silver chief mine superstition mountains

Many people have dismissed them as a hoax. The Jesuit Treasure of the Superstition Mountains. Yet, legend insists that it does. They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. 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. 3: Gift Shop and Event Manager Dave McElligott I also believe the mine was never lost. While Francisco Coronado did exist and did explore what is now the southwestern United States, there's nothing indicating he ever visited the Superstitions. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. In fact, Julia Thomas was the very first so-called "dutch hunter," combing through the mountains and seeking the lost gold. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The conquistador ordered the men to stay close together so they weren't picked off, but this didn't help. The Superstition Mountain Mining Company (SMMC) No, we're not really a mining company. While this is true, it is also true that gold pockets can exist alongside of silver veins. They supposedly did and brought a good amount of gold back to town according to Tom Kollenborn Chronicles. If these conditions do not exist, gold will not exist. Apache Junction, AZ 85119-8409, Phone options: Students 11-17 $4.00 It is generally accepted that the Peraltas and roughly 400 peon miners were massacred by the Apaches sometime around 1848. The Lost Dutchman Mine Part Eleven: The Stone Maps, The Lost Dutchman Mine Part Ten: The Dutch Hunters, Linda Hazzard: Seattles First Serial Killer. 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. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. This is very important! In this story (actually two interconnected stories), members of the Apache tribe are said to have a very rich gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains. Silvermines, historically known as Bellagowan (Irish: Bal tha Gabhann), is a village in County Tipperary in Ireland.It lies immediately north of the Silvermine mountain range and takes its name from the extensive mines of lead, zinc, copper, baryte and silver nearby. Jacob Waltz took possession of his mine in 1869, six years before the Silver Chief was filed as an original location. Now riddled with tunnels, the mountain is a death trap for the . In some versions of this story, Waltz was actually plundering these shrines for his own gold. We miss it. This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. He turned out to be the surviving Peralta, and, to express his gratitude, he gave them directions to his familys gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. 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). Take, for example, the story of Adolph Ruth, an experienced treasure hunter who typically worked with his son, Erwin. 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. 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. 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. Waltz died in 1891 of pneumonia, but before he passed, he gave a few final clues to the location of his mine and even provided a crude map to 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Dr. George M. Willing Jr. paid Peralta $20,000 for the mining rights for an enormous swath of land about 3,000,000 acres (12,000km2) in southern Arizona and New Mexico based on a deed originally granted by the Spanish Empire in the 18th century. An alternate view which better fits the lost mine legend is that he periodically appeared with large amounts of gold, The Sterling Legend by Estee Conatser reports that a Jacob Walzer sold $250,000 in gold to the U.S. Mint during the 1880s and had $1500 when he died in 1891. "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. Shrouded in mystery, the mine is not only allegedly rich in gold but is also said to have a curse upon it, leading to a number of strange deaths and people who mysteriously go "missing" when they . So what do we really know about these legends, Waltz, and the Superstition Mountains? 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. Except perhaps not. We will share as much as we can for now, but as I stated earlier we are preparing for a return trip, and the location has to remain secret. Either way, she went to the mountains for a while to search. In the year 1870, with his consent, they blindfolded him and took him on a 20-mile trip to an unknown location piled with gold ore. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Thomas admitted she drew the map herself but claimed she based it on descriptions given by the Dutchman, according to Skeptoid. Come on. The earliest Lost Dutchman's mine in Arizona was said to have been near Wickenburg, about 180km (110mi) north-west of the Superstition Mountains: a "Dutchman" was allegedly discovered dead in the desert near Wickenburg in the 1870s alongside saddlebags filled with gold. The initial search party found no trace of him, but then, in December 1931, they found a human skull with two holes from a .44 caliber. If you get it hurt you better have your own team. It appears no one ever bothered to just ask the Native Americans in the area if the mountains were sacred. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition Mountains. According to the Apaches (North American Indians), the entryway to hell is in the Superstition Mountains. This land grant was the basis of the James Reavis Arizona land swindle (Reavis became Willing's partner and continued to try to prove the authenticity of the land grant for years after Willing's death). Also, there's no documentation showing he ever filed a claim for a mine in the Superstitions or any paperwork showing where he allegedly sold mass amounts of gold. 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. However, despite bankrupting herself and spending a very long time in the mountains, she and her search party never found any evidence of a hidden gold cache, per Arizona Report. A man named Harry LaFrance was said to have been hiking in the Superstitions, and when he took refuge in a cave from a sudden storm, he found a very large pile of gold bars. Jacob Waltz took to returning to the mountains only when he needed the gold. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. He died on October 25, 1891, after having been nursed by an acquaintance named Julia Thomas (she was usually described as a quadroon). . 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. [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". Now the Last Similarities There is a Company that claims there millions of tons of copper under a Area in the Superstition's. They tested that area, it just so happens to be a Area the Mexicans mined back in the day. Later I will give more details and then begin providing information on how things fit together. 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. Supposedly a mine with fabulously rich gold deposits. Here amongst this vast maize of volcanic interior, fixed and clinging to the mountain side, flanked on one side by a very small almost invisible ledge is the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, 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. Rogers was partnered with Aaron Mason, foreman of the Silver King mine. Padre Kino founded many missions including Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. And is that information relevant? Once again, just ask Gollum. They found what they were looking for and then some, according to Lost Dutchman State Park. 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. 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. In many areas they cannot, and will not for any reason land, and actually have designated no fly zones. That, in and of itself, is a separate legend. I always heard about the Lost Dutchman Mine in the Superstition Mountain. 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. 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. The case for the Pit Mine is not new, in fact it has been an open secret for quite some time. To paraphrase an old Dutch Hunter, I dont know where the Dutchman is, but I know a thousand places it isnt! The meaning here is that gold can only exist in a prerequisite set of geological conditions. ZERO ZIP NADA!! 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. [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. [19][20] After this was unsuccessful, Thomas and her partners were reported to be selling maps to the mine for $7 each. I have been lucky enough to uncover a few, which you will forgive me if I keep, at least for now. Hardie agrees to join a father searching for his son who is seeking a lost gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains. 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. Animals like deer coyotes, pumas and bobcats live here, existing alongside birds, rodents, snakes, and other reptiles. While not unique features, they are extremely consistent with Jacob Waltzs descriptions. The Gold Rush was in full swing and Waltz wanted a piece of those potential fortunes. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. 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. 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 is about three and a half miles of rough trail, though, if youre observant, you will eventually come across some of the more infamous Dutchman clues. The soldiers are alleged to have presented some of the gold, but to have been killed or to have vanished soon after. He never came home. It is rumoured that if the stones are put together in the right way, they are a map to the Peralta Familys gold deposits. Two prospectors saved his life and, in gratitude, he gave them directions to the gold mine, thus setting off a wild goose chase that continues to the present day. The legend of the lost gold continued to attract people, and, in 1932, a veterinarian in the Park Service, Adolph Ruth, decided to go treasure hunting. He was able to find the richest ore in history right smack dab in the middle of the Superstition Mountains. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The story goes that in the mid-1700s, the Superstition Mountains were visited by a group of priests of the Jesuit Order, and they came with over 240 mules loaded down with gold, according to the Denver Post. [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. It seems likeliest one of two things happened. So who killed the Spanish treasure hunters that came to the land? These trails traverse from the desert floor up into the edges of the mountains. In any case, the event led to the naming of the Massacre Falls after it. 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 location in question is called the Pit Mine or The Silver Chief. It is believed that all were killed except for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but managed to escape. Full Moon Hike at Lost Dutchman. Supposedly, the Peraltas actually found a very rich gold vein and set up a mining operation. According to Blair, the story may have its roots in the efforts of three U.S. soldiers to locate gold in an area of New Mexico, based on an allegedly true story related to them by Dr. Thorne of New Mexico; see above. The old Silver Chief mine, Ted Cox's Ridge Pit Mine is documented by Dept. 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. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Travis Tumlinson, a policeman, discovered the Peralta Stones on a roadside near the Superstition Mountains in the 1940s. Dec 4, 2008 4,168 3,192. Dec 18, 2016 #6 JFDIAFF: Both of these legends are sometimes set before the Dutchman arrived in Arizona, but some time afterward, and thus Dr. Thorne and the soldiers may have stumbled across the Lost Dutchman's mine. Is it possible he took his own life? The Legend Of The Lost Dutchman And His Gold Mine Explained, ever filed a claim for a mine in the Superstitions. And now we get to the real problem with these legends there's basically zero evidence any of them ever happened. In June 1931, Dr. Adolph Ruth set out on a two-week voyage through the legendary Superstition Mountains in search for the lost treasure. Adults $7.00 Frank Jacobs. But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. On our may trip in 2016 one day it reached 108 degrees, that same day up on the mountain, climbing on a surface of Granite and sandstone ours guys Trek watches read what they were breathing at an actual 119 degrees. 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. Blair suggested that "fragments of this legend have perhaps become attached to the mythical mine of Jacob Waltz".[6]. 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. Traditionally, the mountains were deemed to be part of the Slieve Felim Mountains. 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. There is a Superstition Mountain Museum at 4087 N. Apache Trail, Highway 88 in Apache Junction. He died of pneumonia in 1891 and, according to the three neighbours who cared for him, he left them the box of gold under his bed and directions to the gold mine. Get Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains gear at https://my-store-cadb1e.creator-sprin. The trails in the Superstition Mountains range from short, easy strolls in the desert to strenuous climbs of some of the most dramatic volcanic peaks and everything in between. Choice of of building material I like Ironwood +, There is a typo that should be alpha mine not alfa mine. There have been many stories about how to find the mine, and each year people search for the mine. It is a ranger-guided hike focusing on the aesthetic . Humankind has been enthralled by lost treasure legends for ages. It is common knowledge that someone was working the mine in the late 1990s, though what exactly they extracted varies between tellers. Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). In fact, the location fits well for both the Doc Thorn and the Two Soldiers stories. Blair suggested that this Waltz could be the same Waltz who later came to be regarded as the legendary Dutchman, and that he Americanized the spelling of his family name. Other storytellers claim that the Peralta Family escaped with gold, but another family died in the massacre. Let's start with the basics. On the east side of Phoenix in Arizona lies the spectacular range of the Superstition Mountains that straddle the Tonto National Forest and the Superstition Wilderness area. 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. 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. Kinos Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson unlike other missions in California was both massive and opulent, and still stands today. His expeditions led to the discovery of several of what he called Spanish mines which, at the time, was in contradiction to accepted history. Going on a year now. I cannot speak for the current condition of the mine.