Treasure hunters don't come so much anymore to hunt for the lost treasures of Chief John Wabasis in the vicinity of Big Wabasis Lake in northeastern Kent County some 25 miles northeast of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the second largest city in Michigan. Most don't actively search for the lost silver and gold coinage along the shores of the biggest lake in Kent County, but they still dream about where the treasure lies still lost and waiting for discovery. Every year a few people still ask me "Has anyone ever found Wabasis' treasure?"
The answer is "Yes and No!" Wait just a minute! How can this treasure be both found or lost?
I must declare that it is possible the treasure has been found, but that's what some treasure hunters hope you to believe. Like the legends surrounding the Lost Dutchman's Mine in Arizona there are those throughout the pages of past history who for some reason decide to claim the treasure as found, but offer no tangible proof of its existence. If they actually found it why have they never shown where and what they've found or are they just trying to keep other treasure hunters away or as some suggest trying to keep the IRS from finding out they've skipped on paying taxes. I believe Wabasis' treasure is still LOST!
Both of these Indian treasure legends originated around the Civil War, but the active searching for these lost treasures has been in existence for about 150 years. Now back in the late 1860's to early twentieth century everyone with a lantern, pick and shovel became late night hobby treasure hunters seeking the lost fortunes of gold and silver supposedly buried by Chief Wabasis. Where could Chief John Wabasis have hid a fortune in gold and silver along the shore of Wabasis Lake?
Was it buried in a secret hole beneath some landmark; stones, roots of trees, submerged crevices or did the old man hide the treasure in the numerous mini-copper outcropping crevices or sandstone caves that overlook this picturesque deep body of water?
If the treasure was found today it'd fetch thousands of dollars more per ounce than it did when it was lost. Many have heard the story about Wabasis treasure being buried in an iron pot and many people with dollar signs in their eyes have stomped around Wabasis Lake Park and Campground searching for this treasure.
The park property was where Chief John Wabasis was banished to live upon between 1836-1863, because other Potawatomie and Ottawa (Blackskins) Indians who also owned land in the upper Flat River area believed he stole their annual payments and kept it for himself and buried it on that 40 acre parcel of property. They tried to keep him on his garden plot hoping he'd soon reveal its secret burial spot.
Wabasis lived with a Indian sanctioned death threat for 27 years if he left the property. He left that property more than 25 times to pick up his share of the treaty money and that of the Flat River tribes share of money as decreed by the Flat River and Grand River tribal chiefs. The sad part about this is that repeatedly telling the story of Wabasis and his lost treasure has falsified where to look. No Indian especially Chief Wabasis would keep all that money buried on his property, because he never left with money or returned with the money. He hid it somewhere else or was it buried in the sandstone caves outside of his banishment property?
According to a Greenville paper and a subsequent short snipit of community news in the old Rockford Register dated in the mid 1880's, several men reported to the newspaper in Greenville that nobody need look for Wabasis' treasure because they found it. Trouble is, it was all verbal, but no proof of what or where it was found was ever revealed. It was all circumstancial evidence, based not upon fact, but fiction. When you've been searching you don't want others looking for the same treasure. Treasure hunting is about secrets not shared, but as time passes and as each story is repeated the legend becomes more polished and tales embellished until it is far from the truth.
What I knew about "The Legend of Chief Wabasis' Lost Treasure" has changed since a story was written by Jim Mencarelli about my search for the treasure 25 years ago. Time changes what you once believed and time passage with more creative research reveals how the treasure's legend is askew. The treasure is still LOST!
This is the introduction to "The Legend of Chief Wabasis' Lost Treasure."
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Lost Dutchman Mine: Indian Treasures Lost or Found - 111
Nearly all of us at some time or another are like a teabag. We really aren't worth much until we've been rinsed through some hot water. We learn from failures, too, the trick is to get stung once or twice, but never a third time, however those who search for The Lost Dutchman Mine seem to disappear the second time by accident or design of scrupulous others.
Take Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser for example. Both men arrived from Spain, but were European (Spain, France and Germany) and trained as mining surveyors and prospectors before they arrived in America around 1845 and remained until the 1880's. These men had heard tales of vast Peralta treasures hidden in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. One lone survivor named Carlos Peralta and his brother Don Peralta escaped to Mexico in 1848.
Carlos told Waltz about the families Lost Dutchman Mine via a map carved in stone at the base of the eastern Superstition Mountains. Could these carved Peralta Stones be the same Spanish stones found when the Jesuits fled the Superstition Mountains some 30 miles above the Gila-Salt River junction?
Carlos became the silent partner, but he and Weiser were involved in an Apache ambush in 1874. Both men were killed, but Waltz survived. Some people and descendants of Weiser speculate Weiser wasn't killed by the Apaches, but by Waltz, however nobody could prove it. Greed changes the heart of treasure hunting partnerships. What they do know is that Weiser removed nearly 7 million dollars worth of gold and sent a map of the Peralta Stones with carved legends back to his sister in Germany. All three men reported wandered around the Superstition Mountains from 1864-1871, about 8 years until they reportedly found the Lost Dutchman Mine and began extracting the rich minerals, while constantly evading Apache detection.
A year earlier (1863) a miner and prospector named Henry Wickenburg threw a stone at a stubborn burro, but noticed it contained a trace of raw gold ore. Camping in the desert without a broom to whisk away the dirt, he shot a vulture hovering overhead and hoped to use a wing as a broom. The vulture fell out of the sky right onto an outcropping of gold encased in white quartz. In Michigan you find placer gold in black sand and Lake Superior quartz. Gold in quartz shimmers and can be seen up to 10 miles distant in bright sunlight. In Arizona, Wickenburg discovered the Vulture Mine which produced 200 million dollars in gold and it was this mine that significantly sparked the development of Phoenix, AZ and the State of Arizona, which became the 48th State of the Union in 1912.
Cochise and Geronimo were Indian warriors no white treasure hunter wanted to meet from the 1860-1880's. The Southwest was running in blood from renegades who refused to be shipped to reservations where the Apaches were mistreated and left to starve to death on barren lands. These indians used the military trails in the Superstition Mountains to evade the U.S. Cavalry.
Waltz it is said knew where his gold ore samples were found and mined it exclusively. He wasn't interested in gold candelabras, goblets, gold plating or gold crucifix's inlaid with precious gems (the treasured items of Jesuit priests who hid them in a secret place). Some historians think that the Apaches reburied the treasures in the caves where adult Indians were buried. Only ocean pirates might collect these items, but not miner's on dry land. Trying to sell these rich objects would insight suspicion and it'd draw attention to himself. Somebody would always be prying or spying on him hoping he'd lead them to his hidden treasure cache. Some might assume he robbed a church. No self respecting treasure hunter would risk his own privacy with such minial treasure. The hidden treasure he'd keep secret.
Gold crucifix's with rich mineral gems were found buried when sewer lines were installed below the streets in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the 1870's and 1880's. Such items were found buried near the Norton Indian Mounds near Grandville. Gold crucifix's were trading items among Native American Indians, those Christianized by Jesuit priests who roamed most of North America between the 1600's and early 1800's. Legends of the Superstition Mountains say the Jesuits squirreled away huge amounts of gold and silver treasures before they left. The raw gold ore from the Lost Dutchman Mine has its own special color signature and easily recognized from other mines in the Superstition Mountains.
Some believe the Peralta Stones will lead them to the Lost Dutchman Mine, while others contend they show the trails leading from Mexico to the Superstition Mountains. In an old story that appeared in a Michigan newspaper in the 1880's, the fabled mine is outside the boundary areas of the Superstition Mountains - not in the mountainous wilderness of the Lost Dutchman State Park. Accordingly Waltz, Weiser and Peralta found the mine again in 1871. The three men reportedly returned to the site twice, but Weiser and Peralta were killed by the Apache.
Jacob Waltz never returned to the Lost Dutchman Mine. In fact his health declined and in early 1891 he started telling his caregiver, Julia Thomas and associates clues to where his mine was located. She strained her ears to hear the particulars as he approached the end of his life and death was imminent. Greed took over Julia Thomas' brain and she filed for divorce from her husband, Emil W. Thomas in Maricopa County on Oct. 9, 1891. Waltz was hoping to take Julia to his mine, but Waltz died October 26, 1891. He was destitute and broke according to them, but Waltz didn't reveal his own secret below his bed for fear he'd be found out.
Waltz left clues for Julia Thomas and in fact said his mine was a ledge he found that was only 18 inches wide of pure gold high above a gulch well concealed by a Manzanita thicket. Manzanita in Arizona or California is a close relative of Arbutus in Michigan. Its a member of the Arctostaphylos densiflora (bearberry) or its evergreen species that grow from six inches to 5 feet tall depending on the species They have ornamental bark; colors purple, red or orange, but the plant requires full sun to partial shade in fertile moist sand. Waltz left Thomas a multitude of clues to finding his Lost Dutchman Mine and she was hunting for his mine on September 1, 1892. Waltz told her nobody would ever find his mine unless they could understand the clues.
They must pass the cowbarn, but from my mine anyone could see the military trail and Weaver's Needle to the South and from the trail find the rock-face. Nobody can see my mine 250 feet above the canyon floor trail. The rays of a setting sun shine upon the entrance through a Manzanita thicket. Beware of the false trick, but my mine is located in a north trending canyon. The mine has a small two foot diameter entrance that leads 20 feet down to the cavern. How claustrophobic would you be going head first into such a narrow entrance? If you are don't become a treasure hunter. Upon entering my mine it has 40-50 foot ceilings with stalagmites (floor) 9-15 feet tall with stalactites 10 feet long (ceiling).
Additional clues: mine lies within a 2.5 mile radius whose center is marked by Weaver's Needle. See Weaver's needle to the south and four peaks that look like one peak. The setting sun shines thru a break in the mountains and glitters upon the outcropping of gold ore and shaft. Don't pass the three red hills. You must climb a shortways up from a steep ravine in order to see Weaver's Needle to the south from above my mine. Then you will have found the Lost Dutchman Mine. Time and time again over the last 120 years treasure hunters have said they found this mine, but time and time again once they've found it they can never find it again or perish in the Superstition Mountains. Many people wander around in the Lost Dutchman State Park wilderness areas and although I've never been to Arizona and from clues Waltz left to Julia Thomas I suspect the mine never existed here, but it is located outside of the Superstition wilderness area or it is located to the north. Julia Thomas searched but never found the Lost Dutchman Mine as have many other treasure hunters. It was reportedly found in 1920 and 1940, but without proof.
What is more intriguing upon Waltz' death was the fact that under his death bed was a small box of gold. The gold inside isn't from the Lost Dutchman Mine, but it is from the Vulture Mine. Could it be that the Lost Dutchman Mine doesn't really exist -- its just a fictious treasure legend?
One could only wonder why he had gold in the box from the Vulture Mine? Why didn't he use it to pay his bills? Why die destitute and broke? He either worked for the Vulture Mine company or he was a high-grader. High-grading was the theft of high grade ore and it was a common occurence at this mine. If anyone was caught high grading it was a hanging offense and more than 18 men during the early years dangled on the Vulture City hanging tree. High-grading was done by freighters - miners and people employed to haul the gold nuggets for processing. As soon as wagons were loaded they disappeared fast when they stopped to sift and steal the biggest and best nuggets for themselves. Freighting from the Vulture Mine was more profitable than mining it.
Want to find the Lost Dutchman Mine? Set up a game spy camera or infrared video unit and chart from where bats appear at night. Bat's live in caves. Find the Manzanita thickets. The entrance is hidden by stones. It shouldn't be too hard to find the mine (north canyon facing west) - its within 2.5 mile radius of Weaver's Needle. This concludes my diatribe on the Lost Dutchman Mine. Next time I start talking about Chief John Wabesis and his lost or found treasure (Michigan Native American Indian legend. Lost or Found?
Take Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser for example. Both men arrived from Spain, but were European (Spain, France and Germany) and trained as mining surveyors and prospectors before they arrived in America around 1845 and remained until the 1880's. These men had heard tales of vast Peralta treasures hidden in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. One lone survivor named Carlos Peralta and his brother Don Peralta escaped to Mexico in 1848.
Carlos told Waltz about the families Lost Dutchman Mine via a map carved in stone at the base of the eastern Superstition Mountains. Could these carved Peralta Stones be the same Spanish stones found when the Jesuits fled the Superstition Mountains some 30 miles above the Gila-Salt River junction?
Carlos became the silent partner, but he and Weiser were involved in an Apache ambush in 1874. Both men were killed, but Waltz survived. Some people and descendants of Weiser speculate Weiser wasn't killed by the Apaches, but by Waltz, however nobody could prove it. Greed changes the heart of treasure hunting partnerships. What they do know is that Weiser removed nearly 7 million dollars worth of gold and sent a map of the Peralta Stones with carved legends back to his sister in Germany. All three men reported wandered around the Superstition Mountains from 1864-1871, about 8 years until they reportedly found the Lost Dutchman Mine and began extracting the rich minerals, while constantly evading Apache detection.
A year earlier (1863) a miner and prospector named Henry Wickenburg threw a stone at a stubborn burro, but noticed it contained a trace of raw gold ore. Camping in the desert without a broom to whisk away the dirt, he shot a vulture hovering overhead and hoped to use a wing as a broom. The vulture fell out of the sky right onto an outcropping of gold encased in white quartz. In Michigan you find placer gold in black sand and Lake Superior quartz. Gold in quartz shimmers and can be seen up to 10 miles distant in bright sunlight. In Arizona, Wickenburg discovered the Vulture Mine which produced 200 million dollars in gold and it was this mine that significantly sparked the development of Phoenix, AZ and the State of Arizona, which became the 48th State of the Union in 1912.
Cochise and Geronimo were Indian warriors no white treasure hunter wanted to meet from the 1860-1880's. The Southwest was running in blood from renegades who refused to be shipped to reservations where the Apaches were mistreated and left to starve to death on barren lands. These indians used the military trails in the Superstition Mountains to evade the U.S. Cavalry.
Waltz it is said knew where his gold ore samples were found and mined it exclusively. He wasn't interested in gold candelabras, goblets, gold plating or gold crucifix's inlaid with precious gems (the treasured items of Jesuit priests who hid them in a secret place). Some historians think that the Apaches reburied the treasures in the caves where adult Indians were buried. Only ocean pirates might collect these items, but not miner's on dry land. Trying to sell these rich objects would insight suspicion and it'd draw attention to himself. Somebody would always be prying or spying on him hoping he'd lead them to his hidden treasure cache. Some might assume he robbed a church. No self respecting treasure hunter would risk his own privacy with such minial treasure. The hidden treasure he'd keep secret.
Gold crucifix's with rich mineral gems were found buried when sewer lines were installed below the streets in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the 1870's and 1880's. Such items were found buried near the Norton Indian Mounds near Grandville. Gold crucifix's were trading items among Native American Indians, those Christianized by Jesuit priests who roamed most of North America between the 1600's and early 1800's. Legends of the Superstition Mountains say the Jesuits squirreled away huge amounts of gold and silver treasures before they left. The raw gold ore from the Lost Dutchman Mine has its own special color signature and easily recognized from other mines in the Superstition Mountains.
Some believe the Peralta Stones will lead them to the Lost Dutchman Mine, while others contend they show the trails leading from Mexico to the Superstition Mountains. In an old story that appeared in a Michigan newspaper in the 1880's, the fabled mine is outside the boundary areas of the Superstition Mountains - not in the mountainous wilderness of the Lost Dutchman State Park. Accordingly Waltz, Weiser and Peralta found the mine again in 1871. The three men reportedly returned to the site twice, but Weiser and Peralta were killed by the Apache.
Jacob Waltz never returned to the Lost Dutchman Mine. In fact his health declined and in early 1891 he started telling his caregiver, Julia Thomas and associates clues to where his mine was located. She strained her ears to hear the particulars as he approached the end of his life and death was imminent. Greed took over Julia Thomas' brain and she filed for divorce from her husband, Emil W. Thomas in Maricopa County on Oct. 9, 1891. Waltz was hoping to take Julia to his mine, but Waltz died October 26, 1891. He was destitute and broke according to them, but Waltz didn't reveal his own secret below his bed for fear he'd be found out.
Waltz left clues for Julia Thomas and in fact said his mine was a ledge he found that was only 18 inches wide of pure gold high above a gulch well concealed by a Manzanita thicket. Manzanita in Arizona or California is a close relative of Arbutus in Michigan. Its a member of the Arctostaphylos densiflora (bearberry) or its evergreen species that grow from six inches to 5 feet tall depending on the species They have ornamental bark; colors purple, red or orange, but the plant requires full sun to partial shade in fertile moist sand. Waltz left Thomas a multitude of clues to finding his Lost Dutchman Mine and she was hunting for his mine on September 1, 1892. Waltz told her nobody would ever find his mine unless they could understand the clues.
They must pass the cowbarn, but from my mine anyone could see the military trail and Weaver's Needle to the South and from the trail find the rock-face. Nobody can see my mine 250 feet above the canyon floor trail. The rays of a setting sun shine upon the entrance through a Manzanita thicket. Beware of the false trick, but my mine is located in a north trending canyon. The mine has a small two foot diameter entrance that leads 20 feet down to the cavern. How claustrophobic would you be going head first into such a narrow entrance? If you are don't become a treasure hunter. Upon entering my mine it has 40-50 foot ceilings with stalagmites (floor) 9-15 feet tall with stalactites 10 feet long (ceiling).
Additional clues: mine lies within a 2.5 mile radius whose center is marked by Weaver's Needle. See Weaver's needle to the south and four peaks that look like one peak. The setting sun shines thru a break in the mountains and glitters upon the outcropping of gold ore and shaft. Don't pass the three red hills. You must climb a shortways up from a steep ravine in order to see Weaver's Needle to the south from above my mine. Then you will have found the Lost Dutchman Mine. Time and time again over the last 120 years treasure hunters have said they found this mine, but time and time again once they've found it they can never find it again or perish in the Superstition Mountains. Many people wander around in the Lost Dutchman State Park wilderness areas and although I've never been to Arizona and from clues Waltz left to Julia Thomas I suspect the mine never existed here, but it is located outside of the Superstition wilderness area or it is located to the north. Julia Thomas searched but never found the Lost Dutchman Mine as have many other treasure hunters. It was reportedly found in 1920 and 1940, but without proof.
What is more intriguing upon Waltz' death was the fact that under his death bed was a small box of gold. The gold inside isn't from the Lost Dutchman Mine, but it is from the Vulture Mine. Could it be that the Lost Dutchman Mine doesn't really exist -- its just a fictious treasure legend?
One could only wonder why he had gold in the box from the Vulture Mine? Why didn't he use it to pay his bills? Why die destitute and broke? He either worked for the Vulture Mine company or he was a high-grader. High-grading was the theft of high grade ore and it was a common occurence at this mine. If anyone was caught high grading it was a hanging offense and more than 18 men during the early years dangled on the Vulture City hanging tree. High-grading was done by freighters - miners and people employed to haul the gold nuggets for processing. As soon as wagons were loaded they disappeared fast when they stopped to sift and steal the biggest and best nuggets for themselves. Freighting from the Vulture Mine was more profitable than mining it.
Want to find the Lost Dutchman Mine? Set up a game spy camera or infrared video unit and chart from where bats appear at night. Bat's live in caves. Find the Manzanita thickets. The entrance is hidden by stones. It shouldn't be too hard to find the mine (north canyon facing west) - its within 2.5 mile radius of Weaver's Needle. This concludes my diatribe on the Lost Dutchman Mine. Next time I start talking about Chief John Wabesis and his lost or found treasure (Michigan Native American Indian legend. Lost or Found?
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Lost Dutchman Mine: Indian Treasures Lost or Found - 110
"Those who don't take chances don't make advances. Even a turtle doesn't get ahead unless he sticks his neck out." That's what business dreamers say about not 'waiting for your ship to come in...swim out to meet it.' Just try something or nothing. Failure to do anything will nag you the rest of your life, because you were afraid to take a chance. Sticking your neck out is what life is all about and treasure hunters must be absolutely sure of themselves before they venture out to find any treasure like the fabled Lost Dutchman Mine.
Warning: Legends about the Lost Dutchman Mine say many of the past have met with foul play searching the Superstition Mountains up from the Sonoran Desert just east of Apache Junction, Arizona. Those who have reported to have found the mine never do so again or suffered some disastrous calamity before they could file a claim. Some have hid what they've found only to never find it again. This is what keeps the mine a secret lost mine. Some dreamers have said they've found the lost gold mine, but many of the minerals found have been assayed, but the minerals are from the Vultur mine or unknowns and not the Lost Dutchman. Most precious metals leave their own unique fingerprint of its origin. Purity numbers dictate location.
Seeking lost treasure is for many a fantasy adventure destined for a video game as based upon an exciting authors book like the Adventures of Indiana Jones and National Treasure. The intrigue here kept viewers riveted to their seats wondering if the treasures were found or who lost their lives searching for the mother lode of riches. The Superstition Mountains have seen lots of treasure seekers visiting the Lost Dutchman State Park and walking the old military trails searching for anything of value that might lead them towards discovering the real mine. Truth is you don't go searching for treasure during the hottest times of the year. You can't carry enough water to sustain life for longer than three days.
Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio and his deputy's rescued Curtis Merworth (one of three Utah men who went missing the first time) who used his cell phone to call for help in May 2009. Cell phones are good if you can get a signal, but they won't do most any good inside a deep mine or cave, but I suppose it would be a foolhardy gesture to place a GPS outside a mine or cave so rescuers could find them perish the thought they met with foul play. For now I'll leave these men alone and concentrate on the legend of all lost legends in America. I should mention that Joe Arpaio is the Sheriff that is picking up so much flak from the Federal government who claims his department is profiling illegal aliens for deportation back to Mexico. Arpaio does what the Federal government doesn't do - enforce immigation laws. Arpaio doesn't like the aliens from Mexico who illegally profit from our expense. Law enforcement personnel shouldn't have to put up with the law breaking politicians in Washington.
As previously stated from 1500 to the late 1700's, the Spainards tried to force a conquest culture destined to civilize the Indians through Christianity backed up by a military force. They instituted a system of forced Indian tribute to labor as servants, farmers, miners and turned into slaves for silver production mines in Mexico. The Spainards brutality increased so vigorously that the Peublos rose up in revolt around 1680 and they drove the Spanish out of the Rio Grande region, but only for a short time. The Spanish returned with avengence and tried to stomp out native cultures and beliefs, but they never conquered the Apaches. The Indians had had enough of the New Spain under Mexican authorities from the mid 1700's to about 1848. To stay living meant you kept out of sight of Indians. Renegade bands of Apaches and Navajos roamed the entire regions of Arizona and New Mexico. There were no big tribes of renegades. The renegades were those who wouldn't be shuffled off to reservations to die on worthless lands.
Around the 1830's it was evident that the U.S. government was going to expand. The Native Americans of the Great Plains and Southwest felt pressured by pioneer movements. The West was going to open up and the U.S. Cavalry were beginning frequent patrols westward to calm settlers and thwart the Indian raiding parties. Settlements were appearing in California, Oregon and Washington regions and tempers were flaring between Indians, farmers and pioneers. The Indians knew it wouldn't be long before they were forced to sign peace treaties; sign or be forced out.
In the unrest a Spanish family named the Peralta's from Mexico had learned about a fabulous treasure mine hidden in the Superstition Mountains and decided to investigate. They managed to escape predation by the Apaches and Navajos and mined gold and silver from 1840-1848. Some say 1852, but the story found in a Michigan newspaper of the times said it ended around 1848 when this family of miners was attacked in the desert after leaving the mine. Only one family member named Miguel Peralta survived. All the rest were killed.
Three years earlier a man named Jacob Waltz arrived in America from Germany in 1845. He remained along the East coast and filed a Declaration of Intent to become a U.S. citizen in 1848. He had heard that gold had been discovered in California (1847) and he made plans to go west and on his southern trek met Don Peralta and his Mexican wife near Nopal & Armstrong in Black Creek Canyon Placer Sept. 7-21, 1864. Not much is known about Waltz from 1850-1864, but it was presumed he didn't want to become involved in the Civil War nor at the time was he looking for a fight with the Apaches.
According to the Lost Dutchman legend Jacob Waltz was told the mines location by the lone surviving member of the Peralta family in 1848. Jacob Waltz became a dreamer, too, of being a 'strike it rich' treasure hunter, but he knew that to explore the Superstition Mountain range meant he needed help and formed a partnership with Jacob Weiser, another man from Germany and they set out to find the famous mine.
When the U.S. government annexed the Navajo territories in 1849 it was noted they were feared for good reason as a warring and raiding group of Indians to be wary of. Spanish influence hadn't changed any dispositions and no matter how the U.S. government tried to stop the raiding parties they wouldn't stop, because they couldn't. Mexican slave traders kept ravishing the small independent bands. Slave traders kept the Indians in a state of constant aggitation to make capturing Navajos for their illicit trade easier and the warfare of Indian upon Indian or Indian upon pioneers continue. Not only did the Indians have to escape predation by slave traders, but by the renegade bands, too.
At the same time the U.S. government sought peace with the Indians before the Civil War started, because they wanted to keep Arizona and New Mexico territories for the Union and an insurance policy that the Indians would keep lines of communication to California open. The government had to stop the Apaches, the Navajos and eventually the Mescalaro Apaches from raiding each other and Union cavalry attachments. Time to stop for today.
Warning: Legends about the Lost Dutchman Mine say many of the past have met with foul play searching the Superstition Mountains up from the Sonoran Desert just east of Apache Junction, Arizona. Those who have reported to have found the mine never do so again or suffered some disastrous calamity before they could file a claim. Some have hid what they've found only to never find it again. This is what keeps the mine a secret lost mine. Some dreamers have said they've found the lost gold mine, but many of the minerals found have been assayed, but the minerals are from the Vultur mine or unknowns and not the Lost Dutchman. Most precious metals leave their own unique fingerprint of its origin. Purity numbers dictate location.
Seeking lost treasure is for many a fantasy adventure destined for a video game as based upon an exciting authors book like the Adventures of Indiana Jones and National Treasure. The intrigue here kept viewers riveted to their seats wondering if the treasures were found or who lost their lives searching for the mother lode of riches. The Superstition Mountains have seen lots of treasure seekers visiting the Lost Dutchman State Park and walking the old military trails searching for anything of value that might lead them towards discovering the real mine. Truth is you don't go searching for treasure during the hottest times of the year. You can't carry enough water to sustain life for longer than three days.
Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio and his deputy's rescued Curtis Merworth (one of three Utah men who went missing the first time) who used his cell phone to call for help in May 2009. Cell phones are good if you can get a signal, but they won't do most any good inside a deep mine or cave, but I suppose it would be a foolhardy gesture to place a GPS outside a mine or cave so rescuers could find them perish the thought they met with foul play. For now I'll leave these men alone and concentrate on the legend of all lost legends in America. I should mention that Joe Arpaio is the Sheriff that is picking up so much flak from the Federal government who claims his department is profiling illegal aliens for deportation back to Mexico. Arpaio does what the Federal government doesn't do - enforce immigation laws. Arpaio doesn't like the aliens from Mexico who illegally profit from our expense. Law enforcement personnel shouldn't have to put up with the law breaking politicians in Washington.
As previously stated from 1500 to the late 1700's, the Spainards tried to force a conquest culture destined to civilize the Indians through Christianity backed up by a military force. They instituted a system of forced Indian tribute to labor as servants, farmers, miners and turned into slaves for silver production mines in Mexico. The Spainards brutality increased so vigorously that the Peublos rose up in revolt around 1680 and they drove the Spanish out of the Rio Grande region, but only for a short time. The Spanish returned with avengence and tried to stomp out native cultures and beliefs, but they never conquered the Apaches. The Indians had had enough of the New Spain under Mexican authorities from the mid 1700's to about 1848. To stay living meant you kept out of sight of Indians. Renegade bands of Apaches and Navajos roamed the entire regions of Arizona and New Mexico. There were no big tribes of renegades. The renegades were those who wouldn't be shuffled off to reservations to die on worthless lands.
Around the 1830's it was evident that the U.S. government was going to expand. The Native Americans of the Great Plains and Southwest felt pressured by pioneer movements. The West was going to open up and the U.S. Cavalry were beginning frequent patrols westward to calm settlers and thwart the Indian raiding parties. Settlements were appearing in California, Oregon and Washington regions and tempers were flaring between Indians, farmers and pioneers. The Indians knew it wouldn't be long before they were forced to sign peace treaties; sign or be forced out.
In the unrest a Spanish family named the Peralta's from Mexico had learned about a fabulous treasure mine hidden in the Superstition Mountains and decided to investigate. They managed to escape predation by the Apaches and Navajos and mined gold and silver from 1840-1848. Some say 1852, but the story found in a Michigan newspaper of the times said it ended around 1848 when this family of miners was attacked in the desert after leaving the mine. Only one family member named Miguel Peralta survived. All the rest were killed.
Three years earlier a man named Jacob Waltz arrived in America from Germany in 1845. He remained along the East coast and filed a Declaration of Intent to become a U.S. citizen in 1848. He had heard that gold had been discovered in California (1847) and he made plans to go west and on his southern trek met Don Peralta and his Mexican wife near Nopal & Armstrong in Black Creek Canyon Placer Sept. 7-21, 1864. Not much is known about Waltz from 1850-1864, but it was presumed he didn't want to become involved in the Civil War nor at the time was he looking for a fight with the Apaches.
According to the Lost Dutchman legend Jacob Waltz was told the mines location by the lone surviving member of the Peralta family in 1848. Jacob Waltz became a dreamer, too, of being a 'strike it rich' treasure hunter, but he knew that to explore the Superstition Mountain range meant he needed help and formed a partnership with Jacob Weiser, another man from Germany and they set out to find the famous mine.
When the U.S. government annexed the Navajo territories in 1849 it was noted they were feared for good reason as a warring and raiding group of Indians to be wary of. Spanish influence hadn't changed any dispositions and no matter how the U.S. government tried to stop the raiding parties they wouldn't stop, because they couldn't. Mexican slave traders kept ravishing the small independent bands. Slave traders kept the Indians in a state of constant aggitation to make capturing Navajos for their illicit trade easier and the warfare of Indian upon Indian or Indian upon pioneers continue. Not only did the Indians have to escape predation by slave traders, but by the renegade bands, too.
At the same time the U.S. government sought peace with the Indians before the Civil War started, because they wanted to keep Arizona and New Mexico territories for the Union and an insurance policy that the Indians would keep lines of communication to California open. The government had to stop the Apaches, the Navajos and eventually the Mescalaro Apaches from raiding each other and Union cavalry attachments. Time to stop for today.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The Lost Dutchman Mine: Indian Treasures Lost or Found - 109
Legends about who has or hasn't found the Lost Dutchman Mine have been in existence for nearly 120 years since the deaths of Jacob Waltz, his partner Jacob Weiser and associate Manuel Peralta. It is perhaps one of North Americas most famous lost mine and the whereabouts have infected the hearts, minds and souls of treasure seekers worldwide, but it continues to draw its fame from those who have gone searching, but turn up missing or presumed dead by forces of mother nature or greedy men who really don't want to share its mineral wealth.
The Lost Dutchman Mine of Arizona continues to draw prospectors and dreamers hoping to strike it rich. You could say it is on par with the El Dorado Mines of South America. Human eyes sparkle when someone mentions the lost treasures haven't been found in the Superstition Mountains. Many amateur treasure seekers have not heeded the warnings about the Apache Curse. It is said the Indian spirits protect the sacred burial grounds of the Apache Indians and the mineral treasures of the Superstitions. Many adult Indians were entombed in caves, but it was the Jesuit missionaries and traveling priests who ventured in among the Southwest Indians who told them to protect the mineral treasures from the eyes of white settlers otherwise they'd be doomed.
Sometime the Superstition Mountains about 40 mile East of Phoenix are shrouded in eeries mists and low misty clouds. Temperatures rise and fall according to the seasons, but the summer is terribly hot with ground temperatures nearing 120 degrees and winter temperatures near freezing. Its a hostile environment when you aren't prepared and don't carry enough water. The Superstitions seems to have swallowed them and nobody has found any trace of them. The Superstition Mountains have spectacular scenery, but is fraught with unimaginable danger or is the Apache Curse just an attempt to scare away the tenderfoots to keep the treasure safe from outsiders.
The curse can actually be traced back to the early 1500's when the five Kings of Spain (Philip) encouraged the Jesuit missionaries and priests to explore the Superstitions and bring religion to the Indians in Arizona and New Mexico. The priests tried to force religion on the Indians and used them to mine gold and silver for their services and Kings of Spain for over 200 years. The priests tried to impress upon the Indians that they should never let settlers mine for gold, because much harm would come to them. The Jesuits were in business for themselves and sent some gold back to King Philip between 1700-1746. Jesuit reported back to the Kings that before the early 1600 approximately 15,000 Apache were roaming the Southwest most in loose family bands and no big tribes. The Spaniards were called "Apaches de Navajos."
Hollywood movies always depicted the Apaches as tribal warriors, but in actuality most Apache units were comprised of thirty or less, but larger families up to fifty. The Apaches were not the bloodthirsty scalpers, but were raiders of other Indian villages like the Pimas, The Puebloans and Apaches fought the Comanches and Kiowas of the Great Plains, but no matter what tribe was fighting they didn't appreciate the white settlers streaming across their land in pursuit of gold and silver treasures of the desert Southwest and those later in the 1840's trying to get the goldfields of California. The Jesuit priests tried using Bible teachings to stop the Apaches from raiding Pueblo villages, but alas the Puebloans moved the higher ground and became cliff-dewllers out of reach of Apache warriors.
To counter Apache attacks the Pimans built stockades around their communities with permanent guards and from 1500-1750 the Apaches kept their communities mobile because of their raids into Mexico that caused other tribes to abandon the area who then retaliated against the Apache. Apache raids were being done not by tribes, but local groups. The Apaches were skilled at guerilla warfare until about 1884. The primary goal was not to kill, but seize food supplies - not the Hollywood depictions in the 1900's. This is the rain of terror the Jesuit priests tried to halt Indians killing Indians. They preached "Thou shalt not steal," but they themselves had helped themselves to the Indian treasures of the Superstition Mountains for nearly 200 years.
Under the priests, the Indian natives of the Southwest, especially in the vicinity of the Superstition Mountains, were vassals of the Kings of Spain. They were treated harshly by Spanish civil and military authorities. The priests became overzealous to establish their religion and forced it upon the Indians who were repressing native beliefs and practices. The priests used religion on the fuedal tenants turning them into slaves for the purpose of extracting Indian wealth. Repression of Indian cultures caused resentment against priests and Kings of Spain and it started the Indian Rebellion of 1680. Heads of Peublo tribes sent runners to each and decreed an appointed day in which all whites should be killed. The priests were given full warning, but when they tried civilian authorities threats it cause the Indians to attack immediately. Hundreds of Spainards with priests were killed and the Governor of New Mexico fled to El Paso.
Five years passed before Father Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived at a Pima Indian village along the Gila River, Arizona, some thirty miles above the junction with the Salt River on November 27, 1697. His travels took him along the Gila River from 1687-1710. He was accompanied by Juan Mateo Mange, who wrote Kino's journal of his travels and it was evident by the strange carvings on the rock walls of the Eastern Superstition Mountains, which foretold the effects of European goods and Spanish influences. The carvings showed that at first the Spainards were friendly, but as time passed they felt dissatisfaction with the steady stream of treasure seekers and other whites penetrating their country.
The Southwest Indians felt the pressures as religious slaves to King Philip V (1700-1746). In fact, he got impatient and was tired of supporting Jesuit missionaries, because they hadn't broken the tribal Indian cultures and beliefs and in turn the Indians were getting more angry. King Philip got upset with the priests and ordered all Jesuits out of Mexico and the Indians were livid in the Southwest when the priests with Spaniards loaded up wagons and were attempting to flee with Indian treasures. The Superstition Mountains part of Mexico until 1848 when it became a territory of the U.S. Priests in the Superstition Mountain range were warned to hide mine records and leave stored treasured behind , but greed overcame them and they tried to leave the Superstition Mountains with 200,000 coins (might be silver), 40 bars of gold weighing 2 pounds each and a giant gold cross (curicifix) weighing an estimated 900 pounds. Today this treasure if found would be worth approximately 500 million. There's a mystery here because how does one transport a 900 pound gold cross down the eastside of the Superstition Mountains?
This treasure reportedly got down to the Gila-Salt River, but an Apache raiding party intercepted and killed everyone transporting it. Some treasure was transported west, but Indians intercepted the Spainards and they were massacred in the desert. The southern route to Mexico thru the Sonoran desert was shorter, but more dangerous and anyone seen trying to flee with treasure would be massacred soon. The Apaches and all the Indian tribes were infuriated with the Jesuits and their religion persecution. Rumor has it that the bulk of the Eastern treasure was retrieved from the Gila river country and hidden in a secret hiding place in the 1800's, but a big mystery. It could have been moved back to the mountains or hidden outside the Superstitions. It could have been returned and placed in the Lost Dutchman Mine. The Apaches considered the Superstition Mountains sacred, because so many of their adults are buried within the caves while Pueblo children are buried in the masonry walls of the cliff dwellers and adults buried beneath the floors. Most favored cave burials.
The gold cross of Arizona has its own legend, too, amongst the Odawa and Chippewa Indian tribes of Michigan. Indian runners from the Great Plains were asking for help in returning a stolen large gold cross. Odawas living in the Grand River and Flat River country around the mid 1830's before the Treaty of Washington 1836 was signed, say a large gold cross was seen being transported northeast towards the Gateway to Heaven. The Gateway to Heaven was coined by the Jesuit missionaries that established a mission near Ada in the 1600's. The high hills were Egypt Valley Country Club north of Ada, Michigan is located today was considered by religious priests and Indians as the Gateway to Heaven, because of the high terrain in a rising sun. The mystery here is where did it go? Was it headed to Canada? The cross today is worth 187 million dollars.
Next time I'll discuss what's happened since 1848 to present and what clues have surfaced from my neck of the North Woods. What I know about Arizona is it is a land where things sting, you get stuck, bitten by rattlesnakes, scorpions and things eat meat, blistered by sun or frozen. From my neck of the north woods things sting, you get stuck with Prickly Pears, bitten by rattlesnakes, spiders and things eat meat, blistered by the sun in sand dunes or frozen. Whatever Arizona has Michigan has the same.
The Lost Dutchman Mine of Arizona continues to draw prospectors and dreamers hoping to strike it rich. You could say it is on par with the El Dorado Mines of South America. Human eyes sparkle when someone mentions the lost treasures haven't been found in the Superstition Mountains. Many amateur treasure seekers have not heeded the warnings about the Apache Curse. It is said the Indian spirits protect the sacred burial grounds of the Apache Indians and the mineral treasures of the Superstitions. Many adult Indians were entombed in caves, but it was the Jesuit missionaries and traveling priests who ventured in among the Southwest Indians who told them to protect the mineral treasures from the eyes of white settlers otherwise they'd be doomed.
Sometime the Superstition Mountains about 40 mile East of Phoenix are shrouded in eeries mists and low misty clouds. Temperatures rise and fall according to the seasons, but the summer is terribly hot with ground temperatures nearing 120 degrees and winter temperatures near freezing. Its a hostile environment when you aren't prepared and don't carry enough water. The Superstitions seems to have swallowed them and nobody has found any trace of them. The Superstition Mountains have spectacular scenery, but is fraught with unimaginable danger or is the Apache Curse just an attempt to scare away the tenderfoots to keep the treasure safe from outsiders.
The curse can actually be traced back to the early 1500's when the five Kings of Spain (Philip) encouraged the Jesuit missionaries and priests to explore the Superstitions and bring religion to the Indians in Arizona and New Mexico. The priests tried to force religion on the Indians and used them to mine gold and silver for their services and Kings of Spain for over 200 years. The priests tried to impress upon the Indians that they should never let settlers mine for gold, because much harm would come to them. The Jesuits were in business for themselves and sent some gold back to King Philip between 1700-1746. Jesuit reported back to the Kings that before the early 1600 approximately 15,000 Apache were roaming the Southwest most in loose family bands and no big tribes. The Spaniards were called "Apaches de Navajos."
Hollywood movies always depicted the Apaches as tribal warriors, but in actuality most Apache units were comprised of thirty or less, but larger families up to fifty. The Apaches were not the bloodthirsty scalpers, but were raiders of other Indian villages like the Pimas, The Puebloans and Apaches fought the Comanches and Kiowas of the Great Plains, but no matter what tribe was fighting they didn't appreciate the white settlers streaming across their land in pursuit of gold and silver treasures of the desert Southwest and those later in the 1840's trying to get the goldfields of California. The Jesuit priests tried using Bible teachings to stop the Apaches from raiding Pueblo villages, but alas the Puebloans moved the higher ground and became cliff-dewllers out of reach of Apache warriors.
To counter Apache attacks the Pimans built stockades around their communities with permanent guards and from 1500-1750 the Apaches kept their communities mobile because of their raids into Mexico that caused other tribes to abandon the area who then retaliated against the Apache. Apache raids were being done not by tribes, but local groups. The Apaches were skilled at guerilla warfare until about 1884. The primary goal was not to kill, but seize food supplies - not the Hollywood depictions in the 1900's. This is the rain of terror the Jesuit priests tried to halt Indians killing Indians. They preached "Thou shalt not steal," but they themselves had helped themselves to the Indian treasures of the Superstition Mountains for nearly 200 years.
Under the priests, the Indian natives of the Southwest, especially in the vicinity of the Superstition Mountains, were vassals of the Kings of Spain. They were treated harshly by Spanish civil and military authorities. The priests became overzealous to establish their religion and forced it upon the Indians who were repressing native beliefs and practices. The priests used religion on the fuedal tenants turning them into slaves for the purpose of extracting Indian wealth. Repression of Indian cultures caused resentment against priests and Kings of Spain and it started the Indian Rebellion of 1680. Heads of Peublo tribes sent runners to each and decreed an appointed day in which all whites should be killed. The priests were given full warning, but when they tried civilian authorities threats it cause the Indians to attack immediately. Hundreds of Spainards with priests were killed and the Governor of New Mexico fled to El Paso.
Five years passed before Father Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived at a Pima Indian village along the Gila River, Arizona, some thirty miles above the junction with the Salt River on November 27, 1697. His travels took him along the Gila River from 1687-1710. He was accompanied by Juan Mateo Mange, who wrote Kino's journal of his travels and it was evident by the strange carvings on the rock walls of the Eastern Superstition Mountains, which foretold the effects of European goods and Spanish influences. The carvings showed that at first the Spainards were friendly, but as time passed they felt dissatisfaction with the steady stream of treasure seekers and other whites penetrating their country.
The Southwest Indians felt the pressures as religious slaves to King Philip V (1700-1746). In fact, he got impatient and was tired of supporting Jesuit missionaries, because they hadn't broken the tribal Indian cultures and beliefs and in turn the Indians were getting more angry. King Philip got upset with the priests and ordered all Jesuits out of Mexico and the Indians were livid in the Southwest when the priests with Spaniards loaded up wagons and were attempting to flee with Indian treasures. The Superstition Mountains part of Mexico until 1848 when it became a territory of the U.S. Priests in the Superstition Mountain range were warned to hide mine records and leave stored treasured behind , but greed overcame them and they tried to leave the Superstition Mountains with 200,000 coins (might be silver), 40 bars of gold weighing 2 pounds each and a giant gold cross (curicifix) weighing an estimated 900 pounds. Today this treasure if found would be worth approximately 500 million. There's a mystery here because how does one transport a 900 pound gold cross down the eastside of the Superstition Mountains?
This treasure reportedly got down to the Gila-Salt River, but an Apache raiding party intercepted and killed everyone transporting it. Some treasure was transported west, but Indians intercepted the Spainards and they were massacred in the desert. The southern route to Mexico thru the Sonoran desert was shorter, but more dangerous and anyone seen trying to flee with treasure would be massacred soon. The Apaches and all the Indian tribes were infuriated with the Jesuits and their religion persecution. Rumor has it that the bulk of the Eastern treasure was retrieved from the Gila river country and hidden in a secret hiding place in the 1800's, but a big mystery. It could have been moved back to the mountains or hidden outside the Superstitions. It could have been returned and placed in the Lost Dutchman Mine. The Apaches considered the Superstition Mountains sacred, because so many of their adults are buried within the caves while Pueblo children are buried in the masonry walls of the cliff dwellers and adults buried beneath the floors. Most favored cave burials.
The gold cross of Arizona has its own legend, too, amongst the Odawa and Chippewa Indian tribes of Michigan. Indian runners from the Great Plains were asking for help in returning a stolen large gold cross. Odawas living in the Grand River and Flat River country around the mid 1830's before the Treaty of Washington 1836 was signed, say a large gold cross was seen being transported northeast towards the Gateway to Heaven. The Gateway to Heaven was coined by the Jesuit missionaries that established a mission near Ada in the 1600's. The high hills were Egypt Valley Country Club north of Ada, Michigan is located today was considered by religious priests and Indians as the Gateway to Heaven, because of the high terrain in a rising sun. The mystery here is where did it go? Was it headed to Canada? The cross today is worth 187 million dollars.
Next time I'll discuss what's happened since 1848 to present and what clues have surfaced from my neck of the North Woods. What I know about Arizona is it is a land where things sting, you get stuck, bitten by rattlesnakes, scorpions and things eat meat, blistered by sun or frozen. From my neck of the north woods things sting, you get stuck with Prickly Pears, bitten by rattlesnakes, spiders and things eat meat, blistered by the sun in sand dunes or frozen. Whatever Arizona has Michigan has the same.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Indian Treasures: Lost or Found - 108
For some treasure hunting can become an obsession when searching for the 'Mother Lode' of gold and silver. Most treasure sites are far from home with many in the wilderness areas of America located on government or Indian property. Sure you can find them in old ghost towns or on the outskirts of towns in wilderness areas, but many of them don't become famous locations until those searching put their own spin on its possible location. Legends are built by those who have failed to produce tangible evidence proving the existence of the treasure. It becomes easier and easier for dreamers to entice others to help them find lost riches. New blood makes it easier. One man's obsession can make others "gold crazy," too. The longer the treasure remains lost the more lies and bullshit fatten the legend.
Take for example the three Utah treasure hunters that set out this past Fourth of July 2010 who sought the fabled mother lode of gold in the wilderness areas of Arizona's Superstition Mountains. Smart treasure hunters would not go treasure hunting in July. The heat would dehydrate individuals fast, but two of these men had medical problems, too, and their obsession with finding the "Lost Dutchman's Mine" based upon the obsessive dreams and searches by Curtis Merworth is what presumably took the lives of Malcolm Meeks and Ardean Charles.
Merworth was the youngest at age 48. The other two men were older and weaker (48-63), but that didn't stop these inexperienced wilderness walkers with medical maladies from trying to help their friend realize his dream of finding the Lost Dutchman Mine. They sure didn't believe in the Apache Curse that protects these mountains from treasure hunters.
The curse it is said can be historically traced back to the early 1500's, when Jesuit priests from Spain began to build missions in the wilderness areas of what would later become Arizona and New Mexico. Jesuit missions were built in the Michigan wilderness, too, in the late 1500's and much evidence of this was proved with the finds of sterling silver crucifixes worn by priests as found in the 19th century when sewer lines were being built in Grand Rapids, Michigan and in the vicinity of the Norton Mounds in the 1870's.
The Jesuits took it upon themselves to educate and convince Native American tribes that bad things would happen if they revealed the locations of such rich treasures to outsiders, but these same missionary groups were mining gold themselves and sending it back to the Kings of Spain for almost 300 years. The Spanish called the Indians in this area "Apaches de Navajo." Tensions rose in Mexico and Spain with the priests and he ordered them to leave Mexico in the late 1700's that encompassed Arizona and New Mexico until 1836. Records of the mines, ore deposits and treasures were destroyed by the Jesuits before leaving the country, but legends lived on.
Native Americans, the Apache of Arizona, the Navajos of New Mexico had kept the treasures secret and even today Indians in this region are reluctant to talk or provide any information that speaks about the lost treasures in the Superstition Mountains. Apache and Navajo were at home living in the deserts where land was useless to white settlers. To the Apache, the Superstition mountains were sacred mountains, the burial grounds of their ancestors in caves and they protected these mountains from those who sought their golden treasures. Dead children were entombed in the masonry walls or under the floors of Adobe houses and Cliff Dwellers. Indians were taught by Jesuit missionaries to be wary of treasure hunters for nothing good would happen in their lives so the Apaches kept the curse to protect their sacred lands and they kept this promise by singing songs to the sacred mountains.
Down thru the ages legends of the Lost Dutchman's Mine grew to fever pitch and gold crazy treasure seekers who weren't afraid of the Indians kept trying to find the mother lode of all treasures in the Superstition Mountains. Those who were discovered were killed and so it went that the Superstition Mountains would remain a wilderness protected by the Apache Curse. Many a treasure hunter has tried to find the mine and few have escaped the curse. They perished without a trace and that is exactly what has happened the Merworth, Meeks and Charles.
300 volunteers and 40 law enforcement officers searched 96 square miles of the Superstition Mountains for better than one week and never found a trace of the 3 Utah men, except for their vehicle at the base of the mountains at First Water Trailhead on July 11th. Temperatures in the mountains by day were upwards of 125 degrees F. to freezing at night. Such extremes of heat would have made it a necessity to carry lots of water, but the men reportedly didn't and add poor health and why would two imperiled men even attempt to follow Merworth into such a hostile environment?
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio believes they succumbed to the summer heat.
Greed made them gold crazy. Truth is they were searching for gold during the hottest time of the year and being unprepared with the necessities of survival extreme heat claimed their lives. Nobody is safe when gold is discovered not even for partners. Gold hardens the heart and men will do strange and bizarre things to keep it or not share it with others and water can be more valuable than gold, too. Or, could it be a wrong cave swallowed them. Treasure hunters simply disappear in the Superstition Mountains. The Pima Indians call the Superstition Mountains "Ka-Katak-Tami" meaning "The Crooked Top Mountain."
Merworth had already been searching in the Superstition Mountains twice and in May 2009 he got lost and was dying of thirst when he used his cell phone to call for help. He was trying to find the mine alone, but had convinced his friends he knew about where the mine was and he made this year's trip his last valiant attempt to find the Lost Dutchman's Mine before others found it. Three men to carry water. The hypothesis here is that one man can't carry enough water the find and mine the gold without additional water. Were the other men expendable? Nothing of what I've read about their disappearance ever says if Merworth told the two men about his previous brush with death by lack of water.
Paranoia and gold fever fueled his obsession and he didn't want others to find the treasure since many new maps and information had surfacing since 1998. It was now or never. It was reported that some had already found the treasure, but Merworth wasn't convinced. Nobody has actually found this treasure for nearly 140 years and not since its discovery by Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser around 1871 in the days of Cochise and Geronimo. Next time I'll start the story around 1840. Good night.
Take for example the three Utah treasure hunters that set out this past Fourth of July 2010 who sought the fabled mother lode of gold in the wilderness areas of Arizona's Superstition Mountains. Smart treasure hunters would not go treasure hunting in July. The heat would dehydrate individuals fast, but two of these men had medical problems, too, and their obsession with finding the "Lost Dutchman's Mine" based upon the obsessive dreams and searches by Curtis Merworth is what presumably took the lives of Malcolm Meeks and Ardean Charles.
Merworth was the youngest at age 48. The other two men were older and weaker (48-63), but that didn't stop these inexperienced wilderness walkers with medical maladies from trying to help their friend realize his dream of finding the Lost Dutchman Mine. They sure didn't believe in the Apache Curse that protects these mountains from treasure hunters.
The curse it is said can be historically traced back to the early 1500's, when Jesuit priests from Spain began to build missions in the wilderness areas of what would later become Arizona and New Mexico. Jesuit missions were built in the Michigan wilderness, too, in the late 1500's and much evidence of this was proved with the finds of sterling silver crucifixes worn by priests as found in the 19th century when sewer lines were being built in Grand Rapids, Michigan and in the vicinity of the Norton Mounds in the 1870's.
The Jesuits took it upon themselves to educate and convince Native American tribes that bad things would happen if they revealed the locations of such rich treasures to outsiders, but these same missionary groups were mining gold themselves and sending it back to the Kings of Spain for almost 300 years. The Spanish called the Indians in this area "Apaches de Navajo." Tensions rose in Mexico and Spain with the priests and he ordered them to leave Mexico in the late 1700's that encompassed Arizona and New Mexico until 1836. Records of the mines, ore deposits and treasures were destroyed by the Jesuits before leaving the country, but legends lived on.
Native Americans, the Apache of Arizona, the Navajos of New Mexico had kept the treasures secret and even today Indians in this region are reluctant to talk or provide any information that speaks about the lost treasures in the Superstition Mountains. Apache and Navajo were at home living in the deserts where land was useless to white settlers. To the Apache, the Superstition mountains were sacred mountains, the burial grounds of their ancestors in caves and they protected these mountains from those who sought their golden treasures. Dead children were entombed in the masonry walls or under the floors of Adobe houses and Cliff Dwellers. Indians were taught by Jesuit missionaries to be wary of treasure hunters for nothing good would happen in their lives so the Apaches kept the curse to protect their sacred lands and they kept this promise by singing songs to the sacred mountains.
Down thru the ages legends of the Lost Dutchman's Mine grew to fever pitch and gold crazy treasure seekers who weren't afraid of the Indians kept trying to find the mother lode of all treasures in the Superstition Mountains. Those who were discovered were killed and so it went that the Superstition Mountains would remain a wilderness protected by the Apache Curse. Many a treasure hunter has tried to find the mine and few have escaped the curse. They perished without a trace and that is exactly what has happened the Merworth, Meeks and Charles.
300 volunteers and 40 law enforcement officers searched 96 square miles of the Superstition Mountains for better than one week and never found a trace of the 3 Utah men, except for their vehicle at the base of the mountains at First Water Trailhead on July 11th. Temperatures in the mountains by day were upwards of 125 degrees F. to freezing at night. Such extremes of heat would have made it a necessity to carry lots of water, but the men reportedly didn't and add poor health and why would two imperiled men even attempt to follow Merworth into such a hostile environment?
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio believes they succumbed to the summer heat.
Greed made them gold crazy. Truth is they were searching for gold during the hottest time of the year and being unprepared with the necessities of survival extreme heat claimed their lives. Nobody is safe when gold is discovered not even for partners. Gold hardens the heart and men will do strange and bizarre things to keep it or not share it with others and water can be more valuable than gold, too. Or, could it be a wrong cave swallowed them. Treasure hunters simply disappear in the Superstition Mountains. The Pima Indians call the Superstition Mountains "Ka-Katak-Tami" meaning "The Crooked Top Mountain."
Merworth had already been searching in the Superstition Mountains twice and in May 2009 he got lost and was dying of thirst when he used his cell phone to call for help. He was trying to find the mine alone, but had convinced his friends he knew about where the mine was and he made this year's trip his last valiant attempt to find the Lost Dutchman's Mine before others found it. Three men to carry water. The hypothesis here is that one man can't carry enough water the find and mine the gold without additional water. Were the other men expendable? Nothing of what I've read about their disappearance ever says if Merworth told the two men about his previous brush with death by lack of water.
Paranoia and gold fever fueled his obsession and he didn't want others to find the treasure since many new maps and information had surfacing since 1998. It was now or never. It was reported that some had already found the treasure, but Merworth wasn't convinced. Nobody has actually found this treasure for nearly 140 years and not since its discovery by Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser around 1871 in the days of Cochise and Geronimo. Next time I'll start the story around 1840. Good night.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Indian Treasures: Lost or Found - 107
To my faithful readers:
After nearly 119-147 years men with dollar signs glistening in their eyes still try to find lost Indian treasures in America. For some treasure hunter's its a way of getting out of the house before the wife drives them nuts (retirement) or she throws them out hoping they get some exercise.
Treasure hunting varies by age on a beach somewhere, but the treasure seen is in the eye of the beholder. For the younger crowd it can be exciting and refreshing taking in the spectacular scenery as seen from behind colored lenses. The retirees no longer pay close attention to the bathing beauties, but hope they find something of value. They settle for coinage and lost precious jewelry, but this is rewarding. But, within that same crowd their exists some middle age treasure hunters who turn their hobby into an obsession. Frustrated they dream about treasures of 'striking it richer' and ill prepared they strike off for the treasures they seek with medical problems. Most treasure hunting is a safe hobby, but for those obsessed with finding the mother lode it can be dangerous and life threatening.
I've decided to write about America's "Indian Treasures: Lost or Found" and the historical pitfalls that have befallen those who view historical treasures for personal greed. The more years that pass the greater the legends become until what really happened is so far removed from the truth that its turned into pulp fiction. Passage of time in the lives of everyone changes and what we've experienced and researched in the past is no longer true currently. Mention the word "gold" and eyes twinkle with excitement, but that word can be fraught with untold dangers. Indian legends of treasures lost and yet to be found will originate in Arizona and Michigan. The Apache Curse and Ottawa legends of Indian treasures lost or found.
Are they real or imaginative? Whose treasure is it? The Indians, the government or museums? If the secret caches are found would you truthfully tell anyone or would you keep it secret? Nothing is confidential or safe Those sworn to uphold the laws of land blab. Finder's keeper these days makes you poorer because you end up fighting off pirates, scoundrels and rights of over government ownership. You'll need to hire legal attorneys and tax accountants to swat the IRS flies. Are you really sure you want to find treasures? It's cheaper to just read about them.
As I've previously said, "I'm a historical researcher who loves a good mystery." Two different stories set 2500 miles apart, but two Indian treasure stories where men still dream about striking it rich or finding the mother lode of riches. Don't miss, "Treasure: The Lost Dutchman Mine and Apache Curse," and "The Treasures of Indian Chief John Wabasis." Both Indian legends are shrouded in mystery and suspense.
After nearly 119-147 years men with dollar signs glistening in their eyes still try to find lost Indian treasures in America. For some treasure hunter's its a way of getting out of the house before the wife drives them nuts (retirement) or she throws them out hoping they get some exercise.
Treasure hunting varies by age on a beach somewhere, but the treasure seen is in the eye of the beholder. For the younger crowd it can be exciting and refreshing taking in the spectacular scenery as seen from behind colored lenses. The retirees no longer pay close attention to the bathing beauties, but hope they find something of value. They settle for coinage and lost precious jewelry, but this is rewarding. But, within that same crowd their exists some middle age treasure hunters who turn their hobby into an obsession. Frustrated they dream about treasures of 'striking it richer' and ill prepared they strike off for the treasures they seek with medical problems. Most treasure hunting is a safe hobby, but for those obsessed with finding the mother lode it can be dangerous and life threatening.
I've decided to write about America's "Indian Treasures: Lost or Found" and the historical pitfalls that have befallen those who view historical treasures for personal greed. The more years that pass the greater the legends become until what really happened is so far removed from the truth that its turned into pulp fiction. Passage of time in the lives of everyone changes and what we've experienced and researched in the past is no longer true currently. Mention the word "gold" and eyes twinkle with excitement, but that word can be fraught with untold dangers. Indian legends of treasures lost and yet to be found will originate in Arizona and Michigan. The Apache Curse and Ottawa legends of Indian treasures lost or found.
Are they real or imaginative? Whose treasure is it? The Indians, the government or museums? If the secret caches are found would you truthfully tell anyone or would you keep it secret? Nothing is confidential or safe Those sworn to uphold the laws of land blab. Finder's keeper these days makes you poorer because you end up fighting off pirates, scoundrels and rights of over government ownership. You'll need to hire legal attorneys and tax accountants to swat the IRS flies. Are you really sure you want to find treasures? It's cheaper to just read about them.
As I've previously said, "I'm a historical researcher who loves a good mystery." Two different stories set 2500 miles apart, but two Indian treasure stories where men still dream about striking it rich or finding the mother lode of riches. Don't miss, "Treasure: The Lost Dutchman Mine and Apache Curse," and "The Treasures of Indian Chief John Wabasis." Both Indian legends are shrouded in mystery and suspense.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Search for Secrets of A Sunken Cannon - 106 final
In my search for secrets of a sunken cannon I acted upon a dream sequence I couldn't shake. It was if the spirits of Bob Alcumbrack and Walter Tompsett were inviting me to the Cannonsburg cemetery. I did go because I felt unsettled and haunted and I didn't tell anyone where I was going or what I was investigating. Bob Alcumbrack died in May 2004 while Guy Lewis, Charlie Alcumbrack and I survive today. Not to steal or out do Bob's thunder, but I thought it was important that your hear about what my dream accomplished. The dream may have been fostered by too much Thanksgiving feasting and that made for one fantastic dream or nightmare. Bob and Walter's spirit haunted me into submission and that morning in a November 2007 snowstorm I went to Cannonsburg cemetery. That morning I acted upon what the spirits said needed to be done about the cannon and what we missed.
Going to the cemetery without telling anyone was foolish, but I acted upon what the spirits were calling me to do. It almost cost me my life, but in the process I made a startling discovery. I referred to this earlier, but didn't share particulars. I let the spirits guide my path and walk. Its very unsettling and mind boggling when a dream haunts our psyche.
The first sleet storm of the season had started just as I entered Cannonsburg cemetery. It was 18 degrees F. with a 25 mph wind and the strong buffeting winds laced with biting, stinging sleet pelted my face. I stood praying and asking God for guidance between the gravesite of Walter Tompsett and Bob Alcumbrack. I sensed the presence of spirits and far away voices as pebbles of ice pelted my face and I shivered, but the spirits said "walk." It would have been easy to think I was cold, but wasn't. I was distressed by some feeling I couldn't explain. I walked like a drunken man with no set course and a voice said "turn right, not that way, but this way." I felt spooked and wanted to quit and leave, but the voices kept calling me. Creepy, huh! I was never afraid of ghosts or spirits, but do believe in Angels.
Being a research historical investigator I have always felt at ease and welcome in cemeteries when searching for family members. Frequently I pray before entering, but this time it was unusual to find the spirits so inviting. Ice pellets littered the ground several inches deep burying some surface markers. It was treacherous walking on ice pellets and then it happened. I slipped, then tripped forward on a broken gravestone and fell backwards between two large tombstones. Instinctively my arm grabbed a circular tombstone to break my fall "Oof," I said. It was a bad fall. The ground was rock hard, but at least I didn't hurt myself. Sprawled on my back I saw the large tomstone twist and move as if it was going to fall on me. The spirits said, "You dumbcluck, we finally get you here, but you aren't supposed to kill yourself before you see what we all missed."
If the tall tombstone would have shifted more it'd had fallen on top of me and I'd be dead for searching without telling anyone where I went. I was below the rise of the hill, but eventually with the use of GPS authorities would have found my lifeless frozen body eventually. Had that happened Search for Secrets of a Sunken Cannon wouldn't exist. Nobody would have found me until it was too late. I'd be found sprawled between the two tombstones in a frozen heap crushed to death beneath the heavy tombstone that I believe showed what the Cannonsburg cannon resembles. It is one of two mystery tombstones in the Cannonsburg Cemetery and one of equal size in the old Bostwick Lake or Marshall Cemetery off Ramsdell Ave, just north of M-44 or Belding Road.
These tombstones are the only three tombstones of its kind in three Cannon Township cemeteries in Kent County. Further investigation has revealed that none of these tombstones exist outside of Cannon Township in the north half of Kent County. Cannon Township stands alone with these mysterious stones and as such it makes the township a place of rich historical heritage.
From my ground disposition and looking up the tombstone resembles a cannon. Standing up I noticed the reinforcement rings at the chamber seat and muzzle end and noted it similar to Bob's cannon dimensions. The tombstone was made of hand polished round sandstone, but with marbling, too. It was hollow with a two-inch bore that was plugged with 19th century gravel cement. The smallest tombstone of the same features resembles a 1/2 pound cannon. It puzzled me that the butt end of the largest one that almost fell on me was cut above the reinforcement rings and if purposely cut, since the other one in the Bostwick cemetery wasn't cut. Why?
My mind ran wild with excitement. Maybe it was the real cannon covered with a liquified sandstone or sub-aggregate that dried and was hand polished to resemble the cannon. I should point out that not every tombstone in a cemetery has a grave beneath it. This one didn't. It was the tombstone for Francis Hartwell. He died of malaria several weeks after the Battle of Perrysville, KY on October 8, 1862 during the Civil War. He is actually buried in Perrysville. His wife Matilda designed and had erected this 16th century cannon that resembles the monument in his honor for his valiant bravery in the artillery battle. This tombstone I had my hands upon was placed in the Cannonsburg cemetery minus his earthly remains.
The tombstone resembles an English cannon with Austrian, Venetian or Dutch features, but pieces of such are missing the topper ornament, which was believed to be an eagle, the symbol of pride to Americans national heritage and valiant bravery. Vandals had stolen the toppers, like the brass plaques on grave markers today.
Francis Hartwell served with artillery units in the Army of the Ohio, the battle capping Union losses of 916 killed, 2943 wounded and 489 missing. Confederate losses were 2000 killed, wounded or missing. Matilda was so proud of her husband's achievements in artillery and she wanted Cannon Township resident to remember his sacrifice as he fought, despite dying from disease. She wanted to remember Francis with pride of his sacrifice to the Union.
Francis Hartwell fired the ancient Cannonsburg cannon with his father. This is what got him interested in artillery and why he enlisted as a volunteer in an artillery unit. Heartwell's father was a founding father of Cannon Township and received the cannon from Mr. Cannon in 1848. Matilda watched her husband and her father-in-law fire the cannon at celebrations. Only God knows if this is true, but I had to wonder how Matilda could design and erect such a large tombstone resembling a cannon unless she had seen the Cannonsburg cannon. Where else would she have seen a 16th century cannon unless she remembered the Cannonsburg cannon's physical features?
Most, if not all these monuments were made of sandstone, soft marble or glow in the dark mystery stones. Yes, in dark cemeteries some stones glow, as if inhabited by ghosts or spirits. These frighten nighttime trespassers. Francis Hartwell's tombstone cannon resemblance wasn't discovered until November 2007 while sprawled on my back in the cemetery. The spirits led me here on a dreamy nightmare and prayer.
Monuments like Francis' are considered mystery stones, since they were only manufactured between 1848-1875. None exist in cemeteries after that date and not much else is known about them. I ventured a guess they were put on graves of Civil War veterans who served in artillery units.
Bob with help from Allen Janose, Harold and Matt McCarthy, Chuck and Charlie Alcumbrack, Guy Lewis, Bruce Bjorneth and I, Bob's historical research investigator and writer helped Bob reach the final conclusion of his dream. Bob's cannon legacy and Legend of Bob Alcumbrack and Search for Secrets of A Sunken Cannon now rests in the Cannonsburg Cemetery.
"HOLD IT!" Where the cannon is buried in the cemetery? It's our ultimate secret, too, and respectfully for all the eyewitnesses the day Tompsett was killed by a ramrod. I chose to leave you guessing. It didn't matter to us whether the cannon is buried in an unmarked grave or beneath a tombstone? What matters is that we respect the silence of those who kept guard on its burial place secret for 125 years this past 4th of July 2010. Would it benefit anyone to know where? We are like the guards protecting the Holy Grail or Gold Chalis (the cup that Jesus Christ drank from thinking its owners would live for eternity" in Indiana Jones' adventures.
This ancient cannon deserved to go missing. The accident was preventable had someone replaced the missing lost tools and kept there silence where town elders buried it. The accident left the entire community in shock for years. Would it benefit anyone to know exactly where the cannon is buried. Just know that the new park trail that cuts thru the cemetery today is part of the same trail the cannon was dragged up on to the Cannonsburg cemetery. Pause as you enter. Say a prayer before entering and see if the spirits of Walter and Bob speak to you.
Just because Bob Alcumbrack and crew never visibly saw the cannon doesn't mean it didn't exist. Right now some would like to find and probably tar and feather me for not revealing the exact burial spot sooner. I never said Bob dug up the cannon nor saw it physically with his own eyes. I just gave you hope that he found the cannon. We showed you what we learned. An open mind is all you need to explore history, science, geography, astronomy, archaeology, etc., which encompassed our small corner of this planet.
Bob, the crew and I sowed fertile cannon seeds, sprinkled with water (interest) and you germinated hoping Bob did indeed find his wildest dream cannon. Bob never dreamed he'd get so involved and fascinated with so many important discoveries and secrets he knew nothing about. My research skills helped where he failed. Exploration of the cemetery with dowsing rods was one of his least favorite reward. He felt his presence was disrespectful, but he accepted the fact that just because you dream about something doesn't always mean it comes true. Got a dream! Some dreams come true, some don't but keep on dreaming until you act upon what the spirits tell you. Walter Tompsett and Bob Alcumbrack's spirit lives on into eternity.
Don Kurylowitz, the owner of Cannonsburg Market, deli, cafe', gas station, party store and Honey Creek Inn dedicated the Cannonsburg cannon memorial to Bob Alcumbrack in August 2006. Stop at the Cannonsburg corner some dark night when the street light is out. By some infrared film and see if the spirits of Walter and Bob and fifteen other cannon enthusiasts are clustered around the cannon pointing and hee-hawing at you trying to take their picture. If you see the pointing fingers and laughing you better run. It's time to stop drinkin.'
Finding an apparition on film could make you a millionaire or it'll drive you insane. Hear Bob say, "Guy's I could be wrong! Now you know almost all our secrets!" Those you haven't heard will remain ultimate secrets. The cannon's legend lives on into the future until someone else find the cannon elsewhere with the legends engraved in its barrel.
As Paul Harvey often said at the end of his noon hour Chicago radio show, as once coined by his adorable wife, "And now you know...(almost)...the rest of the story. Good Day!"
Going to the cemetery without telling anyone was foolish, but I acted upon what the spirits were calling me to do. It almost cost me my life, but in the process I made a startling discovery. I referred to this earlier, but didn't share particulars. I let the spirits guide my path and walk. Its very unsettling and mind boggling when a dream haunts our psyche.
The first sleet storm of the season had started just as I entered Cannonsburg cemetery. It was 18 degrees F. with a 25 mph wind and the strong buffeting winds laced with biting, stinging sleet pelted my face. I stood praying and asking God for guidance between the gravesite of Walter Tompsett and Bob Alcumbrack. I sensed the presence of spirits and far away voices as pebbles of ice pelted my face and I shivered, but the spirits said "walk." It would have been easy to think I was cold, but wasn't. I was distressed by some feeling I couldn't explain. I walked like a drunken man with no set course and a voice said "turn right, not that way, but this way." I felt spooked and wanted to quit and leave, but the voices kept calling me. Creepy, huh! I was never afraid of ghosts or spirits, but do believe in Angels.
Being a research historical investigator I have always felt at ease and welcome in cemeteries when searching for family members. Frequently I pray before entering, but this time it was unusual to find the spirits so inviting. Ice pellets littered the ground several inches deep burying some surface markers. It was treacherous walking on ice pellets and then it happened. I slipped, then tripped forward on a broken gravestone and fell backwards between two large tombstones. Instinctively my arm grabbed a circular tombstone to break my fall "Oof," I said. It was a bad fall. The ground was rock hard, but at least I didn't hurt myself. Sprawled on my back I saw the large tomstone twist and move as if it was going to fall on me. The spirits said, "You dumbcluck, we finally get you here, but you aren't supposed to kill yourself before you see what we all missed."
If the tall tombstone would have shifted more it'd had fallen on top of me and I'd be dead for searching without telling anyone where I went. I was below the rise of the hill, but eventually with the use of GPS authorities would have found my lifeless frozen body eventually. Had that happened Search for Secrets of a Sunken Cannon wouldn't exist. Nobody would have found me until it was too late. I'd be found sprawled between the two tombstones in a frozen heap crushed to death beneath the heavy tombstone that I believe showed what the Cannonsburg cannon resembles. It is one of two mystery tombstones in the Cannonsburg Cemetery and one of equal size in the old Bostwick Lake or Marshall Cemetery off Ramsdell Ave, just north of M-44 or Belding Road.
These tombstones are the only three tombstones of its kind in three Cannon Township cemeteries in Kent County. Further investigation has revealed that none of these tombstones exist outside of Cannon Township in the north half of Kent County. Cannon Township stands alone with these mysterious stones and as such it makes the township a place of rich historical heritage.
From my ground disposition and looking up the tombstone resembles a cannon. Standing up I noticed the reinforcement rings at the chamber seat and muzzle end and noted it similar to Bob's cannon dimensions. The tombstone was made of hand polished round sandstone, but with marbling, too. It was hollow with a two-inch bore that was plugged with 19th century gravel cement. The smallest tombstone of the same features resembles a 1/2 pound cannon. It puzzled me that the butt end of the largest one that almost fell on me was cut above the reinforcement rings and if purposely cut, since the other one in the Bostwick cemetery wasn't cut. Why?
My mind ran wild with excitement. Maybe it was the real cannon covered with a liquified sandstone or sub-aggregate that dried and was hand polished to resemble the cannon. I should point out that not every tombstone in a cemetery has a grave beneath it. This one didn't. It was the tombstone for Francis Hartwell. He died of malaria several weeks after the Battle of Perrysville, KY on October 8, 1862 during the Civil War. He is actually buried in Perrysville. His wife Matilda designed and had erected this 16th century cannon that resembles the monument in his honor for his valiant bravery in the artillery battle. This tombstone I had my hands upon was placed in the Cannonsburg cemetery minus his earthly remains.
The tombstone resembles an English cannon with Austrian, Venetian or Dutch features, but pieces of such are missing the topper ornament, which was believed to be an eagle, the symbol of pride to Americans national heritage and valiant bravery. Vandals had stolen the toppers, like the brass plaques on grave markers today.
Francis Hartwell served with artillery units in the Army of the Ohio, the battle capping Union losses of 916 killed, 2943 wounded and 489 missing. Confederate losses were 2000 killed, wounded or missing. Matilda was so proud of her husband's achievements in artillery and she wanted Cannon Township resident to remember his sacrifice as he fought, despite dying from disease. She wanted to remember Francis with pride of his sacrifice to the Union.
Francis Hartwell fired the ancient Cannonsburg cannon with his father. This is what got him interested in artillery and why he enlisted as a volunteer in an artillery unit. Heartwell's father was a founding father of Cannon Township and received the cannon from Mr. Cannon in 1848. Matilda watched her husband and her father-in-law fire the cannon at celebrations. Only God knows if this is true, but I had to wonder how Matilda could design and erect such a large tombstone resembling a cannon unless she had seen the Cannonsburg cannon. Where else would she have seen a 16th century cannon unless she remembered the Cannonsburg cannon's physical features?
Most, if not all these monuments were made of sandstone, soft marble or glow in the dark mystery stones. Yes, in dark cemeteries some stones glow, as if inhabited by ghosts or spirits. These frighten nighttime trespassers. Francis Hartwell's tombstone cannon resemblance wasn't discovered until November 2007 while sprawled on my back in the cemetery. The spirits led me here on a dreamy nightmare and prayer.
Monuments like Francis' are considered mystery stones, since they were only manufactured between 1848-1875. None exist in cemeteries after that date and not much else is known about them. I ventured a guess they were put on graves of Civil War veterans who served in artillery units.
Bob with help from Allen Janose, Harold and Matt McCarthy, Chuck and Charlie Alcumbrack, Guy Lewis, Bruce Bjorneth and I, Bob's historical research investigator and writer helped Bob reach the final conclusion of his dream. Bob's cannon legacy and Legend of Bob Alcumbrack and Search for Secrets of A Sunken Cannon now rests in the Cannonsburg Cemetery.
"HOLD IT!" Where the cannon is buried in the cemetery? It's our ultimate secret, too, and respectfully for all the eyewitnesses the day Tompsett was killed by a ramrod. I chose to leave you guessing. It didn't matter to us whether the cannon is buried in an unmarked grave or beneath a tombstone? What matters is that we respect the silence of those who kept guard on its burial place secret for 125 years this past 4th of July 2010. Would it benefit anyone to know where? We are like the guards protecting the Holy Grail or Gold Chalis (the cup that Jesus Christ drank from thinking its owners would live for eternity" in Indiana Jones' adventures.
This ancient cannon deserved to go missing. The accident was preventable had someone replaced the missing lost tools and kept there silence where town elders buried it. The accident left the entire community in shock for years. Would it benefit anyone to know exactly where the cannon is buried. Just know that the new park trail that cuts thru the cemetery today is part of the same trail the cannon was dragged up on to the Cannonsburg cemetery. Pause as you enter. Say a prayer before entering and see if the spirits of Walter and Bob speak to you.
Just because Bob Alcumbrack and crew never visibly saw the cannon doesn't mean it didn't exist. Right now some would like to find and probably tar and feather me for not revealing the exact burial spot sooner. I never said Bob dug up the cannon nor saw it physically with his own eyes. I just gave you hope that he found the cannon. We showed you what we learned. An open mind is all you need to explore history, science, geography, astronomy, archaeology, etc., which encompassed our small corner of this planet.
Bob, the crew and I sowed fertile cannon seeds, sprinkled with water (interest) and you germinated hoping Bob did indeed find his wildest dream cannon. Bob never dreamed he'd get so involved and fascinated with so many important discoveries and secrets he knew nothing about. My research skills helped where he failed. Exploration of the cemetery with dowsing rods was one of his least favorite reward. He felt his presence was disrespectful, but he accepted the fact that just because you dream about something doesn't always mean it comes true. Got a dream! Some dreams come true, some don't but keep on dreaming until you act upon what the spirits tell you. Walter Tompsett and Bob Alcumbrack's spirit lives on into eternity.
Don Kurylowitz, the owner of Cannonsburg Market, deli, cafe', gas station, party store and Honey Creek Inn dedicated the Cannonsburg cannon memorial to Bob Alcumbrack in August 2006. Stop at the Cannonsburg corner some dark night when the street light is out. By some infrared film and see if the spirits of Walter and Bob and fifteen other cannon enthusiasts are clustered around the cannon pointing and hee-hawing at you trying to take their picture. If you see the pointing fingers and laughing you better run. It's time to stop drinkin.'
Finding an apparition on film could make you a millionaire or it'll drive you insane. Hear Bob say, "Guy's I could be wrong! Now you know almost all our secrets!" Those you haven't heard will remain ultimate secrets. The cannon's legend lives on into the future until someone else find the cannon elsewhere with the legends engraved in its barrel.
As Paul Harvey often said at the end of his noon hour Chicago radio show, as once coined by his adorable wife, "And now you know...(almost)...the rest of the story. Good Day!"
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