Ruth ended his note with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. Follow the Process. Sign up for exclusive updates, previews and special content: So, where is it then? Waltz found it in the mountains and came to grab gold out of it as needed. [27], Throughout the 20th century, various expeditions and individuals continued to search the Superstitions for the Lost Dutchman Mine. We are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. The Peralta Massacre is a legend that Apaches supposedly ambushed a mining expedition the Peralta family sent into the mountains. Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows tagged - IMDb "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. And, amazingly, a few of these people were also found in the same headless state as Adolph Ruth. Waltz was buried in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. And now we get to the real problem with these legends there's basically zero evidence any of them ever happened. This problematic paradox, I believe, is the product of years of misdirection to steer seekers to the west side of the mountains. There have been many stories about how to find the mine, and each year people search for the mine. FREE with paid Adult 2: Cashiers for questions about whats happening at the museum and local area Researchers point to an old beliefby local farmersthat the nearby Pima Native American tribe were superstitious about the mountains. This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. Animals like deer coyotes, pumas and bobcats live here, existing alongside birds, rodents, snakes, and other reptiles. We know today they're not actually sedimentary rock, but volcanic, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. The Lost Dutchman Mine Part Twelve: Conclusions - Jason Roberts This is only speculation, what I do know is that, people who have dismissed the information on the stones, no matter who carved the stones, those non believers have been badly mistaken. In some versions of this story, Waltz was actually plundering these shrines for his own gold. So let me say it again, the documentation found ON the stones is the most important thing not so much who carved them. Intrigue Journal. As a reward, Dr. Thorne was blindfolded and led to a cave in the mountains. Mike . 4087 East Apache Trail Superstition Mountains - Wikipedia The beginning and end of the tale will be told with ore. Gold ore has its own fingerprint, discernible from other gold ore. So, where is it then? If these conditions do not exist, gold will not exist. Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is a supposedly rich gold mine either in the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere in Mexico. This beautiful program is designed to start with a famous Arizona sunset draping gracefully over the Superstition Mountains, and end under the light of the full moon. 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. 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. This is considered to be the starting and gathering point for most Dutch Hunters. Follow the Process. Intrigue Journal. The one, tangible piece of evidence still in existence are the samples remaining from the ore taken by Dick Holmes, namely the matchbox. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine is a quintessential version of just such a story. In any case, the event led to the naming of the Massacre Falls after it. These steep, jagged volcanic mountains were formed over 29 million years ago and they cover an area of 160,000 acres. Travis Tumlinson, a policeman, discovered the Peralta Stones on a roadside near the Superstition Mountains in the 1940s. Click here for Part Eleven ofThe Lost Dutchman Mine. The location in question is called the Pit Mine or The Silver Chief. Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. (In truth, Apaches make up just one of the tribes found in the area, but these were typically all lumped in as "Apache" by white settlers who didn't appreciate the differences in Native American tribes.). And is that information relevant? The Legend Of The Lost Dutchman And His Gold Mine Explained, ever filed a claim for a mine in the Superstitions. Some have died on the search. For more. There are many stories about hidden gold in the Superstition Mountains, and these usually mention the Peralta Family. 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. It's also worth noting the mountains aren't known to have gotten their ironic name from any of the above legends. I personally spoke with Ron a few months back when he described his findings to me, which he is publishing in a forthcoming book. (Doug Dolde / Wikimedia Commons). If these conditions do not exist, gold will not exist. Supposedly one of their 18 mines was very rich and they considered it their alfa mine. Finally, there really was a successful gold mining family named Peralta, but they were in California, not Arizona, according to Gold Rush Nuggets. Other storytellers claim that the Peralta Family escaped with gold, but another family died in the massacre. Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains - Just another WordPress site This is their turf and only the highly experienced and prepared should venture forward. Beyond Oak Island: Season 1 Episode 4; The Lost Dutchman Curse The Superstition Mountain Historical Society Inc is a non-profit corporation organized to collect and preserve the history, legends, and lore of Arizonas Superstition Mountain, to support research, education, and publications involving the region, and to maintain a historical museum devoted to these endeavors. These are tall, volcanic formations in the wilderness and are popular as hiking destinations. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. These steep, jagged volcanic mountains were formed over 29 million years ago and they cover an area of 160,000 acres. 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). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Supposedly, the Peraltas actually found a very rich gold vein and set up a mining operation. Superstition Mountain has an elevation of 5,024 feet. 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. In it, he puts together the clues and evidence and makes a convincing case for the Pit Mine. 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. "Dutchman's Gold" was the season 4, episode 19 of, This page was last edited on 6 April 2023, at 12:08. The stories of conquistadors and Jesuits bearing gold are completely unverifiable without documentation or archaeological evidence. 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. However, they eventually disappeared after a trip into the Superstitions. 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. 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. Jacob Waltz took to returning to the mountains only when he needed the gold. None of the tribes in the area ever considered the mountains to be sacred, and while the Apache tribe does have a thunder deity in their religious beliefs, they don't claim he lives in the Superstitions. To recoup the costs of the search, Julia Thomas actually began to make handmade copies of Waltz's map and sell it to others. Elevation: 6,001 Feet (1,829 Meters) Primary Mineral: Copper Lat, Long: 46.3369, -113.26190 Map: View on Google Maps Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! The Lost Dutchman State Park, which opened in 1977 and has the Peralta Trail, is also a nod at the legend. From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. 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. Ask any prospector and they will tell. 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. In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. Nobody has been able to interpret them correctly. 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. The area is filled with ghost tales, monster . That's just the name we use for the group of mining exhibits that you'll experience when you visit the museum. Like most legends, when you strip it down as close to the truth as possible, it is never as glorious as imagined. According to some storytellers, in September 1848, a band of Apaches slaughtered the entire Peralta Family, except one (someone had to live to tell the tale). But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. [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. They're convinced the mine is to the east of the mountains at the. The Peralta Stones are a set of engraved stone tableted works that are approximately 18 inches long and weigh about 25 lbs. These cookies do not store any personal information. Free Lecture: Arizona's Four Peaks Amethyst Mine - Superstition Still, this doesn't dissuade treasure hunters. 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. We have imaging taken, with Go-pros, Sony 7000s; Osmo stabilized film cameras and Dji Phantom and Bee-bop drones. That is not to say that it was hidden in plain sight, defying discovery under our very noses, but rather that it was concealed by the collective expectations of generations of Dutch Hunters, veiled in legend. Gary also spoke to the Feldman family, who have been searching for the mine since the 1960s, under patriarch Ron's tutelage. Mining Folklore - The Midnight Society Cox was a contrarian to the accepted Waltz lore of the day and had his own theories about thePeraltasand Waltz. Among the many legends to have emerged from the area, one of the most enduring ones is that of The LostDutchmansGold Mine. I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. Then, she took the map that was either from Waltz's imagination or her own and made a whole lot of money selling copies of it. Other prominent features that fit Waltzs clues, among many others, include: Skeptics will tell you, as will anyone who has hiked those mountains, that there are many other places that fit these descriptions and that seeing faces, or other objects, in rocks can be simple pareidolia, and there is a fair amount of truth in that. On 8 June 2019, a fire broke out in the Superstitions Wilderness area and soon spread across 26,000 acres. 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. He had worked as a miner but was an amateur prospector at best. Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. Fact Analysis: Generally speaking, this mine is claimed to be situated in the Superstition Mountains, described by one source as "a collection of rough terrain that has gained the name of a single mountain" which lies to the east of Phoenix, the Arizonan capital. The praying hands formation at the Superstition Mountains range. 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. Jesuits - Ancient Lost Treasures Cerro Rico: Devil worship on the man-eating mountain - BBC News Though the remains had been scattered by scavengers, they were undoubtedly Ruth's. "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). Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains - YouTube 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. Towards the very south of the Silvermine Mountains is the highest peak in the mountains, Keeper Hill or in Irish Sliabh . Closer than ever to the $200 million payday, Wayne and the team head into the heart of darkness where a cryptic find weaves an even bigger mystery, in Season. One day he travelled to the fabled site of the mother lode, Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona, and never came back. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. The weather in the Superstition Mountains is notoriously unpredictable, with storms seeming to come out of nowhere and accompanied by abrupt drops in temperatures. There's the thrill of the hunt, solving the clues, and what could be a better payoff than a big cache of riches? A two-room rock house in a cave across the canyon from the mine, The peak of Weavers needle being visible from the top of the mine, The military trail being visible below, but not vice versa, It being in a smaller east-west canyon inside a north-south running canyon, The case for the Pit Mine is not new, in fact it has been an open secret for quite some time. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. [2] [3] The Pennsylvania Dutch Country. 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Skeptoid Podcast. Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. Arizona place-name expert Byrd Granger wrote, as of 1977, the Lost Dutchman's story had been printed or cited at least six times more often than two other fairly well-known tales, the story of Captain Kidd's lost treasure, and the story of the Lost Pegleg mine in California. 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. Story Of A Little Known Mine In The Superstition Mountains In Arizona I cannot speak for the current condition of the mine. Buy "In Search of the Heart" by Phil Reinhardt at http://www.superstitionmountainmuseum.org/museumgifts/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_. 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 conquistador and his men arrived and made their way deep into the mountains, despite the warnings of danger from the local Apache. Then the Apaches killed Jacob Weiser,or according to some, Waltz himself did it. It is known as the Pit Mine because of the funnel like shape it was dug in, which was common in Spanish and Mexican mining. Jesuit Treasure in the Superstitions - DesertUSA.com/mb3 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. Do some math. It is here were you will reach areas that are barely penetrable, this is where most trails stop abruptly for safety reasons. 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. That, in and of itself, is a separate legend. According to their folklore, the mountain guards an ancient storehouse of precious metals and treasures, and anyone who ventures forth to get the treasure is likely to die. Museum Members are FREE. Blair had little doubt that Waltz related to Thomas the location of an alleged gold mine. Yet, legend insists that it does. Erwin passed the information to his father Adolph, who had a long-standing interest in lost mines and amateur exploration. He had acquired maps that he was sure would lead him straight to the gold. If you were inclined to seek it out, your starting location would be the Rogers Trough Trailhead, though you would not be taking that trail, rather you would be backtracking along the ridge, roughly northwest, in generally the same direction as the primitive road you drove in. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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. Waltz is attacked and wounded by marauding Apaches, but survives at least long enough to tell a man called Dr. Walker about the mine. That's not even counting those hunting the treasure in the ensuing years. It involves murder, secrets, and a whole lotta sweet, sweet gold. Many of Ruth's personal effects were found at the scene, including a pistol (not missing any shells) and the metal pins used to mend his broken bones. This problematic paradox, I believe, is the product of years of misdirection to steer seekers to the west side of the mountains. So what about Jacob Waltz? Yet, legend insists that it does. Allegedly, Dr. Thorne tried to find the cave again but was unsuccessful, or found it and was killed. 9 May 2022. Students 11-17 $4.00 (Part 1) When the Spanish explorers discovered and began the exploration of the Americas the King of Spain required that a priest accompany the conquistadors.