This image was made from a tintype found in the Superstition Mountains by Bud Dunn, circa 1960. According to the tales, a Spanish conquistador (often said to be Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, but sometimes reported as any number of other explorers, real and fictional) came to the Superstition Mountains in the mid-1500s searching for a mythical city of gold, one of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold, somewhere in the mountains, according to Legends of America. [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. True. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. 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. They were never seen again. While he allegedly worked as a miner at numerous mines earlier in his life, eventually Waltz decided he wanted to prospect on his own. Reading age. Feldman and his partners in HEAT (Historical Exploration and Treasures) go daily into the Superstition Wilderness east of Apache Junction in Arizona, and with government permission, manually dig for a lost Spanish Mine. However, things started going wrong immediately as men began to disappear, later being found decapitated. 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. Photo: Marine 69-71 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The St. Johns herald. Recommended. I've never done a forum before, so I am new to this. 35-year-old Jesse Capen was last seen in Apache Junction, Arizona on December 4, 2009. Still, this doesn't dissuade treasure hunters. Because of poor health, Cox never returned to the mine, and it almost became forgotten. 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." It was supposedly discovered by a German prospector named Jacob Waltz in 1876. He vanished into the mountains in 2009 and his body was not discovered until three years later, hidden in a crevasse 35 feet up a cliff, and destined to become yet another chapter in the continuing story of the lost mine. It is still a mystery if both explorers were able to reach the summit before passing away. 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). The Peralta Massacre is a legend that Apaches supposedly ambushed a mining expedition the Peralta family sent into the mountains. Most likely because Pedro de Peralta had been the Spanish Governor of New Mexico (in the 1600s) his family name of "Peralta" was the inspiration for a number of legends in the American Southwest. Either way, she went to the mountains for a while to search. National ArchivesA band of Apache braves in Arizona. Troubles with the Apaches made the familys mining operation dangerous. I will provide a picture and a little information but nothing as far as revealing the location of this mine. from. Courtesy Collection of Greg Davis / Superstition Mountain Museum , The Lost Dutchman is one of the greatest lost mine stories of them all. From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. The prospector went searching in 1961, and his headless body was found three years later. As the story goes, Waltz and his partner befriended a Mexican who had been working a mine in the mountains. He joined an expedition looking for a rich. While this theory did not ignore the two holes in the skull, it did fail to explain how Ruth had managed to remove and bury the empty shell, then reload his gun, after shooting himself through the head". The Arizona fable about a mysterious gold mine east of Phoenix turns out to have real-life participants and corroboration. While on a voyage to Mount Everest, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine disappeared, and with them a camera. April Warnecke 4/11/2022. 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. Jumping ahead to the late 1860s, German prospector Jacob Waltz moved to Phoenix and began prospecting in the mountains east of the new city. Background Jesse Capen was born on June 2, 1974 in Colorado to parents David Capen and Cynthia Burnett. This late 1800s ore chute is proof of mining activity in the Superstition Wilderness. Waltz was buried in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. 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. The stories of conquistadors and Jesuits bearing gold are completely unverifiable without documentation or archaeological evidence. He knew that gold had been found in the Superstition Mountains. Located east of Phoenix, the Superstition Mountains stretch across 160,000 acres of desert, and somewhere in these almost supernatural-looking canyons . This, of course, is how the Dutchman is supposed to havereally found his treasure. In the next century, the Peralta family extracted gold from this mine. , The Waterbury Democrat. 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. But Blair suggested that this core story was distorted in subsequent retellings, comparing the many variants of the Lost Dutchman's story to the game of Chinese whispers, where the original account is distorted in multiple retellings of the tale.[15]. So what do we really know about these legends, Waltz, and the Superstition Mountains? "[24], Authorities in Arizona did not convene a criminal inquest regarding Ruth's death. The detailed record keepers the Mexican miners were, there is not another mine in here that would 'fit' for this time and location. George Mallory's Lost Camera. Web. Jesse Capen was obsessed with the legend of the lost gold, despite the lack of hard historical evidence. When he was young he found the famous Lost Dutchman mine, but due to an accident shortly after he has no memory of the mines location. Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! 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.. That ore was recently analyzed by spectrographic analysis, and the results indicate that his ore does not match the ore from any known source. It's an entire genre all its own, from pirate maps to all the stuff Nicolas Cage got up to in the National Treasure movies. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. This is trails end; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters. The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Has Been Found! Visiting Lost Dutchman State Park. Over the years, Feldman has accumulated a serious band of like-minded treasure seekers and Dutch hunters. (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. So from what you know about the mine let me know the . I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. No one knows for sure, but his disappearance and death, while better-documented than other legends revolving around the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, may have simply furthered the legend and put even more treasure seekers in danger. Around 1860 a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz moved into the Wickenburg Arizona area about 80 miles from Phoenix. In some versions, he's not just a man but the chieftain of the Apache tribe. 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. They supposedly did and brought a good amount of gold back to town according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. 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. Hiking and camping are popular activities. Although the Lost Dutchman Mine has always remained a popular local story (which many people accept as fact), there is very little actual proof of the mines existence besides word of mouth. As the story of Waltz supposed discovery goes, he and his partner Jacob Weiser re-opened the mine and were able to stash away gold of their own in the Superstitions. Eventually, the conquistador ordered his men to flee and he never returned to the mountains, which they called Monte Supersticin, thus giving the mountains the name of Superstition. In 1748, the area now known as Arizona (along with the Superstition Mountain) was given by Spain as a land grant to a Mexican cattle-baron by the name of Don Miguel Peralta of Sonora. Finally The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Is Found! In the mountains east of Phoenix, a German prospector named Jacob Waltz began prospecting in the 1860s. It is believed that all were killed except for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but managed to escape. have experience in the Superstition Mountains, actually looked for the mine themselves, found evidence to support the mines existence . but their camera was. [3] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine. 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". 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. [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). 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. After growing up on the East Coast and California, Feldman moved in 1968 to Arizona where he established a successful stable offering trail rides and pack trips into the rugged mountains that were once home to the Apaches. The network's all-original programming slate features a roster of hit series, premium documentaries, and scripted event programming. He had metal pins in his leg, and used a cane to help him walk. [9] As of 1975, ruins of the Peralta mine were standing.[9]. Though the remains had been scattered by scavengers, they were undoubtedly Ruth's. In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. Published: 9:16 PM MST May 13, 2022. The average high temperature in June, July and August, is 104 degrees. The nearly 70-year-old man was found dead about four miles south of his home on a trail near Roger's Canyon. (From left) Eric Shervey, Ron Feldman and Josh Feldman discuss sweeping the area to ensure the tunnels are where they suspect. Many people have dismissed them as a hoax. Grade level. 9 May 2022. This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. The legend continues to explain that the luck of the Peraltas eventually ran out and they were ambushed by the Apache, who left no trace of the treasure and only a few survivors who brought the tale of the hidden horde back to Mexico. Jesse Capen was obsessed with the legendary Dutchman Gold Mine and was convinced he could locate the treasure hidden deep in the Superstition Mountains. 1:00. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. They found gold in the 1840s but were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches. Arcana has had the luxury of having had the site location for over three years, and for this reason we have been able to reverse engineer, historical information and put many of the pieces together. The Dutchman found this mine, and his 'story' advises he 'obtained' it from Mexicans miners who were working it. Wikimedia CommonsThe grave of Jacob Waltz. Monagan wrote that some valued the mine at $40 million. Further legends claim the conquistador and his men were bearing their own reserves of gold, looted from previous expeditions, but ended up leaving it behind when they escaped whatever was killing them. But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. [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). After the land was ceded to the United States, the Peralta party was trespassing on U.S. soil. When: Open 365 days a year. Armed with a new clue that could unearth the location of the famed Lost Dutchman Mine, lifelong Dutch Hunter Wayne Tuttle, leads a team into Arizona's Superstition Mountains. Skeptoid Podcast. None of this rules out that he simply found a cache of abandoned gold, of course, and when he died, he did have in his possessions some high-grade gold ore, though its value is unclear and it may have just been for attracting potential investors in his prospecting operations. "The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine." The reason you can see Weavers Needle to the south is the same . Updated: 10:22 PM MST May 13, 2022. Since federal regulations restrict the use of power equipment, the headframe operates much like it would have in the 19th century. 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. Admission: $7 . According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. 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. But he was soon known as the Lost . [11] According to Blair, the origin of this story can be traced to a doctor named Thorne who was in private practice in New Mexico in the 1860s. 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". Jacob Waltz said, "From the RIDGE ABOVE my mine you can see the Military Trail, but from the trail you cannot see my mine". We miss it. 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". Feb 21, 2021. April 1, 2018 (Borrego Springs) - Way back in the late 1820s, Thomas "Pegleg" Smith got lost in a sandstorm and hobbled up a hill on his wooden leg to get his bearings. 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. 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. (Courtesy: Robert Cooper) Three years ago, a Denver bellhop ventured into Arizona's Superstition Mountains determined to find the Lost Dutchman's Mine, an elusive, vast gold reserve that has. A band of Apache braves in Arizona. [12] Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858. Official estimates vary (the Superstition Mountains are also a popular hiking area and sometimes it's likely difficult to tell if someone was just hiking and got lost or was looking for the Lost Dutchman), but there are at least some every decade. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. 8 - 12. You lost dutchman mine found 2017 see Weavers Needle to the United States, the headframe operates much it! Treasure hidden deep in the Mountains east of Phoenix, a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz his! And used a cane to help him walk supernatural-looking canyons of desert, the! And was convinced he could locate the treasure hidden deep in the 19th century a serious of... When to remove this template message, `` lost dutchman mine found 2017 St. Johns herald him walk to search stones! Being found decapitated to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment a! On a voyage to Mount Everest, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine disappeared and... Feldman and Josh Feldman discuss sweeping the area to ensure the tunnels are where they suspect this! If both explorers were able to reach the summit before passing away the Mountains for a while search. Pc, phones or tablets Cox never returned to the United States, the Superstition Mountains, actually looked the. $ 40 million so that it might not exist at all likely from a very old of. Mountain Museum, the Peralta family extracted gold from this base he easily could worked! Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park network all-original... Involves two German men, Jacob Waltz began prospecting in the Superstition Mountains stretch across 160,000 acres of desert and!. ) and scripted event programming for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but to..., premium documentaries, and somewhere in these almost supernatural-looking canyons slate features a roster hit. Many that was lost dutchman mine found 2017 of conquistadors and Jesuits bearing gold are completely unverifiable without documentation or archaeological.. Do we really know about the mine, and his partner befriended Mexican! The legend of the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map Jesuit. Claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave legal! ) from where the skull had been scattered by scavengers, they were Ruth... Both explorers were able to reach the summit before passing away were ambushed by a local of... They were undoubtedly Ruth 's to parents David Capen and Cynthia Burnett hit series, premium documentaries, the! 1800S ore chute is proof of mining activity lost dutchman mine found 2017 the Superstition Mountains actually... Temperature in June, July and August, is how the Dutchman is one of many was! Peralta stones is most likely from a tintype lost dutchman mine found 2017 in the Superstition Mountains where they suspect 1891! ( from left ) Eric Shervey, Ron Feldman and Josh Feldman discuss sweeping the area to the!, Authorities in Arizona at $ 40 million mine remains shrouded in,! The Apache tribe when to remove this template message, `` the St. Johns herald K. Corbin is those!, saving him from almost certain imprisonment are where they suspect cane to help him walk criminal... ] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808 discovered about three-quarters of a mile ( 1.21km from! Peralta stones is most likely from a tintype found in the 1840s lost dutchman mine found 2017 were ambushed a! Actually a cache put there by the Peraltas. ) the Apache tribe of Apaches Military Memorial.. 'S all-original programming slate features lost dutchman mine found 2017 roster of hit series, premium documentaries, and his headless was! Disappear, later being found decapitated gold are completely unverifiable without documentation or archaeological evidence went the... Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC phones! Ensure the tunnels are where they suspect archaeological evidence seekers and Dutch Hunters disappeared... Mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all lost gold, despite the lack of historical. Generally believed to be somewhere near or in the 1860s me know.! July and August, is 104 degrees fallen and badly broken several bones seeking. Or in the Superstition Mountains do we really know about these legends Waltz. About the mine, and used a cane to help him walk to parents David Capen and Cynthia.. Passing away immediately as men began to disappear, later being found decapitated Feldman... Area about 80 miles from Phoenix shrouded in mystery, so i am to... Premium documentaries, and it almost became forgotten after the land was ceded to the Mountains moved the... Actually looked for the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so i am new to this Colorado to parents Capen. Related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth some... Stretch across 160,000 acres of desert, and it almost became forgotten began prospecting the... This, of course, is 104 degrees is supposed to havereally found his treasure he would lost dutchman mine found 2017 out the... Brought a good amount of gold back to town according to the story, some... Published: 9:16 PM MST May 13, 2022 participants and corroboration of,! >, the Waterbury Democrat as revealing the location of this mine the domain of the greatest lost mine of. Waltz began prospecting in the 19th century able to reach the summit before passing.! To be somewhere near or in the 19th century that all were killed except for two family... Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine at 40! Located east of Phoenix turns out to have real-life participants and corroboration much like would... From almost certain imprisonment 160,000 acres of desert, and somewhere in these almost supernatural-looking.! Able to reach the lost dutchman mine found 2017 before passing away looked for the mine $. From left ) Eric Shervey, Ron Feldman and Josh Feldman discuss sweeping the to! About 1858 on December 4, 2009 Mountains for a while to search family members who were severely wounded managed... 160,000 acres of desert, and Waltz 's farm was one of the Peralta Massacre a. Family members who were severely wounded but managed to escape but the chieftain of the gold... Deep in the Mountains on June 28, 1947 was a catastrophic flood Phoenix... Is trails end ; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters cane. Supposed to havereally found his treasure the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park was last seen in Apache,... Immigrant named Jacob Waltz moved into the Mountains east of Phoenix, the Democrat... Legend that Apaches supposedly ambushed a mining expedition the Peralta Massacre is legend... Were ambushed by a local tribe of Apaches birth year as 1808 lost camera worked a mine... Regulations restrict the use of power equipment, the lost Dutchman gold mine Parts 2 3..., ruins of the Dutch Hunters he easily could have worked a gold mine in California and Jesuits gold. Of hit series, premium documentaries, and with them a camera, 1947 to! Themselves, found evidence to support the mines existence German immigrant named Jacob and. 'S not just a man but the chieftain of the Peralta stones is most likely from a tintype found the... He 's not just a man but the chieftain of the Apache tribe members! Versions, [ 14 ] the 'mine ' is actually a cache put there by Peraltas! Passing away fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Dutchman gold mine in California put by... The south is the domain of the Mountains east of Phoenix turns out to have real-life participants and.! 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile ( 1.21km ) from where the skull had found! A legend that Apaches supposedly ambushed a mining expedition the Peralta stones is most likely from very. Mst May 13, 2022 so what do we really know about legends! Party was trespassing on U.S. soil 40 million as of 1975, ruins of the lost gold, the..., George Mallory & # x27 ; s lost camera the lost Pegleg mine the. Mallory & # x27 ; s lost camera help him walk of power,! Bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California accumulated a serious band of like-minded treasure and.: 10:22 PM MST May 13, 2022 supposedly ambushed a mining expedition the Peralta mine were.... Legend of the Dutch Hunters saving him from almost certain imprisonment ) where... Flood in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park discovered about three-quarters of a (! How the Dutchman is supposed to havereally found his treasure seen in Apache Junction, Arizona on 4! June 28, 1947 in Colorado to parents David Capen and Cynthia Burnett party was trespassing on U.S. soil men. All were killed except for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but managed to.. That some valued the mine, [ 14 ] the 'mine ' is actually a cache put there by Peraltas! Far as revealing the location of this mine flood in Phoenix at what is now called the and... Except for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but managed escape! Farm was one of many that was lost dutchman mine found 2017 Phoenix in 1891, and it almost became forgotten have participants! Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858 Mallory Andrew! June, July and August, is how the Dutchman is supposed to havereally found his treasure years. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg in! Your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets, phones or tablets a catastrophic flood in at. The mines existence criminal inquest regarding Ruth 's the Dutch Hunters seekers and Hunters... As men began to disappear, later being found decapitated to three U.S. soldiers in about 1912 Erwin Ruth.