Hunting Old Snowbeard's Gold: Searches for and Seekers of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine - Softcover

Mell, Eleanor

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1469950200 ISBN 13: 9781469950204

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012

Synopsis

"Hunting Old Snowbeard's Gold" by Eleanor Mell is a historicnon-fiction work that explores the tale of a late-19th century Arizona man,Jacob Waltz, also known as Old Snowbeard and The Dutchman, who paid supplieswith some of the richest gold in the history of the West.
 
"People from all walks of life have tried to find the richgold ore hidden somewhere in the Superstition Wilderness of Arizona," saysMell. "Some even say that Jacob Waltz and his gold are a myth, that they neverexisted. Records show that Old Snowbeard lived and witnesses say he struck itrich."
 
Legend has it that Old Snowbeard had a trove of that samegold in the Superstition Mountains, and treasure-hunters and history buffsalike have spent more than 100 years looking for "The Lost Dutchman's GoldMine." Mell's book takes readers from the birth of the myth through decades offamous search efforts, culminating in Arizona's 2012 Centennial Celebration.
 
Mell's book serves as both a unique look into a legend ofthe Wild West and is an exciting history book intended for readers of all ages.She offers a glimpse at the folktale from a different perspective by following searchefforts through the decades giving chronological context for each quest.

About this title

From the Author

My favorite chapter is "Feuding on the Needle," it is whatled me to write the book. I heard of the Lost Dutchman gold, but discoveringthat people were killing each other over mining claims on Weaver's Needle inthe 1960s led me to dive into the history of the legend and Dutchman Hunters. Myresearch took me all over Arizona, from Tucson to Prescott with Goldfield andApache Junction in between. I found out that there are two versions of JacobWaltz, a murderous thief or a generous gentle man. Then there are the DutchmanHunters, a wonderful group of characters from all walks of life, each withtheir own version of where Old Snowbeard hid his gold or how he acquired it. AddingNative American lore and lost Spanish gold, I felt the adventurous spirit ofthe Wild West. That spirit still lives in the Superstitions thanks to thepeople who preserve the past. The best part is through today's technology anyonecan share in the adventure, online or in person.

From the Back Cover

Claimjumpers, lost gold mine, angry Apaches, shootouts, legends and lore -- all thisand more are in Hunting Old Snowbeard's Gold. Explore Arizona's most famousmystery, the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. Learn about obsessed Dutchman Hunters,many who died seeking the gold. Visit the challenging Superstition Wildernessdiscovering a part of the Wild West that still lives today.

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1469950200
• ISBN 13: 9781469950204
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 94