At least a dozen Lost Dutchman mines are found yearly and, strange to relate, many of them turn out to be remarkably good producers. Activities: Hiking, birdwatching, and stargazing. Quite literally so, according to Southwestern Folklore author and researcher Byrd Granger. 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. It is thought that Apaches stole the gold and hid it in the mountains. During this time, the Apache had turned their wrath against the Arizona settlers and the U.S. Army. Waltz also filed on one mine in just his name, the General Grant, also in the Walnut Grove Mining District. When the Peralta miners heard that the Apache might attack, they packed up, concealed the entrance to the mine, and with burros and wagons laden with gold, began to make their way back to Mexico in the winter of 1847-1848. Born in 1810 in Wrttemberg, he first appears in American records in 1848. WebBackground: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. The Apache let him pick up as much as he could before the doctor was once again blindfolded for the return trip. After the land was ceded to the United States, the Peralta party was trespassing on U.S. soil. Most believed that Ruth died, probably from the extreme desert heat, and his body was carried away in parts by wild animals. The two, sure that they could find the place, then headed towards Weavers Needle, but after two weeks had not returned. Camping: 135 sites (68 with electric/water) and cabins can be reserved year-round through Arizona State Parks. [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. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. Two months later, Piper was found dead. Fees: $25-$35 per campsite. 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. The Apache; however, refused to help them, telling them that if they dared to trespass on the sacred ground, the Thunder God would take revenge upon them, causing tremendous suffering and horrible deaths. Over the years, many people have tried to find the Lost Dutchmans mine, and several have lost their lives searching for gold hidden in the Superstition Mountains. Temperatures during the day can easily climb to more than 100 degrees and at higher elevations can drop into the freezing temperatures at night. Some carved stones in the area are referred to as "Peralta Stones" and Spanish text and crude maps on them are considered by some to be clues to the location of a Peralta family gold mine in the Superstition Mountains, although others believe the stones to be modern fakes. WebBackground: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. All Rights Reserved. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. For the next century, the Peralta family and their laborers would make infrequent forays into Arizona bringing out loads of ore. 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. No trace of the camps occupant was ever found. Said to be the most famous lost mine of all time, it continues to draw prospectors to the Superstition Mountains of Arizona in The lost mine is thought to be located somewhere near Weavers Needle, the main landmark of the Superstition Mountains, even though the area has been diligently searched by hundreds of people. A short list of people reported as having found it, or to have found an abandoned mine they thought to be the Lost Dutchman Mine, include in 1900 Joe Mulhatton; in 1901 Charlie Wood and John Chunning (separate discoveries); in 1903 a man chasing his dog found it; in 1906 Henry Young Blood found it: in 1908 a man named Morton and his wife found it; and in 1909 the old prospector Barnscheldt found it. Thorne sold the ore for some $6,000, making him a wealthy man. According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. The second was the Big Rebel filed in the Walnut Grove Mining District. "Dutchman's Gold" was the season 4, episode 19 of, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 00:14. Two months later, another prospector from Denver, Colorado named Walter J. Mowry was found in Needle Canyon. They were discovered by the Apache, who killed them before they could escape with the gold. Quick Facts: Lost Dutchman State Park Camping. After one hundred and twenty-five plus years incredibly, the lost Dutchman gold mine has been found, proving that the legend is more than mere myth and as predicted by Jacob Waltz himself No miner will ever find my mine. Ruth did not return as scheduled, and no trace of him could be found after a brief search. [4], Robert Blair wrote "[t]here have been at least four legendary Lost Dutchman's gold mines in the American West, including the famed Superstition mine of Jacob Waltz". "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). At todays gold price, $1,270/ounce, his gold would be worth over $360,000. He knew that gold had been found in the Superstition Mountains. The following year another man named Dennis Brown, was also found dead of a gunshot wound. 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. (2004). WebBackground: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. Skeptoid Media, 29 Jan 2013. In retaliation, the Apache, who were convinced that Ken-tee had betrayed the site of their secret shrine, they attacked Waltz and his Indian mistress, seizing Ken-tee and cutting out her tongue. The pack mules scattered in all directions, spilling the gold everywhere. 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. It involves murder, secrets, and a whole lotta sweet, sweet gold. This was the first official recording of the mines existence. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. After one hundred and twenty-five plus years incredibly, the lost Dutchman gold mine has been found, proving that the legend is more than mere myth and as predicted by Jacob Waltz himself No miner will ever find my mine. But the Spaniards were determined and began to explore. The Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Some say a man named Jacob Weiser aided him, although no trace of Weiser exists. In the Spring of 1896 when Reavis hadnt been seen for some time, one of his few friends went to check on him. 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. People want to think the Lost Dutchman mine has gold hanging off the walls. In the first decade of the 1700s, he began to explore the region, finding several sources of gold. The coroner could tell that the womans death was recent, but the gold was never explained. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. The Lost Dutchman story actually begins in the 1800s when the wealthy, Mexican Peralta family came to the region to work mines under a Spanish land grant. It does not. A further search found the rest of his remains and effects, but the maps were gone. Still, more men disappeared only to be found dead later, their bodies mutilated and their heads cut off. 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 legend continued to grow and soon the lost mine was referred to as the Lost Dutchman, as many at the time confused the Germans with the Dutch. Lost Dutchman Mine is a simulation game that casts the player in the role of a gold miner in the 1860's. After a thorough search, the hunt was called off. The next person to come across the mine was a man named Dr. Abraham Thorne. 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]. Long before gold was found in these rugged cliffs and mesas, the area has been cloaked in mystery. When people tried to follow him out of town, he would lose them in the many clefts and canyons on the peak. 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 it occurred, in the 1870s, the mine was worked, and Waltz found the gold that had been hidden in the Superstition Mountains. The question is, if Jacob Waltz found a rich gold mine, why didnt he file a claim? Troubles with the Apaches made the familys mining operation dangerous. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition Mountains. WebThe Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Found! Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated November 2019. 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. Be well prepared if you plan to join the thousands of others who have searched for the lost mine, as conditions can be harsh in this rugged terrain. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. [1], The Lost Dutchman's is perhaps the most famous lost mine in American history. 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 several paths that go through the brush and cacti. Fees: $25-$35 per campsite. Lavern Rowlee was shot by Ralph Thomas, who reported that he had been attacked by Rowlee and shot the other man in self-defense. 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. The Lost Dutchman Mine is said to be a rich goldmine located somewhere in the southwestern American state of Arizona. But, they wouldnt make it. The public is encouraged to submit proposed articles and inquiries to dayspast@sharlothallmuseum.org. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. The answer to the question involves fraud, Indian wars, destruction, claim jumping and death. [7] A man named Miguel Peralta and his family did operate a successful mine in the 1860s but near Valencia, California, not in Arizona. In 1870, Waltz had a homestead of about 160 acres (0.65km2) near Phoenix where he operated a farm.[18]. In 1973, Charles Lewing shot Ladislas Guerrero at a mountain campsite. It does not. The path to these riches is paved in mystery and doom. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. In 1937, a man named Jenkins, along with his wife and two children were having a picnic on the mountain. (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. 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. WebFor more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has haunted the minds and souls of treasure seekers throughout the world. His bullet-ridden body was removed to the coroners, who ruled it a suicide. Another tale describes an eccentric prospector named Elisha Marcus Reavis, who was better known in the area as the Madman of the Superstitions or the Old Hermit. One of Arizonas most interesting characters, Reavis was actually college-educated and taught school before he began to prospect during the California Gold Rush. Some months later, in December, a skull with two holes in it was discovered near the three Red Hills by an archaeological expedition. In 1949 a man named James Kidd disappeared in the Superstitions. Quick Facts: Lost Dutchman State Park Camping. Waltz began prospecting in California in the 1850s. The fact of the finding of the mine for the past twenty years has kept alive the mining industries of the territory. Location: Apache Junction, AZ. However, these expeditions further enraged the Apache, who then began to prey on all trespassers. Ruth was searching for lost Peralta Mines, especially that of the Lost Dutchman. So, if any of the earlier tales of gold founds are true, where did it come from? Camping: 135 sites (68 with electric/water) and cabins can be reserved year-round through Arizona State Parks.