For this month’s Legend and Lore post, we’ll travel to the southwestern state of Arizona in an area known as the Superstition Mountains.
Since early times the Superstition Mountains, located east of Phoenix near Apache Junction, have been the source of legends and mystery. Their very name was inspired by Pima Indian legends. The area contains ancient cliff dwellings and caves—many of them still show signs of former habitation.
Some believe these early dwellers were Salado or Hohokam Indians who populated the area several centuries ago. Later, the Pima and Apache tribes occupied the region. It’s the Apache that’s more closely associated with the Superstitions because they had a stronghold there in the 1800s.
During the 1840s a family named Peralta of northern Mexico supposedly discovered and developed rich gold mines in the mountains. In 1848, the family made one last expedition to carry gold back to Mexico.
According to legend, Apaches ambushed the family, killing all but one or two who escaped into Mexico. The area is now known as the Massacre Grounds.
A number of people were said to have known the mine’s location. Many maps surfaced, only to be misplaced or lost if interested parties pressed for facts. Men who claimed to have found the mine were unable to return to it or disaster occurred before they could file a claim. These stories added to the lore.
The term Lost Dutchman’s Mine came about in the 1870s. A German immigrant named Jacob Waltz found the mine with assistance from a Peralta descendant. Dutchman was a common name for Germans, with Dutch being the English equivalent to Deutsch.
Waltz and his partner, Jacob Weiser, worked the mine and allegedly hid caches of gold in the mountains. Most believe the gold is near Weaver’s Needle, a well-known landmark. Weiser was killed by Apaches, although some say Waltz killed his partner.
His health failing, Waltz moved to Phoenix in the 1860s. Before he died in 1991, he told a neighbor, Julia Thomas, about the mine’s location. But Thomas or other seekers have never been able to locate the mine.
In the summer of 1931, an amateur explorer and treasure hunter named Adolph Ruth disappeared while searching for the mine. In December of that year, his skull containing two bullet holes was discovered. A month later, searchers found human remains three-quarters of a mile away. Scavengers had scattered the remains, but many of Ruth’s personal effects, including a pistol with no missing bullets, his checkbook, and his wallet were located.
Inside the checkbook was Ruth’s handwritten note claiming he had found the mind. He ended the note with the words, “Veni, Vidi, Vici.” (I came, I saw, I conquered.)
The story made national news and generated new interest in searching for the gold. Since Ruth’s death, many have died in their quest.
- J. A. “Tex” Bradford began searching in 1933. By October of that year, he had been missing nine months.
- Writer Barry Storm, using the pen name John Griffith Climenson, published a book about the mine in 1945. In it, he claimed to have narrowly escaped death at the hands of a mysterious sniper. Strom speculated the unknown sniper could have been responsible for Ruth’s murder.
- Retired photographer James A. Cravey was reported missing on July 3, 1947. He had chartered a helicopter on June 19 to drop him off in the Superstition Mountains so he could search for the mine.
- Denver resident Jesse Capen went missing in November or December 2009 in the Tonto National Forest. Searchers found his abandoned car and campsite. Capen was known to have been obsessed with finding the mine. His remains were found in a crevice by a local search and rescue team in November 2012.
- On July 11, 2010, Utah hikers Curtis Merworth, Adrian Charles, and Malcolm Meeks went missing while searching for the mine. Their remains were discovered in January 2011. It was believed they perished due to the summer heat.
After the disappearance of Capen, the term “The Dutchman’s Curse” was used in an episode of the program, Disappeared.
Is a curse behind the deaths of these explorers, or in most cases did they succumb to the harsh elements? Does the mine exist? Whatever your beliefs, these legends will live long in the chronicles of Arizona history.
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40 Responses
An interesting bit of Arizona lore for sure! Thanks for sharing, Joan. Have a wonderful week 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony. This legend is pretty intriguing.
This sounds really similar to a plot Preston and Child used in one of their more recent releases, and I know they often derive plots from old legends. My guess is this one inspired them.
Great share, Joan!
I recently read a book that was about finding the lost gold. The premise was good, but unfortunately, the book fell flat.
I love stories inspired by legends. (You might know what!) 🙂
I always loved this tale. The world needs a little mystery. Many believe the site is known to tribal members and protected as sacred.
As you know, I love a good mystery. Cool about the sacred site. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit that it’s protected.
I would say that the allure of a lost gold mine has killed many a man through the folly of greed.
Totally agree, Liz. “The love of money…”
I remenber seeing these when I passed through Phoenix. I had no idea of the history behind it, just thought they were interesting. I would have to say this isn’t a place to search for gold. Thanks, Joan:)
The Arizona desert is a harsh place. I wouldn’t want to be looking for gold there.
I’ve watched specials on this. It’s a fascinating mystery. Thanks for sharing it, Joan.
A pretty intriguing one, Staci.
Wow, Joan, that’s a long list of deaths and disappearances. I’ve driven by those mountains, and now I’m glad I never hiked into them. Yikes! Thanks for the spooky legend.
After learning about this, I would certainly stay away! I’ve been to Arizona, but not this area.
It’s pretty creepy. I’ll have to ask my brother if he’s been there.
Most curses don’t put bullets in a skull, and it sounds like there are plenty of bullets to protect the site. A good place to avoid!
I agree, Judi. I would avoid it. And you’re right there is a human element there. Armed with guns.
And deadly aim. And serious.
A great story, Joan. Make one want to have a go at finding the mine. Also makes one want to create a story about a family who has been tasked with guarding the mine through generations. (Go ahead you can have it.)
Ah yes, fodder for stories. Maybe Sam and James could visit the mine?
Ha ha. The book it title The Last Drive. It is the last drive.
Aha!
😊
I never discount the possibility of lingering spirits. It’s entirely possible that an entity still lays claim to the mine and will not let it be found no matter what. Fascinating story, Joan! Thank you for sharing.
This one really intrigued me. I do believe there is some human element involved, but I wouldn’t discount spirits. Thanks, Jan.
Great share, Joan! I’ve heard of this one! Partly due to the hubby being a gold enthusiast. It’s crazy to think about all the turmoil that has fallen on those that have searched for the treasure.
My husband and I watched a show about it not long ago. After what I’ve read, I wouldn’t want to search for it.
Fascinating, Joan. I’ve always wondered how the name, Superstition Mountains” came about. This sounds like something to include in one of your stories. Thank you for sharing and answering some of my questions about those mountains. 😊
You are the second one to suggest that, Gwen. I’ll have to add it to my list of ideas.
Look at that landscape! You don’t need a curse to die in a place like that. And if there are nefarious people about, there is no one to witness the crime. Poor Mr. Ruth.
Yep. The harsh elements would do a lot of people in.
I want to be rich, but not bad enough to test fate like these people did!
I totally agree, Jacquie!
This is a great mystery. Not one I’d like to test. But I could see you working this into one of your books.
I wouldn’t want to test it either, Michele. And you’re the third person to suggest that I write this into one of my stories. Gotta be something there. 🙂
There must be. I can see you writing this.
I don’t care how much gold is in that mine. That’s one trip I wouldn’t take.
Me either, Teri!
Fascinating story, Joan, and your writing is wonderful and haunting. There is no way I would ever travel in search of that gold mine! NEVER!
I agree, Sherrey. No amount of gold is worth it! 🙂