This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. For the first time ever, Arcana Exploration has undeniable physical proof that the mine exists, proof that is to say, photographic physical documentation that many of the generally excepted clues, are in fact real and do exist and are physically present in one location. That's just the name we use for the group of mining exhibits that you'll experience when you visit the museum. Ask any prospector and they will tell. A note in a bottle found floating down the Salt River said that he needed help on account of his leg and that he had found the Lost Dutchmans gold mine. Bellhop Jesse Capen, 35, was obsessed with the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. FREE with paid Adult Legends have. Finally, there really was a successful gold mining family named Peralta, but they were in California, not Arizona, according to Gold Rush Nuggets. In fact, the Dutchman lies on the eastern edge of the Superstitions, a few miles southwest of Iron Mountain. I understand that it has been filled in recently and the surrounding area may have been hit by recent wildfires. There are secrets yet in those mountains, blood and gold in the most literal sense. By Catharina Moh. The conquistador and his men arrived and made their way deep into the mountains, despite the warnings of danger from the local Apache. Then, she took the map that was either from Waltz's imagination or her own and made a whole lot of money selling copies of it. 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. The legend of the lost gold continued to attract people, and, in 1932, a veterinarian in the Park Service, Adolph Ruth, decided to go treasure hunting. Two Pennsylvania Dutchmen, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser, were prospecting for gold in the area, when, one night, they happened to save a mans life in a bar brawl. While not unique features, they are extremely consistent with Jacob Waltzs descriptions. Closer than ever to the $200 million payday, Wayne and the team head into the heart of darkness where a cryptic find weaves an even bigger mystery, in Season. [27], Throughout the 20th century, various expeditions and individuals continued to search the Superstitions for the Lost Dutchman Mine. [10] Trouble came after Willing learned that the deed was entirely bogus. In this story (actually two interconnected stories), members of the Apache tribe are said to have a very rich gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains. Many other mysterious deaths in the Superstition Mountains followed that of Ruths in the subsequent years, including two soldiers from the U.S. Army. His skull with two holes in it identified as bullet holes was recovered about six months after he vanished, and the story made national news, thus sparking widespread interest in the Lost Dutchman's mine.[22]. We at Arcana Exploration believe we can show that this was later worked by Jacob Waltz, and after his death came to be known as the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. While this doesn't mean it's impossible there's gold to mine up there, it makes it far less likely. [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 Peralta Massacre is a legend that Apaches supposedly ambushed a mining expedition the Peralta family sent into the mountains. There's some evidence to suggest he engaged in a shady practice called highgrading basically claiming ore is more valuable than it really is. Students 11-17 $4.00 The easy 1.5 mile trail features some rocky, rough terrain but with little elevation gain. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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". Some searchers for the mine have disappeared in likely wilderness accidents. The Superstition Mountain Historical Society Inc is a non-profit corporation organized to collect and preserve the history, legends, and lore of Arizonas Superstition Mountain, to support research, education, and publications involving the region, and to maintain a historical museum devoted to these endeavors. He had worked as a miner but was an amateur prospector at best. Traditionally, the mountains were deemed to be part of the Slieve Felim Mountains. (Chris J / Flickr). , The Waterbury Democrat. In researching this, I have had the fortune of speaking with some of the most knowledgeable historians and experts on the subject, which has only deepened my love for the Superstitions. The Dutchman Crazy Jake Adolph Ruth Train Robberies Indian Wars Ted DeGrazia. Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. The rest of his remains were found a month later about a mile away. Animals like deer coyotes, pumas and bobcats live here, existing alongside birds, rodents, snakes, and other reptiles. They are anchored by Superstition Mountain, a large mountain that is a popular recreation destination for residents of the Phoenix, Arizona, area. Much of the truth has laid obscured in old Spanish, Jesuit and Catholic Church documentation, including maps, expedition journals, and diaries and in many cases with those buried in long ago lost and forgotten graves. Everyone loves a good treasure hunting story. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. 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. 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. They supposedly did and brought a good amount of gold back to town according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. The Supers are east northeast of Phoenix. . Without doubt the most controversial but easily the most studied, researched and written about of all the historical documentation involving the Superstition Mountains, are the famous Peralta Stones. They came back from the mountains hauling a lot of gold and saying there was far more from whence it came. I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. 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. Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains - Just another WordPress site It's also worth noting the mountains aren't known to have gotten their ironic name from any of the above legends. Other prominent features that fit Waltzs clues, among many others, include: Skeptics will tell you, as will anyone who has hiked those mountains, that there are many other places that fit these descriptions and that seeing faces, or other objects, in rocks can be simple pareidolia, and there is a fair amount of truth in that. While popular with campers, hikers, and adventure seekers, these mountains are also known for their exceedingly hot summers, freezing winters, harsh winds, unpredictable storms, treacherous terrain, and mysterious happenings. 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. One day he travelled to the fabled site of the mother lode, Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona, and never came back. There are many stories about hidden gold in the Superstition Mountains, and these usually mention the Peralta Family. How To Enjoy The Beauty Of Arizona's Superstition Mountains Lost Dutchman State Park | Arizona Richman, Irwin. This seems to have been made up solely for the various legends, according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. Waltz is also said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map to the gold mine. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Two prospectors saved his life and, in gratitude, he gave them directions to the gold mine, thus setting off a wild goose chase that continues to the present day. Reports of inexplicable sounds, sightings, and events have led to claims of supernatural beings and even aliens. Supposedly, the Superstition Mountains have long been a sacred site for the nearby Apache tribe of Native Americans. 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. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Gary also spoke to the Feldman family, who have been searching for the mine since the 1960s, under patriarch Ron's tutelage. Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. 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. Is it possible he took his own life? Behind The Scenes menu tab will take you to additional "Behind the Scenes" materials . New posts Top Treasure Finds Search forums Members Current visitors New profile posts Search profile posts. The Pit Mine is located close to the Randolph Mining District, which is historically well known and produced vast amounts of silver. [12] The three soldiers set out to find the gold, but without success. "The St. Johns herald. Follow the Process. 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. So what do we really know about these legends, Waltz, and the Superstition Mountains? We are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. What really happened to Ruth? That, in and of itself, is a separate legend. George Flemming and Charles Enslinger filed claim on the Silver Chief mine in 1875. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. An alternate view which better fits the lost mine legend is that he periodically appeared with large amounts of gold, The Sterling Legend by Estee Conatser reports that a Jacob Walzer sold $250,000 in gold to the U.S. Mint during the 1880s and had $1500 when he died in 1891. Take, for example, the story of Adolph Ruth, an experienced treasure hunter who typically worked with his son, Erwin. Due to the out-of-control fire, the Arizona authorities were forced to close the State Route 88, and, along with it, public access to the Canyon, Apache Lake, Apache Campground, picnic sites, and trailheads. Some have died on the search. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). 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. Jesse Feldman, son of Ron Feldman, indicated his belief that the mine was in the Rogers Trough area in his bookJacobs Trail. The praying hands formation at the Superstition Mountains range. Mining Folklore - The Midnight Society Every week see new adventures that unfold another Mystery of the Superstition Mountains on our YouTube Channel. Those of us local to the area and who have researched the subject know that. When they immigrated to Pennsylvania from Deutschland (Germany), the locals mistook Deutsch for Dutch. 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. Free Lecture: Arizona's Four Peaks Amethyst Mine - Superstition The case for the Pit Mine is not new, in fact it has been an open secret for quite some time. Both fabled and mythical, they have helped to drive the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine. Even though some have said the stones story is much older (it is true the source information is likely much older) than the Dutchmans time and therefor there is no connection, they are going to be slapping themselves in the face trying to overcome their denial when they realize the stones leadto the same birds nest. (In truth, Apaches make up just one of the tribes found in the area, but these were typically all lumped in as "Apache" by white settlers who didn't appreciate the differences in Native American tribes.). ZERO ZIP NADA!! 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. Frank Jacobs. There are many variations of this story, including that the mine is cursed, killing anyone who . Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains - YouTube While walking out of the horizontal shaft, you will walk over a 2' x 8' walkway. 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 man. 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. 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. Except perhaps not. Without going into a lengthy scientific explanation, I will say that geology defies the existence of gold in most of the Superstition Mountains, especially on the western side. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. OH, I almost forgot there is no cell phone service absolutely none. 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. It's impossible to know for certain, but there is one big clue. In fact, the Dutchman lies on the eastern edge of the Superstitions, a few miles southwest of Iron Mountain. A two-room rock house in a cave across the canyon from the mine, The peak of Weavers needle being visible from the top of the mine, The military trail being visible below, but not vice versa, It being in a smaller east-west canyon inside a north-south running canyon, The case for the Pit Mine is not new, in fact it has been an open secret for quite some time. [2] [3] 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 story goes that in the mid-1700s, the Superstition Mountains were visited by a group of priests of the Jesuit Order, and they came with over 240 mules loaded down with gold, according to the Denver Post. After he had spent many years in their midst, the Apache Elders decided to reward his selfless service with gold. 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). It is about three and a half miles of rough trail, though, if youre observant, you will eventually come across some of the more infamous Dutchman clues.
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