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Thursday, September 15, 2016

In The Shadow of Weaver's Needle



High above the sixth most populated city in the US is a mountainous region where the silence is such that the sound of a soaring hawk is no less surprising than that of a gurgling stream; several miles below, in a breathtaking vista of majesty both real and unrealized. The Apaches call this place the Devil’s Playground; for the unexplained events and experiences seem to defy all logic ever defined by man. 

From unearthly lights, to dimensional shifts in space and time, the impenetrable aura of mystery swirls around visitors in a feather-soft breeze and dares them to believe in the legends of the Superstition Mountains. 

One such legend is that of the Lost Dutchmen, a prospector named Jacob Waltz who reportedly had and successfully hid a fortune in gold somewhere in the shadow of Weaver’s Needle. Whether or not he mined the treasure in the shadow of Weaver’s Needle or obtained it elsewhere, as I mentioned here, remains a subject of much deliberation.  And while some believe it is protected by the (Apache) curse of the Black Legion; deep within one of the harshest environments imaginable, an untold number of fortune hunters have nonetheless dared to brave the elements; many of whom died trying, but the treasure has never been found.  

In response to the ever-expanding Southwest territory, camels were sent to Arizona in 1857 for the purpose of assisting the poor old ragged mules charged with carrying US mail and military supplies across the desert plains. By the time the railroad stretched across the mesas the camels had either died of exhaustion of been released to survive as they might, which is about the time the Red Ghost stories began to circulate. 

The first of several unsettling tales was of a woman found trampled outside her camp with only tufts of reddish fur and hoof prints as clues. Another was of a timid soldier being hog-tied and strapped to a great red camel’s back in order to cure his fear of the animal. But the perturbed beast of burden took off in a huff and wasn’t seen again until stories surfaced of the eerie image of a ghostly red camel with a headless rider bouncing on its back.  An unassuming prospector named Jake (depending on which legend you choose to believe, this could be the same Jacob) was followed by a lawless lout named Paul Adams who sought to discover where Jake hid a cache of gold – or better yet – the location of the vein. When Adams was sure Jake had led him to the right spot, he quickly murdered Jake and planned on reaping the spoils - until Jake’s camel attacked him. Naturally, Adams killed the camel too. But days later as sand blasted his eyes and face on a moonless summer night, the ghost of Jake returned on the back of his beloved dead camel, causing a terrified Adams to hightail it to the nearest sheriff’s post where he turned himself in and promptly confessed.

Have you ever panned for gold? Which has more allure, hidden treasure or legendary mystique?

17 comments:

  1. Hi, Diedre!

    You've got me spooked, dear friend! I would freak out if I spotted the large, red, ghostly apparition of a camel carrying a human skeleton on its back. It pains me to think of all the mules and camels that suffered and died carrying mail and supplies across the hot, dry Arizona badlands.

    I have never panned for gold. Hunting for hidden treasure and finding the Dutchman's gold has its allure, but legendary mystique excites me more. I love mysteries and enjoy reading various theories that might explain them. The hot again cold case of JonBenet Ramsey, for example, is a baffling mystery, one that I wish would be solved in my lifetime.

    Thank you very much for another fascinating set of tales, dear friend Diedre, and enjoy the rest of your week!

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    1. Hi Shady!

      Ha! As would I, my friend. A camel would be such an unexpected specter. This story does explain the strange Arizona ordinance which outlaws camel-hunting;-)

      I've enjoyed several attempts at panning for gold, though none have been remotely successful. I'm better at digging up old bottles ;-)

      Did you happen to catch the interview with JonBenet's brother? Leapin lizards! He could have played the caretaker at the Overlook hotel. I do hope they solve the mystery, though I feel that many have known the truth for a very long time.

      Thanks for visiting, dear Shady! Your comments are always a pleasure to read.

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    2. I didn't see those Dr. Phil segments with Burke, but I recorded (or will record) the Dateline program and two of the documentaries about the case.

      The Amanda Knox case is another unsolved mystery that is back in the headlines this month. A brand new Netflix docudrama is coming up September 30.

      Thanks, dear friend!

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  2. Hi Dierdre - what an interesting tale that lives on - fascinating ... and the other Red Ghost stories. I've never panned for gold - though nuggets are still found by lucky diggers.

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary!
      There are a great many stories involving the Superstition mountains, but the Lost Dutchman (who was actually German) is the most popular. I almost didn't mention it, but then I couldn't resist when the dates (Jacob/Jake) matched up so well with the Red Ghost stories ;-)

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  3. Kind of creepy! I've never panned for gold. I do have a piece of fool's gold though. ;)

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    1. Hi Kelly!
      The best I've ever come up with is an Apache tear, which is basically black volcanic glass;-) But even the tears have legends associated with them.

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  4. I've never panned for gold, but I've always wanted to go to the Superstition Mountains. Not so much for the lure of gold and just to be there to experience the place and ponder the past and present and future.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Hi Arlee!
      Same here; in fact I came away with the feeling that I'd experienced something much richer than gold.

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  5. Legends have more allure for me. I love stories like this one! I know a pan full of gold can be turned into money, but I'll take stories over sorting through dirt in search of it.

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    1. Hi Stephanie!
      It's the legends for me, as well. Gone the worth of dollars spent, forever lasts a legend lent :-)

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  6. Wowee, tales of greed don't surprise me. Headless riders, meh. I imagine Jacob Waltz gold is there. It is just buried in sediment and probably not as large as people think.
    It is hard work panning gold. I know the story of a woman who spent the day panning Gold around her house in the North Georgia mountains and was able to squeeze out a very modest living for herself and children. It is very hard work.

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    1. Hi Ann!
      What an industrious woman! I doubt I could do the same, as panning reminded me of fishing; where no amount of patience guarantees success. But I do believe there is a certain spiritual benefit to both activities.

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  7. I have never panned for gold (yet!) and if I had to vote, it would definitely be for a hidden treasure!

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    1. Hi Quanie!
      Ah, but in this case you'd have to brave the curse of the Apache Black Legion and maybe a ghostly red camel or two just to get to the treasure. How about it? ;-)

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  8. Now I know that if I ever see a red camel to run. lol Being trampled to death sounds like an awful way to go.

    Hidden treasure gets my vote.

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    1. Hi Chrys!
      Yes, my friend, I'd run like the devil too, if I thought it was behind me;-)
      You'd choose the treasure even if it was cursed? Me too!

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Any thoughts? Join the conversation, comments welcome here!