In "The Peralta Map," Raymond Burr stars as a treasure hunter, who will stop at nothing to find a lost gold mine.
In the introduction to this episode, William N. Robson tells us that the facts are true, but the story is imaginary, since none of the people involved lived to tell. Well, some of the facts are true. A number of facts and legends connected to the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine were included in this story about two modern day treasure hunters.
As the episode opens, Henry Cracker and his friend, Willis, are driving on a Arizona highway with a horse trailer in tow. They are on their way to Lonnie's gas station before heading into the Superstition Mountains. The locals in Apache Pass have told them that Lonnie knows the area better than anyone, and they want to partner up with him for their expedition.
When they arrive at Lonnie's, Cracker and Willis tell him that they are in possession of a map that they believe will lead them to the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. Lonnie wants no part of their plan, but Cracker makes it impossible for him to refuse.
Later, when they are up in the mountains, Lonnie tells them about all of the others who tried to find the lost mine. All of those who tried...and then never came back. The mine is supposedly guarded by an unknown person who wears spurs, kills strangers with an old army rifle, and carries a cavalry sabre to cut off heads. An old Apache named Fat Dog claims to have seen him and heard the spurs...
Cracker and Willis choose to ignore the old man. How can they believe stories that happened so long ago? Besides, Lonnie may just be trying to scare them off because he wants to go home.
Will they find the mine? If so, will they live to tell?
"The Peralta Map" was written by television writer Charles B. Smith. William N. Robson produced and directed. Raymond Burr starred. Also appearing were Stacy Harris and Junius Matthews. This episode aired on March 10, 1957.
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See also the Escape episode "When the Man Comes, Follow Him" for another story about the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine.
(Image of Raymond Burr from Wikipedia)
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