|
 Prospectors
have played a major role in the history of the
Superstition Wilderness Area. Most of these old
timers remained obscure and for the most part died
without the benefit of the world ever knowing of
their meager existence. Most were honest,
hardworking men who followed their dreams among the
jagged peaks and deep canyons of this rugged
wilderness.
Names like Jones, Piper, Morrow, Clapp, Bradford,
and Aylor are household names among “Dutch Hunters
and Lost Dutchman mine aficionados. However, men
like Adam Stewart are seldom discussed around
campfires today. These lesser known men were also
part of this mountain legend in their own way.
Stewart’s name stands out as an unknown among those
who have been chronicled in various periodicals over
the years.
Adam Stewart was born in Scotland around 1857. He
arrived in America during the 1880’s and spent much
of his life in the mountains of Arizona Territory
and California. He often worked as a carpenter when
work was available.
Stewart met a man named Dr. Rolf Alexander while in
California. Alexander introduced Stewart to the
treasure tales of the Superstition Mountains in
Arizona. Upon hearing all these stories of lost gold
bonanzas in Arizona Stewart and Alexander became
prospecting partners. They departed for Arizona in
1919.
Their arrival in Arizona was marked by a recent
discovery of gold near the old boom town of
Goldfield. It was near this town Spanish gold was
supposedly discovered by two prospectors named Carl
Silverlocke and Malm about 1916. Stewart believed
more gold could be found. Alexander and Stewart
immediately set about to determine the site in which
they would concentrate their search. Both men had
heard about the small Mexican mining tunnels found
near the old Bark’s Ranch in Bark’s Draw.
 By
the close of 1919, Alexander and Stewart had a well
established base camp located near Willow Canyon
(Peralta Canyon) on the southeast end of
Superstition Mountain. From this base camp they
began their search for gold. It wasn’t long before
their finances were exhausted and they had to find a
grubstake. Adam Stewart had such faith in his mining
property he suggested they look up an old boyhood
was now quite wealthy and lived in Chicago at the
time.
With this information Alexander contacted John T.
Cunningham and explained to him their position.
Cunningham was soon convinced the property had merit
and was willing to grubstake the two of them. The
project started out with a few dollars. Then it was
an ever increasing amount of money to keep the
operation going. The purchasing of mining equipment
and promotion of the property was an expensive
venture even in the late 1920’s.
Adam Stewart was the miner and Rolf Alexander was
the promoter. Contrary to most arrangements Adam was
pleased with living and working at the mining claim.
Together Alexander and Stewart studied the various
maps available to them to help them plan the project
they were working on.
Days became weeks, months became years as Stewart
continued his digging and prospecting in the nearby
mountains. No Adam Stewart he continued his
prospecting venture never failing to put in a good
day’s work.
In the spring of 1934 John T. Cunningham decided to
visit the mining property in Arizona he had invested
in for so many years. Probably his investigation of
the property was disappointing, but he once again
met with Stewart, his boyhood friend with whom he
shared a hometown in Scotland.
After Cunningham’s brief visit he returned to
Chicago, but soon returned again upon hearing the
news that Adam Stewart died on November 30, 1934.
Cunningham provided a decent burial for his old
friend.
At this time, the secret of Stewart’s long-time
benefactor was revealed. The story was of two young
men, Stewart and Cunningham, who were both in love
with the same young Scottish lass. Rather than break
either man’s heart she choose another man. Both men
left Scotland and destiny played its role. Stewart
became a prospector of little means and John T.
Cunningham became a multimillionaire financier.
“Adam Stewart never returned to Scotland,” said
Cunningham at Stewart’s funeral in the
Superstitions, “But I will someday return to
Scotland and see Anne and tell her of Adam’s life in
America. He was truly a happy man and at peace with
the world when he died.”
Cunningham eulogized Stewart as an honest,
hard-working, and truly distinguished gentleman.
Those who knew Adam Stewart will remember him as a
man who held his head high despite the many
short-comings of others around him. His honesty and
integrity will be recorded forever by those who knew
and respected him. Stewart always believed the
Spanish bonanza was just a couple more feet down or
just over the next hill; even on his death bed he
still believed in his dream.
According to the Mesa Journal Tribune, December 7,
1934, p. 1, col. 3 and 4, Adam Stewart had died just
shortly after he discovered a rich Spanish bonanza
mine. Death had cheated a deserving man of his
life-long dream. Adam Stewart was definitely a part
of the Superstition Mountain legacy. |
