May 9, 2011 © Thomas J. Kollenborn. All Rights Reserved.
Some
thirty-five years ago a man tragically lost his life at Charlebois
Spring. This story begins in St. Johns, Ohio some fifty years ago.
Harold Lewis Polling had just
completed reading “The Lost Dutchman Mine,” by Sims Ely. Harold was
convinced he could figure out where the Lost Dutchman Mine was located
if he made a few trips to
Arizona and looked over the area. His wife wasn’t sure it was a good
idea, but always supported him. Polling made his first trip to Arizona
in early spring of 1973. Dallas Adair, who owned Greenhorn Stables at
the time, packed Harold into the mountains. Dallas had recommended
Charlesbois Spring because of the abundant shade and plenty of water.
Charlebois Spring had served as a popular campsite for Dutch hunters
over the years. The William A. Barkley had his cowboys move the old
cabin at Charlebois to Bluff Springs around 1948. This opened the area
for camping.
Harold Polling was very
pleased with the camping area at Charlebois. He was still in good shape
at 52 and really enjoyed the rigors of camping in the mountains and
hiking around the area checking out all the clues he had assembled from
his research. Harold never left camp without his 44. Magnum pistol
strapped to his waist. He was a peaceful man, but didn’t want to appear
like a dude wandering around the mountains.
Each year Polling returned to
Arizona and the Superstition Mountains to continue his search. He had
narrowed down his area and finally staked a claim. He worked his claim
believing he had found the gold of Superstition Mountain.
It was the fall of 1976
Harold decided to make another trip to his mining claim in the
Superstition Mountains from his home in Ohio. His plan was to check out
some new clues he had found. He and a friend, Ronald Cook, were packed
into the mountains and set up their camp once again at Charlebois on
September 3, 1976.
Polling and Cook spent the
weekend resting and decided to work hard the following week. On Monday
they started working at the claim trying to dig through some caliche.
They had little success, but worked hard at it. On Thursday, September
9, 1976 they were digging in the same area when they decided to return
to camp for lunch.
As Harold walked into camp he
unstrapped his .44 Magnum revolver and hung it on his shoulder. When he
leaned over his bed the revolver fell, hit the ground and discharged.
The bullet hit Harold in the left side. Cook could see immediately the
injury was extremely serious. Harold was still conscious while he
instructed Cook to go for help.
It was a three and half hour
walk out to First Water. Ronald did all he could do for Harold then
grabbed a canteen and headed out to First Water. The nine-mile journey
that lay ahead was a challenging walk under the best of circumstances.
Four hours later Ronald was able to contact the Pinal County Sheriff’s
Office. The Sheriff’s Office immediately called for a helicopter to
evacuate Polling. Harold’s wound was too severe for him to survive. He
was immediately transported to a hospital were he was pronounced dead.
Ronald Cook told
investigators that Polling had a holstered 44 Cal. Revolver on a belt
slung over his shoulder. When he learned over the revolver fell from the
holster, discharged and the bullet hit Harold in the left side.
Maricopa County Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas B. Jarvis reported
the bullet penetrated Polling’s lungs and spleen. Internal bleeding was
the cause of Polling’s death.
Harold Polling was a regular
visitor to Arizona and the Superstition Mountains. He carried an Arizona
driver’s licenses. Polling’s son said his father loved his prospecting
trips to Arizona. This was certainly a tragedy for the Polling family in
St. Johns, Ohio.
Those
who carry firearms should have good training. Without training,
accidents often occur. This tragedy could have been avoided with a
little more caution carrying a firearm.