"Slumach's gold is one of North America's most famous lost treasures!"
—Adam Palmer, expedition team leader, Deadman’s Curse: The Legend of the Lost Gold
“Slumach’s Gold: In Search of a Legend—and a Curse brings together stories that have touched the spirits of my Ancestors. My mother Gail’s traditional name is Kwelaxtelotiya meaning “to be close to.” Like Slumach’s canoe touching the water, these words written are “close to” many truths about the legend of the hidden gold. My hands are raised to the authors who have recorded and shared Slumach’s oral history.”
—Taylor Starr, Cultural and Heritage Monitor and descendant of Slumach
“Forget the Dutchman, Lasseter's Reef, Yamashita's Gold, and all the other ‘lost mines’ that are just stories. Slumach's gold of Pitt Lake may not be as well known, but it certainly has the best and most evidence—guaranteed it will make a treasure hunter out of you!”
—Brian Dunning, host of the award-winning podcast Skeptoid
“The story of Slumach’s gold has been called the best campfire story ever. It’s easy to see why, with its long-lost gold mine, hanging, curse, and more. Even better, it’s grounded in fact. Authors Brian Antonson, Mary Trainer, and Rick Antonson deftly mined the legend for this lively, important new work.”
—Peter Edwards, Toronto Star journalist and co-author of Lytton: Climate Change, Colonialism and Life Before the Fire (with Kevin Loring)
“This book is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the world of lost gold, legends about treasure-hunters, and tales of a hidden motherload protected by a curse. I know, I've been there!”
—Donald E. Waite, author of British Columbia and Yukon Gold Hunters: A History in Photographs
“What makes this book stand out is the painstaking research that has gone into separating the truth from the fiction. The authors have put together a well-researched, well-written book that is rich with illustrations. Perhaps, but not likely, this edition will put to bed the false research, myth-making, and genuine lies that have surrounded Slumach and his mythical treasure.”
—Ken Mather, author of Stagecoach North: A History of Barnard’s Express
“Legend has it that old-time swashbuckling gold prospectors cried out 'There’s Gold in dem der hills!' after a successful day of prospecting. Mary Trainer, Rick Antonson, and Brian Antonson have been articulately proclaiming that same message for the last 52 years. The ongoing passion these three have for great storytelling and accurately recording BC history is nothing short of legendary.”
—Dave Doroghy, author of Show Me the Honey and co-author of 111 Places in Vancouver That You Must Not Miss
“An intriguing and meticulously researched tale of elusive gold in the British Columbia wilderness that has the heady additions of murder and a curse. As one treasure hunter says, “If you think it’s just about gold, then you are missing the truth.”
—Ed Butts, author of This Game of War
“Slumach’s Gold combines true crime, history, mystery, and memoir. A fascinating account of buried treasure and ancient curses, played out against a backdrop of backcountry justice in the wilds of late nineteenth-century British Columbia. The authors’ personal connection to the story (which has fascinated them since childhood) adds to the appeal, even as they reveal the truth behind certain long-standing legends.”
—Nate Hendley, author of Atrocity on the Atlantic and The Beatle Bandit
“A great piece of research that reads like a mystery novel or a CSI episode . . . Slumach’s Gold combines legend, myth, documentation and oral history. It’s a masterpiece.”
—Richard Thomas Wright, author Barkerville and Overlanders
“A fresh new look at one of British Columbia’s enduring mysteries.”
—Chuck Davis, author of Vancouver Then and Now
