The Story of Superstition Mountain and the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine

by Robert Joseph Allen

Front cover: The Violent, Tragic, True Account of the Gold-Hungry Men Who Challenged the Treacherous Peak Sacred to the Apaches

Back cover: THE TREASURE - A SHELF OF PURE GOLD!

"Where Weaver's Needle casts its long shadow at four in the afternoon, there you will find a vein of rose quartz laced with gold wire - and you will be rich beyond your wildest dreams."

In pursuit of this almost legendary lode, men and women came, and still come, to explore the cliffs and canyons of the worlds's most treacherous mountain. And their remains - bleached bones, beheaded bodies - have been found up and down its craggy surface.

This is the story of those who searched for gold on the sacred mountain. It is a tale of adventure filled with violence, greed, and love, and all incredibly true!

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Westerns, Historical, American History

212 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this book. Had always known of the myth and legend, but this book goes into so much more detail. Telling the stories of the people that surrounds the myth. Very interesting and a great read!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story of Superstition Mountain and the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine,
by Robert Joseph Allen 1971

This particular book on Superstition Mountain, AZ is a most riveting, true life adventure tale spanning over 125 years of history beginning in the 1840's. The author living nearby having done extensive research, in news articles, historical records and interviews with those that remembered or knew individuals involved makes this story come to life. The story is woven around all the main characters including the Apache Indians, Geronimo and Cochise, the Pima Indians, Indian maidens, prospectors, doctors, ranchers and others. This story is an edge of your seat read from page one to the very end. More people have lost their lives on this mountain than any other place in the United States by accident, getting lost or by murder, yet no one is ever caught for their evil deeds. It is a deadly territory by way of it's rugged terrain alone. Old timers and newcomers alike are never fully prepared for what will come their way on this mountain.

There are battles with the Apaches, intimate details on the native tribes lives, murder for greed, murder by psychos for pleasure, skullduggery, massacres, deception, fake maps, gold found and lost and found again, 1000's of gold seekers, some sturdy and others unprepared for the task, thrill seekers and more. With the major part of this account being influenced by the Civil War and later the Indian War in Arizona no one can predict where each page will take the reader and all of it incredibly true!

[Sig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allen writes a historical account of the Peralta Massacre, Jacob Walz & Ken-Tee, Charles Hall, and Alfred Lewis and their relation to the gold vein hidden in Superstition Mountain. These stories are written in factual statements but are so riveting at their core, they feel like they are made up for movies. Allen also throws in other historical accounts of people like John Walker, Chru-ga, and their daughter Juanita, that help this book give a perfect illustration of the Wild West during the 1800's. I am deeply surprised no movie or TV show has been made of these stories because they are definitely worth telling.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining at times and kind of boring at others. The book is about much more than the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. It is a history of the Pima and Apache tribes, whites who befriended them, the state of Arizona and the town of Apache Junction. Had the contents of the book been about Superstition Mountain and the gold mine only, it would have been a quick and fun read. Instead, while interesting, it seems to drag at times.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this when we went through my FIL's storage unit after he passed away. I was intrigued because I served my mission in view of the Superstition Mountains and know some of the area where the book takes place. And I didn't remember hearing about all the myths and crazy stories of the mountain. The book was so interesting that I plowed right through it. Very well researched, written, and delivered!

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this for free in a giveaway book bin a while back and finally got around to reading it. It was surprisingly good. It's an interesting history of a mountain range in Arizona where people went and risked their lives for the promise of gold, but beyond that there is also a great look at the Native Tribes in that area. How the Apache and Pima people were affected (and afflicted) by the settlers that came and threatened their sacred land. This was a really fascinating read.

[Readitnweep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting until the halfway mark. Tells the story of the gold supposedly still in the mountain range. It rambles too much at times and provides a lot of history on the Apaches and Pimas as well. The writing could have been more focused and better written but still interesting.

[Cory Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just love reading about first accounts of exploration and adventure! This book seemed to focus (more than I would prefer) on the history of some notable characters related to area, and even more attention to the native tribes and their cultures. But the lost mine always seemed to loom in the background. A fun escape into the desert and a look back into a very interesting story in our Western past.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an old friend. I discovered it many years ago and thrilled to the story of the Superstition Mountains. It's a good overview of the area, the Lost Dutchman Mine legend, and just local history.

[Pat Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool old west lore. Western history.