A further search found the rest of his remains and effects, but the maps were gone. 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. A deeper dive Related reading from the 101, Theres gold in them hills! Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. Next to his decomposing body was a small sack of gold ore. 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. Blair cited evidence of the historical Jacob Waltz and suggested that additional evidence supports the core elements of the story that Waltz claimed to have discovered (or at least heard the story of) a rich gold vein or cache. It was even said a candle box containing high-grade gold ore was found under his bed. Long before gold was found in these rugged cliffs and mesas, the area has been cloaked in mystery. The Lost Dutchman Mine is said to be a rich goldmine located somewhere in the southwestern American state of Arizona. People want to think the Lost Dutchman mine has gold hanging off the walls. Two years later, in 1980, the skeleton of a man named Rick Fenning was found. The cause of death was said to have been a perforated ulcer.. Many believe it's hidden in the Superstition Mountains, and it's rumored a curse falls upon all those who try to find it. Though the remains had been scattered by scavengers, they were undoubtedly Ruth's. Along with members of the Petrasch family, she searched the mountains but found nothing. 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. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. A century and a half later, having heard of the rich gold to be found in the Superstitions, Jesuit priest Eusebio Francisco Kino, whose objective was to establish missions and Christianize the Indians, was lured by the tales. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. The question is, if Jacob Waltz found a rich gold mine, why didnt he file a claim? [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. In the 1870s, Jacob Waltz (or Walz,) who had befriended one of the Peralta heirs, was allegedly told the location of the mine. WebOngoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. 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. 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. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. The Superstition range covers approximately 160,000 acres of desolate, rugged terrain, so arid that only a bit of desert vegetation and a few sparse strands of Ponderosa Pine are all that grows. Lost Dutchman Mine is a simulation game that casts the player in the role of a gold miner in the 1860's. Quick Facts: Lost Dutchman State Park Camping. The coroner ruled it an accidental death resulting from a ricochet. 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. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). The player can freely explore a town and a vast desert, limited only by the protagonist's necessity to eat and rest. Although there has been no proof that the mine exists many people have joined the search for the hidden gold. "Tex" Bradford of Globe Arizona went in search of the "Lost Dutchman Mine"; by October 1933 he had been missing for nine months. August 16, 1896: George Carmack finds gold in the Yukon | History 101, Ancient Roman city found off English highway | History 101. Julia Thomas, having invested everything she owned into the venture to find the mine, never attempted to find it again. If these many tales of intrigue are not enough, yet other reports suggest that the area is haunted, most likely by the many who have died there of mysterious deaths. With the body were several gold nuggets. Gathering up a few of his friends, the group amazingly stumbled onto the mines location. Said to be the most famous lost mine of all time, it continues to draw prospectors to the Superstition Mountains of Arizona in 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 In yet another version of the tale, two (or more) U.S. Army soldiers are said to have discovered a vein of almost pure gold in or near the Superstition Mountains. People have been seeking the Lost Dutchman's mine since at least 1892,[2] while according to one estimate, 9,000 people annually made some effort to locate the Lost Dutchman's mine. The secret or the mystery as to why Waltz never filed another claim after leaving the Bradshaws is the question addressed in the presentation of The Lost Dutchmans Mine: A Mystery Solved? [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". Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. The earliest documentation of him in the U.S. is an 1848 affidavit in which Waltz declared himself to be "about 38 years old". One man found it in the Four Peaks and extracted several thousand dollars of ore back when gold was $20 an ounce. It involves murder, secrets, and a whole lotta sweet, sweet gold. Apparently, he 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. Although there has been no proof that the mine exists, from then on, many people have joined the search for the hidden gold. The player was free to roam around the desert and town at will constrained only by the need to make sure they had enough food to eat and a safe place to sleep. 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. WebLost Dutchman Mine is a non-linear adventure game which puts the player in the role of a gold miner, circa 1860. Old Fort McDowell, photo by Tom McCurnin, courtesy Ghosttowns.com. A month later, the missing mans body was found with a bullet hole above his right temple. [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. Yet, another year later, an old prospector by the name of Guy Hematite Frink was lucky enough to return from the mountain with a number of rich gold samples. Bohen was a Utah prospector who had been shot in the back. 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. 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 Allegedly, there were rifle shots and indications of foul play. Two months later, another prospector from Denver, Colorado named Walter J. Mowry was found in Needle Canyon. 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 the summer of 1880, two recently discharged soldiers from Fort McDowell, showed up in Pinal, Arizona looking for work at the Silver King Mine. Yet after leaving the Bradshaw Mountains, Waltz never filed a claim again. [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. The mystery is shrouded in history, lore and several curious deaths. The next person to come across the mine was a man named Dr. Abraham Thorne. The Lost Dutchman is Americas most famous lost mine, and many people have risked their lives searching for it. Waltz is attacked and wounded by marauding Apaches, but survives at least long enough to tell a man called Dr. Walker about the mine. 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. Ongoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. To these, Waltz would give contradictory statements and directions. WebOne of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. 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. The Lost Dutchman Mine is the most famous in American history. Ongoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. [29][clarification needed]. However, Thorne had to agree to be blindfolded for the 20-mile trip. Through the summer, he lingered in a wasted condition, giving clues to his caretaker, Julia, and to his rescuers, Herman and Reinhardt Petrasch. Weavers Needle in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, courtesy Wikipedia. The start of the most famous legend to come from the mountains, that of the Lost Dutchman Mine, begins with these fortune-seekers. Lost Dutchman Mine is a simulation game that casts the player in the role of a gold miner in the 1860's. [10] Trouble came after Willing learned that the deed was entirely bogus. There are literally dozens of different variations of the lost mine tale, and almost as many reports of people actually having found the mine, leading to it being the most found and lost again mine ever. Ruths son, a lawyer, had helped a man called Pedro Gonzales with a legal matter and in return, was given some old maps. WebA curved arrow on a mysterious map inscribed on stone surfaces pointed to the identical place, confirming the location. When nothing had been heard of Ruth for six days, the cowboys boss, a man named Tex Barkley, went looking for the treasure hunter. 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. However, sometime later legend tells us that Dr. Thorne determined that he would try to find the place again. [12] The three soldiers set out to find the gold, but without success. Troubles with the Apaches made the familys mining operation dangerous. He is blindfolded and taken there by a circuitous route, and is allowed to take as much gold ore as he can carry before again being escorted blindfolded from the site by the Apaches. One man found it in the Four Peaks and extracted several thousand dollars of ore back when gold was $20 an ounce. To determine if the skull was Ruth's, it was examined by Dr. Ale Hrdlika, a well-respected anthropologist who was given several photos of Ruth, along with Ruth's dental records. Quick Facts: Lost Dutchman State Park Camping. According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. Waltz; however, was able to escape and before long, was running a saloon in Tortilla Flats. WebLegend tells of the Lost Dutchmans gold mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of brutal Arizona desert known as the Superstition Mountains.. 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. 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. 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. Ruths untimely demise did nothing to dissuade further searchers. In 1976, a prospector named Howard Polling was found dead of a gunshot wound. 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. There have been at least three discoveries of the mine since the 1960s, and in all three cases, good gold was found. Some say a man named Jacob Weiser aided him, although no trace of Weiser exists. In 1978, a man named Manuel Valdez was murdered in the Superstitions. Location: Apache Junction, AZ. It turned out to be that of Adolph Ruth. 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. 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. But the Spaniards were determined and began to explore. 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 WebFor more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has haunted the minds and souls of treasure seekers throughout the world. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The St. Johns herald. Extensive flooding devastated the farm in 1891, and Waltz contracted pneumonia. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. The player can freely explore a town and a vast desert, limited only by the protagonist's necessity to eat and rest. The second was the Big Rebel filed in the Walnut Grove Mining District. There have been at least three discoveries of the mine since the 1960s, and in all three cases, good gold was found. 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]. People want to think the Lost Dutchman mine has gold hanging off the walls. Malm was later sent to the county poor farm, not doing much better himself. In 1973, Charles Lewing shot Ladislas Guerrero at a mountain campsite. 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