Westerns from the House of Maxwell
The novels
Timeless adventures and compelling stories: the four-part Jacob’s Gold saga of two partners from Germany, and the two novels readers asked for next.
Our novels are written to captivate readers: bold adventures of friendship and perseverance, set in the days of the Old West. The saga began with Larry L. Maxwell, the Master Story Teller, who wrote the first three books. His stepson, F. Matt Hogle, finished the story from Larry’s notes, and then wrote two more.
The map
Follow the Jacob’s Gold trail
From Germany to the gold fields, to Texas and the Arizona Territory: pick a book and the wagon rolls to where it happens. Then switch to the storytellers’ own map.
The novels, in order
Where the storytellers lived
Jacob's Gold, part 1 · 2026 Edition
Jacob's Gold
Germany · California
The promise of gold brings out the desperate and the dangerous alike.
Jacob's Gold, part 2
Partners
Germany
Two young men from Germany, as close as any two brothers.
Jacob's Gold, part 3
Texas Ranger
Texas
Dutch rides as a Texas Ranger, bringing some law and order to the Old West.
Jacob's Gold, part 4
Against the Western Sky
far and wide across the Old West
The exciting conclusion of the epic tale of Jacob Waltz and Dutch Weiser.
An all-new Dutch and Jacob story
The Shadow Treasure
The Superstition Mountains
Why the Native American choice of jewelry is silver and not gold.
The newest novel
Warriors of the White Mountain
The White Mountains
Three young friends, across the Arizona Territory, to a People they will try their best to save.
The storytellers
Silver City, New Mexico
Where Larry and Frankie were both born. Larry was raised by his grandparents in the Gila Valley; Frankie between Silver City and Mesa.
The storytellers
Mesa, Arizona
Matt’s hometown. Here Larry was shown a pamphlet about Jacob Waltz and his gold mining.
The storytellers
Anchorage, Alaska
The last frontier: Larry’s lifetime adventure at 19, and Matt’s home from age thirteen.
Six novels
The books, in order
Tap the book to turn it over
Jacob's Gold, part 1 · 2026 Edition
Jacob's Gold
- Larry L. Maxwell Author
- F. Matt Hogle Editor
- Frankie A. Maxwell Illustrator
Jacob Waltz starts his adventure of a lifetime as a young man in Germany… “America, I thought of it often, and finally I said it out loud. America! Anyone would tell you it was the place to go. I didn’t like the idea of having to stow away on a ship in the freight area to get there, but I reasoned that the ship was going anyway and I didn’t take up much room.”
The California Gold Rush captivated the imagination of people everywhere. The promise of gold brings out the desperate and the dangerous alike. Jacob Waltz arrived in California at the start of the 1849 Gold Rush.
The 2026 Edition is the same story as the original, with errors in names and some grammar corrected, and now with many illustrations.
Jacob's Gold, part 2
Partners
- Larry L. Maxwell Author
- Frankie A. Maxwell Cover design
Partners… Both young men had much in common, coming from Germany. Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser, nicknamed Dutch, formed a friendship as close as any two brothers. Perhaps it was their difficult journey from oceans away. Some could say it was from the difficult and demanding times.
They became so close as partners that each would give his life to save the other. And so it was: no greater love can any man have than to lay down his life for another…
Jacob's Gold, part 3
Texas Ranger
- Larry L. Maxwell Author
- Frankie A. Maxwell Cover design
The third installment of the ongoing saga of best friends Jacob Waltz and Dutch Weiser.
Master Story Teller Larry Maxwell takes us with Dutch on his many adventures as a Texas Ranger, trying to bring some law and order to the Old West.
Jacob's Gold, part 4
Against the Western Sky
- Larry L. Maxwell Author
- F. Matt Hogle Author, editor
- Frankie A. Maxwell Illustrator
Against the Western Sky, Jacob's Gold part 4, is the exciting conclusion of the epic tale of two of the best of friends and partners, Jacob Waltz and Dutch Weiser.
The setting is the days of the Old West, before the Civil War. In this adventure the companions make new friends, encounter new enemies and face many obstacles as they travel far and wide in search of treasure.
An all-new Dutch and Jacob story
The Shadow Treasure
- F. Matt Hogle Author
- Frankie A. Maxwell Illustrator
The Superstition Mountains of the Arizona Territory have filled the minds of explorers with intrigue and mystery since their discovery. Of course, the ancient natives of the land knew the importance of the beautiful, sacred rock formation for generations.
The Shadow Treasure is a fast-paced action adventure story from the days of the Old West. Dutch Weiser and Jacob Waltz unknowingly stumble upon an ancient secret that has been hidden from the world for hundreds of years. As their adventure unfolds they also learn why the Native American choice of jewelry is silver and not gold.
Tap the book to turn it over
The newest novel
Warriors of the White Mountain
- F. Matt Hogle Author
- Frankie A. Maxwell Illustrator
Warriors of the White Mountain is a fast-paced, action-filled story that follows three young friends as they embark on a great adventure that takes them across the Arizona Territory to a People that they will try their best to save.
The characters
Who rides the trail
The people at the heart of the saga, as the books describe them. Turn a card to see where you meet them.
Try your luck
Pan for a nugget
Swirl the pan: drag it round in circles, or press the button. Wash the gravel away and every pan turns up a nugget: a line from the books.
Nuggets found: 0 of 9
GOLD! Nothing stirs the imagination like the word GOLD.
The promise of gold brings out the desperate and the dangerous alike.
In 1848, news of gold in California brought over 300,000 prospectors looking to strike it rich.
No greater love can any man have than to lay down his life for another…
Many of the best stories are yet to be written, the best songs are yet to be sung.
They travel far and wide in search of treasure.
They learn why the Native American choice of jewelry is silver and not gold.
Our stories must be original, must teach moral thoughts, and must rhyme.
Children and adults from 1 to 101 will enjoy this great Christmas story.
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