Slumach’s Gold in BC’s bestseller list
December 11th, 2024
In 1972, Rick Antonson (at right) teamed up with his brother, Brian Antonson and Mary Trainer to publish In Search of a Legend: The Search for the Slumach-Lost Creek Gold Mine (Nunaga Publishing). The original title reputedly sold more than 10,000 copies in various editions, making it a BC classic.
In 2007, the authors repackaged the story for a 35th anniversary edition and published it as Slumach’s Gold: In Search of a Legend (Heritage House, 2007).
The trio recently published the third edition of the book as Slumach’s Gold: In Search of a Legend―and a Curse (Heritage $32.95), with full colour photographs, historical photographs and maps. At the time of writing the book is in its seventh consecutive week on the BC’s bestseller list.
The book explores one of Canada’s most captivating and enduring mysteries, telling the story of Slumach, a Katzie Nation man executed in 1891 for murder, who is said to have hidden a rich cache of gold near Pitt Lake in British Columbia. According to legend, the gold included nuggets “the size of walnuts” and was protected by a curse Slumach placed to deter anyone from finding it. Over the past 130 years, the mystery has fascinated countless adventurers, prospectors, historians, and storytellers, inspiring books, articles, TV shows, and podcasts.
Despite numerous attempts to locate the treasure, its exact location remains unknown—though some speculate it may have already been secretly discovered. In this updated edition, authors Brian Antonson, Mary Trainer, and Rick Antonson delve into the intrigue and tragedy surrounding the legend. They separate historical facts from embellishments, examine the cultural impact of the story, and provide a detailed account of the search for Slumach’s gold. With a compelling mix of history and mystery, the book leaves readers pondering whether the treasure—and its curse—are still out there waiting to be found.
Visit this link to watch author Rick Antonson introducing the opening piece in the book, The Best Campfire Story Ever.
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