Folks Of Interest RIP Jerome, Az Gold King Mine Owner Don Robertson

Don passed last week. His huge collection of trucks, cars and all types of machinery is one of the largest I have ever seen, and the well known Jerome attraction will continue to be operated by his family.

Here is Don with one of his beloved Studebakers.

http://www.verdenews.com/news/2016/oct/18/jerome-gold-king-mine-icon-don-robertson-passes-73/

 

Always a nice guy. We usually gave him extra $$ to start the big motor. I think it would be good to go up and hear it run again in his honor.

 

Sorry to hear this.....Don was a true character! RIP

 

Sad news. We spent a lot of time wandering around that hillside and watching him run that steam powered sawmill. I am looking for my old photos but having difficulty. This photo was taken by my daughter and she had it transferred to a metal backing plate. That is one of Don's Studes.

 

We stopped and saw him on way to L.A.

 

My Grandfather used to drive teams of horses in Jerome. Word was that he could turn an entire wagon team around on those narrow streets.

 

Don was out on the west coast about twenty years ago and had bought a Sears buggy, I don't remember if it was gas or electric, anyway he heard about our ATHS truck show and stopped by, giving rides in his buggy, I had my 47 Peterbilt water truck there at the show and Don makes a couple laps around it looking it over he catches up top me and asks what do you do with that truck, I answered I still work it for some of the contractors in the area, he looked at the truck again and back at me and says it just don't get any better than that, as you guys know Dons admaration for old equipment was over the top.
In his younger years, and this is his words, I worked for some of the bigger construction co's building hyways and such, unlike others that drank their paycheck I kept mine and eventually bought the Gold King Mine, and then he walked off, another gent and I wondered what the hell he was talking about,we caught up to him a few minutes later and got the rest of the story,being, I mineee the tourists pockets for that foolding gold, an apt discription for the Gold King Mine and all its treasures.
Don, may he Rest in Peace.