Searching for Truth and Treasure

Prologue Notes by Billy Hartwell, on a frayed yellow pad made from research given to him by the CIA. I think these are the most important facts for treasure hunting in the Superstition Mountains. 1- According to a popular legend, somewhere in the rugged Superstition Mountains is a lost gold mine that has been hidden for over one-hundred-and-seventy years. It is called the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, and nobody can find it, despite thousands of attempts over almost two centuries. 2- It is an undisputed fact that the Dutchman found substantial quantities of gold and gold-rich ore somewhere in the mountains. On numerous occasions he came to town, tossed large amounts of gold on the bar, hosted everyone, got drunk, shot up the town, threw all his money away, and went back to the mountains. 3- During the Dutchman’s lifetime, his mine location was never discovered despite many efforts to follow him when he returned to the mountains. However, on his deathbed he left bizarre clues that treasure hunters from all over the world have used in their search for the treasure rumored to be in his secret mine. 4- For centuries these mountains were also the sacred grounds of the Apache. The Apache believe the mountains are the home of their Thunder God who protects a great treasure and will kill to keep it safe. 5- In 1848 in a meadow in these mountains, there was an Apache massacre of a rich Mexican mining family and their workers near an active and productive gold mine. Everyone was killed, except for two of the family members who managed to escape. Many old-timers believe that the Apache removed an enormous amount of gold that was being loaded for a trip to Mexico City and then hid the gold in the mine and concealed the entrance. The Apache are rumored to be protecting their treasure to this very day. 6- The Apache fought the Mexicans and then the Americans to keep this land, and it was in a secret cave in the Superstition Mountain that Geronimo was eventually found by the U.S. Cavalry in 1886. When this remarkable Apache leader and fearless warrior finally agreed to surrender, it ended forty years of Indian War. 7- Treasure hunters from all over the world continue the search to find the lost gold mine and wonder if people or Gods are still there willing to kill to protect its location. It is an ongoing mystery to understand how the mine entrance was so well hidden that it has never been found. 8- These mountains are only thirty-five miles east of Phoenix, Arizona and are now in a National Park. Current Park statistics show that over nine thousand people each year obtain permits to enter the dangerous mountains looking for hidden treasure and rich gold mines. 9- Over three hundred people have died trying to find the treasure. The authorities have also found over twenty dead bodies with severed heads near rock walls with a handprint, believed to be a warning. Nobody has ever found a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. 10- Maybe there is more than one gold mine in these mountains, or none. I expect to be in these mountains within the next six months and I will find the gold mine if there is one. Once trained, I will also help the CIA uncover the plans of a group of international terrorists who may be planning a massive confrontation with our country, somewhere in Arizona.