Searching for the Lost Dutchman’s Mine
When Jacob Waltz died on October 25, 1891, he became either the world’s greatest prankster or the world’s greatest secret keeper. Although during his life his last name was spelled a number of different ways, we simply know him as “The Dutchman”… the man who discovered the “Lost Dutchman’s Mine” in the Superstition Mountains, just outside of Phoenix, Arizona.Actually, tales of the existence of treasurers in the Superstition Mountains go back to when Mexico owned the area. Long before The Dutchman there were stories of others bringing out gold….and many other people disappearing, supposedly killed by Apaches, who were protecting a sacred area.
A variety of stories are told about how The Dutchman found the gold mine…. and each of them involves an Apache or Apaches taking him to the area.
Supposedly, Jacob Waltz went back into his mine on several occasions during his lifetime, each time being careful to cover his tracks. Although The Dutchman lived a very modest life, any time he needed large sums of money, he seemed to be able to come up with tin cans full of gold nuggets. Records show that he cashed in at least $250,000 worth of gold.
Even to this day, there are people who spend their whole life searching for the Lost Dutchman’s mine. Maps guaranteed to be the location of the mine regularly appear.
Even in modern times, people who go into the Superstitions disappear. And if their bodies are found, they’re often without a head.
The Superstition Mountains where the Lost Dutchman mine is located is now right next to freeways and housing developments, yet it remains one of the Old West’s most tantalizing mysteries.
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