Adolph Ruth . LIKELY TO SELL OUT*. April Warnecke 4/11/2022. A group of modern day treasure hunters search for the Lost Dutchman mine in the Superstition mountain range of Arizona. It's likely this legend just got re-adapted to the Superstitions to boost the legend of the Lost Dutchman's mine. 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. 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. As a reward, Dr. Thorne was blindfolded and led to a cave in the mountains. Bus Tours. He disappeared after going on a quest for the legendary 'Lost Dutchman's' gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. People off his Mine that he cover up with a ironwood tree :The books give me my They found what they were looking for and then some, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. 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. A group found the Lost Dutchman Mine in the Eastern Superstitions and extracted a considerable amount of rich gold ore. Mining records show that Jacob Waltz did file claims, two claims with others. [7] A man named Miguel Peralta and his family did operate a successful mine in the 1860s but near Valencia, California, not in Arizona. [16] A man called Jacob Walz was born in September 1810 in Wrttemberg. Web. There, he claimed to have. 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. Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:29 pm. All of these elements can be found in the search for the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, reportedly well hidden in Arizona's mysterious-looking (and aptly named) Superstition Mountains (pictured above). Richman, Irwin. But what they actually found has been a hidden secret that people have been trying to piece together for last 125 years. Ruth did not return as scheduled, and no trace of him could be found after a brief search. As Curt Gentry wrote, "Dr. Hrdlicka positively identified the skull as that of Adolph Ruth. The average high temperature in June, July and August, is 104 degrees. Pingback: Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! The Gold Rush was in full swing and Waltz wanted a piece of those potential fortunes. 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. Lastly, the alleged mine directions Ruth had were from an 1895 newspaper account. Published: 9:16 PM MST May 13, 2022. Keep in mind for security reasons for now I have to be selective on what we divulge. Supposedly, the Peraltas actually found a very rich gold vein and set up a mining operation. It wasnt until the late 1870s that the man who would give the mine its legendary name was able to lock down the location with the help of one of the Peraltas descendants. Neither Thomas nor anyone since has been able to find the now legendary gold of the Lost Dutchman Mine, although that has not discouraged people from trying (one widely-circulated estimate from the 1970s claimed that 8,000 people a year search for it). 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. 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. [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. He found that even a neophyte like himself could pick up nuggets of information from other Dutch hunters who virtually inhabited the Superstitions. After the conquistadors and priests are purported to have come and gone from the Superstition Mountains, legend tells of another group who arrived sometime in the earlier half of the 1800s. The main shaft heads down to two tunnels. It is still a mystery if both explorers were able to reach the summit before passing away. This is very interesting and both are true. There have been many stories about how to find the mine, and each year people search for the mine. Over the years, Feldman has accumulated a serious band of like-minded treasure seekers and Dutch hunters. He never returned, and months later, an archaeological expedition encountered his remains, which indicated he had been shot, and a hand-written note claiming he had found the entrance to the mine. Arcana Exploration is made up of a group of five friends and supporters, from central Ohio, who until five years ago knew very little if anything about the LDM. Troubles with the Apaches made the family's mining operation dangerous. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). 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. Campground check-in is 2 p.m. This is trails end; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters. but their camera was. The permit allows Feldmans group to re-excavate the main shaft and drifts under strict controls and government supervision. Arcana Exploration. Chances you could find the Lost Dutchman's Mine: It's probably not real, but don't let that stop you . And is that information relevant? 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 short "Discovery Trail" is a clear route with several placards giving the natural history of the area. Only the materials differ. Finally, there really was a successful gold mining family named Peralta, but they were in California, not Arizona, according to Gold Rush Nuggets. Later that year, two easterners went looking for the lost mine. The park is said to be haunted by the spirits of people who died over the years searching for the mine. He is blindfolded and taken there by a circuitous route, and is allowed to take as much gold ore as he can carry before again being escorted blindfolded from the site by the Apaches. As of mid-2017, he and his crew had spent about 30 production days in and around Apache Junction. Since Jacob Waltz's death, thousands of people have searched all throughout the Superstition Mountains for the location of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, to no avail, according to USA Today. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. Background: The Lost Dutchman Mine was founded by a German prospector named Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz in 1876. 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. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. 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". [26], Blair wrote that "the national wire services picked up the story [of Ruth's death] and ran it for more than it was worth", possibly seeing the mysterious story as a welcome reprieve from the bleak news that was otherwise typical of the Great Depression. Image property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona. Under his bed was a candle box containing some extraordinary rich gold ore. Over the years, the Lost Dutchman Mine legend grew to become the Wests most famous lost mine, reaching a fever pitch in the early 1950s when hundreds of Dutch hunters flocked into the western end of the Superstitions. They also claimed to have seen the ghost of the Dutchman, and his Apache wife and young assistant. This is what brought him to the Superstition Mountains (yes, that's their real name) near what is today the city of Phoenix, Arizona. [1], The Lost Dutchman's is perhaps the most famous lost mine in American history. A note from Ruth saying he needed help and had discovered the mine was found in the Salt River. For the first time ever, Arcana Exploration has undeniable physical proof that the mine exists, proof that is to say, photographic physical documentation that many of the generally excepted clues, are in fact real and do exist and are physically present in one location. 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. [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). 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 nearly 70-year-old man was found dead about four miles south of his home on a trail near Roger's Canyon. 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. As the story goes, Waltz had some minor success drawing gold out of the mountains, and eventually, he started coming back to town with huge loads of high-grade gold ore. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The St. Johns herald. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. Monagan wrote that some valued the mine at $40 million. Wikimedia CommonsThe grave of Jacob Waltz. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). 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. The Lost Dutchman mine is far from the beginning of the legends of gold hidden in the Superstition Mountains. I will make a statement in the near future that will surprise a lot of Dutch Hunters it surprised me. 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. RaksyBH/Shutterstock The exact location of the Lost Dutchmen's Mine remains a mystery. Jumping ahead to the late 1860s, German prospector Jacob Waltz moved to Phoenix and began prospecting in the mountains east of the new city. After the land was ceded to the United States, the Peralta party was trespassing on U.S. soil. Still, this doesn't dissuade treasure hunters. The Arizona fable about a mysterious gold mine east of Phoenix turns out to have real-life participants and corroboration. You need at a bare minimum, at least a three- man team. The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine is the most famous lost mine in American history. 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. John D. Wilburn in his book Dutchman's Lost Ledge of Gold (1990), wrote that the Bulldog Gold Mine near Goldfield, Arizona, fits very well the description Jacob Waltz gave as the location of his 'lost mine'. Though the remains had been scattered by scavengers, they were undoubtedly Ruth's. He had worked as a miner but was an amateur prospector at best. 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). George Mallory's Lost Camera. Sadly, the 35-year-old became another target of the fables when he disappeared from the Tonto National Forest in 2009. A not-insignificant number of those Dutch hunters have gotten hurt or even killed. 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. The detailed record keepers the Mexican miners were, there is not another mine in here that would 'fit' for this time and location. Julia, whose occupation is sometimes listed as a nurse and sometimes as a baker, took care of Waltz late in life and the two became close friends. Take AZ-101 to U.S. 60 east of Scottsdale to approach the towering peaks of the Superstition Mountains looming large over the horizon. Ruth ended his note with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. 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. Their bodies were never found. 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. For one, the desert area bears remnants of the cliff dwellings of an ancient people whose identity is still unknown. Mine records show that one possibly two Peralta family members with possible links connecting them to the 1848 massacre, also worked at the Vulture mine during the same time period as Waltz. While this doesn't mean it's impossible there's gold to mine up there, it makes it far less likely. However, even armed with the clues and map, no one in the area could find the Dutchman's mine, thus giving it the name of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine. "Tex" Bradford of Globe Arizona went in search of the "Lost Dutchman Mine"; by October 1933 he had been missing for nine months. 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. It's unclear if Waltz himself ever specifically claimed to have a secret gold mine in the mountains, but one woman said he did claim just that Julia Thomas, Jacob Waltz's friend and neighbor, according to Skeptoid. by Bob Willis | Apr 1, 2005 | Travel & Preservation. Feb 21, 2021. In a story that echoes some of the earlier tales, Ruth's son Erwin C. Ruth was said to have learned of the Peralta mine from a man called Pedro Gonzales (or Gonzalez). 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 legend of the Lost Dutchman began in the 1800s when an Apache attack massacred a Mexican mining family. With Ron Eagle D'Andre II, Adam Haley, Sage Howard, George E. Johnston. Researchers point to an old beliefby local farmersthat the nearby Pima Native American tribe were superstitious about the mountains. Dark Mountain: Directed by Tara Anase. . The Superstition Mountains are a mountain range east of Phoenix and are known for their picturesque volcanic peaks and and jagged canyons. I've, Was the Lost Dutchman Mine real? His head had been severed from his body and was lying several feet away. 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