March 9, 2009 © Thomas J. Kollenborn. All Rights Reserved.
How do you preserve the
legacy of the old “Dutchman” of Lost Dutchman Mine fame? Maybe by
letting the world know who talks, writes, and hunts for the Lost
Dutchman Mine or the gold of Superstition Mountain!
The Apache Junction’s Chamber of
Commerce’s Lost Dutchman Days parade committee made an esteemed effort
to preserve the history and legend in this manner. They assembled the
largest group of local writers, historians, collectors, and builders of a
legacy. Most of these individual have been involved with the tale of
the Lost Dutchman Mine for more than forty years; some have been
involved with the mountains for more than fifty years. It is for this
reason the LDD Parade Committee picked ten Grand Marshals for the 2009
Lost Dutchman Day’s Parade. Congratulations to them for their foresight
and planning for the future preservation of the history and legend of
Superstition Mountain.
The Lost Dutchman Day’s Committee chose
to put all these individuals on a single float. This challenge was
answered with a 20 foot flat trailer and a row of hay bales in the
center of the bed. Prior to our ride down Apache Trail we posed for a
group photograph. I certainly want to share this photograph with you.
Jayne Feldman took this photograph otherwise I couldn’t have been in it.
At precisely 10 a.m. Chris Hansing of
Arnold’s Motors, did his volunteer duty for the day and pulled these
ancient relics through Apache Junction on the old Apache Trail for 2009
Lost Dutchman Days Parade. Chris is a great outdoorsman and loves to
drive his ATV. We warned him to take it easy or he might loose one these
old Dutchman fossils along the Apache Trail.
I would like to write a little narrative
about these individuals who rode on the Lost Dutchman Day’s Grand
Marshal Float. Most of you know who I am from the many columns I have
written for the Apache Junction News over the past ten years and I have
lived in the area far to long. Some say over fifty years or more. I was
the co-founder of the Superstition Mountain
Museum with Larry Hedrick and served on the board for twenty years.
Museum with Larry Hedrick and served on the board for twenty years.
Next to me is Robert Schoose, the
founder of Goldfield Ghost Town. This is a man who moved to Arizona from
California with a dream and followed through. First, he spent a little
time in the early 1970’s looking for the Dutchman and found the pickings
a bit lean. He and his wife LuAnn decided to build a Ghost Town along
the Apache Trail in 1984. Today Bob and LuAnn’s achievement is a
landmark along the Apache Trail northeast of Apache Junction.
Ron Feldman came over from California
with a dream to discover the Dutchman’s Mine in 1966. He soon realized
he needed income to search for gold so he opened a livery stable known
as the OK Corral. He started this business with a burro named Phoenix.
Today Ron and Jayne have one of the most successful stable operations in
the Southwest.
Next is Robert K. Corbin. He moved to
Arizona after law school in 1957, so he could hunt the Dutchman’s mine.
He was Maricopa County Attorney and then the Attorney General of Arizona
for twelve years, 1980-1992. Corbin has searched for the Lost Dutchman
Mine since 1957.
George Johnston arrived here about 1952
and fell in love with the desert. He became involved with the
Superstition Mountain Historical Society and served as President for
several years. He was a columnist for the Mesa Tribune for several
years.
Next is Larry Hedrick. Larry is the
co-founder of the Superstition Mountain Historical Society in 1979.
Larry and Tom organized a temporary board of directors when the museum
was incorporated in March of 1980. Larry had been dedicated to the
building and preservation of the Superstition Mountain Museum.
Next to Larry Hedrick is Clay Worst.
Clay has hunted for the Lost Dutchman Mine since the late 1940’s. He
served as the first president of the Superstition Mountain Museum when
it was first incorporated. Clay had dedicated much of his life to the
museum and its goals.
Standing beside Clay Worst is Jim Hatt.
Jim has dedicated more than twenty years to the search for gold in the
Superstition Mountains. He has searched for the Dutchman and the Peralta
lost mines. Jim served as director of the museum for a couple of years
when the museum was located at Goldfield.
Next to Jim is Gregory E. Davis. Greg
has collected material on the Lost Dutchman Mine, Superstition Mountain
and the general area since childhood. He undoubtedly has the largest
assembled collection of topic specialized material on the subject. His
collection exceeds that of any museum or library in Arizona or the
Southwest. Greg is presently the archivist for the Superstition Mountain
Museum. If you have any questions about the Lost Dutchman Mine or the
area you should contact Greg through the Superstition Mountain Museum.
Another most interesting aficionado of
the search for Coronado’s gold is Salvador Delagadillo. I first met
Salvador in 1977 when he was working for a prospector in the mountains.
Sal has been searching for the gold of Superstition Mountain for more
than thirty years. Sal may never find the gold, but he has a heart of
gold when it comes to helping others. Everyone knows about Sal’s
willingness to help others.