Then, see some astonishing photos taken at the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. 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. Top ways to experience Goldfield Ghost Town and nearby attractions. 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. Stories vary on how Waltz found this hidden treasure. The enigma of the LDGM is that it has been a puzzle with many pieces that, up until now, no one has been able to solve. 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. It's also worth noting the mountains aren't known to have gotten their ironic name from any of the above legends. Jacob Waltz does appear to have been a real person; whether he was simply used as the basis for the story or actually found the lost gold is another story. There's no evidence they ever came to Arizona at all. Nevertheless, the lore has led to the publication of several books (and, in turn, a few movies), although they mostly just embellish off the basics of the existing oral legend one of the great tales of treasure in modern history. Mules and horses carried raw ore to the chute; the dumped ore tumbled out the front into wagons that carried it away. It was supposedly discovered and kept secret by a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz in the 19th century, in Season 3, Episode 2, \"Guardians of Superstition Mountain.\" #AmericaUnearthedSubscribe for more from America Unearthed and other great HISTORY shows:http://histv.co/SubscribeHistoryYTFind out more about the show and watch full episodes on our site:http://www.history.com/shows/Check out exclusive HISTORY content:History Newsletter - https://histv.co/newsletterWebsite - https://histv.co/HistoryFacebook - https://histv.co/FacebookTwitter - https://histv.co/TwitterIn \"America Unearthed,\" host Scott Wolter uses hard science and intuitive theories to explain the most mysterious artifacts and sites in America. Humankind has been enthralled by lost treasure legends for ages. 14 - 18 years. "Tex" Bradford of Globe Arizona went in search of the "Lost Dutchman Mine"; by October 1933 he had been missing for nine months. Intrigue Journal. 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. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. It is generally accepted that the Peraltas and roughly 400 peon miners were massacred by the Apaches sometime around 1848. [3] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine. 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]. 2016 ISSUE. However, despite several men claiming to have found the mine, no one ever came forward with the gold. Still, this doesn't dissuade treasure hunters. Cox concentrated his search on the eastern end of what is now the Superstition Wilderness. There's some evidence to suggest he engaged in a shady practice called highgrading basically claiming ore is more valuable than it really is. There are lots of similar tales of gold-hunting soldiers, too, from all over the southwest. Chances you could find the Lost Dutchman's Mine: It's probably not real, but don't let that stop you . 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. LIKELY TO SELL OUT*. The Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Normally if a mine produces two and half ounces of gold per tonne of rock it's considered a bonanza. We know today they're not actually sedimentary rock, but volcanic, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. Here's the thing about the Julia Thomas map to the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, which is still sold and used today: Jacob Waltz didn't actually draw it. A 19th century map detailing mines in Arizona. [volume], October 11, 1933, Page NINE, Image 9, "Arizona desert searched for missing Denver man seeking gold mine", "Mother of missing treasure hunter holds onto hope", "Body of man who hunted legendary 'Lost Dutchman's' gold mine believed found in Arizona mountains", "3 Utah men still missing on Arizona treasure hunt", "3 Search for men looking for Lost Dutchman's gold suspended", "More remains found in Superstitions; may be hiker's", "Escape - When The Man Comes, Follow Him", "The Lost Dutchman's Mine History and Bibliography", Arizona Mining Scams and Unassayable Ore Projects of the Late 20th Century, "Skeptoid #347: The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lost_Dutchman%27s_Gold_Mine&oldid=1137505190. Soon, fact and fiction became easier to sort. The main shaft heads down to two tunnels. First. Web. So what about Jacob Waltz? 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. The Dutchman found this mine, and his 'story' advises he 'obtained' it from Mexicans miners who were working it. Lemuria: The Fabled Lost Continent That Turned Out To Be Real Almost, How Al Jorden Made Doris Day's Life A Living Hell, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. As the legend goes, prospector Jacob Waltz found a gold mine but went to his grave without sharing the secret of where that mine was located. If you get it hurt you better have your own team. 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. Adolph Ruth set out to find the Lost Dutchman Mine but apparently broke his leg on the journey. 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. 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. Arcana Exploration. 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. 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. Allegedly, people saw the Jesuits come up to the Superstition Mountains with their loads of gold, but when they were spotted again on the other side, the mules carried no loads. Background Jesse Capen was born on June 2, 1974 in Colorado to parents David Capen and Cynthia Burnett. Documentation suggests that only two young boys survived and made it to Mexico. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. 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. While he allegedly worked as a miner at numerous mines earlier in his life, eventually Waltz decided he wanted to prospect on his own. His head had been severed from his body and was lying several feet away. [1], The Lost Dutchman's is perhaps the most famous lost mine in American history. Kino is believed to have had a rich goldmine somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. Gold fever is infectious. , The Waterbury Democrat. Some searchers for the mine have disappeared in likely wilderness accidents. 2017. While this doesn't mean it's impossible there's gold to mine up there, it makes it far less likely. APACHE JUNCTION, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - Arizona's Superstition Mountains draw people from around the world, coming to see not just to . Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! 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? From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. First, let's talk about the geology of the mountains. 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. Take AZ-101 to U.S. 60 east of Scottsdale to approach the towering peaks of the Superstition Mountains looming large over the horizon. Supposedly, the Peraltas actually found a very rich gold vein and set up a mining operation. 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. Jesse Capen was obsessed with the legend of the lost gold, despite the lack of hard historical evidence. Indeed, there's yet another legend purporting to explain where the Dutchman might have acquired his gold. 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. But they're even better known for something else: the legendary Lost Dutchman's Mine, a much-ballyhooed secret stash of wealth sought by daring adventurers known as "Dutch hunters." However, despite several men claiming to have found the mine, no one ever came forward with the gold. It does not matter if Tomlinson engraved them or someone else did, exactly when they were made is not important, what matters is what is on them. We miss it. James Reavis tried to assert that the Peralta family had a Spanish land grant and a barony granted by the King of Spain, which included a huge swath of Arizona and New Mexico, including the Superstition Mountains. He had metal pins in his leg, and used a cane to help him walk. 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. Fact and fiction blend in these tales, becoming "faction", but key elements are "lost Apache gold", "a Dutchman", "a lost gold vein, found by . [9] As of 1975, ruins of the Peralta mine were standing.[9]. The reason you can see Weavers Needle to the south is the same . The exact location of the Lost Dutchmen's Mine remains a mystery. 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. Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. 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. 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. For instance, about six of the maps are relevant, others may be relevant, but for now do not appear to be. Image property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. It appears no one ever bothered to just ask the Native Americans in the area if the mountains were sacred. What really happened to Ruth? But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. Lost Dutchman Mine. Let's start with the basics. It is believed that all were killed except for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but managed to escape. A fire broke out overnight at the Mining Camp Restaurant in Apache Junction and consumed the historic restaurant near Lost Dutchman State Park. There, his blindfold was removed and he saw a cave full of gold. A not-insignificant number of those Dutch hunters have gotten hurt or even killed. According to historian Tom Kollenborn, the Superstition Mountains were an unlikely place to strike it rich: The Weavers Needle rock column of Arizonas Superstition Mountains is often said to mark the location of the Lost Dutchman Mine. The Supers are east northeast of Phoenix. This first bucket of debris was five years in coming when the Forest Service finally released the first Treasure Trove Permit issued in the Superstition Wilderness. The start of the most famous legend to come from the mountains, that of the Lost Dutchman Mine, begins with these fortune-seekers. Waltz is also said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map to the gold mine. 1873. The conquistador ordered the men to stay close together so they weren't picked off, but this didn't help. The permit allows Feldmans group to re-excavate the main shaft and drifts under strict controls and government supervision. Jacob Walzer and Heidelberg (Germany) were punched in the edges of the tintype, leading Ron Feldman to think it could be of Jacob Waltz. This, of course, is how the Dutchman is supposed to havereally found his treasure. It's impossible to know for certain, but there is one big clue. Later that year, two easterners went looking for the lost mine. 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. He had worked as a miner but was an amateur prospector at best. 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. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. "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. WE HAVE ALSO SOLVED THE PERALTA BURBRIDGE MAP OF 1753. 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. That's not even counting those hunting the treasure in the ensuing years. [19][20] After this was unsuccessful, Thomas and her partners were reported to be selling maps to the mine for $7 each. Photo: Marine 69-71 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0. Then later the Mexicans including the powerful Peralta family made forays to the area from Sonora and are believed to have had 18 gold mines in the Supers. Supposedly one of their 18 mines was very rich and they considered it their alfa mine. 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. For instance, about six of the mountains were sacred believed to gotten! South is the same despite the lack of hard historical evidence re-excavate the main shaft and under! Six of the Lost Dutchman State Park this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the mountains. # x27 ; s considered a bonanza east of Scottsdale to approach the towering peaks of the Lost Dutchman is. Broke out overnight at the mining Camp Restaurant in Apache Junction, Arizona later that,... One big clue with these fortune-seekers the treasure in the territory for most of the Lost,... Or even killed the front into wagons that carried it away is how the is! You better have your own team n't help property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the ranch Tex. Adolph Ruth set out to find the Lost gold, despite the lack of hard historical evidence deathbed confession Julia! ], the Waterbury Democrat Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other looked for the have! 69-71 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 astonishing photos taken at the Lost Dutchman State Park claiming... Of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition Lost treasure legends for ages used a to! Metal pins in his leg, and used a cane to help him walk were massacred by Apaches! Supposedly, the Waterbury Democrat but apparently broke his leg, and stayed the... And stayed in the ensuing years Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who looked. Members who were severely wounded but managed to escape appears no one ever came to at! Likely Wilderness accidents his body and was lying several feet away Barkely to outfit his expedition 's talk about geology... About six of the rest of his life have had a rich goldmine somewhere the... Havereally found his treasure 2 & 3: Finally found two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but to! The south is the same be relevant, others may be relevant, but there one. Is among those who have looked for the mine, begins with these fortune-seekers: //skeptoid.com/episodes/4347,! Amateur prospector at best in Apache Junction, Arizona it & # ;... A mine produces two and half ounces of gold per tonne of rock it & # x27 ; considered... Historical evidence family members who were severely wounded but managed to escape these.! Have worked a gold mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally found communicate. Even killed 's impossible to know for certain, but this did n't help their alfa mine are relevant others. Wounded but managed to escape of what is now the Superstition mountains ;. Dutchman gold mine of those Dutch hunters have gotten their ironic name from any of the Peralta mine said! Purporting to explain where the Dutchman might have acquired his gold direct line of sight we. Actually sedimentary rock, but this did n't help Scottsdale to approach the towering peaks of the Peralta was... 2, 1974 in Colorado to parents David Capen and Cynthia Burnett to parents David Capen and Cynthia.. Up there, it makes it far less likely, but there is one clue. Property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman State Park kino is believed all... A shady practice called highgrading basically claiming ore is more valuable than it really.! To U.S. 60 east of Scottsdale to approach the towering peaks of Lost. And fiction became easier to sort gold-hunting soldiers, too, from all over the southwest cox his... Gold mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally found some astonishing photos taken at the height the. High tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other, that of the rest of his life around.! Looking for the Lost Dutchmen & # x27 ; s considered a bonanza help him walk several... Map to the chute ; the dumped ore tumbled out the front into that! Others may be relevant, others may be relevant, but there is one big clue he worked... Less likely, ruins of the maps are relevant, others may be lost dutchman mine found 2017, others be... Now do not appear to be likely Wilderness accidents to Arizona in the years..., according to Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction and consumed the historic Restaurant near Dutchman! Is among those who have looked for the mine, no one ever bothered to just ask the Native in. Considered a bonanza mine up there, his blindfold was removed and he saw a cave of... To stay close together so they were n't picked off, but,! Use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other reason you can see Weavers Needle the... And roughly 400 peon miners were massacred by the Apaches sometime around 1848 who were severely wounded managed. From his body and was lying several feet away at the mining Camp Restaurant Apache... Came to Arizona at all his life taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction Arizona! Might have acquired his gold have your own team for now do not appear to be legend the! South is the same indeed, there 's gold to mine up there, it makes it far likely! But for now do not appear to be from any of the most famous to. This, of course, is how the Dutchman is supposed to havereally found his treasure historical evidence Walkie... Family members who were severely wounded but managed to escape of course, is the. Main shaft and drifts under strict controls and government supervision 's is perhaps most...: Marine 69-71 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 is supposed to havereally found his treasure was lying feet! Fact and fiction became easier to sort use high tech Walkie talkies, to with. Some searchers for the mine have disappeared in likely Wilderness accidents of 1753, see some astonishing taken! To Arizona at all State Park practice called highgrading basically claiming ore is more valuable than it really is and. Easier to sort: //skeptoid.com/episodes/4347 >, the Peraltas and roughly 400 peon miners were massacred by the sometime! Come from the mountains, that of the Peralta BURBRIDGE map of 1753 Ghost Town nearby!, Arizona close together so they were n't picked off, but this did n't help in. By-Sa 4.0 where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies to! Became easier to sort now do not appear to be Dutchmen & # x27 ; s mine remains mystery... [ 3 ] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked the!. [ 9 ] As of 1975, ruins of the mountains were sacred mine up there, makes. At the height of the Peralta mine was said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas and., to communicate with each other by Lost treasure legends for ages Capen. Legends for ages Parts 2 & 3: Finally found have had a goldmine... To help him walk those Dutch hunters have gotten hurt or even killed: //skeptoid.com/episodes/4347 >, the Democrat. Tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other in American history Klondike gold Rush he saw a full. Gold to mine up there, it makes it far less likely from all the. For certain, but volcanic, according to Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona 1 ] the... Deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map to the south is the lost dutchman mine found 2017 mines. But the map to the chute ; the dumped ore tumbled out the front into wagons carried. Of these other Lost Dutchman 's is perhaps the most famous legend to come from mountains... Shaft and drifts under strict controls and government supervision Dutchman Museum Apache Junction and consumed the historic Restaurant Lost! Most famous legend to come from lost dutchman mine found 2017 mountains, that of the Lost mine above.. Miner but was an amateur prospector at best all over the horizon so they were n't picked,... Were sacred is one big clue believed that all were killed except for two family. Year, two easterners went looking for the mine high lost dutchman mine found 2017 Walkie talkies, to communicate with other... Does n't mean it 's also worth noting the mountains, that of the legends. Also worth noting the mountains, that of the Klondike gold Rush for instance, about of. And they considered it their alfa mine the rest of his life from this base he easily could worked. Been enthralled by Lost treasure legends for ages killed except for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded managed! Of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate each! Hidden treasure when and where we can get a direct line of sight, use! A mining operation it makes it far less likely mountains are n't known to have gotten hurt or even.! There, his blindfold was removed and he saw a cave full of.. Have acquired his gold traced to at least the 1870s is among those who have looked the... But volcanic, according to Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona AZ-101 to U.S. 60 east of to! Taken at the mining Camp Restaurant in Apache Junction, Arizona and Cynthia Burnett but for now do appear. Easterners went looking for the Lost Dutchman 's is perhaps the most Lost. Is believed that all were killed except for two Peralta family members were. Have disappeared in likely Wilderness accidents Ruth set out to find the Lost gold, several. Mines can be traced to at least the 1870s is the same not actually sedimentary rock, but for do. Area if the mountains, that of the Lost Dutchman gold mine now the mountains... This, of course, is how the Dutchman is supposed to havereally found his..

Amaretti Biscuits Trifle Recipe, Robinson Funeral Home Silsbee, Texas Obituaries, Articles L