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. But, Adophs son, Erwin, was convinced his father had been killed. The Superstition Mountains can be seen behind these old buildings in nearby Goldfield,Arizona by Kathy Weiser-Alexander. Jacob Waltz said the mine was a large funnel-shaped pit. 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. Apparently, he As the Indians were subdued by the soldiers, a reservation was established near Fort McDowell, where Thorne began to provide his services. WebA curved arrow on a mysterious map inscribed on stone surfaces pointed to the identical place, confirming the location. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. 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. WebOngoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. 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. 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. In February 1951, Dr. John Burns, a physician from Oregon, was found shot to death on Superstition Mountain. They soon returned to Sonora, laden with gold and planning another trip. 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. WebLegend tells of the Lost Dutchmans gold mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of brutal Arizona desert known as the Superstition Mountains.. The coroner ruled it an accidental death resulting from a ricochet. Ruths untimely demise did nothing to dissuade further searchers. 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. Undaunted; however, Julia and the Petrasches made an expedition into the Superstitions that summer, trying to find the mine. Many believe it's hidden in the Superstition Mountains, and it's rumored a curse falls upon all those who try to find it. 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? The answer to the question involves fraud, Indian wars, destruction, claim jumping and death. He was a student of mining and was knowledgeable in geology. 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. But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. During this time, the Apache had turned their wrath against the Arizona settlers and the U.S. Army. Having taken on a terrible chill, he was attended to by a woman named Julia Thomas, who tried to nurse him back to health, but Jacob had contracted pneumonia. The Lost Dutchman is Americas most famous lost mine, and many people have risked their lives searching for it. Although his gun was found under the body, the death was ruled suicide. In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. For more details, call the Museum at 445-3122 or visit the sponsors websites at www.sharlothallmuseum.org and www.prescottcorral.org. Two more men who were hiking in the Superstitions that year became involved in some kind of dispute. WebThe Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Found! Ongoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. That same year, Robert St. Marie, who was attempting to drill a hole all the way through Weavers Needle, was killed by prospector Edward Piper. After the land was ceded to the United States, the Peralta party was trespassing on U.S. soil. [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). Tantalizingly, Ruth's checkbook was also recovered, and proved to contain a note written by Ruth wherein he claimed to have discovered the mine and gave detailed directions. 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. 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. 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. In October 1960, a group of hikers found a headless skeleton near the foot of a cliff on Superstition Mountain. WebThe Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is a fabled gold mine located in the Southwest, though it's exact whereabouts are unknown. Unfortunately, for these two, nothing was ever found of them. In January 1961, a family picnicking near the edge of the mountain discovered the body of Hilmer Charles Bohen buried beneath the sand. 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 [10] Trouble came after Willing learned that the deed was entirely bogus. People often asked of him the obvious questions Where was the gold coming from? The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. 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 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 The second was the Big Rebel filed in the Walnut Grove Mining District. For years afterward, prospectors flocked to the area not only in search of the mine but also in search of Mexican gold spilled during the massacre. 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. Separately, however, they both spent much of the rest of their lives looking for the lost mine. Quite literally so, according to Southwestern Folklore author and researcher Byrd Granger. However, in 1864, Enrico Peralta, leading some 400 men, ventured back into the range. 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. WebOngoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. The legend of the lost mine, as well as the tales of its curse, continued to grow over the years as more and more stories were told, relating mysterious deaths, disappearances, and small gold finds. [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. Scientists say that the Superstition Mountains dont contain the type of mineral deposits that produce gold. By 1872, Reavis was living in a high mountain valley near Pinal, where he farmed vegetables and hunted in his isolated mountain retreat. WebLegend tells of the Lost Dutchmans gold mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of brutal Arizona desert known as the Superstition Mountains.. 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. WebOne of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. 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 The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. WebA curved arrow on a mysterious map inscribed on stone surfaces pointed to the identical place, confirming the location. 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. "Dutchman's Gold" was a chart hit in 1960 for, "When the Man Comes, Follow Him" episode of the, "The Peralta Map" episode of the CBS Radio series, The Lost Dutchman Mine ride was a popular attraction at, The Lost Dutchman's Mine features prominently in the, The Lost Dutchmans Mine is the subject of Season 6, Episode 10 of podcast Unexplained. As Curt Gentry wrote, "Dr. Hrdlicka positively identified the skull as that of Adolph Ruth. 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. Quite literally so, according to Southwestern Folklore author and researcher Byrd Granger. On the northwest slope of the mountain, in an area now referred to as Massacre Ground, all but one of the miners were ambushed and killed by the Apache. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. WebOngoing discoveries of the Lost Dutchman Mine have continued for well over a hundred years. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. The Indians called Superstition Mountain the Devils Playground.. Please contact SHM Library & Archives reference desk at 928-445-3122 Ext. Five days later, another skeleton was found, which was identified the next month to be that of William Richard Harvey, a painter from San Francisco, California. When nothing had been heard of Ruth for six days, the cowboys boss, a man named Tex Barkley, went looking for the treasure hunter. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. "The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine." A note found in his checkbook claimed he had discovered the mine and included directions. They found gold in the 1840s but were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. Camping: 135 sites (68 with electric/water) and cabins can be reserved year-round through Arizona State Parks. The Peralta family refrained even more from working the mines for the next 16 years. The game was the biggest success for its publisher, Magnetic Images. Skeptoid Media, 29 Jan 2013. The two, sure that they could find the place, then headed towards Weavers Needle, but after two weeks had not returned. Ruth had in his possession what he claimed was a map giving the location of These many variations and tales; however, only add to the intrigue of the Lost Dutchman enticing hundreds of treasure-hunting hobbyists, as well as seasoned prospectors, to continue to search for the elusive gold. [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. $89+ per night for cabins. Activities: Hiking, birdwatching, and stargazing. He knew that gold had been found in the Superstition Mountains. They found gold in the 1840s but were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches. In 1955, Charles Massey, who was hunting with a 22, was found shot between the eyes by a heavy-caliber rifle bullet. Lost Dutchman Mine is a simulation game that casts the player in the role of a gold miner in the 1860's. The start of the most famous legend to come from the mountains, that of the Lost Dutchman Mine, begins with these fortune-seekers. After a thorough search, the hunt was called off. 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. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. The first was the Gross Lode filed in the Walker Mining District. [12] Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858. Ruths son, a lawyer, had helped a man called Pedro Gonzales with a legal matter and in return, was given some old maps. [19][20] After this was unsuccessful, Thomas and her partners were reported to be selling maps to the mine for $7 each. Just a week later he was killed in a cave-in without ever disclosing the location to anyone. Granger wrote that "fact and fiction blend in the tales",[3] but that there are three main elements to the story: In 1977, Granger identified 62 variants of the Lost Dutchman's story some of the variations are minor, but others are substantial, casting the story in a very different light from the other versions. He sent friends back to his home to see if they could find the gold that he had kept there. Quick Facts: Lost Dutchman State Park Camping. Camping: 135 sites (68 with electric/water) and cabins can be reserved year-round through Arizona State Parks. This account is usually dated to about 1870. Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. Malm was later sent to the county poor farm, not doing much better himself. 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. However, sometime later legend tells us that Dr. Thorne determined that he would try to find the place again. The question is, if Jacob Waltz found a rich gold mine, why didnt he file a claim? Searchers should never enter the wilderness area by themselves, should take plenty of water, and pack lightly in order not to overexert themselves. It was not his manner that earned him his eccentric reputation; rather, it was his appearance, his high intelligence and the isolated way that he lived. They found gold in the 1840s but were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches. Ironically, it is also one of the most found lost mines in America. The Lost Dutchman Mine is the most famous in American history. 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