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So let me say it again, the documentation found ON the stones is the most important thing not so much who carved them. Fake AF. Others that it was Waltz. 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. is, according to folktales, a magnificent, rich, Scrooge McDuck like repository of gold hidden somewhere in southwestern United States. Their bodies were never found, but their camera was." "Most. Dr. Thorne starts to investigate. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. Others, sure that more vile deadly creatures guard the mines. Treasure hunting at Superstition Mountains Arizona - The Lost Dutchman's Mine. From the Press Release Supposedly one of their 18 mines was very rich and they considered it their alfa mine. [19][20] After this was unsuccessful, Thomas and her partners were reported to be selling maps to the mine for $7 each. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition Mountains. George Johnston, who first tried to find the treasure in the 1950s, was still working for the Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum up until his August 30, 2017, death at age 97. Adolph Ruth is really the amateur explorer and treasure hunter that made the mines into a national phenomenon. Hiking and camping are popular activities. On July 11, 2010, Utah hikers Curtis Merworth, Ardean Charles, and Malcolm Meeks went missing in the Superstition Mountains while looking for the mine. Eight months later their camera and cell phones were recovered along the western edge of LaBarge Canyon. During Kinos time other Missionaries in California and Mexico were jealous and suspicious of Kino because, while they were poor and struggled his missions were rich and flourished, they said he had a secret gold mine from which he took rich gold and funded his missions and rancheros amassing 50 thousand head of cattle making him the Southwests first mega rancher. The early Spanish the Peraltas the Jesuits and many others all came to the Superstition Mountains looking for legendary gold. Randomly stopped by on my way home from Lost Dutchman State Park and I was super happy I did! [3] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine. The neighboursJulia Thomas, Rhinehart Petrasch, and Hermann Petraschspent weeks looking for the gold, but failed to find it. Hunting for the Lost Dutchman is typically a one-man journey, but lifelong Dutch Hunter Wayne Tuttle is breaking with tradition and partnering with a team of experts to follow a newly revealed clue that could finally solve the 500-year-old mystery of Americas most famous and deadliest buried treasure. October through April The average high temperature in June, July and August, is 104 degrees. The Dutchman " was a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. Top Ten list of haunted spots in Phoenix. Whether a wedding, elopement,, The amphitheater and other outdoor locations on the Museum's property are available for outdoor events including small catered receptions. 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. Starring Sage Howard, Andrew Simpson, and Shelby Stehlin. In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. Erwin gave the data to his father Adolph. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. 4: Volunteer Coordinator A group of modern day treasure hunters search for the Lost Dutchman mine in the Superstition mountain range of Arizona. 27.07 - MU Plus+ Podcast - Flames of Prophecy, 29.07 - MU Podcast - Contract with the Goddess, 27.06 - MU Plus+ Podcast - Secret Vaults of Time, 29.06 - MU Podcast - Italian Disco Abductions, The Mystery of New York's Renegade Subway Psychic, Forget About What We Know About Roswell: It's What's Missing About the Case That We Need to Look For, Archeologists Discover Another Secret Corridor Inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, A Boat-Swallowing Sea Monster of Norse Legends Still Lives Today, Ghosts, Fairies, and a Spectral Hag on Canada's Most Haunted Island, More on the Matter of the Most Dangerous Creature of the Mind: The Slenderman, Unmarked Black Helicopter Above Chicago Sparks Conspiracy Theories, "What's the Creepiest Thing You've Ever Seen or Heard?" Yet the mountains and their cursed treasure would get their most well-known mystery with the arrival of a German immigrant named Jacob Walz, also often spelled Waltz, who was a gold prospector in the Phoenix valley in the late 1800s. Ruth ended his note with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. According to these legends, this treasure was almost never seen by mortal eyes, at least not by anyone who lived to tell about it, but there are some tales of outsiders stumbling across it. We especially liked the large selection of locally mined semi-precious gemstones. Apache Junction, AZ 85119-8409, Phone options: Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). Much of the interior is so brutal with severe weather shifts (the Apache winds) that much of the interior is off limits for search and rescue. The closest approximate was a German miner of the PennsylvaniaGerman community. 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. The Grand Canyon State. The mine is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz,18101891. 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. FREE with paid Adult That was circa 1850. Waltz is also said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map 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 Arizonas Superstition Mountains, and to support research, education and publications involving the region. 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. Brent Swancer is an author and crypto expert living in Japan. A doctor from Illinois, Doctor Abraham Thorne, provided his service to treat the indigenous people of the Southwest. Fact Analysis: It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Weavers Needle, a peak located in the Superstition Mountains. This is their turf and only the highly experienced and prepared should venture forward. The earliest documentation of him in the U.S. is an 1848 affidavit in which Waltz declared himself to be "about 38 years old". The promise of a $200 million mother . These are tall, volcanic formations in the wilderness and are popular as hiking destinations. I really enjoyed it here. Despite his efforts, Willing was never able to recover the money he gave to Peralta. Lights, screams, and shadows of Apache armies have been reported. These include Barry Storms book Thunder Gods Gold, published in 1945, detailing his own efforts to find the gold, and the Glen Ford and Ida Lupino movie, Lust for Gold, from 1949. Combine these with the legends of the indigenous Pima Indians and the mountains live up to their name. German? 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. Out in the remote badlands of the U.S. state of Arizona, just to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area lies a sun scorched, dried up, arid moonscape of twisted peaks and sprawling expanse of badlands called the Superstition Mountains, at one time called the Sierra de la Espuma . The story differs but heres the most common take, mind you there are over 100 different versions of the Story. Up until Ruths disastrous expedition, the mines were little more than a footnote in the history of Arizona; one of a thousand so-called lost mines that peppered teh state. He would vanish into thin air for his efforts. Along with the body was found a mysterious note ensconced within a bottle, which said that he had broken his leg and needed help, but which also stated that he had had managed to find the legendary Lost Dutchmans Mine. Some certain that the natives killed the party. Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains 30.3K subscribers 251K views 2 years ago Ever heard of the Hermit of the Superstition Mountains or wondered what the legend was behind calling Elisha. 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. The Copper State. Take a cinematic tour to the Superstition Mountains, home of the Lost Dutchman Mine. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. 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). Fun, family friendly historical site with a lot to see including replicas of old buildings, plenty of hiking, a gift shop and free lectures by locals describing how life was like. Producers included Tamara Blaich, Jennifer Harrington, and Megan Peterson with cinematography by Pyongson Yim and editing by Jennifer Harrington. (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. In January 2011, three sets of remains assumed to be those of the lost men were retrieved. 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. Lots to see on site from a barn, trains, petting zoo on Saturdays, little gift shop, and a labyrinth and even a chapel dedicated to Elvis. Theyre filled to the brim with ghosts and spirits. 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. A TwinTygr Film. Want to reenact that James Franco film with the rusted and dull pocket knife? From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. The man is barely alive. STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. Saturdays bring the added fun of gun fight shows with a friendly crew that welcomes photos during the show and posing with them after the show. Jacob Waltz, the Dutchman, a mischievous canard if ever there was one, becomes obsessed with the mine. Most stories go like this, the family of a man called Miguel Peralta struck gold by accident they were just passing by and started drilling the mine. [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. The Superstitions are one of four mountains which mark the ancestral territory of the Apache People. The soldiers have stalked back to town, fistfuls of gold but their sanity shot, only to die a day later or in one case, murdered while rambling on and on about the albinos in their hospital room. 9 May 2022. The park offers 134 campsites, each with a picnic table, barbeque grill, and fire pit, and 68 equipped with electric hook-ups and water. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. A beautiful site just below the western edge of the Superstition Mountains was found and obtained. Bands of roaming cannibals are said to hunt the area and the curse of the Lost Mine to many isnt a tall tale but a stark reality. The gift store was absolutely fantastic and was filled with high-quality books about Arizona and southwest history, folklore, Native Americans, and the Wild West. Monday Sunday Thorne fills every pocket, flap of clothing, and fleshy orifice with the nuggets. Back in those days, the American term for German was , Members of the Apache tribe were said to have a truly valuable gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains. On July 11, 2010, Utah hikers Curtis Merworth, Ardean Charles, and Malcolm Meeks went missing in the Superstition Mountains while looking for the mine. 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. Dr. The story of the Lost Dutchmans Mine would go on to become a persistent legend and obsession for many would-be treasure hunters over the years. The Valentine State. 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. To this end he lived for years among their ranks, learning their ways and tending to their sick and wounded. 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. Here he worked at the Vulture Mine as a paid miner. "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. He would take this secret location practically to his grave, but as he lie dying from a bout of pneumonia in 1891 he allegedly told all, laying out the secret location of the lost and cursed Apache treasure, giving detailed but cryptic instructions on how to navigate the rough terrain to the entrance, as well as scrawling out a crude map to it all as he lay on his deathbed. There have been many books, films, and cartoons about the Lost Gold of the Superstition Mountains. The mans campsite would be found to hold many books on the lost mine, and this would join a further three more mysterious deaths in 2010 and 2011 in the same area, all of whom had been seeking the legendary Dutchmans Mine. [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. 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.. Skeptoid Media, 29 Jan 2013. The mine is named after German immigrant Jakob Waltz (c. 18101891), who purportedly discovered it in the 19th century and kept its location a secret. 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). There have been countless such deaths and disappearances in the region over the years, many of them with missing heads or gunshot wounds to the head. To underline his great find, he had also written Veni, Vidi, Vici (I came, I saw, and I conquered) in his diary. There is a $7 day use fee to enter the park, which is waived if you're camping ($15/night). 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 ZERO ZIP NADA!! Dark Mountain is beautifully directed and filmed, it really took me by surprise. Reports of inexplicable sounds, sightings, and events have led to claims of supernatural beings and even aliens. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. Their bodies were never found but their camera was. He's written articles for MU and Daily Grail and has been a guest on Coast to Coast AM and Binnal of America. Also in that year was the disappearance of two young boys, Ross Bley and Charles Harshbarger, whose bodies were never found. No sign of the filmmakers themselves has been found to date. They are encircled by U.S Route 60 on the south Arizona State 88 on the northwest, and Arizona 188 on the northeast. The Superstition Mountains Superstition Mountain has an elevation of 5,024 feet. At the low elevations, you will encounter tall saguaro cactusand Ponderosa pines at higher levels, and these are generally near the streams. It started out as an exciting day for us all on February 25th, 2016. The University of Arizona is the oldest college in the state, existing before Arizona achieved statehood. When is the documentary goimg to start back up? 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. Lastly, the alleged mine directions Ruth had were from an 1895 newspaper account. The Pima Indians famously feared the mountain that they knew as Ain-we-gophon (Superstition Mountain). Everything is well-maintained, and the staff are without exception friendly and helpful. There are many stories about hidden gold in the Superstition Mountains, and these usually mention the Peralta Family. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. The Lost Dutchman Mine, Arizona - Legends of America The Lost Dutchman Mine, Arizona Superstition Mountain, Arizona by Kathy Weiser-Alexander One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. Some places have long been thought to be simply no good. Kinos Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson unlike other missions in California was both massive and opulent, and still stands today. These trails traverse from the desert floor up into the edges of the mountains. 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. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. For the next 20 years, he falls in and out of consciousness, whenever he wakes its just garbled speak and horrific tales; hes enveloped in kaleidoscopic delirium Something, a doctor once told his family, having chewed at his sanity and left nothing but brittle bones. He dies, screaming from a nightmare in 1891. Students 11-17 $4.00 In January 2011, three sets of remains assumed to be those of the lost men were retrieved. Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. As a sort of reward for this generosity, he was apparently one day asked to put on a blindfold, after which he was told he would be led to the mythical lost cavern of gold. Dont expect High Street class; do expect old West charm, plenty of local history and lore, and the beautiful backdrop of the Superstition Mountains, not to mention a surprisingly good gift shop. Mysterious bodies turned up in the Superstition Mountains all through the 1960s and 70s, with at least five people found dead with bullet holes to the skulls, and with other bodies found minus the heads, which were never found. The rest of his remains were found a month later about a mile away. Beautiful gift shop with tons of great things to buy. 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. The large wooden structure overlooking the museum is a 100-year-old Cossak 20-stamp ore mill, a state-of-the-art piece of mining equipment that was used around the turn of the century in the West. [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. There were also strange stories among the Apache of a magnificent, hidden cavern full of gold, said to be a vast treasure long buried within the mountains and protected by spirits, troll-like beasts called Tuar-Tums, and even their Thunder God himself. [10] Trouble came after Willing learned that the deed was entirely bogus. The legend of the lost gold continued to attract people, and, in 1932, a veterinarian in the Park Service, Adolph Ruth, decided to go treasure hunting. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. He was then led along a harsh, meandering route of an estimated 20 miles, after which they removed the blindfold and he was met with the sight of a pile of gold sparkling in the sun near an entrance into the presumed lost mine. "Dutchman" was a common American term for a German ("Dutch" being the English cognate to the German demonym "Deutsch", and not a reference to the Dutch people). In later years, in 1945, a would-be treasure hunter named Barry Storm would claim that as he had been out looking for the treasure he had been fired upon by a mysterious sniper who he called Mr. In-Season Then his body would finally be found wedged into a remote and inaccessible crevice, with the official cause of death a mystery. May through September Interestingly it was found that he had amassed a small fortune in a short amount of time after starting his forays into the mountains, urging suspicions that he had found the lost mine. Hes led back to town and the tale spreads like wildfire. In late November or early December 2009, Denver, Colorado citizen Jesse Capen disappeared in the Tonto National Forest. 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. Both fabled and mythical, they have helped to drive the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine. Even though some have said the stones story is much older (it is true the source information is likely much older) than the Dutchmans time and therefor there is no connection, they are going to be slapping themselves in the face trying to overcome their denial when they realize the stones leadto the same birds nest. Take a stroll along the Native Plant Trail or hike the . Bands of roaming cannibals are said to hunt the area and the curse of the Lost Mine to many isnt a tall tale but a stark reality. This is your spot. 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. The 66-year-old Ruth, who was by all accounts absolutely and hopelessly obsessed with the location of the Lost Dutchmans Mine, ventured out into those badlands despite warnings against it, and shortly after vanished without a trace. 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.". However, things can go wrong. It is rumoured that if the stones are put together in the right way, they are a map to the Peralta Familys gold deposits. For a small fee you can see items owned by locals and learn all about the local history. [9] As of 1975, ruins of the Peralta mine were standing.[9]. There are several paths that go through the brush and cacti. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). The glitches that periodically disrupt the footage are also particularly effective. "Tex" Bradford of Globe Arizona went in search of the "Lost Dutchman Mine"; by October 1933 he had been missing for nine months. X., who seemed to be guarding the area. [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. 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. This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. In his 1945 book about the Lost Dutchmans Mine. Tack a map onto a wall, toss a dart and chances are youd hit an outskirt of nowhere with a small Fort Knox in its hills. Jacob, meanwhile, the lone survivor, is near catatonic. 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. Waltz forms an expedition party; two Peralta descendants, an archaeologist, and Jacob Weiser. 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. Later I will give more details and then begin providing information on how things fit together. [5] One Lost Dutchman's mine is said to be in Colorado, another in California; two are said to be located in Arizona. Capens corpse was found three years later in November 2012 by a local search and rescue organization, stuffed into a crevice. Wednesday Sunday Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. See production, box office & company info. And then I finally paid a visit this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised. Padre Kino founded many missions including Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson. The Museum Gallery offers a detailed exploration of the history of this region with artifacts, multi-media, testimonials and docent-led tours. 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. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The St. Johns herald. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Wasnt it Dutch? Director Tara Anase Writers Tara Anase (story) Tamara Blaich (story) Stars Ron Eagle D'Andre II Adam Haley Sage Howard A note in a bottle found floating down the Salt River said that he needed help on account of his leg and that he had found the Lost Dutchmans gold mine. The curse of the treasure would continue in the 1940s, when a 62-year-old treasure hunter by the name of James A. Carvey journeyed into the Superstition Mountains and also ended up dead and with his head separated from his shoulders. In any case, the event led to the naming of the Massacre Falls after it. There have been tales ofU.S. Armysoldiers that are said to have stumbled onto a river of almost pure gold in or near the Superstition Mountains. And, amazingly, a few of these people were also found in the same headless state as Adolph Ruth. Cute fun stop for anyone visiting the area to learn more about the history of the area. The Village exhibit includes two brush structures, some call Wickiups (the Apache people call them Gowah --our home); a cooking area and hide drying rack.