[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. Still, more men disappeared only to be found dead later, their bodies mutilated and their heads cut off. A short list of people reported as having found it, or to have found an abandoned mine they thought to be the Lost Dutchman Mine, include in 1900 Joe Mulhatton; in 1901 Charlie Wood and John Chunning (separate discoveries); in 1903 a man chasing his dog found it; in 1906 Henry Young Blood found it: in 1908 a man named Morton and his wife found it; and in 1909 the old prospector Barnscheldt found it. $89+ per night for cabins. 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. [7] A man named Miguel Peralta and his family did operate a successful mine in the 1860s but near Valencia, California, not in Arizona. His head had been severed from his body and was lying several feet away. Ruths treasure map was found at his original campsite. WebThe Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Found! A note found in his checkbook claimed he had discovered the mine and included directions. Not having much luck in California, he made his way to Arizona in the 1860s. The mine is said to have been mined by a German immigrant, Jacob Waltz, who died before he could reveal its location. In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. Another tale describes an eccentric prospector named Elisha Marcus Reavis, who was better known in the area as the Madman of the Superstitions or the Old Hermit. One of Arizonas most interesting characters, Reavis was actually college-educated and taught school before he began to prospect during the California Gold Rush. Thorne is said to be either unwilling or unable to relocate the mine. As Curt Gentry wrote, "Dr. Hrdlicka positively identified the skull as that of Adolph Ruth. 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. This article is a preview of a presentation he will make at the sixteenth Annual Western History Symposium that will be held at the Prescott Centennial Center on August 3rd. He died in 1891 and, on his deathbed, he confessed to his neighbor, Julia Thomas, who was caring for him, where to locate the mine. The Lost Dutchman Mine is the most famous in American history. Ruth had in his possession what he claimed was a map giving the location of Lost Dutchman Mine is a simulation game that casts the player in the role of a gold miner in the 1860's. It involves murder, secrets, and a whole lotta sweet, sweet gold. James Reavis tried to assert that the Peralta family had a Spanish land grant and a barony granted by the King of Spain, which included a huge swath of Arizona and New Mexico, including the Superstition Mountains. Days Past is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners International (www.prescottcorral.org). Both died within two years. In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. Fees: $25-$35 per campsite. However, the original coroner said that he could not be positive the skull had bullet holes in it. He knew that gold had been found in the Superstition Mountains. The next year, a prospector by the name of Joe Dearing, who was working as a part-time bartender in Pinal, heard the stories of the two dead soldiers and began to look for the lost mine. 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]. But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. A deeper dive Related reading from the 101, Theres gold in them hills! WebBackground: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. 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 was one of the few who were well-prepared to prospect in unpromising locations. The Indians called Superstition Mountain the Devils Playground.. Suggest edits to improve what we show. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. To this day, his death remains a mystery; however, it is but one more life claimed by the mountain and perhaps, its curse. [25] Blair noted that the conclusion of the Arizona authorities was rejected by many, including Ruth's family, and "those who held onto the more romantic murdered-for-the-map story". According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. 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. In 1949 a man named James Kidd disappeared in the Superstitions. 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. In October 1960, a group of hikers found a headless skeleton near the foot of a cliff on Superstition Mountain. WebLost Dutchman State Park About Lost Dutchman State Park Named after the fabled lost gold mine, Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert, at the base of the Superstition Mountains, only 40 miles east of Phoenix. Fees: $25-$35 per campsite. During this time, the Apache had turned their wrath against the Arizona settlers and the U.S. Army. The cause of death was undetermined. In June 1931, yet another event added to the legends of Superstition Mountain when Adolph Ruth, a Washington D.C. veterinarian, and avid treasure hunting hobbyist went missing in a wilderness area of the peak. 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 WebLost Dutchman Mine is a non-linear adventure game which puts the player in the role of a gold miner, circa 1860. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. In early 1952, a man named Joseph Kelley of Dayton, Ohio was also searching for the lost mine. A German immigrant,Jacob Waltz,is supposed to have discovered the mine in the 19th century and became known as the Lost Dutchman. At the time, the term Dutch was used for people from the Netherlands and Germany. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). [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. Location: Apache Junction, AZ. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Although there has been no proof that the mine exists, from then on, many people have joined the search for the hidden gold. Ruth had in his possession what he claimed was a map giving the location of Although his gun was found under the body, the death was ruled suicide. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). 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. Waltz was buried in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. But, they wouldnt make it. The note ended with a Latin phrasetranslating to I came, I saw, I conquered.. Not long after, the miners began to pay for supplies in nearby Phoenix with high-grade gold ore, but they never stated where it was coming from nor ever filed a claim. Skeptoid Media, 29 Jan 2013. 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. After the land was ceded to the United States, the Peralta party was trespassing on U.S. soil. 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. [5] One Lost Dutchman's mine is said to be in Colorado, another in California; two are said to be located in Arizona. But, after five weeks, the three returned with nothing. Are these many deaths part of the old Apache curse? 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. For more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has been told over and over, growing in proportions to such an extent that some claim the entire legend is nothing but a myth. This does not deter the many seekers the search, itself, is simply too intriguing. WebOne of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. East of Phoenix, Arizona is the Superstition Mountain range, more commonly referred to by locals, as the Superstitions. Standing majestically at the forefront of this rough terrain is Superstition Mountain, a 3,000-foot high monolith, which seemingly stands guard over the rest of its territory. 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". Scientists say that the Superstition Mountains dont contain the type of mineral deposits that produce gold. 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. Ongoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. 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'. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. People want to think the Lost Dutchman mine has gold hanging off the walls. Two months later, another prospector from Denver, Colorado named Walter J. Mowry was found in Needle Canyon. 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. The lost Dutchmans gold mine location Ramiro valdez Oct 28, 2021 2 Replies 38 Views 8K Sunday at 7:31 PM EDN E Peter's Canyon, The Jeauits, and the Lost Dutchman LDWhitneyAuthor Jan 22, 2023 2 3 Replies 55 Views 3K Feb 16, 2023 LDWhitneyAuthor Clue 4 Peaks Lined up as 1 ConceptualizedNetherlandr Apr 19, 2014 8 9 10 Replies 181 Views 23K Superstition Mountain, Arizona by Kathy Weiser-Alexander. (2004). 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. Some months later, in December, a skull with two holes in it was discovered near the three Red Hills by an archaeological expedition. Location: Apache Junction, AZ. Legends, Ghosts, Myths and Mysteries Main Page, Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History, Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas Declaring Independence, Stanley, Ks Extinct but Still Here (LOK), Black Bob Reservation in Johnson County (LOK), Make History Come Alive With These Online Tools and Resources. In the Spring of 1891, Waltzs homestead was caught in a flood and he was saved from certain death by two brothers named Herman and Reinhardt Petrasch. Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. WebLost Dutchman State Park About Lost Dutchman State Park Named after the fabled lost gold mine, Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert, at the base of the Superstition Mountains, only 40 miles east of Phoenix. August 16, 1896: George Carmack finds gold in the Yukon | History 101, Ancient Roman city found off English highway | History 101. In 1910, Malm appeared in Mesa, Arizona telling everyone that Silverlock had tried to kill him. He had metal pins in his leg, and used a cane to help him walk. Apparently, he WebThe Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is a fabled gold mine located in the Southwest, though it's exact whereabouts are unknown. They found gold in the 1840s but were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches. They were discovered by the Apache, who killed them before they could escape with the gold. Yet after leaving the Bradshaw Mountains, Waltz never filed a claim again. WebOngoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. The land not only contained a rich gold mine, but also several silver mines. The rest of the treasure hunters body would not be found until the next month, in a small tributary on the east slope of Black Top Mesa. 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. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. The Lost Dutchman Mine is the most famous in American history. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. Four days later, an investigation determined it belonged to an Austrian student named Franz Harrier. 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. See options Full view That same year, an elderly couple was found murdered in an automobile. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. 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. Allowed to remove the blindfold, Thorne found himself in a canyon where a large unusual rock pinnacle loomed to the south. After the land was ceded to the United States, the Peralta party was trespassing on U.S. soil. 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? (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. In 1984, a prospector named Walt Gassler, who had been searching for the Lost Dutchman for most of his life, was found dead in the Superstitions. 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. In the Fall of 1961, police began searching for a prospector by the name of Jay Clapp, who had been working on Superstition Mountain on and off for a decade and a half. After a thorough search, the hunt was called off. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Thorne sold the ore for some $6,000, making him a wealthy man. If he had, we still wouldnt know where the mine is, but we would know where it isnt a useful piece of information, since the mine has been found multiple times in at least five counties. In 1934 the Superstitions claimed the life of Adam Stewart, the cause of death unknown. "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). In June 1947, a prospector named James A. Cravey made a much-publicized trip into the Superstition canyons by helicopter, searching for the Lost Dutchman Mine. Two months later, Piper was found dead. The discovery of a lost Roman city in an unexpected place. WebLost Dutchman State Park About Lost Dutchman State Park Named after the fabled lost gold mine, Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert, at the base of the Superstition Mountains, only 40 miles east of Phoenix. Later that year, two easterners went looking for the lost mine. "[24], Authorities in Arizona did not convene a criminal inquest regarding Ruth's death. Clapp had been missing since July. The following year, brothers, Richard and Robert Kremis, were found dead at the bottom of a high cliff. The following February, his headless skeleton was found in a canyon, a good distance from his camp. In 1976, a prospector named Howard Polling was found dead of a gunshot wound. The game was the biggest success for its publisher, Magnetic Images. There have been at least three discoveries of the mine since the 1960s, and in all three cases, good gold was found. When the Peralta miners heard that the Apache might attack, they packed up, concealed the entrance to the mine, and with burros and wagons laden with gold, began to make their way back to Mexico in the winter of 1847-1848. The shot in his skull was ruled an accidental shooting incident. Next to his decomposing body was a small sack of gold ore. 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. In 1945, a book about the Lost Dutchman Mine was written by Barry Storm, who claimed to have narrowly escaped from a mysterious sniper. 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. After filling their saddlebags with as much gold as they could carry, they started to Phoenix but never lived to enjoy the wealth. The Mojave County Miner reported in its 1901 October 12 issue: The Lost Dutchman mine has again been found. Though the coroner acceded that foul play might have been involved, the original statement was never changed. However, before he could return to the spot, he had a heart attack. Never again did the Peralta family venture back to the mine and all maps and knowledge of its location were lost through the years. Blair suggested that "fragments of this legend have perhaps become attached to the mythical mine of Jacob Waltz".[6]. To locate the Lost Dutchman mine has gold hanging off the walls Mountain range more! 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