Missing on Superstition Mountain by Elise Broach Page B

Mountain has long been known as a site of unusual disappearances and deaths. In the interest of preserving our town’s history and heritage, and as a resource for those who are considering exploring this area, the Superstition Historical Society offers this record of disappearances, accidental deaths, and suspected murders on the mountain from 1880 to the present.’”
    Henry felt a chill slice through him. Simon, Jack, and Delilah stared.
    â€œMurder?” Delilah asked. “Nobody said anything about murder.”
    â€œNobody said anything about anything,” Simon said. “No wonder Mom and Dad won’t talk about it.”
    Henry read slowly, “‘1880 … two soldiers found shot in the head. 1881 … prospector found dead after mine cave-in.’”
    â€œWhat kind of mine?” Simon asked.
    â€œIt doesn’t say. It’s just a list.” Henry leaned over the tiny type. “‘1896 … Elisha Reavis, the Madman of Superstition Mountain, found de’”—he had to sound out the word—“‘cap-it-ated.’”
    â€œDecapitated?” Delilah repeated. She wrinkled her nose. “Yuck.”
    â€œWhat’s decapitated?” Jack wanted to know.
    â€œWhen somebody chops your head off.” Delilah whacked the heel of her hand against his neck to illustrate.
    Henry glanced at her in surprise. It was a word he hadn’t heard before.
    â€œEwww,” Jack said, simultaneously grossed out and impressed.
    â€œI wonder why he was called the Madman of Superstition Mountain,” Delilah said.
    â€œShhh, you guys,” Simon scolded. “Keep reading, Hen.”
    Henry took a deep breath. “‘1910 … unidentified woman’s body found in cave near Weaver’s Needle—’”
    â€œHey, that’s the pointy rock,” Jack noted.
    â€œListen,” Henry insisted. “‘Cause of death unknown. 1931 … disappearance of federal employee Adolph Ruth…’ oh!” Henry gasped. “It says his skull was found on Black Top Mountain with two bullet holes in it.”
    â€œHey,” Jack cried, “like when we found the three—”
    Simon glared at Jack, while Henry shook his head quickly. Delilah knew nothing about the skulls. Jack stopped, his cheeks turning bright red. “Um,” he said.
    â€œThe three what?” Delilah looked at him curiously.
    â€œNothing,” Jack said.
    Henry turned the page. “‘1936 … body of Roman O’Hal of New York City found, cause of death: fall from cliff. 1937 … body of Guy Frink found, cause of death: gunshot wound to stomach. 1947 … body of James Cravey recovered in La Barge Canyon—’” Henry squinted at the small print. “‘Decapitated.’”
    â€œAnother one?” Delilah raised her eyebrows.
    Henry nodded uncomfortably. No wonder the mountain was off-limits! So many people had died there. He got to the bottom of the page and read, “1949,” then looked up, puzzled, and held out the book for them to see.
    â€œHey … that’s weird. The next page is torn out.”

CHAPTER 11
    ASKING FOR TROUBLE
    T HEY ALL STARED at the tattered edge of the paper.
    â€œJust that one page is gone?” Simon asked. “What does the rest say?”
    Henry turned the booklet around to show them. “It’s a list of the Superstition Historical Society members. See? Emmett Trask, President. ”
    They sat in silence for a minute.
    â€œWow,” Jack said. “That’s a lot of people dead!”
    â€œOr missing,” Delilah added.
    â€œNo kidding,” Simon said. “That’s why our parents are acting so strange about the mountain.” He took the booklet from Henry and leapt to his feet. “We should take this home with us. I’ll check it out.”
    A few minutes later, he came back with the