Over the years, Feldman has accumulated a serious band of like-minded treasure seekers and Dutch hunters. 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. Over the years, the Lost Dutchman Mine legend grew to become the Wests most famous lost mine, reaching a fever pitch in the early 1950s when hundreds of Dutch hunters flocked into the western end of the Superstitions. And importantly I have hard facts that the Stones are linked to other historical information. I will provide a picture and a little information but nothing as far as revealing the location of this mine. Supposedly, the Peraltas actually found a very rich gold vein and set up a mining operation. The map is supposedly filled with clues, and there are many others purportedly given by Waltz at various points in his life according to legends, but it's hard to prove he actually ever said any of those things. 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. 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). Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. 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. The name comes from a prominent local legend of the enigmatic . Dark Mountain: Directed by Tara Anase. 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 legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. 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". Since his death in the 1890s, many have tried to. In 1977, 292 acres (118ha) abutting the Tonto National Forest were set aside as the Lost Dutchman State Park. Jesse Capen was obsessed with the legend of the lost gold, despite the lack of hard historical evidence. [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. Nevertheless, the lore has led to the publication of several books (and, in turn, a few movies), although they mostly just embellish off the basics of the existing oral legend one of the great tales of treasure in modern history. In the Old West, Dutchman was close enough. They were never seen again. So let me say it again, the documentation found ON the stones is the most important thing not so much who carved them. Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. During the miners escape to Mexico, Apaches attacked and 148 of the party were massacred. However, they eventually disappeared after a trip into the Superstitions. In most variants of the story, the family of a man called Miguel Peralta discovered the mine and began mining the gold there, only to be attacked or massacred by Apaches in about 1850 in the supposed Peralta massacre. 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. These Native American legends aren't the only tales involving religion and gold stores in the area. Only one (sometimes two) could not be accounted for. Bus Tours. 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. Lost Dutchman Mine. 1873. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. [29][clarification needed]. 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. As a reward, Dr. Thorne was blindfolded and led to a cave in the mountains. The network's all-original programming slate features a roster of hit series, premium documentaries, and scripted event programming. Jesse Capen was obsessed with the legendary Dutchman Gold Mine and was convinced he could locate the treasure hidden deep in the Superstition Mountains. Waltz found it in the mountains and came to grab gold out of it as needed. A group found the Lost Dutchman Mine in the Eastern Superstitions and extracted a considerable amount of rich gold ore. Mining records show that Jacob Waltz did file claims, two claims with others. And the answer is absolutely yes! He gradually gained the respect of the old-timers who, in their later years, shared much of the knowledge they had gathered themselves. However, even armed with the clues and map, no one in the area could find the Dutchman's mine, thus giving it the name of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine. Here's the thing about the Julia Thomas map to the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, which is still sold and used today: Jacob Waltz didn't actually draw it. Take, for example, the story of Adolph Ruth, an experienced treasure hunter who typically worked with his son, Erwin. It was supposedly discovered and kept secret by a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz in the 19th century, hence the . , The Waterbury Democrat. He knew that gold had been found in the Superstition Mountains. Arcadia Publishing. In the years after the massacre, the legend around the Lost Dutchman Mine grew, attracting treasure-seekers who hoped to find the cache (perhaps worth about $200 million according to one estimate). by Jim Hatt Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:32 pm. Sadly, the 35-year-old became another target of the fables when he disappeared from the Tonto National Forest in 2009. Is it any wonder then, that I prize it? Hiking and camping are popular activities. National ArchivesA band of Apache braves in Arizona. The permit allows Feldmans group to re-excavate the main shaft and drifts under strict controls and government supervision. He was a student of mining and was knowledgeable in geology. Lemuria: The Fabled Lost Continent That Turned Out To Be Real Almost, How Al Jorden Made Doris Day's Life A Living Hell, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. While we are rather skeptical of the finding of the Lost Dutchman claim, if the new find is rich in gold it will do until the old discovery is really brought to light. For more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has haunted the minds and souls of treasure seekers throughout the world. Later that year, two easterners went looking for the lost mine. First. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. Its believed the group buried their amassed bullion, hoping to return at a later time. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The St. Johns herald. Published: 9:16 PM MST May 13, 2022. Not in a flu-like way. The Gold Rush was in full swing and Waltz wanted a piece of those potential fortunes. The Lost Dutchman gold mine is believed to be situated in a state park in Apache Junction, Arizona, although its exact location is unclear. [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. . Updated: 10:22 PM MST May 13, 2022. from. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. But Blair suggested that this core story was distorted in subsequent retellings, comparing the many variants of the Lost Dutchman's story to the game of Chinese whispers, where the original account is distorted in multiple retellings of the tale.[15]. [21], Were it not for the death of amateur explorer and treasure hunter Adolph Ruth, the story of the Lost Dutchman's mine would probably have been little more than a footnote in Arizona history as one of hundreds of "lost mines" rumored to be in the American West. Wikimedia CommonsThe grave of Jacob Waltz. Over the next few weeks and months I will share some photos that will not give away the location but will show things that until now have never been shown before. Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. Take AZ-101 to U.S. 60 east of Scottsdale to approach the towering peaks of the Superstition Mountains looming large over the horizon. 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. In the next century, the Peralta family extracted gold from this mine. 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. Next week I will list some clues that are absolutely relevant to what we have physically on site. This is the story of the men who went searching for it's hidden gold our links: https://www.instagram.com/lostinthewoodspodcast/ 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. The body of George Mallory was found in 1999, while Irvine's body is still missing (allegedly). There have been many stories about how to find the mine, and each year people search for the mine. 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. Keep in mind for security reasons for now I have to be selective on what we divulge. The breathable air on some surfaces actually gets even hotter; this is the biggest killer in the Superstition Mountains and dont forget the rattle snakes, scorpions, tarantula spiders, Gila monsters plus huge mountain lions and dozens of other things that will take your life. They supposedly did and brought a good amount of gold back to town according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. Arizona's most notorious lost treasure story for both believers and otherwise takes place in the mysterious Superstition Mountains. Top ways to experience Goldfield Ghost Town and nearby attractions. With Ron Eagle D'Andre II, Adam Haley, Sage Howard, George E. Johnston. "Dutchman's Gold" was the season 4, episode 19 of, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 00:14. Now wait a minute isnt the fabled Lost Dutchman Mine located in the Superstitions? have experience in the Superstition Mountains, actually looked for the mine themselves, found evidence to support the mines existence . The nearly 70-year-old man was found dead about four miles south of his home on a trail near Roger's Canyon. Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. So from what you know about the mine let me know the . RaksyBH/Shutterstock In 2009, Denver bellhop Jesse Capen, obsessed with finding the Lost Dutchman gold mine, took a month's vacation into the Superstition Mountains outside Phoenix to . Skeptoid Media, 29 Jan 2013. Later I will give more details and then begin providing information on how things fit together. 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. The legend of the Lost Dutchman began in the 1800s when an Apache attack massacred a Mexican mining family. [16] A man called Jacob Walz was born in September 1810 in Wrttemberg. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. The Lost Dutchman Mine - Kindle edition by Ely, Sims. The soldiers are alleged to have presented some of the gold, but to have been killed or to have vanished soon after. The show follows Dutch hunter Wayne Tuttle on his 40-year . Ruth had in his possession what he claimed was a map giving the location of the Peralta's Las Minas Sombreras. Small Group Apache Trail Day Tour with Dolly Steamboat from Phoenix. Further legends claim the conquistador and his men were bearing their own reserves of gold, looted from previous expeditions, but ended up leaving it behind when they escaped whatever was killing them. Troubles with the Apaches made the familys mining operation dangerous. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. More please. It was supposedly discovered by a German prospector named Jacob Waltz in 1876. by Bob Willis | Apr 1, 2005 | Travel & Preservation. No one knows for sure, but his disappearance and death, while better-documented than other legends revolving around the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, may have simply furthered the legend and put even more treasure seekers in danger. For instance, about six of the maps are relevant, others may be relevant, but for now do not appear to be. Sometimes, this discarded cache of gold is said to be the origin of Jacob Waltz's treasure. What there is documentation to support is that the Dutchman may have been a con man. He was one of the few who were well-prepared to prospect in unpromising locations. Humankind has been enthralled by lost treasure legends for ages. This account is usually dated to about 1870. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. 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 Gold Mine." Once again, only rumors kept the legend alive, and these events drove even more Dutch hunters to the dangerous mountains. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). The body of a man who was 'fueled by obsession' to find a legendary gold mine has reportedly been found in the remote Superstition Mountains of Arizona. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. each. 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. 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? Feb 21, 2021. A note from Ruth saying he needed help and had discovered the mine was found in the Salt River. 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. Then later the Mexicans including the powerful Peralta family made forays to the area from Sonora and are believed to have had 18 gold mines in the Supers. Ruth . In 1931, the two sought the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, but Adolph Ruth, against his son's wishes, went looking alone, according to Skeptoid. According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. I will make a statement in the near future that will surprise a lot of Dutch Hunters it surprised me. None of this rules out that he simply found a cache of abandoned gold, of course, and when he died, he did have in his possessions some high-grade gold ore, though its value is unclear and it may have just been for attracting potential investors in his prospecting operations. 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. December 09, 2019 (2004). I've, Was the Lost Dutchman Mine real? I want some feedback from people with knowledge about the lost Dutchman gold mine. Recommended. As Curt Gentry wrote, "Dr. Hrdlicka positively identified the skull as that of Adolph Ruth. It's likely this legend just got re-adapted to the Superstitions to boost the legend of the Lost Dutchman's mine. The story is that he was given a 5 million acre land grant from the King of Spain and vested with the title "Baron of the Colorados.". Waltz, now the sole possessor of all the gold, eventually moved to Phoenix where he died in 1891, but not before relaying his story to his neighbor, Julia Thomas. Ruth ended his note with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. Perhaps this is why many of the legends involve people bringing gold to the mountain and leaving it hidden there. [7] A man named Miguel Peralta and his family did operate a successful mine in the 1860s but near Valencia, California, not in Arizona. This seems to have been made up solely for the various legends, according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. Supposedly, the Superstition Mountains have long been a sacred site for the nearby Apache tribe of Native Americans. Grade level. After the land was ceded to the United States, the Peralta party was trespassing on U.S. soil. It's very possible the clues are also unverifiable legends people have clung on to in hopes of finding riches. per adult. In his 1945 book about the Lost Dutchman's mine. Then, see some astonishing photos taken at the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. As the legend grew, so did the size of the fortune. 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. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. According to historian Tom Kollenborn, the Superstition Mountains were an unlikely place to strike it rich: Background: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. 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