When is the documentary goimg to start back up? 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. Regardless, Dr. Thorne helped the man and he recovered, according to Legends of America. According to Legends of America, the Native Americans in the area believed the Thunder God of their religion lived in the Superstition Mountains, and thus they were required to protect it with lethal force, killing any who might set foot on the mountain and disturb their deity. Buy "In Search of the Heart" by Phil Reinhardt at http://www.superstitionmountainmuseum.org/museumgifts/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_. There's even been a ban on mining in the Superstition Mountains since 1984 due to the number of people coming and getting killed in mining accidents searching for the Lost Dutchman's gold. Kino is believed to have had a rich goldmine somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. That, in and of itself, is a separate legend. The neighboursJulia Thomas, Rhinehart Petrasch, and Hermann Petraschspent weeks looking for the gold, but failed to find it. Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. 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. To paraphrase an old Dutch Hunter, I dont know where the Dutchman is, but I know a thousand places it isnt! The meaning here is that gold can only exist in a prerequisite set of geological conditions. Legends have. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. So where did all these rumors of lost gold in the Superstition Mountains originate? Still, there is by no means a consensus among Dutch Hunters and many dismiss it entirely, regardless of scientific evidence. 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. Jesuits - Ancient Lost Treasures Perhaps this is why many of the legends involve people bringing gold to the mountain and leaving it hidden there. Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. , The Waterbury Democrat. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. Director: Earl Bellamy | Stars: Dale Robertson, John Litel, Myron Healey, John Dennis. 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. The newcomers, thus, became the Pennsylvania Dutch. We are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. Hardie agrees to join a father searching for his son who is seeking a lost gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains. [2] [3] Those who have been inside describe it as like an hourglass on its side, with a narrow entrance, an open area with a wide,stopedceiling, and a tapering end. Cox also believed he had found the Dutchman, though it is unclear to which one of his claims he made this attribution. The man said Dr. Thorne could take as much as he could carry, at which point he was blindfolded again and led out. Explore The Mysteries. Like most legends, when you strip it down as close to the truth as possible, it is never as glorious as imagined. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition Mountains. Please note that admission prices for Special Events are subject to change. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. Lastly, the alleged mine directions Ruth had were from an 1895 newspaper account. Nobody else has ever been able to find that rich of ore since then anywhere else in AZ. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). The Jesuit priests were the most educated and loyal orders to the King of Spain (and to the Pope). In fact, the Dutchman lies on the eastern edge of the Superstitions, a few miles southwest of Iron Mountain. On 8 June 2019, a fire broke out in the Superstitions Wilderness area and soon spread across 26,000 acres. Many people have died trying to find it over the years, and, even with all the modern technology at our disposal today, the exact location of the mine in the vast wilderness still remains an enigma. Early on during the Spanish Conquest, Conquistadors such as Francisco Vazquez de Coronado (1535) came to the American southwest (New Spain) in search of gold trying to locate, Montezumas Seven Cities of Cibola. So what about Jacob Waltz? No, were not really a mining company. Nearly fifty years later, Ron Feldman proved Coxs theory to be true, documenting a Spanish mine at Rogers Springs, only a few miles from the Pit Mine. A not-insignificant number of those Dutch hunters have gotten hurt or even killed. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. 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. 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. I have been lucky enough to uncover a few, which you will forgive me if I keep, at least for now. It seems likely there was no Dr. Thorne, but there was a doctor in New Mexico who told a similar tall tale, except he was kidnapped by the Navajo tribe in his story. 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. [1], The Lost Dutchman's is perhaps the most famous lost mine in American history. It's very possible the clues are also unverifiable legends people have clung on to in hopes of finding riches. Free Lecture: Arizona's Four Peaks Amethyst Mine - Superstition 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. He died of pneumonia in 1891 and, according to the three neighbours who cared for him, he left them the box of gold under his bed and directions to the gold mine. We are a non-profit corporation under Section 501 (c) 3, organized to collect and preserve the history and legends of Arizona's Superstition Mountains, and to support research, education and publications involving the region. People off his Mine that he cover up with a ironwood tree :The books give me my 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. Those of us local to the area and who have researched the subject know that. In the year 1870, with his consent, they blindfolded him and took him on a 20-mile trip to an unknown location piled with gold ore. The mine is there to be seen, appraised, and judged in any way you see fit, but the story of how it got there is the real treasure. Cox was a contrarian to the accepted Waltz lore of the day and had his own theories about thePeraltasand Waltz. They're convinced the mine is to the east of the mountains at the. Waltz did claim to have a treasure, but he really didn't and was simply telling tall tales to make his life seem more interesting, then Julia Thomas believed him. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. Now riddled with tunnels, the mountain is a death trap for the . But what they actually found has been a hidden secret that people have been trying to piece together for last 125 years. Superstition Mountain is located within the greater Superstition Mountains range 43 miles east of Phoenix, Arizona, in the fringe of the state's central mountain region. It's an entire genre all its own, from pirate maps to all the stuff Nicolas Cage got up to in the National Treasure movies. 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. Treasure Map of the Superstition MountainsThe Peralta Stones The search has been a profound one and I discovered that it wasnt the mine I was looking for, but the story. The only thing slightly off the cuff, is that three of them do ride their Harleys from central Ohio to Sturgis and back on a regular basis, but more about them later. 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. Waltz is also said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map to the gold mine. 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. They didnt find it because its not in the superstitions Too bad i cant post pictures, because i know exactly where it is, Did you ever think the Dutchman might have used another mine location to through 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. He was able to find the richest ore in history right smack dab in the middle of the Superstition Mountains. Weavers Needle, a peak located in the Superstition Mountains. 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. Image property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona. Yet, legend insists that it does. Reports of inexplicable sounds, sightings, and events have led to claims of supernatural beings and even aliens. Many people took the landmark to be the Weavers Needle but had no luck finding any gold nuggets in its vicinity. This is trails end; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters. There have been many books, films, and cartoons about the Lost Gold of the Superstition Mountains. The exact year varies, but the story goes that a rich Mexican mining family named Peralta also came to the area in search of gold. There are lots of similar tales of gold-hunting soldiers, too, from all over the southwest. To begin with, there was never any real Dutchman involved with the lost gold mine. Skeptoid Podcast. In it, he puts together the clues and evidence and makes a convincing case for the Pit Mine. Waltz found it in the mountains and came to grab gold out of it as needed. The Legend Of The Lost Dutchman And His Gold Mine Explained Choice of of building material I like Ironwood +, There is a typo that should be alpha mine not alfa mine. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. That's not even counting those hunting the treasure in the ensuing 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'. 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. Ruth disappeared while searching for the mine in the summer of 1931. Arcana has had the luxury of having had the site location for over three years, and for this reason we have been able to reverse engineer, historical information and put many of the pieces together. 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. The Silvermine Mountains or Silvermines Mountains ( Irish: Sliabh an Airgid) [1] are a mountain range in County Tipperary, Ireland. Join us as we explore the Mysteries, Legends and stories of the Superstition Mountains. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. The Pit Mine is located close to the Randolph Mining District, which is historically well known and produced vast amounts of silver. 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. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. Still, this doesn't dissuade treasure hunters. It is a ranger-guided hike focusing on the aesthetic . 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. Gary also spoke to the Feldman family, who have been searching for the mine since the 1960s, under patriarch Ron's tutelage. 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]. And, amazingly, a few of these people were also found in the same headless state as Adolph Ruth. Legend tells of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of brutal Arizona desert known as the "Superstition Mountains." The promise of a $200 million mother. When you visit, follow the hard rock mining process from mine to bullion. Yet, legend insists that it does. 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. He turned out to be the surviving Peralta, and, to express his gratitude, he gave them directions to his familys gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. This, of course, is how the Dutchman is supposed to havereally found his treasure. It is rumoured that if the stones are put together in the right way, they are a map to the Peralta Familys gold deposits. We have imaging taken, with Go-pros, Sony 7000s; Osmo stabilized film cameras and Dji Phantom and Bee-bop drones. Kinos Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson unlike other missions in California was both massive and opulent, and still stands today. Silver Member. [27], Throughout the 20th century, various expeditions and individuals continued to search the Superstitions for the Lost Dutchman Mine. From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. Sep 2, 2019 5 6 . Once again, only rumors kept the legend alive, and these events drove even more Dutch hunters to the dangerous mountains. On the east side of Phoenix in Arizona lies the spectacular range of the Superstition Mountains that straddle the Tonto National Forest and the Superstition Wilderness area. 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. . 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. Combine these with the legends of the indigenous Pima Indians and the mountains live up to their name. If you need rescued, they will land two miles away and hike in to get you. Because of what we have discovered at the site, Arcana Exploration believes we have proof for the first time that there is a common link between Waltz and the Peraltas. 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. Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. This seems to have been made up solely for the various legends, according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. Great discoveries have been made in the name of hunting for hidden wealth, but much blood has been shed in those same pursuits, too. Superstition Mountains - Ghost, lost mines, murder and mayhem. 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. [29][clarification needed]. They either mined or found enormous gold deposits in the Superstition Mountains. Rogers was partnered with Aaron Mason, foreman of the Silver King mine. Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is a supposedly rich gold mine either in the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere in Mexico. The stories differ from here onward. Click here for Part Eleven ofThe Lost Dutchman Mine. There are many variations of this story, including that the mine is cursed, killing anyone who . Apache Junction, AZ 85119-8409, Phone options: On our may trip in 2016 one day it reached 108 degrees, that same day up on the mountain, climbing on a surface of Granite and sandstone ours guys Trek watches read what they were breathing at an actual 119 degrees. [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". Silvermine Mountains - Wikipedia Recently, however, non-destructive tests have become possible and the two samples have been compared. The closest approximate was a German miner of the PennsylvaniaGerman community. There are numerous hiking trails that hikers can access from multiple points, one of the more well-known ones being the Peralta Trailhead. These trails traverse from the desert floor up into the edges of the mountains. What really matters, though, is that Waltz the namesake Dutchman, or "Deutsch" (German) man wouldn't reveal the mine's location. Silver King Mine The Pit Mine is located close to the Randolph Mining District, which is historically well known and produced vast amounts of silver. Traditionally, the mountains were deemed to be part of the Slieve Felim Mountains. In any case, the event led to the naming of the Massacre Falls after it. The story sometimes claims there were arrows all around, and so thus it must have been the Apache protecting their sacred mountains. These are rectangular, cross-shaped, and heart-shaped stones with etchings of a horse, a priest, a dagger, a trail, topographic features, and Spanish inscriptions. [16] A man called Jacob Walz was born in September 1810 in Wrttemberg. While this is true, it is also true that gold pockets can exist alongside of silver veins. Up on the mountain, if someone breaks a leg; it will take at least two on the team to get you down; it is dangerous for three healthy climbers, much less one with broken body parts. The average high temperature in June, July and August, is 104 degrees. 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. 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 men must deal with a lack of water and the fact that the map leads him into lands held sacred by the Apaches. He died on October 25, 1891, after having been nursed by an acquaintance named Julia Thomas (she was usually described as a quadroon). Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. Once again, just ask Gollum. These are tall, volcanic formations in the wilderness and are popular as hiking destinations. Intrigue Journal. It appears no one ever bothered to just ask the Native Americans in the area if the mountains were sacred. Since James Reavis, "the Baron of Arizona", was convicted of fraud when the Peralta family genealogy and other documents to support the land grant (and a barony associated with that land) were determined to be forgeries it also raises questions about the original purchase of the land grant by Dr. George M. Willing Jr. (the transaction had supposedly occurred at a primitive campsite to the southeast of Prescott without the benefit of the typical documentation; instead of a notarized deed, the conveyance was recorded on a piece of greasy camp paper bearing signature of several witnesses). The Lost Dutchman Mine Part Twelve: Conclusions - Jason Roberts Museum Members are FREE. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. As predicted by Waltz none are miners, they are in fact like most folks that are reading this post, just regular hard-working everyday folks with normal jobs, going to their kids ball games, playing a round of golf, and in the fall deer hunting and going to Blue Jackets NHL games. There have been many stories about how to find the mine, and each year people search for the mine. In some versions, he's not just a man but the chieftain of the Apache tribe. As a reward, Dr. Thorne was blindfolded and led to a cave in the mountains. Beyond Oak Island: Season 1 Episode 4; The Lost Dutchman Curse (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. This problematic paradox, I believe, is the product of years of misdirection to steer seekers to the west side of the mountains. FREE with paid Adult Ruth ended his note with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. Some have died on the search. Jesse Feldman, son of Ron Feldman, indicated his belief that the mine was in the Rogers Trough area in his book, . 12 People Who Vanished Looking For The Lost Dutchman Treasure - Ranker [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. Another well-known Dutch Hunter, Jack San Felice, boldly made the case for the Pit Mine in his bookThe Lost El Dorado of Jacob Waltz. Superstition Mountain has an elevation of 5,024 feet. They planned to return, but once they left, they were never seen again. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. Mike . The western portion of the Superstitions was made a national wilderness area in 1983, and it's been closed to prospecting and mining ever since. It can also be a touchy subject to broach, depending on who you are speaking with. Since Jacob Waltz's death, thousands of people have searched all throughout the Superstition Mountains for the location of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, to no avail, according to USA Today. Every week see new adventures that unfold another Mystery of the Superstition Mountains on our YouTube Channel. But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. Instead, he went missing and his skull was found 6 months later with two large circular holes. Ted Cox and the Ridge Pit Mine The clues themselves do not prove that it is the Dutchman. Your browser doesn't support the HTML5 CANVAS tag. Story Of A Little Known Mine In The Superstition Mountains In Arizona In fact, the location fits well for both the Doc Thorn and the Two Soldiers stories. Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains - YouTube This account is usually dated to about 1870. Going on a year now. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Erwin passed the information to his father Adolph, who had a long-standing interest in lost mines and amateur exploration. Some have died on the search. That's just the name we use for the group of mining exhibits that you'll experience when you visit the museum. 4087 East Apache Trail Ruth did not return as scheduled, and no trace of him could be found after a brief search. 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. [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". 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. Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. 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. [10] Trouble came after Willing learned that the deed was entirely bogus. Supposedly, the Peraltas actually found a very rich gold vein and set up a mining operation. The initial search party found no trace of him, but then, in December 1931, they found a human skull with two holes from a .44 caliber. The case for the Pit Mine is not new, in fact it has been an open secret for quite some time. They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. There is a lot of speculation about Aaron Mason and his involvement, but one interesting fact is that the man became a millionaire during this time. Thorne sold the ore for $6000 and became a wealthy man. He had metal pins in his leg, and used a cane to help him walk. He reportedly said it came from a secret mine in the Superstition Mountains. For more. Previously, comparative tests which could prove that the matchbox and the Pit Mine samples were related were destructive in nature. 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. If you get it hurt you better have your own team. The Legend Of The Lost Dutchman And His Gold Mine Explained, ever filed a claim for a mine in the Superstitions. 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. There's no evidence they ever came to Arizona at all. Today along route 88 is a pull off gravel road, that leads out behind the Lost Dutchman Museum, you follow it to a designated area, here you will find marked trail signs with trails simply marked as the Massacre Grounds.. Let may say this; it is not important who engraved the stones, and if itwas Tomlinson and he being the maker or someone else being the engraver of the stones while historically interesting it is not the most important thing. C. Colt1911 Tenderfoot. The conquistador ordered the men to stay close together so they weren't picked off, but this didn't help. Arcadia Publishing. He spent much of his spare time reading about it and searching for it. Jacob's Trail : The legend of jacob waltz's lost dutchman gold Mine First, let's talk about the geology of the mountains. In an addition to this legend, it's claimed two soldiers came to the Superstitions after hearing of Dr. Thorne's story to see if they could locate the cache. 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. 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.