George “Brownie” Holmes (April 11, 1892 – April 11, 1980) was a notable figure in Arizona history, best known for his lifelong pursuit of the Lost Dutchman Mine, a legendary gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. Born in Phoenix, Arizona Territory, Holmes was deeply connected to the region’s pioneer heritage and spent over six decades searching for the elusive mine, following in the footsteps of his father, Richard J. “Dick” Holmes. This report explores Holmes’ life, his contributions to the lore of the Lost Dutchman Mine, and his lasting legacy.
Early Life and Background
George Brown Holmes was born on April 11, 1892, in Phoenix, Arizona Territory, just months after the death of Jacob Waltz, the prospector associated with the Lost Dutchman Mine. His nickname “Brownie” derived from his grandmother’s maiden name, Brown, as his father wanted him to carry both family names—Holmes and Brown. Holmes came from a pioneering Arizona family. His grandfather, Richard J. Holmes Sr., arrived in Arizona in 1847, when it was still part of Mexico, and worked as a geologist and mineralogist, discovering gold at La Paz in 1853. His father, Dick Holmes, was a rancher and civilian packer for the U.S. Army, born in 1865 at Old Fort Whipple.
Holmes grew up immersed in Arizona’s rugged frontier culture. His father’s involvement in the search for the Lost Dutchman Mine, sparked by Waltz’s deathbed confession in 1891, profoundly influenced Brownie’s life. Dick Holmes claimed to have received a box of gold ore and directions to the mine from Waltz, setting the stage for Brownie’s lifelong quest.
Career and Lifestyle
Holmes led a varied career rooted in Arizona’s outdoor and ranch. He worked as a ranch hand for much of his life, notably for the Barkley family, and spent a decade with the Arizona Fish and Game Department as a packer and trapper. He also drove a stagecoach along the Apache Trail for Wes Hill, a role that connected him to the Superstition Mountains and its lore. A World War I veteran, Holmes served in what was then called the Great War, adding to his rugged persona.
Despite his adventurous life, Holmes was reserved about the Lost Dutchman Mine, avoiding interviews and public disputes. He relished anonymity, believing it allowed him to search for the mine without interference from other treasure hunters. His work as a cowboy and his time in the Superstition Mountains gave him intimate knowledge of the terrain, which he leveraged in his searches.
The Lost Dutchman Mine and Holmes’ Role
Holmes’ pursuit of the Lost Dutchman Mine began with his father’s legacy. Dick Holmes, present at Waltz’s deathbed in 1891, allegedly received gold ore and cryptic directions to the mine. After Dick’s death in 1930, Brownie continued the search, spending over 60 years exploring the Superstition Mountains. His belief in the mine’s existence was unwavering, rooted in his father’s accounts and physical evidence like gold ore samples.
Holmes was a significant oral historian of the Lost Dutchman legend, sharing stories with select individuals about key figures like Jacob Waltz, Julia Thomas, and the Petrasch brothers. However, he was cautious, often providing contradictory or vague information, possibly to protect the mine’s location. Some Dutchman hunters speculated that Holmes deliberately misled others to safeguard his search.
The Holmes Manuscript
One of Holmes’ most controversial contributions is the Holmes Manuscript, a 41-page document allegedly authored by him around 1944 with the help of ghostwriter Charles Kenison. The manuscript includes a nine-page section titled The True Story of the Lost Dutchman of the Superstitions as Told to Me by My Father Dick Holmes, by Jacob Wolz on His Deathbed. It details Dick Holmes’ experience at Waltz’s deathbed and Brownie’s subsequent searches. However, Holmes denied writing it, though he admitted to providing much of the information.
The manuscript is contentious due to its embellishments (e.g., references to “tiny dwarf deer”), factual inaccuracies, and differing writing styles between sections. Some believe Holmes commissioned it to attract investors or partners, but abandoned the project after disagreements with Kenison. The manuscript resurfaced in the Arizona State Library archives in the 1970s and was later published in Dr. Thomas E. Glover’s book The Lost Dutchman Mine of Jacob Waltz, Part 2: The Holmes Manuscript. Despite its flaws, it remains a key historical document, offering insights into the early days of the Dutchman search.
The Matchbox Affidavit
In April 1969, Holmes provided a sworn affidavit detailing the provenance of a matchbox crafted from gold ore from Waltz’s mine. According to the affidavit, Dick Holmes sold Waltz’s gold to the Goldman Brothers Store in Phoenix in 1891. James “Jimmie” Douglas purchased the ore and had it made into a matchbox, which he gifted to Gus Hirschfeld for meritorious service. Hirschfeld later gave the matchbox to Holmes. The affidavit, notarized in Maricopa County, is considered significant evidence that Waltz possessed gold, supporting the mine’s existence. Additional jewelry, including cufflinks, a stud, a stickpin, and a ring, was also made from Waltz’s ore, with some pieces displayed at the Superstition Mountain Museum.
Connection to the Adolph Ruth Case
Holmes is linked to the 1931 disappearance and death of Adolph Ruth, a prospector searching for the Lost Dutchman Mine. In 1932, Holmes and his dog reportedly found Ruth’s skull on Black Top Mesa, which had bullet holes, fueling speculation of foul play. Some theories suggest Holmes may have been involved, though no evidence supports this. The Ruth case remains one of the darker chapters in the Dutchman saga, and Holmes’ discovery of the skull added to his mystique.
Personal Life and Legacy
Holmes married Thelma Neff-Harwick and had one daughter, Georgia, for whom he had a ring made from Waltz’s gold ore. Tragically, Georgia died young. Holmes was well-liked, with hundreds attending his memorial. He died of heart failure on his 88th birthday, April 11, 1980, at his Phoenix home. Per his wishes, his ashes were scattered in the Superstition Mountains, forever tying him to the land he loved.
Holmes’ legacy endures through his contributions to the Lost Dutchman Mine legend. His stories, the Holmes Manuscript, and the matchbox affidavit provide tangible links to Arizona’s frontier past. While he never found the mine, his dedication inspired generations of treasure hunters. In a 1980 conversation with friend Clay Worst, Holmes reflected, “Clay, I don’t know if the Dutchman lied to my father or not, but I know my father never lied to me, and I know I never lied to you,” underscoring his belief in the mine and his integrity.
Conclusion
George “Brownie” Holmes was a quintessential Arizona pioneer whose life intertwined with one of the West’s greatest mysteries. His relentless search for the Lost Dutchman Mine, rooted in family legacy and personal conviction, made him a central figure in its lore. Through his oral histories, the Holmes Manuscript, and the matchbox affidavit, Holmes left an indelible mark on Arizona history. His story embodies the spirit of adventure, perseverance, and the enduring allure of the unknown.
Sources
- Tom Kollenborn Chronicles: George ‘Brownie’ Holmes
- The Lost Dutchman Mine Part Seven: Brownie Holmes – Jason Roberts
- George “Brownie” Holmes Affidavit – DesertUSA.com
- Brownie Holmes Remembered – TreasureNet
- The Holmes Manuscript – DesertUSA.com
- The Brownie Holmes Manuscript – TreasureNet
- The Holmes Manuscript (The Lost Dutchman Mine of Jacob Waltz, Part 2) – Amazon.com
- Lost Dutchman Gold & Glenn Magill – The Arizona Report