miner. The Lost Dutchman Mine: The Greatest Gold Horde Thats Never Been Found. Although the Lost Dutchman Mine has always remained a popular local story (which many people accept as fact), there is very little actual proof of the mines existence besides word of mouth. It's also worth noting the mountains aren't known to have gotten their ironic name from any of the above legends. Take, for example, the story of Adolph Ruth, an experienced treasure hunter who typically worked with his son, Erwin. 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. The Arizona fable about a mysterious gold mine east of Phoenix turns out to have real-life participants and corroboration. 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. According to legends, a man named Jacob Waltz, the titular Dutchman (though he was actually German and not Dutch), came to America to seek out his fortune around the 1860s, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. I've never done a forum before, so I am new to this. The Weavers Needle rock column of Arizonas Superstition Mountains is often said to mark the location of the Lost Dutchman Mine. There are several paths that go through the brush and cacti. According to historian Tom Kollenborn, the Superstition Mountains were an unlikely place to strike it rich: 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.
