|
 The
stories about Superstition Mountain and the
Dutchman’s Lost Mine will forever live in the minds
of those who were closely associated with George
“Brownie” Holmes. His search for Jacob Waltz’s mine
spanned more than 60 years and came to an end on his
88th birthday, April 11, 1980.
Mr. Holmes’ passing brought to a close another era
of history associated with the Superstition
Wilderness Area. You might say Holmes was a
significant oral reference source for those he
wanted to visit with. His stories involved direct
contact with those who vividly knew the significant
players that played a role in the story of the Lost
Dutchman Mine. These players included Holmes’
father, Richard J. “Dick” Holmes, Guidon Roberts,
Julia Thomas, Hermann Petrasch, Rhinehart Petrasch,
Joe Potertrie and other Arizona territorial
pioneers.
George “Brownie” Holmes was born in Phoenix, Arizona
Territory on April 11, 1892, one year after the
death of Jacob Waltz. Holmes was one of the early
seekers of the infamous Lost Dutchman Mine. He
outlived all of his contemporaries and still
remained an adamant believer to the last day of his
life.
 Holmes
wrote no books, drew no maps, and continually
avoided conversation concerning the controversial
gold mine allegedly possessed by Jacob Waltz of
Arizona Lost Dutchman Mine fame. His belief in the
mine was based on his father’s search and
information left behind when Richard J. Holmes died
on Oct. 31,1930.
Brownie claimed, by his own statement, to be almost
an Arizona pioneer. His grandfather, Richard J.
“Dick” Holmes Sr. arrived in Arizona Territory while
it was still a possession of Mexico. He made his
living rounding up maverick cattle along the Gila
River and shipping them to Yuma. These cattle had
escaped from herds being driven across Arizona by
the southern route to California.
His father, Dick Holmes was born at old Fort
Whipple, near modern day Prescott, in 1865. Dick
Holmes ranched in the Bloody Basin where today
Holmes Creek and Holmes Canyon bear his name.
Brownie’s father was a packer for Al Sieber, an
early Arizona scout who later was killed during the
construction of Roosevelt Dam.
It was on Oct. 25, 1891, that a chance course of
events changed Dick Holmes’ life forever. Holmes was
walking down a Phoenix street when he was summons by
Julia Thomas for assistance. She told Holmes the old
prospector Jacob Waltz was dying and would he please
help her. Thomas asked Holmes to stay with Waltz
until she could find a doctor.
Holmes rushed to the adobe behind Julia’s bakery
shop (sic) to see what he could do. Holmes quickly
realized there was little he could do for the old
man but comfort him in his final minutes of life. It
was during these few minutes many people believe
Holmes found out the exact location of Waltz’s mine
in the Superstition Mountains. Precisely what the
dying Waltz told Homes, if anything, will never be
known. And if anyone ever knew what Waltz told
Holmes on that fateful day it would have to be his
son “Brownie.”
Dick Holmes began his search for Waltz’s mine
shortly after being at Waltz’s deathbed. He believed
the mine was located in the Superstition Mountains
east of Phoenix. When Dick Holmes died in 1930
“Brownie” continued the search. This quest lasted
more than 60 years.
Yes, George “Brownie” Holmes was one of the last
direct links between yesteryear and today as far as
the Lost Dutchman Mine is concerned.
How should George “Brownie” Holmes epitaph read?
I spent many hours talking and recording Mr. Holmes
telling stories about the Superstition Mountains,
Adolph Ruth, and Jacob Waltz. He talked about
searching for the Dutchman’s Lost Mine as he called
it, while working as a cowboy for the Barkleys and
his adventures while driving a stage over the Apache
Trail for Wes Hill.
Brownie always talked affectionately about the
Barkleys and old Wes Hill, owner and operator of the
old Apache Trail Stage Lines. His voice revealed his
love for the mountains, the life of a cowboy, and
probably most of all his love for freedom and
independence.
Historians, Dutch hunters, and others have tried for
many years to discredit him and his family on the
facts associated with the Dutchman’s Lost Mine.
Holmes never claimed he found the Dutchman Lost
Mine, he had only sought its location. Over the
years several manuscripts have been mistakenly
accredited to “Brownie” Holmes. He denied writing
any manuscripts up to the time of his death. Those
who knew him respected him and those who tried to
discredit him knew nothing about this man.
All Dutch hunters must ask themselves this question,
“If I knew the actual clues to the location of Jacob
Waltz’s bonanza ore would I tell any one, even on my
death bed?”
Some years ago a lone rider left First Water
trailhead returning “Brownie” Holmes ashes back to
his beloved Superstition Mountains. This man who
carried “Brownie” home was his beloved friend who
lived near the base of Superstition Mountain.
Those who knew “Brownie” Holmes were indeed
fortunate. He was a special living page of Arizona
history. |
