I agree most of my history teachers were dry and just matter of fact instruction. Now I had a teacher in junior college that was better than average, I enjoyed that class.
What an utterly fascinating story. Wow. What an interesting dude, lived fast, died young. And told by an excellent storyteller to boot. I try to not watch these as soon as they come out so I can have a bank of 3 or so to watch later but usually I lack the self control. Keep it up.
I'm a multi-generational Montanan, hailing on both sides to those original Montana Territory settlers, and our history is filled with some truely fascinating, but unsung, figures; Plummer, the Copper Kings Daly, Clark & Heinz just to name a few. Thanks for the vid
Such a interesting story of a man who only lived 32 years. You can only image there were millions of other people who lived and died during that time with no such grand story, but just the same, they deserve to be remembered.
Reminds me of the mountain man Jedediah Strong Smith, who packed several lifetimes' worth of adventure into his 30 years -- Killed by Comanches on the Santa Fe Trail.
Mark Taylor - I know I did more interesting things in my first 32 years than I have done in the 26 years since. I think life is more limitless when you're young and stupid. :)
URKillingme100 *. That's a pretty good description of my life too. I'm 63 now and have had some interesting and exciting periods since, but whenever I think of any of the most adventurous or crazy, dangerous or spectacular things I've done myself it's always in that first 30 odd years. Any since have mostly been as a tag along on someone else s adventure, be it flying an ancient 1963 Bell 47 helicopter (that I ended up spending hundreds of hours as offsider in and sometimes flying it myself) that he'd just bought and a lot of things were a bit iffy with and he hadn't flown for 3 years at the time back to home from Newcastle Australia and I navigated us back with a very early and basic Garmin hand held GPS back through the Great Dividing Range west to various waypoints with a couple of forced landings along the way due to too low cloud and once because of a strange harmonic that had started after flying into a thicker than expected clump of cloud where visibility was zero and we had no way of knowing if we kept going if we'd come out of it or were just flying further into trouble. Sorry, I'm rambling. We got home safe and sound in the end but it certainly wasn't the awesome adventure trip we were expecting, more like a mostly terrifying nightmare. In the 30 odd years since I turned 30 that's probably the only real exciting and adventurous thing and it was only as a hanger on. I did buy the motorcycle I'd always dreamt about but never thought anyone could build, I had dream type expectations which I never thought anyone would be able to meet. I 'wished for' a bike that could do 200mph and could wheel stand purely through power at over 100mph and actually handled, then BMW came out with their new in 2014 S1,000R and the slightly more track oriented S1,000RR. I had to have one and absolutely loved it till a bit over a year later an idiot in a bloody great jacked up Jeep wagon just launched out in front of me while cruising at 100kph (about 60mph) and I only had about 20 feet of braking distance before I slammed chest first into the side of him. That very nearly ended me. I'm minus a spleen now and generally pretty stuffed but at least I did get to own the bike I never thought anybody ever even could build and did ride it quite hard at times, it was like I'd lost 30 years whenever I fired that awesome beastie up. Sorry for boring anyone who actually read all that, I just couldn't short cut it any more without it not making sense. This Henry Plummer has me beat hands down for fitting a lot of adventure and living into his 32 years than I can even comprehend. Sadly he actually sounds like a pretty decent bloke, assuming some of the later dubious claims were BS that is.
One of my favorite channels, very well presented. I hope you are teaching somewhere sir you are truly an asset to the education community. I cant imagine any student not passing your classes with good grades. Please keep these posts coming
History Guy, your videos recently started coming up in my recommended list, and I've watched a few of them already. You are a great story teller, and I can see that you thoroughly research your material. I love watching your videos, and I make sure to click the ads that occasionally come up! Keep these great stories coming!
I not only just subscribed, I made The History Guy the FIRST ever person I have ever signed up on Patreon to support. I have watched about a dozen of this gentleman's videos and they are worth supporting.
I live a few miles outside Nevada City CA. Thanks for bringing this history to us. Found your channel last week and subbed watching your "Fall from an SR-71" video. I spent 1984-1989 working on the SR-71 another excellent video. Thanks
Man, I love this kind of stuff, History off the Beaten Path, as it were. Thank you so, so much for this channel!! I am a HUGE fan, and as soon as I have a chance, I plan to donate to your Patreon. I love history, and the more off the wall, the better :) Thank you again, and every time you post a new video, I watch in glee and awe :D
Someone on my wavelength.History is one of my passions.Got great interest in Jim Younger n love all the old westerns of the 50s-70s.Former, because I found a series called The Rebel.Way before my time but I loved it.What a shame it was cancelled.Sad what happened to 'Johnny' too.
Very informative. Love the format. Thank you! As an attorney for almost 30 years, the horror of a summary execution of anyone is unfathomable, yet they happened. History shows us everyday that we should be grateful to those who suffered terrible fates, for they in some way contributed to our system of justice that protects us. People take for granted being able to sleep at night without worry of some vigilante group.
Always love these snippets of history! Have you ever done a video about the enrollment of the Native Americans; when and where it took place? Why were there more than one roll; and who could be enrolled? How was that even determined? I think it might make an interesting subject. Thanks for all these videos...really, really enjoy them.
@ The History Guy as a history buff and a Montanan. i particularly liked this one. i remember reading about this on my "Montana history" section in social studies class in the early 80's. Thank you from Great Falls Mt
I wonder how many hundreds, if not thousands, of similar and equally-fascinating stories will never be told, simply because there is no written or oral record of them.... If only the walls of the abandoned buildings in the old ghost towns could talk, hmm?
MN Sidewinder ...i completely agree with you. Real life histories of ordinary people proove to be fascinating at best, slightly interesting at worst. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmm...like that 80s song used to say! True dat.🤗
Yes I agree I always urge people to try to use their cell phones, tape recorders, video cams ...whatever they have to record their parents, their grandparents ,uncles any of these people stories about when they were in the war or whatever else happened in their lives... ... because once they're dead you're not going to be able to get any answers from them and you're not going to be able to ask them any questions about their stories. But it's true people who you think are just ordinary people almost always have a fascinating and true story or have a family member who has a fascinating true story. I wish I had known more about the story of my great-grandfather who came over from County Mayo in Ireland during The Hunger.. All we know is by the time he stepped off the ship in New York City he was an orphan... about 9 , 10 ,11 years old.... picture what THAT was like .
@@kurtb8474 I was born & raised in the Gallatin. Recently went back to Virginia City & was sadly disappointed to see yuppie types building houses & living among the old historic buildings! 'Trendy' for transplants I suppose. I will not be going back, but look forward to seeing Bannack again.
Another fine video! Have you ever considered creating a video about The 1918 Malbone Avenue Subway Disaster? It is a story of union avarice and management malfeasance which resulted in the grisly murders of some 93 innocent rush hour subway riders under the streets of Brooklyn, NY. It is also history which is worth remembering. As an aside, I first read about the disaster some 60 years after the event, while riding on an 'A" Train under Fulton St. in Brooklyn. The story was shocking enough. The environment made me want to get off and walk to my destination!
I live in Montana. Am familiar with the story of Henry Plummer, but I like finding out new things about what I thought I knew. Keep up the wonderful videos!
It's a great area! Many years ago, I went to Bannack and then on into the mountains to see Coolidge, a decaying ghost town on National Forest land. One of the best trips I've ever taken.
Me too! Born and raised in Montana... A number of books take different sides as to the vigilantes needing to be the law in these several towns, the murders and robberies seemed to diminish after the hangings. To be noted, not all wrong doers were hung, many were “notified” that they were being watched and would do well to clear out of the territory. The note would just have the numbers 3 - 7 - 77 on it... the size of a grave; 3 feet wide, 7 feet long and 77 inches deep. The Montana state highway patrol has that set of numbers on its uniforms shoulder patch... I asked a patrol friend about it and got no answer as to why the odd numbers appear there
You do find some fascinating snippets , as you put it, of history. Think of all the things that happened in the past that we will never know about. At least you give us a glimpse. Thanks
They've been all purtied up because anymore the bulk of their income is tourism. When I was a kid back in the 50s, the two towns hadn't yet been "restored." Virginia City may be the county seat, but Ennis over on the Madison is the largest town in the county, which basically includes both the Madison and Ruby valleys.
Great story. Bannack and Bodie in California are the two of the best ghost towns preserved in a state of arrested decay rather than made into a tourist attractions like some "ghost" towns. Both are dry, high, and off the beaten track, but both are well worth a visit for anyone interested in Western history and lore.
I love them both! I visited Bannack in 2001, on my days off from working as a summer ranger in Yellowstone. Went to Bodie in the 60s with my folks, and then returned to work the 2013 tourist season there as a park aide. I was quartered in the old Moyle(sp?) house, and yes! it was haunted. Montana and California deserve our gratitude for preserving these gems of the Wild West -- in arrested decay, as you say.
I wonder if you were quartered in the JS Cain house? Last time I was there it was being used for seasonal rangers. I wish I could have gone this summer. There were three nights the town was open until 10:00 pm, and the staff did walking tours of the Standard Mill and the town. I was stranded there overnight after a big monsoon storm in 2001 that washed out a couple of bridges. They let me unroll my sleeping bag in the stable that's now used as a vehicle shop. It was perfectly clear by midnight, and the stars were just amazing. Best night sky I have seen anywhere
I wasn't in the Cain house, although it is used for seasonal housing, as you note. The Moyle house is the isolated structure to your left as you stand at the entrance kiosk and face the museum/gift shop. The Moyle family owned it and used it as a weekend getaway until the town became a state part, in 1964. There are a number of buildings used for employee housing scattered throughout Bodie. Many are hard to spot, since there are no external signs of their being inhabited -- We had to park off site and keep the windows shut and the curtains pulled during visitation hours. That mill is fantastic, isn't it?! It has to be one of the best-preserved stamp mills still standing in the West. I loved doing the tours there. It's great that you got to spend the night! Did you encounter any ghosts? Bodie is incredibly haunted -- Nearly everyone who spends any time there has some stories to tell. Even people who don't believe in ghosts (when they arrive for the season), believe in ghosts (at the end of their tour), lol. I've spent my life poking around the edges and corners of the American West -- worked as an archaeologist and a park ranger in some fantastic places -- but I've never experienced anything like Bodie.
Aah, okay, I know the house now. Never got the chance to see inside of of the park staff housing but it was reputed to be pretty decent for being in the howling wilderness. The Standard is one of the few intact 120 stamp mills still more or less complete. As you say, it's a really fantastic structure, and all the more since the all the building material and stamps had to be brought in by wagon. The mill alone is worth trip. I never saw any ghosts. I was allowed to wander pretty much at will that night, and the wind came in fits and starts. The sound of the wind rising and falling through the mill was actually pretty frightening. It was made worse when something set off a couple of packs of coyotes yowling at something. I scurried back to the mill and decided that was enough exploring for one night!
"Howling wilderness" is right, lol. The housing wasn't bad, for company quarters, though there was (and probably still is) a terrible rodent problem. The mill is in such good shape, I swear it would spring back to life with just a couple squirts of WD-40. The electricians on my tours freaked out at the Tesla transformer in the electrical room. It's a shame the cyanide plant burned down in the 50s -- due to a casually tossed cigarette, I'm told. Ghosts or no, it sounds like you had the quintessential nighttime Bodie experience! I'm glad you got to do it -- It's a rare visitor who gets to hang out there after closing time. For me, Bodie is right up there with the giant sequoias and Half Dome as a California treasure!
Don't know why or where you find a need to post your history knowledge...but Wow, It is extremely enjoyable and entertaining. I love this kind of history. Thanks for sharing your time on RUclips
Thank You History Guy! I'm a history guy myself and I find your videos most interesting. I live in Lancaster Co. Pa and in the midst of history here. As a cabinetmaker by trade and restorer of period antiques, I have had the honor of restoring some historical furniture and buildings. I did much restoration for The Wheatland Foundation, home of James Buchanan. Granted not the most popular president but historical nontheless. I am not tooting my own horn here but simply bringing out my awl, pun intended, in being part of history besides my own life. My daughter are the family historians and keeper of the family archives, of which there is much. I am 68 and was fortunate enough to have a mentor born in 1889 and master of 4 trades. He was also trained by a elder cabinetmaker in his youth named Frank Maxwell. Frank had apprenticed for three years at $25 a year with room and board included. I used period tools and do mostly all traditional methods. However the economic crash of 2008 put and end to most work plus the old clients who passed away. You gens ain't much interested. Too bad I can't digitize my trade, eh. Anyway I just wanted you to know how appreciated your work and sharing of it is to me and others. Well, as an old friend would often say, "Well, that's my story". He was George Smith. Also a t a her, high school principle and photographer. Vet of WWll as well. I have had Elders as good friends since I can remember. My Grandfather was born in 1892 and college educated, also keeper of our archives. So I had a wonderful background of teachers. Just a bit of my story and everyone has their history as well and I also love to ask people about their story and family history. Oh yes, my Grandfather knew an old man in his town of Quarryville, Pa. Also my nearest town, who's father fought in the American Revolution. So what seems like a grand span of time is really little. Okay, enuff iz enuff and I Thank You Most Kindly again! Davey Weaver in Lancaster Co. pa.
Glad to see your channel growing so well. At this rate you'll hit 300k - 500k by end of next year! Surprised you've only really been doing this for less than 2 years. Keep it up!
I always enjoy your history lessons and wish that all my history teachers in high school we're like you as you make it fun to learn about the past! Thank you for what you do. 🙂♥️
Very interesting about a man, just 32 years old, who most likely was hanged wrongly. Thank you for giving us more facts about people who I'd never heard about until this airing. That's why I love history!!
One of my favorite characters/mysteries of the Gold Rush days. Thanks, History Guy, for an even-handed treatment of a controversial topic. For more info on the politics surrounding the murder of Henry Plummer see "Hanging the Sheriff" by R.E. Mather, F.E. Boswell.
+John Ferguson, the cap-and-ball revolver is as reliable, or unreliable, as the man loading it. Loaded properly, the C&B revolver is actually more reliable than many modern auto pistols. If you will carefully research the shooting involvements of Wild Bill Hickok, you will note that his Navy Colts never failed. Likewise, careful research of Bill Cody's shooting involvements will show that the Remington Army he carried never failed. Both men kept their cap&ball revolvers well into the cartridge era.
Yep, like 63DW89A says, the old cap & balls are as reliable as the person loading it. If you keep the nipples clear, put the caps on right and your powder and balls are loaded right, it will fire. Ha ha, I am making no claim of being able to do that. I am happy if I get 5 shots without a misfire but lots of people have a misfire rate of 1% or less. They are also surprisingly accurate. Any quality cap & ball is nearly as accurate as a modern handgun. Again, that depends on the person behind it. If you use the right sized ball and get it seated properly it will rival a modern handgun in accuracy. Modern guns reduce the chances of someone doing something wrong. The primer is in the case, the bullet & powder are all factory loaded. Cap and balls work the exact same way except there is no case. You have to load it in the cylinder yourself. It is easier said than done but if you load it right, it will work. John, you are right in that there were lots of misfires back then but it was due to the person behind the gun. Anyone that takes the time to learn their gun and diligent enough to load properly will have a gun nearly as reliable as any modern gun.
Best thing I've read on Henry Plummer, that is, a book showing all sides, is a historical work entitled "A Descent and Orderly Hanging". Great research & fairness, and just a great read.
Where do you find these tidbits of information on some of the most notorious people. I've never heard of before, Just fascinating and Now I'm hooked Thank you for your due diligence and passion of being a true Historian I and I know many of us deeply appreciate your videos .
I absolutely love your videos! The first one I found was the Russian nuclear sub disaster and I have watched every single one since. I have spent many many hours watching previous videos. I hope you know that you are amazing! Sincerely, Dominick Little
Another great snippet. Suggestion for an episode: the infamous "Demon Core"; the sphere of plutonium used by several of the key minds behind the Manhattan Project to demonstrate fundamentals of nuclear physics, culminating in "Tickling the Dragon's Tail" - a science experiment that ended up killing those same key minds with acute and deadly radiation poisoning.
I have been to Bannack many times. I spent two weeks there in the early 1980's surveying old mining claims. It is a very historic place. The gold rush, vigilante justice, and the Indian wars all intersect there. Bannack is well preserved with some restoration and, as of the last time I was there, no tourist traps. It is a bit out of the way, located in the southwest corner of Montana, south of Butte and west of Dillon. One other story I have heard related to Plummer was that he and his buddies robbed the Bannack to Virginia City stage coach at least once. Thanks for this segment I really enjoy hearing more about a place I have actually seem.
This tale is doubly interesting, I left the UK in 1998 and went to Sacramento, in 2000/2001, having moved for work I lived in Nevada City, first on Boulder and then on Coyote Street, it's one of those towns where everyone knows everybody and you could leave your car parked with the windows open and the keys in it. I learned a bit of the local history and worked on a lot of the historical 'Gold Rush' houses as a carpenter, but I never heard about Plummer. At one spot we had to dig a drain in what used to be the old Chinese quarter, we dug up several dozen opium vials, some still in one piece with the opium still in them. Occasionally at weekends we would go pan for gold in the American River, when I left I gave away about 10lbs of black sand.
Hi history guy,fascinating as always, I think a interesting topic would be the first allied air ace of the second world war the RAF pilot Edgar Kain who lived and then died in spectacular fashion (I visited his memorial recently, hes rather sadly forgotten now)
It is more than a joke. A "high drop" would break his neck, killing him instantly. A "low drop" would not, and would leave him to strangle for several minutes.
@@drott150 When the state does it they are supposed to calculate your weight and height so it breaks your neck, but doesn't rip your head off. When they hung Saddam his brother or someone was hanged along with him, and it took his head off. Though it was done by the Iraqis so some say that was no accident.
Really curious what sorts of people founded and lived in Drawbridge, CA. A town known for fur trapping, also now abandoned. Unfortunately it's on a bird reserve and the public is not allowed. Apparently there are endangered birds there that nest on the ground, and it would not help their numbers to accidentally squash their nests while hiking. Excellent episode as always!
I absolutely love your channel. Love your style and narration. You deserve the budget and pay of one of those tacky, low mentally shows on the history channel or better yet,"PBS".
Could I request an episode on the dutch east india ship " Batavia " ? The wreck and subsequent story makes the bounty mutiny look like a childrens picnic
I don’t find historic characters like Plummer amazing, intriguing, or romantic. He may very well have had - mostly - honorable intentions, but his actions paint a picture of a short-tempered, arrogant man who impulsively resorted to violence far too often. Given his penchant for crossing the line & taking lives when offended, it’s not surprising that his end was accompanied by a rope around his neck. Thanks, History Guy. I found your channel only recently & look forward to exploring your videos!
I feel like you skipped a lot, but it was good to see someone bring some light to this story. Thanks. The books "The Vigilantes of Montana" and "The War of the Copper Kings" both discuss the Plummer Gang in more detail.
32 years old. He crammed a lot into those few years.
Another fascinating insight in history. Thank you.
That's why they called it the Wild West.
Yeah he did!!! edit: I just recently found this channel and I gotta say it's definitely a great find!
Gavin Johnson Right about that. Busy guy. Imagine how much he get done if he did not have TB.
Boys of 14 did more then most 30 year olds today, you grew up fast and worked hard to survive.
@@glenthemann really!
I had history classes in high school and college, my God I wish I had had you!
Me too!
I agree most of my history teachers were dry and just matter of fact instruction. Now I had a teacher in junior college that was better than average, I enjoyed that class.
What an utterly fascinating story. Wow. What an interesting dude, lived fast, died young. And told by an excellent storyteller to boot. I try to not watch these as soon as they come out so I can have a bank of 3 or so to watch later but usually I lack the self control. Keep it up.
I'm a multi-generational Montanan, hailing on both sides to those original Montana Territory settlers, and our history is filled with some truely fascinating, but unsung, figures; Plummer, the Copper Kings Daly, Clark & Heinz just to name a few.
Thanks for the vid
Such a interesting story of a man who only lived 32 years. You can only image there were millions of other people who lived and died during that time with no such grand story, but just the same, they deserve to be remembered.
Reminds me of the mountain man Jedediah Strong Smith, who packed several lifetimes' worth of adventure into his 30 years -- Killed by Comanches on the Santa Fe Trail.
Except the white ones, right? Lol
Mark Taylor - I know I did more interesting things in my first 32 years than I have done in the 26 years since. I think life is more limitless when you're young and stupid. :)
URKillingme100 *. That's a pretty good description of my life too. I'm 63 now and have had some interesting and exciting periods since, but whenever I think of any of the most adventurous or crazy, dangerous or spectacular things I've done myself it's always in that first 30 odd years. Any since have mostly been as a tag along on someone else s adventure, be it flying an ancient 1963 Bell 47 helicopter (that I ended up spending hundreds of hours as offsider in and sometimes flying it myself) that he'd just bought and a lot of things were a bit iffy with and he hadn't flown for 3 years at the time back to home from Newcastle Australia and I navigated us back with a very early and basic Garmin hand held GPS back through the Great Dividing Range west to various waypoints with a couple of forced landings along the way due to too low cloud and once because of a strange harmonic that had started after flying into a thicker than expected clump of cloud where visibility was zero and we had no way of knowing if we kept going if we'd come out of it or were just flying further into trouble. Sorry, I'm rambling. We got home safe and sound in the end but it certainly wasn't the awesome adventure trip we were expecting, more like a mostly terrifying nightmare. In the 30 odd years since I turned 30 that's probably the only real exciting and adventurous thing and it was only as a hanger on. I did buy the motorcycle I'd always dreamt about but never thought anyone could build, I had dream type expectations which I never thought anyone would be able to meet. I 'wished for' a bike that could do 200mph and could wheel stand purely through power at over 100mph and actually handled, then BMW came out with their new in 2014 S1,000R and the slightly more track oriented S1,000RR. I had to have one and absolutely loved it till a bit over a year later an idiot in a bloody great jacked up Jeep wagon just launched out in front of me while cruising at 100kph (about 60mph) and I only had about 20 feet of braking distance before I slammed chest first into the side of him. That very nearly ended me. I'm minus a spleen now and generally pretty stuffed but at least I did get to own the bike I never thought anybody ever even could build and did ride it quite hard at times, it was like I'd lost 30 years whenever I fired that awesome beastie up. Sorry for boring anyone who actually read all that, I just couldn't short cut it any more without it not making sense.
This Henry Plummer has me beat hands down for fitting a lot of adventure and living into his 32 years than I can even comprehend. Sadly he actually sounds like a pretty decent bloke, assuming some of the later dubious claims were BS that is.
Why?
Yet another fantastic video. Really love your pacing and tone when telling the story
I’m so happy I found this site. I find the stories so interesting. Thank you.
i cant get enough of these videos, keep up the great work!
One of my favorite channels, very well presented. I hope you are teaching somewhere sir you are truly an asset to the education community. I cant imagine any student not passing your classes with good grades. Please keep these posts coming
History Guy, your videos recently started coming up in my recommended list, and I've watched a few of them already. You are a great story teller, and I can see that you thoroughly research your material. I love watching your videos, and I make sure to click the ads that occasionally come up! Keep these great stories coming!
You are, by FAR, the best history channel on RUclips.
I not only just subscribed, I made The History Guy the FIRST ever person I have ever signed up on Patreon to support. I have watched about a dozen of this gentleman's videos and they are worth supporting.
I live a few miles outside Nevada City CA. Thanks for bringing this history to us. Found your channel last week and subbed watching your "Fall from an SR-71" video. I spent 1984-1989 working on the SR-71 another excellent video. Thanks
Man, I love this kind of stuff, History off the Beaten Path, as it were. Thank you so, so much for this channel!! I am a HUGE fan, and as soon as I have a chance, I plan to donate to your Patreon. I love history, and the more off the wall, the better :) Thank you again, and every time you post a new video, I watch in glee and awe :D
Someone on my wavelength.History is one of my passions.Got great interest in Jim Younger n love all the old westerns of the 50s-70s.Former, because I found a series called The Rebel.Way before my time but I loved it.What a shame it was cancelled.Sad what happened to 'Johnny' too.
Very informative. Love the format. Thank you! As an attorney for almost 30 years, the horror of a summary execution of anyone is unfathomable, yet they happened. History shows us everyday that we should be grateful to those who suffered terrible fates, for they in some way contributed to our system of justice that protects us. People take for granted being able to sleep at night without worry of some vigilante group.
Always love these snippets of history! Have you ever done a video about the enrollment of the Native Americans; when and where it took place? Why were there more than one roll; and who could be enrolled? How was that even determined? I think it might make an interesting subject. Thanks for all these videos...really, really enjoy them.
@ The History Guy as a history buff and a Montanan. i particularly liked this one. i remember reading about this on my "Montana history" section in social studies class in the early 80's. Thank you from Great Falls Mt
I wonder how many hundreds, if not thousands, of similar and equally-fascinating stories will never be told, simply because there is no written or oral record of them.... If only the walls of the abandoned buildings in the old ghost towns could talk, hmm?
MN Sidewinder
Hell, everyone’s story is a yarn, it’s just that they’re rarely recorded or publicised.
MN Sidewinder ...i completely agree with you. Real life histories of ordinary people proove to be fascinating at best, slightly interesting at worst. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmm...like that 80s song used to say! True dat.🤗
Yes I agree I always urge people to try to use their cell phones, tape recorders, video cams ...whatever they have to record their parents, their grandparents ,uncles any of these people stories about when they were in the war or whatever else happened in their lives...
... because once they're dead you're not going to be able to get any answers from them and you're not going to be able to ask them any questions about their stories.
But it's true people who you think are just ordinary people almost always have a fascinating and true story or have a family member who has a fascinating true story.
I wish I had known more about the story of my great-grandfather who came over from County Mayo in Ireland during The Hunger..
All we know is by the time he stepped off the ship in New York City he was an orphan... about 9 , 10 ,11 years old.... picture what THAT was like .
I wonder what information was lost when the library of Alexandria was burned.
This was covered in a book about the town titled; "A neat and orderly lynching"
Yesssss! I live in Montana! Frequently camp in Bannack.
I was there when I was working in Dillon. That was 1989. Loved the area.
And I live 40 minutes from Nevada City!
@@kurtb8474 I was born & raised in the Gallatin. Recently went back to Virginia City & was sadly disappointed to see yuppie types building houses & living among the old historic buildings! 'Trendy' for transplants I suppose. I will not be going back, but look forward to seeing Bannack again.
I share your show...lived in Nevada City and now in Wa. Love you channel! Great channel! Love history...
Knocking them out of the park History Guy. Thank you! We all appreciate these.
Thanks again for a fascinating story about my favorite point in history. Always well done, sir!
What a great story.
Thanks for featuring it.
Another fine video! Have you ever considered creating a video about The 1918 Malbone Avenue Subway Disaster? It is a story of union avarice and management malfeasance which resulted in the grisly murders of some 93 innocent rush hour subway riders under the streets of Brooklyn, NY. It is also history which is worth remembering. As an aside, I first read about the disaster some 60 years after the event, while riding on an 'A" Train under Fulton St. in Brooklyn. The story was shocking enough. The environment made me want to get off and walk to my destination!
History Guy, you pull these amazing stories from the depths of the past and present them in an eminently watchable and informative format. Keep it up!
I live in Montana. Am familiar with the story of Henry Plummer, but I like finding out new things about what I thought I knew. Keep up the wonderful videos!
Cool video. I have lived in this part of Montana my entire life, appreciate you telling some history of our area.
It's a great area! Many years ago, I went to Bannack and then on into the mountains to see Coolidge, a decaying ghost town on National Forest land. One of the best trips I've ever taken.
Me too! Born and raised in Montana... A number of books take different sides as to the vigilantes needing to be the law in these several towns, the murders and robberies seemed to diminish after the hangings. To be noted, not all wrong doers were hung, many were “notified” that they were being watched and would do well to clear out of the territory. The note would just have the numbers 3 - 7 - 77 on it... the size of a grave; 3 feet wide, 7 feet long and 77 inches deep. The Montana state highway patrol has that set of numbers on its uniforms shoulder patch... I asked a patrol friend about it and got no answer as to why the odd numbers appear there
You do find some fascinating snippets , as you put it, of history. Think of all the things that happened in the past that we will never know about. At least you give us a glimpse. Thanks
Great old pics of Nevada City! My son has a home in Grass Valley, beautiful area.
I've been spending some time in Ruby Valley lately. Interesting to see the old photos of Virginia City and Nevada City compared to now. Thanks.
They've been all purtied up because anymore the bulk of their income is tourism. When I was a kid back in the 50s, the two towns hadn't yet been "restored."
Virginia City may be the county seat, but Ennis over on the Madison is the largest town in the county, which basically includes both the Madison and Ruby valleys.
This is one of the best and one of my favorite channels I've found recently. Thank you sir, for your quality content and those amazing bowties
Thank you sir for your work and for sharing with all of us.
I love how you make forgotten history once again visible - so interesting!
Great story. Bannack and Bodie in California are the two of the best ghost towns preserved in a state of arrested decay rather than made into a tourist attractions like some "ghost" towns. Both are dry, high, and off the beaten track, but both are well worth a visit for anyone interested in Western history and lore.
I love them both! I visited Bannack in 2001, on my days off from working as a summer ranger in Yellowstone. Went to Bodie in the 60s with my folks, and then returned to work the 2013 tourist season there as a park aide. I was quartered in the old Moyle(sp?) house, and yes! it was haunted. Montana and California deserve our gratitude for preserving these gems of the Wild West -- in arrested decay, as you say.
I wonder if you were quartered in the JS Cain house? Last time I was there it was being used for seasonal rangers. I wish I could have gone this summer. There were three nights the town was open until 10:00 pm, and the staff did walking tours of the Standard Mill and the town. I was stranded there overnight after a big monsoon storm in 2001 that washed out a couple of bridges. They let me unroll my sleeping bag in the stable that's now used as a vehicle shop. It was perfectly clear by midnight, and the stars were just amazing. Best night sky I have seen anywhere
I wasn't in the Cain house, although it is used for seasonal housing, as you note. The Moyle house is the isolated structure to your left as you stand at the entrance kiosk and face the museum/gift shop. The Moyle family owned it and used it as a weekend getaway until the town became a state part, in 1964. There are a number of buildings used for employee housing scattered throughout Bodie. Many are hard to spot, since there are no external signs of their being inhabited -- We had to park off site and keep the windows shut and the curtains pulled during visitation hours.
That mill is fantastic, isn't it?! It has to be one of the best-preserved stamp mills still standing in the West. I loved doing the tours there. It's great that you got to spend the night! Did you encounter any ghosts? Bodie is incredibly haunted -- Nearly everyone who spends any time there has some stories to tell. Even people who don't believe in ghosts (when they arrive for the season), believe in ghosts (at the end of their tour), lol. I've spent my life poking around the edges and corners of the American West -- worked as an archaeologist and a park ranger in some fantastic places -- but I've never experienced anything like Bodie.
Aah, okay, I know the house now. Never got the chance to see inside of of the park staff housing but it was reputed to be pretty decent for being in the howling wilderness. The Standard is one of the few intact 120 stamp mills still more or less complete. As you say, it's a really fantastic structure, and all the more since the all the building material and stamps had to be brought in by wagon. The mill alone is worth trip.
I never saw any ghosts. I was allowed to wander pretty much at will that night, and the wind came in fits and starts. The sound of the wind rising and falling through the mill was actually pretty frightening. It was made worse when something set off a couple of packs of coyotes yowling at something. I scurried back to the mill and decided that was enough exploring for one night!
"Howling wilderness" is right, lol. The housing wasn't bad, for company quarters, though there was (and probably still is) a terrible rodent problem. The mill is in such good shape, I swear it would spring back to life with just a couple squirts of WD-40. The electricians on my tours freaked out at the Tesla transformer in the electrical room. It's a shame the cyanide plant burned down in the 50s -- due to a casually tossed cigarette, I'm told.
Ghosts or no, it sounds like you had the quintessential nighttime Bodie experience! I'm glad you got to do it -- It's a rare visitor who gets to hang out there after closing time. For me, Bodie is right up there with the giant sequoias and Half Dome as a California treasure!
Don't know why or where you find a need to post your history knowledge...but Wow, It is extremely enjoyable and entertaining. I love this kind of history. Thanks for sharing your time on RUclips
another Grand Slam home run by The History Guy!!
Thank You History Guy! I'm a history guy myself and I find your videos most interesting. I live in Lancaster Co. Pa and in the midst of history here. As a cabinetmaker by trade and restorer of period antiques, I have had the honor of restoring some historical furniture and buildings. I did much restoration for The Wheatland Foundation, home of James Buchanan. Granted not the most popular president but historical nontheless. I am not tooting my own horn here but simply bringing out my awl, pun intended, in being part of history besides my own life. My daughter are the family historians and keeper of the family archives, of which there is much. I am 68 and was fortunate enough to have a mentor born in 1889 and master of 4 trades. He was also trained by a elder cabinetmaker in his youth named Frank Maxwell. Frank had apprenticed for three years at $25 a year with room and board included. I used period tools and do mostly all traditional methods. However the economic crash of 2008 put and end to most work plus the old clients who passed away. You gens ain't much interested. Too bad I can't digitize my trade, eh. Anyway I just wanted you to know how appreciated your work and sharing of it is to me and others. Well, as an old friend would often say, "Well, that's my story". He was George Smith. Also a t a her, high school principle and photographer. Vet of WWll as well. I have had Elders as good friends since I can remember. My Grandfather was born in 1892 and college educated, also keeper of our archives. So I had a wonderful background of teachers. Just a bit of my story and everyone has their history as well and I also love to ask people about their story and family history. Oh yes, my Grandfather knew an old man in his town of Quarryville, Pa. Also my nearest town, who's father fought in the American Revolution. So what seems like a grand span of time is really little. Okay, enuff iz enuff and I Thank You Most Kindly again! Davey Weaver in Lancaster Co. pa.
Your videos continue to inspire. Keep up the good work.
Glad to see your channel growing so well. At this rate you'll hit 300k - 500k by end of next year! Surprised you've only really been doing this for less than 2 years. Keep it up!
I so love this channel. I've learned more from this channel then in school.
This bit of history was so compelling, thank you!
Thank you for this channel, from a fellow history buff
Respect & Gratitude Professor!!
I always enjoy your history lessons and wish that all my history teachers in high school we're like you as you make it fun to learn about the past! Thank you for what you do. 🙂♥️
Recently found this channel and can't get enough
Loved the Tom Mix movie cuts. A bit of history that deserves to be remembered!
That is Johnny Mack Brown. The film is called "Branded a Coward," (1935) and is in the Public Domain: archive.org/details/BrandedaCoward
Hey awesome I live in Kalispell Montana! I love a little state history
Fantastic documentary. I loved it. Keep up the good work.
You kind Sir, are quite the story teller....Awesome & Entertaining videos...Thank You
Very interesting about a man, just 32 years old, who most likely was hanged wrongly. Thank you for giving us more facts about people who I'd never heard about until this airing. That's why I love history!!
Excellent episode…. Always interesting History Guy.
One of my new favorite channels!
I'm doing a History Guy binge tonight. Love your work.👍👍
35k views in a day? History guy has finally made it!
Thank you for providing RUclips with high quality, concise material on obscure history.
One of my favorite characters/mysteries of the Gold Rush days. Thanks, History Guy, for an even-handed treatment of a controversial topic. For more info on the politics surrounding the murder of Henry Plummer see "Hanging the Sheriff" by R.E. Mather, F.E. Boswell.
Lesson 1: Never bring a knife to a gun fight.
Depends what the violent dynamic is.
Back in the days of black powder pistols, sometimes a knife was a better choice as those old percussion cap pistols often misfired.
+John Ferguson, the cap-and-ball revolver is as reliable, or unreliable, as the man loading it. Loaded properly, the C&B revolver is actually more reliable than many modern auto pistols. If you will carefully research the shooting involvements of Wild Bill Hickok, you will note that his Navy Colts never failed. Likewise, careful research of Bill Cody's shooting involvements will show that the Remington Army he carried never failed. Both men kept their cap&ball revolvers well into the cartridge era.
Yep, like 63DW89A says, the old cap & balls are as reliable as the person loading it. If you keep the nipples clear, put the caps on right and your powder and balls are loaded right, it will fire. Ha ha, I am making no claim of being able to do that. I am happy if I get 5 shots without a misfire but lots of people have a misfire rate of 1% or less. They are also surprisingly accurate. Any quality cap & ball is nearly as accurate as a modern handgun. Again, that depends on the person behind it. If you use the right sized ball and get it seated properly it will rival a modern handgun in accuracy.
Modern guns reduce the chances of someone doing something wrong. The primer is in the case, the bullet & powder are all factory loaded.
Cap and balls work the exact same way except there is no case. You have to load it in the cylinder yourself. It is easier said than done but if you load it right, it will work.
John, you are right in that there were lots of misfires back then but it was due to the person behind the gun. Anyone that takes the time to learn their gun and diligent enough to load properly will have a gun nearly as reliable as any modern gun.
"Ain't that just like a whop!"
I absolutely love your videos and appreciate everything you do
Thank you for another great story.
Another great video History Guy!!! I'll give this suggestion again, Rick Rescorla, his history NEEDS to be remembered.
Best thing I've read on Henry Plummer, that is, a book showing all sides, is a historical work entitled "A Descent and Orderly Hanging". Great research & fairness, and just a great read.
Fascinating! I lived in Nevada City for five years and never knew this! Thanks History Guy!
Where do you find these tidbits of information on some of the most notorious people. I've never heard of before, Just fascinating and Now I'm hooked Thank you for your due diligence and passion of being a true Historian I and I know many of us deeply appreciate your videos .
I absolutely love your videos! The first one I found was the Russian nuclear sub disaster and I have watched every single one since. I have spent many many hours watching previous videos. I hope you know that you are amazing!
Sincerely,
Dominick Little
A fascinating story. There was a very thin line that separated the law men and the bandits. Many lawmen had worked on both sides of the fence.
One of the best channels on RUclips. You'd make a great history teacher if you're not one already.
You have more info. in 12 mins. than I have ever run across. Thanks for your video. 73 Ed
love your shows!
Another great snippet. Suggestion for an episode: the infamous "Demon Core"; the sphere of plutonium used by several of the key minds behind the Manhattan Project to demonstrate fundamentals of nuclear physics, culminating in "Tickling the Dragon's Tail" - a science experiment that ended up killing those same key minds with acute and deadly radiation poisoning.
Yes yes yes. Very interesting story. I would love to see The History Guy tell that fatal tale!
I have been to Bannack many times. I spent two weeks there in the early 1980's surveying old mining claims. It is a very historic place. The gold rush, vigilante justice, and the Indian wars all intersect there. Bannack is well preserved with some restoration and, as of the last time I was there, no tourist traps. It is a bit out of the way, located in the southwest corner of Montana, south of Butte and west of Dillon.
One other story I have heard related to Plummer was that he and his buddies robbed the Bannack to Virginia City stage coach at least once. Thanks for this segment I really enjoy hearing more about a place I have actually seem.
Henry Plummer was a great great uncle of mine. Thanks for the info about Great, great uncle Henry's life
This tale is doubly interesting, I left the UK in 1998 and went to Sacramento, in 2000/2001, having moved for work I lived in Nevada City, first on Boulder and then on Coyote Street, it's one of those towns where everyone knows everybody and you could leave your car parked with the windows open and the keys in it.
I learned a bit of the local history and worked on a lot of the historical 'Gold Rush' houses as a carpenter, but I never heard about Plummer.
At one spot we had to dig a drain in what used to be the old Chinese quarter, we dug up several dozen opium vials, some still in one piece with the opium still in them.
Occasionally at weekends we would go pan for gold in the American River, when I left I gave away about 10lbs of black sand.
You're a gentleman and a scholar, great Videos! Subbed.
I truly enjoy your videos. Thank you for making them.
Love the forgotten history that you teach us about.
Thank you once again!
Hi history guy,fascinating as always, I think a interesting topic would be the first allied air ace of the second world war the RAF pilot Edgar Kain who lived and then died in spectacular fashion (I visited his memorial recently, hes rather sadly forgotten now)
"Give me a high drop boys"..
And they obliged.
It is more than a joke. A "high drop" would break his neck, killing him instantly. A "low drop" would not, and would leave him to strangle for several minutes.
I guess with a request like that, One could say.....he was well hung ?
Sounds like he took his punishment like a man.
@@drott150 When the state does it they are supposed to calculate your weight and height so it breaks your neck, but doesn't rip your head off. When they hung Saddam his brother or someone was hanged along with him, and it took his head off. Though it was done by the Iraqis so some say that was no accident.
Some of the best last words I've ever seen
Wonderful story - thank you.
The Wild West! Another great episode in history.
Really curious what sorts of people founded and lived in Drawbridge, CA. A town known for fur trapping, also now abandoned. Unfortunately it's on a bird reserve and the public is not allowed. Apparently there are endangered birds there that nest on the ground, and it would not help their numbers to accidentally squash their nests while hiking.
Excellent episode as always!
I absolutely love your channel. Love your style and narration. You deserve the budget and pay of one of those tacky, low mentally shows on the history channel or better yet,"PBS".
Another interesting story thank you for sharing this video I hope you have a nice day
WOW! Great story. Thanks for your post.
Could I request an episode on the dutch east india ship " Batavia " ? The wreck and subsequent story makes the bounty mutiny look like a childrens picnic
Yeah- that one is definitely a case of truth stranger than fiction.
I read this story on a cruise ship......
Dang. Now I gotta go look that up too.
ruclips.net/video/jaVqEVXLPk4/видео.html
This is a radio interview done with an Australian author that describes it well if your interested
Also the city of Batavia, Illinois.
Thank for education of our history.
Great video HG !
Nice work. Fascinating. Thanks.
I love your videos very much!
I don’t find historic characters like Plummer amazing, intriguing, or romantic. He may very well have had - mostly - honorable intentions, but his actions paint a picture of a short-tempered, arrogant man who impulsively resorted to violence far too often. Given his penchant for crossing the line & taking lives when offended, it’s not surprising that his end was accompanied by a rope around his neck.
Thanks, History Guy. I found your channel only recently & look forward to exploring your videos!
I love your work.
I visited Bannok. It is an intetesting place. I hope to return some day. Thank you for your videos.
This guy deserves a movie.
I feel like you skipped a lot, but it was good to see someone bring some light to this story. Thanks.
The books "The Vigilantes of Montana" and "The War of the Copper Kings" both discuss the Plummer Gang in more detail.
great video history guy. only one thing I would like to see because you are a really good story teller. but pictures of the town would be cool. 👍👍
The history guy is wonderful!
Love these stories from the Old West
Another great video. Would love to hear take on Richard Sorge.
Where do you find all this great history? It is truly amazing. Thanks
Great content. Well worth a sub. Thank you.
Hey history guy! Thanks! Maybe you could do some forgotten history on the great Will Rogers.