Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
San Francisco Chronicle newspaper of Jan. 13, 1895
The San Francisco Chronicle article published on January 13, 1895, titled something along the lines of “A Mine in the Superstition Mountains” (or variations like “A Mine in the Superstition Mountains–The Half-told Tale of an Old Miser–Afraid to Return to the Source of His Mysterious Wealth”), played a pivotal role in popularizing and shaping the modern legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine.
Written by freelance writer and prospector Pierpont C. Bicknell (often abbreviated P.C. Bicknell), this piece is widely regarded by historians and researchers of the legend as one of the earliest—if not the earliest—nationally distributed accounts that crystallized many of the core elements associated with the tale today. Jacob Waltz (the German immigrant prospector nicknamed “the Dutchman,” despite not being Dutch) had died in Phoenix in October 1891, and local Arizona newspapers had mentioned his alleged rich mine and search efforts by associates like Julia Thomas and the Petrasch brothers as early as 1892 (e.g., in the Salt River Herald). However, Bicknell’s 1895 Chronicle article elevated the story from regional rumor to broader public fascination.
Key Content and Contributions from the Article
Bicknell’s piece drew heavily from accounts circulating in Arizona, likely including details from Julia Thomas (who cared for Waltz in his final days and attempted to locate the mine). It presented the mine as a real, extraordinarily rich gold deposit hidden in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix (then in Arizona Territory). Notable elements introduced or emphasized include:
- A description of the mine’s location tied to landmarks in the Superstitions, within a roughly 5-mile radius of Weaver’s Needle (a prominent rock formation that became iconic in later tellings).
- References to a hidden tunnel or shaft in a gulch, concealed by bushes, with a two-room rock house or cabin in a cave (sometimes described as “caverna con casa” or rock cabin in a cave) on the opposite slope.
- Clues about accessing the site via a gulch, with the mine featuring rich gold ledges where flakes of nearly pure gold could be picked off.
- The narrative framed around Waltz as an “old miser” who revealed partial details on his deathbed but was too fearful or infirm to return himself.
- Broader claims of the mine’s “fabulous wealth” and consistency of witness/testimony pointing to a specific area.
These details aligned with earlier local reports but were packaged dramatically for a wider audience, making the story more compelling and clue-oriented.
Role in the Legend’s Development
The article’s significance lies in its dissemination and influence:
- It is often credited as the first major national exposure of the “Lost Dutchman” story, helping transform a local Arizona prospector’s tale into a widespread American legend of hidden treasure.
- Bicknell reportedly syndicated or republished elements of his work; the piece was reprinted in outlets like the Kansas City Journal (February 17, 1895), spreading it further across the U.S.
- It introduced or solidified motifs that later writers and treasure hunters built upon, including connections to the Peralta family (Mexican miners allegedly massacred by Waltz or others to claim the site—though some sources note this link may have been embellished by Bicknell or absent in pre-1895 accounts), deathbed revelations, hidden cabins/tunnels, and Weaver’s Needle as a key reference point.
- Historians (such as Tom Kollenborn and others studying Superstition Mountains lore) trace much of the persistent “clue” tradition directly to Bicknell’s descriptions, which influenced later searchers like Adolph Ruth (whose 1931 death in the mountains involved directions derived from this 1895 article).
While earlier mentions existed in Arizona papers (e.g., around Julia Thomas’s 1892 search), Bicknell’s Chronicle publication is seen as the catalyst that launched the legend into enduring popularity. It arrived at a time when tales of lost mines captivated the public during the waning years of the frontier era, fueling decades of expeditions, books (like Barry Storm’s Thunder God’s Gold), films, and ongoing searches—despite no verified discovery of the mine.
In summary, the January 13, 1895, San Francisco Chronicle article did not invent the story but was instrumental in standardizing its details, providing searchable “clues,” and propelling it from obscure regional folklore to one of the most famous lost-mine legends in American history.
One of Arizona’s Lost El Dorados
A Mine in the Superstition Mountains
The Half-told Tale of an Old Miser
Afraid to Return to the Source of His Mysterious Wealth.
Phoenix (A.T.), Jan. 9–That there exists an undiscovered gold mine of fabulous wealth near a point in the Superstition Mountains not more than fifty miles from Phoenix has long been an article of faith among a number of mining men in a position to sift the mass of evidence accumulated during the past twenty years. The facts and individual statements, although emanating from widely diverse sources and furnished by persons who could have had no possible communication with one other, all agree in a remarkable manner as to the description of the mine, and, what is still more convincing, are unanimous in indicating a particular quarter of the mountains in question as the place of its location. In a gulch in the Superstition mountains, the location of which is described by certain landmarks, there is a two-room house in the mouth of a cave on the left side of the slope near the gulch. Just across gulch, about two hundred yards, is a tunnel, covered up and concealed in the bushes. Here is the mine, the richest in the world, according to Dutch Jacob. Some distance above the tunnel on the side of the mountain is a shaft or incline that is not so steep but can climb down. The shaft goes right down in the midst of a rich gold ledge, where it can be picked off in big flakes of almost pure gold
San Francisco Chronicle newspaper of Jan. 13, 1895
Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui)
The Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui) is one of the most widespread and fascinating species of butterfly, often called the “cosmopolitan” butterfly due to its exceptional global distribution.
Scientific Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies)
- Genus: Vanessa
- Species: cardui (Linnaeus, 1758)
It belongs to the tribe Nymphalini within the subfamily Nymphalinae.
Description
The adult Painted Lady is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of approximately 2–3.5 inches (5–9 cm), typically around 5.1–7.3 cm from wing tip to wing tip.
The upperside of the wings is predominantly orange-brown to pinkish-orange, with darker bases. The forewings feature a prominent black apical (tip) area adorned with prominent white spots and a white subapical bar along the leading edge. The hindwings display a submarginal row of five small black spots, sometimes with blue scales. The wing edges are distinctly scalloped.
The underside is more subdued and mottled with patterns of black, brown, gray, and some red-orange, featuring four small submarginal eyespots on the hindwing (a key distinguishing feature from similar species like the American Lady, Vanessa virginiensis, which has two larger eyespots).
Larvae (caterpillars) are grayish-brown with darker ends, a yellow dorsal stripe, and branched spines along the back and sides. Eggs are pale green with vertical ribs.
Behavior
Painted Ladies are highly migratory and fast-flying, capable of speeds up to 25–30 mph (40–50 km/h). They are strong, directional fliers that often use favorable winds.
Males defend territories against other males. In warmer climates, mating can occur year-round, though it ceases during colder periods. Adults are avid nectar feeders, visiting a wide variety of flowers (especially taller perennials), while larvae are polyphagous herbivores feeding on over 100 plant species, with favorites including thistles (Cirsium and Carduus), mallows, and other composites.
Their most remarkable behavior is long-distance migration, which is multi-generational (no single individual completes the full round trip). In North America, they overwinter in warmer southern regions (such as Mexico or the southwestern U.S. deserts) and move northward in spring, often triggered by rainfall and host plant availability, reaching as far as Canada and occasionally Alaska. In Europe and Africa, they undertake even longer journeys, including a documented 9,000-mile (≈14,500 km) round trip from tropical Africa to northern Europe (near the Arctic Circle) and back, spanning up to six generations. Southward return migrations often occur at high altitudes (over 500 meters), making them less visible. Migration appears driven primarily by environmental cues (e.g., weather, resource availability) rather than strict genetics.
Range
Vanessa cardui is the most widely distributed butterfly species in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia (though a related species, the Australian Painted Lady, V. kershawi, occurs there).
Its range spans:
- North America (from subarctic Canada and southeastern Alaska south through the continental U.S. and Mexico)
- Central America
- Europe
- Asia
- Africa
- Various oceanic islands
It inhabits diverse open habitats including fields, meadows, prairies, gardens, deserts, and disturbed areas, up to elevations of around 3,900 meters in some regions. Populations fluctuate dramatically with outbreaks occurring in some years due to favorable conditions for breeding and migration.
This adaptable, highly mobile species exemplifies resilience in the face of varying climates and habitats.
Sagebrush Checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus)
The Sagebrush Checkerspot (Chlosyne acastus) is a medium-sized butterfly belonging to the brush-footed family, well-adapted to arid environments in western North America.
Scientific Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Nymphalidae
- Subfamily: Nymphalinae
- Genus: Chlosyne
- Species: Chlosyne acastus (W.H. Edwards, 1874)
Several subspecies are recognized, such as C. a. neumoegeni in parts of the southwestern range. The species is sometimes referred to as the Acastus Checkerspot in certain sources.
Description
The Sagebrush Checkerspot has a wingspan of approximately 1.5–2 inches (3.9–5.1 cm), with forewing lengths around 1.8–2.4 cm in some populations.
The upperside features a distinctive checkered pattern of black, orange-brown, and orange (paler in males, often brighter in females). The wings show black lines, smudges, and checks separating bands of pale to yellow-orange; the hindwing base may appear darker (sometimes largely black with limited orange in males). Postmedian bands can show red-orange tones in some individuals.
The underside is more contrasting, with the hindwing displaying bands of chalk-white (or pearly white spots) and brick red, outlined by black veins and edges. This ventral pattern, with more extensive white compared to similar species, aids identification.
It resembles other checkerspots (e.g., Northern Checkerspot or Rockslide Checkerspot) but is distinguished by habitat preference, lighter ventral banding, and specific wing markings.
(Images: Examples of Sagebrush Checkerspot upperside and underside views from various western U.S. locations.)
Behavior
Adults feed primarily on flower nectar from various plants in their arid habitats. Males perch in strategic locations (such as gulches or along washes) and sometimes actively patrol these areas to locate and court females. Flight is typically rapid and direct when disturbed, typical of many checkerspot species.
The flight period varies by region but generally occurs in spring to early summer (e.g., late April to late June in parts of the range like Oregon). Larvae feed on host plants in the Asteraceae family, including species such as green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), gray rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis), Mojave aster, and various asters in the genus Dieteria. The species is univoltine (one generation per year) in most areas, with adults timed to coincide with host plant and nectar availability.
Range and Habitat
The Sagebrush Checkerspot occurs across the western United States, from eastern North Dakota westward to eastern Washington, and southward to New Mexico, southern Arizona, and eastern California. It is found in states including Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and parts of the Great Basin and Southwest. Populations extend into shrub-steppe regions of southern British Columbia in some accounts, though primarily a U.S. species.
It inhabits dry, arid lowlands, typically below 5,000 feet in many areas (e.g., below 3,000 feet in parts of the Columbia and Snake River basins). Preferred habitats include sagebrush scrub, pinyon-juniper woodlands, dry gulches, washes, canyons, brushy flats, sage deserts, and hilly short-grass prairies. It thrives in shrub-steppe and semi-arid environments dominated by sagebrush and associated plants.
Overall conservation status is secure (G5 globally in many assessments), though local populations may face threats from habitat alteration in arid regions. It is not generally considered rare or imperiled across its broad range.
Paradise Arizona
Paradise, Arizona, is a small ghost town located in the Chiricahua Mountains of Cochise County, southeastern Arizona, within what is now the Coronado National Forest. It represents a classic example of a short-lived mining boomtown from the early 20th century in the American Southwest.
Founding
The town of Paradise was settled in 1901 during the Arizona Territory era (prior to Arizona’s statehood in 1912). It originated as a mining camp following the discovery of a rich vein of copper ore in the Chiricahua Mountains. The Chiricahua Development Company established operations there around 1903, which spurred the town’s growth. Some accounts credit “Grandpa” George A. Walker (or a similar figure) with naming the town, possibly inspired by the area’s abundant shade from trees along East Turkey Creek and its water sources, making it a “paradise” in the rugged landscape. The town was located near the earlier ghost town of Galeyville (an 1880s silver mining and outlaw hub associated with figures like Curly Bill Brocius), about three miles north.
Paradise briefly boomed as a frontier settlement, attracting miners and supporting businesses. At its peak around 1907, it featured a lively, rowdy atmosphere typical of mining camps.
Buildings and Structures
Little physical evidence remains today, as many structures were dismantled for lumber when the town declined, and residents often lived in tents or temporary buildings. Historical accounts mention:
- General stores — Including a large one built by Henry S. Chamberlain and Tom Hawkins, stocked with groceries, hay, grain, and mining supplies.
- Hotel
- Jail
- Saloons — Reports claim up to 13 saloons at one time, reflecting the rough mining culture.
- Other businesses — Such as mining-related facilities tied to the Chiricahua Development Company operations.
A few historic structures persist in a limited way. The George Walker House (built around 1902) is a notable surviving building, now used as a bed-and-breakfast or rental in the area, offering views of local wildlife and history. The town also has a small cemetery nearby.
Famous Citizens
Paradise was a small mining community without widely documented “famous” residents on a national scale. Key figures include:
- George A. Walker (often called “Grandpa” Walker) — Credited with naming the town and an early prominent resident; his historic house remains a landmark.
- Local miners, store owners, and operators associated with the Chiricahua Development Company.
No major outlaws or celebrities are directly tied to Paradise itself (unlike nearby Galeyville), though the region’s Wild West history includes connections to figures from the broader Cochise County area.
Post Office
The Paradise Post Office opened on October 23, 1901, shortly after settlement, reflecting the town’s early establishment and need for official services. It served the mining community during its boom years.
The post office closed on September 30, 1943, marking the effective end of the town as a functioning settlement. By then, the population had dwindled significantly due to the mine closures decades earlier.
Newspapers
No dedicated newspaper is recorded for Paradise itself in historical sources. Small mining camps like this often relied on regional publications from nearby towns (such as those in Cochise County or Tombstone-area papers) for news. The town’s short boom and remote location likely prevented the establishment of a local press.
Decline and Legacy
The town’s prosperity ended abruptly with the Panic of 1907, when copper prices plummeted from 25 cents to 9 cents per pound. The Chiricahua Development Company shut down operations and left, causing businesses to close and miners to depart. The town never recovered, becoming essentially abandoned by the 1940s, though a handful of residents remained in later years.
Today, Paradise is a quiet ghost town with scattered ruins and a few modern residents or visitors drawn to the area’s natural beauty, birdwatching (in nearby Cave Creek Canyon), and hiking in the Chiricahua Mountains. It stands as a reminder of Arizona’s mining history and the fleeting nature of boomtowns in the early 20th century.
(Note: This report focuses on the historic ghost town of Paradise in Cochise County, distinct from the modern affluent town of Paradise Valley near Phoenix in Maricopa County, which has a separate history tied to post-WWII residential development.)
White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata)
The white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), also commonly known as the hummingbird moth or hawk moth due to its rapid, hovering flight and nectar-feeding behavior, is a member of the family Sphingidae. It is one of the most widespread and abundant sphinx moths in the Americas.
Description of the Adult
Adult white-lined sphinx moths are large and robust, with a wingspan of 2.5–3.5 inches (6–9 cm). The forewings are predominantly dark olive-brown to gray-brown, featuring a prominent broad pale tan or white band running diagonally from the base to the tip, along with narrower white streaks along the veins (the source of the “white-lined” name). The hindwings are darker, often blackish with a bright pink or rose central band and black spots. The thorax is “furry” and robust, the abdomen conical and extending beyond the wings at rest, and the proboscis is long for reaching deep into flowers. They are strong fliers, often mistaken for hummingbirds, and are primarily crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) but can be diurnal in some conditions.
Life Cycle Stages
Like all Lepidoptera, H. lineata undergoes complete metamorphosis with four distinct stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult.
- Egg: Females lay small, spherical, pale green to yellowish eggs singly or in small groups on the leaves or stems of host plants. Each female can produce hundreds of eggs. Incubation typically lasts about 1 week, depending on temperature.
- Larva (Caterpillar): The caterpillars are highly variable in color and pattern (polymorphic), ranging from bright yellow-green to dark green, black, or yellowish forms, often with complex markings including black, yellow, orange, or red spots, lines, or stripes along the body. All forms feature a prominent flexible horn (caudal horn) at the rear end, typical of sphingid larvae. They grow up to 3–3.5 inches (7–9 cm) long through five instars, feeding voraciously on foliage. This stage lasts about 3–4 weeks. In high-density years, caterpillars can form mass migrations across landscapes after defoliating host plants.
- Pupa: Mature larvae burrow 1–4 inches into the soil to form a shallow chamber and pupate. The pupa is shiny dark brown to reddish-brown, spindle-shaped, about 1.5–2 inches long, with a prominent cremaster (hook-like structure) at the rear for anchoring. The pupal stage lasts 2–3 weeks in summer or longer if overwintering (in cooler regions, pupae may diapause through winter). Emergence is triggered by temperature and moisture cues.
- Adult: Adults emerge from the pupa, live 1–2 weeks, and focus on reproduction and nectaring. They are important pollinators of tubular flowers.
The species typically completes 2 generations per year in most of its range, with multiple generations in warmer southern areas and potentially one in cooler northern zones. In some regions, it is migratory, with populations moving northward in spring and sometimes failing to overwinter in colder areas.
Host Plants and Ecology
Larvae are extremely polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of plants across families such as Onagraceae (e.g., evening primrose Oenothera spp.), Portulacaceae (purslane), Vitaceae (grape), Rosaceae (apple, rose), and many others including willowherb, four o’clock, elm, tomato, fuchsia, and more. Adults nectar from long-tubed flowers like honeysuckle, columbine, larkspur, salvia, and evening primrose.
Geographic Range and Habitat
Hyles lineata has one of the broadest distributions among North American sphinx moths, ranging from Central America (including parts of South America in some records) through Mexico, the entire contiguous United States, and into southern Canada. It is occasionally reported in the West Indies, and vagrants have appeared in Eurasia and Africa. It prefers open habitats such as deserts, fields, gardens, prairies, woodlands edges, suburbs, and disturbed areas, thriving in diverse climates from arid to temperate. In areas like Nevada (including Las Vegas vicinity), it is common, especially during irruption years when populations boom due to abundant wildflowers or host plants.
This species plays a key ecological role as a pollinator and herbivore, with occasional outbreaks benefiting certain cultural groups historically (e.g., as a food source). It is not considered a major pest in most contexts, though larvae can defoliate garden plants during population spikes.