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Peralta massacre

1848 in MexicoBattles involving the ApacheConflicts in 1848Massacre stubsMassacres by Native Americans
Mexican history stubsSuperstition Mountains

The Peralta massacre was the alleged killing of a Mexican family by Apaches in about 1848. It is generally featured as an element of the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. There are many variations of the story, but they generally include these details: During the 1840s, the Peralta family of northern Mexico supposedly developed rich gold mine(s) in the Superstition Mountains. In 1848, during a routine expedition to carry gold back to Mexico, the large party was ambushed by Apaches, and all were killed except for a few Peralta family members who escaped. According to the legend, the Apaches buried the gold and covered the mine. However, according to historian Robert Blair, the Peralta massacre never occurred.The author T.E. Glover in his book, The Lost Dutchman Mine of Jacob Waltz, wrote of a U.S. Cavalry trooper named William Edwards who was present for the discovery of the deceaseds' remains. The Cavalry leaders assumed that these were bodies from an Indian battle between fighting tribes. But trooper Edwards noticed that at least one of the skulls had a gold filing, common to Mexican (Spanish) aristocracy. He returned at a later date, and found even more human remains farther up the canyon. It is reported that he, and then later his son, spent much of their lives searching for the lost mine. The Peralta massacre is depicted in a flashback in the 1949 film Lust for Gold, starring Glenn Ford and Ida Lupino.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Peralta massacre (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors).

Peralta massacre
Treasure Loop #56,

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N 33.456 ° E -111.476 °
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Treasure Loop #56

Treasure Loop #56

Arizona, United States
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Weavers Needle
Weavers Needle

Weavers Needle is a 1,000-foot-high (300 m) column of rock that forms a distinctive peak visible for many miles around. Located in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, Arizona, Weavers Needle was created when a thick layer of tuff (fused volcanic ash)—a volcanic plug—was heavily eroded, creating the spire as an erosional remnant with a summit elevation of 4,555 feet (1,388 m). It is set in a desert landscape of cactus and mesquite bush, with large Saguaro cacti particularly prominent. The peak was named after mountain man Pauline Weaver. Weavers Needle has played a significant role in the stories of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. The Needle's shadow reportedly indicates the location of a rich vein of gold, and many treasure hunters have searched for it. The hunt for gold around Weavers Needle has been pursued by hundreds (possibly thousands) of people. Weavers Needle has a large split in the side that makes it look like it has two tops, not one. This can only be viewed from the side. Weavers Needle can be climbed as a four-pitch route. Each of the pitches is rated a 5.0 or less, with the second pitch being more of a class 4 scramble. The route is trad (traditional climbing), and opportunities for protection with traditional gear are ample. No permit is required to hike to Weavers Needle, or to climb, or to camp at the top. Highly experienced climbers will often free-solo, and rappel from the fixed anchors at the top. Despite the relatively low rating of the climb, this is not recommended for beginner or intermediate climbers.The area surrounding Weavers Needle was burned in the Sawtooth Fire in June 2020.