Indeed, there's yet another legend purporting to explain where the Dutchman might have acquired his gold. True. So what about Jacob Waltz? Jack Humphrey Cameron, Texas The Dutchman, like most lost, Writers sometimes discover their muse on their own, but sometimes their muse finds them. Also, there's no documentation showing he ever filed a claim for a mine in the Superstitions or any paperwork showing where he allegedly sold mass amounts of gold. 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.". Also, as previously mentioned, no Native American tribes in the region seem to have any history of treating the mountains as anything other than regular mountains. As early as September 1, 1892, The Arizona Enterprise was reporting on the efforts of Thomas and several others to locate the lost mine whose location was told to her by Waltz. Ron Feldman has it and has had it all of his adult life. The Arizona fable about a mysterious gold mine east of Phoenix turns out to have real-life participants and corroboration. [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. 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. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. Photo: Marine 69-71 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0. All Treasure Hunting. (Courtesy: Robert Cooper) Three years ago, a Denver bellhop ventured into Arizona's Superstition Mountains determined to find the Lost Dutchman's Mine, an elusive, vast gold reserve that has. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. It is an easy thing More please. Thorne is said to be either unwilling or unable to relocate the mine. And is that information relevant? 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. 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. 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. 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]. Watch on The reported mine was dubbed Lost Dutchman around 1892 after Waltz died. Intrigue Journal. In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. 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. Waltz is also said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map to the gold mine. Apparently, he was rewarded. 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. 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? The Lost Dutchman gold mine is believed to be situated in a state park in Apache Junction, Arizona, although its exact location is unclear. 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. Top ways to experience Goldfield Ghost Town and nearby attractions. While Francisco Coronado did exist and did explore what is now the southwestern United States, there's nothing indicating he ever visited the Superstitions. Weiser (if he ever existed at all) eventually met the same unfortunate fate as the Peraltas and was killed by the Apache, although some versions of the story have him murdered by his former partner. Blair had little doubt that Waltz related to Thomas the location of an alleged gold mine. According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. What there is documentation to support is that the Dutchman may have been a con man. The earliest Lost Dutchman Gold Mine in Arizona was said to be near Wickenburg, where in the 1870's a Dutchman was found dead in the desert, together with some saddlebags filled with gold. The detailed record keepers the Mexican miners were, there is not another mine in here that would 'fit' for this time and location. He disappeared after going on a quest for the legendary 'Lost Dutchman's' gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. The Supers are east northeast of Phoenix. Courtesy Collection of Greg Davis / Superstition Mountain Museum , The Lost Dutchman is one of the greatest lost mine stories of them all. Here he worked at the Vulture Mine as a paid miner. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. Take, for example, the story of Adolph Ruth, an experienced treasure hunter who typically worked with his son, Erwin. [16] A man called Jacob Walz was born in September 1810 in Wrttemberg. 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. Through Coxs widow, Feldmans group gathered firsthand knowledge that Cox excavated a mine and uncovered a stash of Spanish bullion, a fact that has been almost substantiated by the use of Ground Penetrating Radar. In gratitude, Gonzales told Erwin about the Peralta mine in the Superstition Mountains, and gave him some antique maps of the site (Gonzales claimed to be descended from the Peralta family on his mother's side). [13] In most versions of the tale, Jacob Waltz locates a rich gold mine in the Superstition Mountains (in many versions of the story, they rescue or help a member of the Peralta family and are rewarded by being told the location of the mine). 1. Lyndon Graves 135 subscribers 10K views 4 years ago After 15 Long Years, and long battles with Government agencies , we have decided to reveal the treasures. Despite his efforts, Willing was never able to recover the money he gave to Peralta. A fire broke out overnight at the Mining Camp Restaurant in Apache Junction and consumed the historic restaurant near Lost Dutchman State Park. APACHE JUNCTION, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - Arizona's Superstition Mountains draw people from around the world, coming to see not just to . Many believe there is a connection and that they sold their families mine to Waltz and his partner. We miss it. Padre Kino founded many missions including Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson. There are several paths that go through the brush and cacti. For instance, about six of the maps are relevant, others may be relevant, but for now do not appear to be. From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. File size. According to legends, a man named Jacob Waltz, the titular Dutchman (though he was actually German and not Dutch), came to America to seek out his fortune around the 1860s, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. This is very interesting and both are true. According to legends, a man named Jacob Waltz, the titular Dutchman (though he was actually German and not Dutch), came to America to seek out his fortune around the 1860s, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. The short "Discovery Trail" is a clear route with several placards giving the natural history of the area. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. [9] As of 1975, ruins of the Peralta mine were standing.[9]. Apparently, Waltz began to hint he knew of a secret gold vein hidden in the mountains, even giving out a few clues to its location. 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. Some sources of this clue say only from my mine and leave out THE RIDGE ABOVE. "Tex" Bradford of Globe Arizona went in search of the "Lost Dutchman Mine"; by October 1933 he had been missing for nine months. Everyone loves a good treasure hunting story. 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. Now, Feldman and his team are on the prowl for the Lost Dutchman Mine. Hiking and camping are popular activities. He even has a gravesite you can visit today in Arizona. This, of course, is how the Dutchman is supposed to havereally found his treasure. Over the next few weeks I will share some images that are safe for us to show. After a five-year wait, HEAT obtained a Treasure Trove Permit for the purpose of re-excavating a mine in the Superstition Wilderness. Jesse Capen was obsessed with the legend of the lost gold, despite the lack of hard historical evidence. Armed with a new clue that could unearth the location of the famed Lost Dutchman Mine, lifelong Dutch Hunter Wayne Tuttle, leads a team into Arizona's Superstition Mountains. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. Stories vary on how Waltz found this hidden treasure. A note from Ruth saying he needed help and had discovered the mine was found in the Salt River. Clue 16 - Miliary Map. Around 1860 a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz moved into the Wickenburg Arizona area about 80 miles from Phoenix. According to Blair, the story may have its roots in the efforts of three U.S. soldiers to locate gold in an area of New Mexico, based on an allegedly true story related to them by Dr. Thorne of New Mexico; see above. Supposedly one of their 18 mines was very rich and they considered it their alfa mine. Peralta's Family. [12] The three soldiers set out to find the gold, but without success. Soon, fact and fiction became easier to sort. each. In 1748, the area now known as Arizona (along with the Superstition Mountain) was given by Spain as a land grant to a Mexican cattle-baron by the name of Don Miguel Peralta of Sonora. 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. 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 are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. PERALTA DESCENDENTS HAVE GIVEN US DOCUMENTS 100S OF YEARS OLD. from. Wikimedia CommonsThe grave of Jacob Waltz. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. Quite a few people have made skeptical statements on some treasure forums including Treasurenet, THunting dot com, DesertUSA and a few others. Later that year, two easterners went looking for the lost mine. "Waltz said it was a vein of gold surrounded by hematite in quartz," according to Tuttle. So far, they've filmed at locations that include the Treasure Hunter of the Year Awards, held at Apache Junction's Mammoth Saloon in March, and at Goldfield Ghost Town, an attraction that features a zip line and live staged gunfights. 1873. 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. Background Jesse Capen was born on June 2, 1974 in Colorado to parents David Capen and Cynthia Burnett. But it was the Apaches who became the areas most famous native residents, using the mountains as a stronghold during the 1800s when the whites began their westward expansion, lured by the promise of gold. The first official recording of the Dutchman Mine is found in this story. This seems to have been made up solely for the various legends, according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. But there's no evidence he was any sort of engineering or mining genius like some legends claim. Some have died on the search. It is still a mystery if both explorers were able to reach the summit before passing away. In fact, after five years including thousands of hours of research and then four . The start of the most famous legend to come from the mountains, that of the Lost Dutchman Mine, begins with these fortune-seekers. All of these elements can be found in the search for the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, reportedly well hidden in Arizona's mysterious-looking (and aptly named) Superstition Mountains (pictured above). Waltz fell ill and died in 1891, but not before revealing the location of an alleged gold mine to Julia Thomas, the neighbour who cared for him. There's the thrill of the hunt, solving the clues, and what could be a better payoff than a big cache of riches? (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. This is the story of the men who went searching for it's hidden gold our links: https://www.instagram.com/lostinthewoodspodcast/ 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. Gina Dimuro is a New York-based writer and translator. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. by Jim Hatt Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:32 pm. It was supposedly discovered and kept secret by a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz in the 19th century, hence the . First. The network's all-original programming slate features a roster of hit series, premium documentaries, and scripted event programming. Is it any wonder then, that I prize it? In subsequent years, the Dutchmanas Waltz was calledworked both placer and lode gold mines in the region. However, they eventually disappeared after a trip into the Superstitions. 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. There are lots of similar tales of gold-hunting soldiers, too, from all over the southwest. 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. He found that even a neophyte like himself could pick up nuggets of information from other Dutch hunters who virtually inhabited the Superstitions. Intrigue Journal. Adolph Ruth, a government veterinarian, had an obsession with finding the Lost Dutchman Mine. 9 May 2022. WE HAVE ALSO SOLVED THE PERALTA BURBRIDGE MAP OF 1753. Located east of Phoenix, the Superstition Mountains stretch across 160,000 acres of desert, and somewhere in these almost supernatural-looking canyons . 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. However, despite several men claiming to have found the mine, no one ever came forward with the gold. He gradually gained the respect of the old-timers who, in their later years, shared much of the knowledge they had gathered themselves. The man said Dr. Thorne could take as much as he could carry, at which point he was blindfolded again and led out. 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. Under his bed was a candle box containing some extraordinary rich gold ore. 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. Background: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. 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