Legends of The Old West (Gold / Silver Mining, Cowboys, Indians & More)

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The Crooked Lawyer Who Stole A Town’s Gold​

Jul 26, 2025
In this video, we dive deep into the fascinating and turbulent story of Gilt Edge, Montana—a forgotten mining town nestled in the Judith Mountains. Just a stone’s throw from the historic towns of Maiden and Zortman, Gilt Edge had all the makings of a classic boomtown: gold discoveries, mining innovations, shady characters, and eventual decline.
It all started in 1883 when a prospector named Limrock struck gold and named the site “Gilt Edge.” But early mining efforts failed—until 1892, when a revolutionary cyanide leaching process turned worthless rock into rich gold ore, launching one of the first cyanide mills in the United States.
What followed was a wild ride: enter “Honest Bob” Ammon, a crooked New York lawyer turned mine manager who pulled off a gold heist and vanished. Despite setbacks, Gilt Edge flourished under new management and became a vibrant town complete with saloons, stores, and even a visit from Calamity Jane herself.
The town thrived until 1912, briefly revived in the 1980s, and now stands as a ghost town where you can still spot remnants of its colorful past.
Thank you for watching!


5:24

- Zortman Video: • You Will NEVER Guess Which Outlaw Came To ...
- Maiden Video: • Why Did Investors Give Up and Leave PILES ...

 

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The Lost Doctor Thorne Mine: The True Origins of the Lost Dutchman Legend? Museum Cut​

Jul 30, 2025
(In this Shorten Museum Cut) Could the legendary Lost Dutchman Mine actually be rooted in the tale of the lost Doctor Thorne mine? Join Clay Worst as he uncovers the fascinating story of Doctor Thorne, who was rewarded with a hidden gold mine deep in the Superstition Mountains by the Apaches as a token of gratitude. Allowed to take as much gold as he could carry, Thorne spent the rest of his life and fortune desperately trying to rediscover this elusive treasure. Is this the true origin of the Lost Dutchman legend?


7:01

 

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This 1940s Mining Camp Was Left to Die in the Nevada Desert​

Aug 2, 2025 #NevadaHistory #AbandonedMines #LuckyTigerMine
The Rise and Fall of the Lucky Tiger Mine | Nevada’s Forgotten Mid-Century Gold Camp
Tucked into the remote Buckskin Mountains of Humboldt County, Nevada, the Lucky Tiger Mine is a rare example of a "modern" mining operation that rose and fell in the heart of the American West. While most ghost mines date back to the 1800s, the Lucky Tiger didn’t hit its stride until the late 1930s—yet its story is every bit as fascinating.
Originally discovered in 1906, it wasn’t until the Nevada Lucky Tiger Company took over in the 1930s that serious development began. Backed by industrial giant ASARCO, the site soon became a full-fledged mining camp with a working mill, bunkhouses, cookhouse, assay office, and family homes—housing up to 150 people at its peak.
This video explores the heyday of the Lucky Tiger, the people who lived and worked there, and the complex ores that made this mine both promising and technically challenging. We follow the mine’s final years into the 1950s and its eventual shutdown, before being documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in the 1960s.


4:25

 

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Silver, Explosions, and Smugglers: The Untold Story of Neihart, Montana​

Aug 9, 2025
Discover the Rise and Resilience of Neihart, Montana
Join us as we explore the fascinating story of Neihart—one of Montana’s highest and most enduring mining towns. From its silver strike in 1881 to devastating disasters and roaring booms, Neihart's history is as rugged as the Little Belt Mountains it calls home. Learn about the mines, the people, and the town that refused to fade away.
Explosions, whiskey smuggling, railroads, and rich silver veins—this is frontier history at its finest.
Just an hour south of Great Falls, Neihart still stands today.


5:12

 

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Death, Gold, and Madness: Clay Worst on the 1960s Feud over Gold (Museum Cut)​

Aug 12, 2025
In this Shorten Version) Step back into the wild 1960s with Clay Worst as he unveils the dramatic and deadly feud over Weavers Needle in the Superstition Mountains. Discover the intense rivalry between Ed Piper and Jones, fueled by the hunt for Jesuit Gold and the elusive Lost Dutchman Mine. What began as a treasure hunt spiraled into a tale of greed, obsession, and ultimately murder. This is one story you won’t want to miss—where legends collide and the pursuit of gold turns deadly.


6:36

- Watch the long version at • Death on the Mountain: Unraveling the Myst...

 

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Skagway Alaska: The Wild Gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush (1897–1900)​

Step back in time to the wild days of the Klondike Gold Rush and discover the fascinating history of Skagway, Alaska. In this video, we explore how this small port town became the most important gateway to the Yukon during one of the greatest gold rushes in history.
Packed with rare historical photographs of Skagway from the late 1890s, early 1900s, and even the 1960s, this story brings to life the bustling streets, steamship docks, and rough-and-tumble characters who shaped the town. You’ll meet notorious outlaw Jefferson "Soapy" Smith, learn about the brutal Chilkoot and White Pass trails, and see how steamships from Seattle, San Francisco, and Vancouver poured tens of thousands of hopeful stampeders into this once-quiet stretch of Alaskan wilderness.
We’ll also uncover how Captain William Moore’s vision set the stage for Skagway’s boom, why the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad became a game-changer, and how businesses thrived by outfitting miners instead of digging for gold.
From lawless saloons and makeshift tent cities to the eventual decline after 1900, Skagway’s history is a mix of ambition, chaos, and survival. Today, the town stands as one of the best-preserved gold rush towns in North America, attracting visitors from around the world who want to walk its wooden boardwalks, ride the famous railroad, and relive the golden age of the Yukon Gold Rush.
If you love Alaskan history, Klondike Gold Rush stories, old photographs, and tales of boomtowns, this video is for you.


10:14

 

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Soapy Smith - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org