Posted on 11/29/2012 12:58:04 PM PST by smokingfrog
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 lured prospectors since the 19th century.
Jesse Capen, 35, had made finding the hidden treasure an “obsession” fueled by more than 100 books and maps on the legendary — and perhaps nonexistent — mine named for German immigrant Jacob "The Dutchman" Waltz. On Saturday, years after Capen’s Jeep, wallet, backpack and cellphone were found by hikers, volunteers from the Superstition Search and Rescue finally located what they believe is Capen’s body.
“We call ‘em Dutch hunters out here,” said Superstition Search and Rescue Director Robert Cooper. “They’re infatuated with all the lore and the history of the lost Dutchman mine and he was part of that.”
While the remains have yet to be positively identified, Cooper said he’s “confident” the remains are that of Capen based on where the body was found, clothing found nearby and other identifying characteristics. The body, Cooper said, was found in a crevice roughly 35 feet up a cliff face in the southern portion of the Superstition Mountains, near the 4,892-foot Tortilla Mountain.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I didn’t realize the Lost Duchman mine was located just outside Miami.
My dad did some cowboying in the area in the 1930s, he was shot at once when looking for the mine, he always wanted to do more searching on the mountain, but went into the Navy instead, in 1939, looking for some peace and quiet perhaps.
It's not too difficult to get shot out in that area especially since it's become a fairly popular area for some rather illicit "farming".
Did they check “Gold Canyon” on the map?
Thats a bit far from the Carribean
Any time I start thinking I’m gonna win something, or stumble up on a gold mine, or somebody’s gonna give me something (except maybe Obamaloot); I get in front of the mirror early in the morning right after I just wake up, before I brush my hair or my teeth, don’t hold my belly in, drool a little down my chin - then I realize I’m not going to be likely to stumble up on the Lost Dutchman Mine that particular day. It keeps me grounded. - Being a Twinkie; I’m already humbled by my circumstances.
What illicit farming were they doing in the mountains, in the 1930s?
There are still some places reasonably close to civilization in this country that it's insane to wander into without a posse or at least a horse.
You can visit the Superstition Mountains and search for the lost Dutchman's mine. The Superstition wilderness area lies about 30 miles east of Phoenix just past Apache Junction and near the reconstructed mining town of Goldfield. Lost Dutchman State Park with its campground lies at the foot of the mountains. Jerry Gargalione, proprietor of the Goldfield Bed and Breakfast would be happy to rent you a room in Goldfield and regale you with tales of the Dutchman's gold. The best time to visit this area is late fall through early spring when the temperatures are more bearable. Intense heat and lack of water makes the Superstition Mountains inhospitable and dangerous during the summer. Be careful! There are still a lot of crazy gold seekers crawling through those rugged mountains.
—lunch and a sasparilla is always good at Tortilla Flats—
RIP.
Seriously doubt “farming” of anything was going on in those days....................
Ahh, my old stomping grounds.
Sure miss it sometimes, and the way politics in CO are going, I may go back.
Headed down in a couple of weeks for Christmas.
I love this story. I have the books going back to an original Sims Ely. I have hiked the range just for fun and like to think the story is still real. AG Bob Corbin has a book that is supposed to close it out. It doesn’t.
It’s under Canyon Lake. The government covered it with the lake many years ago to keep it for themselves
The restaurant at Tortilla Flat serves great chile.
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