1 00:00:01,268 --> 00:00:02,835 [man] the ashley gang robbe more than 40 banks, 2 00:00:02,936 --> 00:00:04,636 While dillinger only robbed 24. 3 00:00:09,410 --> 00:00:10,709 [josh] how much money did they get away with 4 00:00:10,711 --> 00:00:12,544 Over the course of this crime spree? 5 00:00:12,646 --> 00:00:14,446 [man] in today's money, millions. 6 00:00:18,953 --> 00:00:21,453 And he couldn't put his proceeds in the bank. He had to hide it. 7 00:00:21,522 --> 00:00:22,955 So, do you know where it is? 8 00:00:29,530 --> 00:00:30,963 For almost 100 years now, 9 00:00:31,065 --> 00:00:33,399 People have been digging holes, trying to find it. 10 00:00:33,401 --> 00:00:34,566 [josh] guys, come here. 11 00:00:34,568 --> 00:00:35,801 -[man] wow. -[woman] oh, my god. Oh, my god. 12 00:00:35,803 --> 00:00:37,336 Shut up! No way! 13 00:00:37,405 --> 00:00:39,238 Oh, my god. My heart is beating. 14 00:00:39,339 --> 00:00:40,406 [squealing] this is so exciting! 15 00:00:40,408 --> 00:00:42,508 [man] this is what we've been looking for. 16 00:00:42,510 --> 00:00:45,444 -Are you kidding me? -Ashley treasure. There you go. 17 00:00:45,513 --> 00:00:47,513 This place is like a gold mine. 18 00:00:47,515 --> 00:00:48,647 This is insane. 19 00:00:57,024 --> 00:01:00,325 Most gangsters are associated with big cities. 20 00:01:00,327 --> 00:01:02,961 Al capone was synonymous with chicago, 21 00:01:02,963 --> 00:01:05,097 New york had lucky luciano, 22 00:01:05,099 --> 00:01:06,999 And la, mickey cohen. 23 00:01:07,001 --> 00:01:08,700 But unless you're from florida, 24 00:01:08,702 --> 00:01:11,603 Well, you've probably never heard of john ashley. 25 00:01:11,605 --> 00:01:13,906 His story is like something out of the movies, 26 00:01:13,908 --> 00:01:15,507 Except it's all real. 27 00:01:15,509 --> 00:01:18,043 He was known as the "king of the everglades 28 00:01:18,112 --> 00:01:19,611 And led a vicious gang 29 00:01:19,613 --> 00:01:21,713 That terrorized the sunshine state 30 00:01:21,715 --> 00:01:25,584 From 1914 to 1924. 31 00:01:25,586 --> 00:01:28,487 Back then, florida was an un-air-conditioned, 32 00:01:28,489 --> 00:01:31,423 Vast and lawless frontier, 33 00:01:31,425 --> 00:01:36,028 Where the ashley gang went on a notorious, decade-long crime spree 34 00:01:36,030 --> 00:01:37,162 Of bank robbery, 35 00:01:37,264 --> 00:01:38,030 Bootlegging, 36 00:01:38,032 --> 00:01:38,964 Piracy, 37 00:01:39,033 --> 00:01:40,132 And murder. 38 00:01:41,102 --> 00:01:44,036 Their criminal enterprises netted a fortune, 39 00:01:44,038 --> 00:01:46,705 And reports of millions in hidden ashley loot 40 00:01:46,707 --> 00:01:48,640 Have swirled for a century. 41 00:01:49,910 --> 00:01:53,112 Now, research for a new museum exhibit on the gang 42 00:01:53,114 --> 00:01:55,414 Has turned up incredible new clues, 43 00:01:55,416 --> 00:01:58,350 And treasure hunters are finally closing in. 44 00:01:58,385 --> 00:02:00,819 One has unearthed a lost document 45 00:02:00,821 --> 00:02:03,021 That points to a real-life treasure island 46 00:02:03,023 --> 00:02:05,724 That might contain actual buried loot, 47 00:02:05,726 --> 00:02:08,060 While a historian claims to have located 48 00:02:08,062 --> 00:02:09,828 An entire lost town 49 00:02:09,830 --> 00:02:12,898 And traces of the ashley gang's hideout 50 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:15,300 We're on a hunt for truth and treasure. 51 00:02:15,302 --> 00:02:16,602 So put down the golf clubs, 52 00:02:16,604 --> 00:02:18,203 Set aside your bingo card, 53 00:02:18,205 --> 00:02:20,105 And get ready for an expedition 54 00:02:20,107 --> 00:02:22,941 To an unknown florida from a century ago, 55 00:02:22,943 --> 00:02:24,243 Where the only way to retire 56 00:02:24,311 --> 00:02:25,611 Was with a bullet. 57 00:02:28,649 --> 00:02:30,516 My name is josh gates. 58 00:02:30,518 --> 00:02:31,917 Hello! 59 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:32,718 Explorer, 60 00:02:33,621 --> 00:02:34,753 Adventurer... 61 00:02:34,822 --> 00:02:35,754 Amazing. 62 00:02:35,856 --> 00:02:37,422 [shouts] help! 63 00:02:37,424 --> 00:02:39,591 ...And a guy who ends up in some very strange situations. 64 00:02:39,593 --> 00:02:40,459 Oh, [bleep]! 65 00:02:40,561 --> 00:02:41,960 Whew! That was exciting. 66 00:02:41,962 --> 00:02:43,862 With a degree in archaeolog 67 00:02:43,931 --> 00:02:45,464 And a passion for the unexplained... 68 00:02:45,499 --> 00:02:46,632 Yeah! 69 00:02:46,634 --> 00:02:48,100 ...I travel to the ends of the earth, 70 00:02:48,102 --> 00:02:50,903 Investigating the greatest legends in history. 71 00:02:50,905 --> 00:02:52,504 Yay, let's punch it. 72 00:02:52,506 --> 00:02:54,940 This is expedition unkno. 73 00:03:02,116 --> 00:03:04,316 We begin our journey in miam 74 00:03:04,318 --> 00:03:05,817 The magic city. 75 00:03:05,819 --> 00:03:07,519 No matter how hot it gets, 76 00:03:07,521 --> 00:03:10,622 Sooner or later, there's a cool breeze coming in. 77 00:03:12,726 --> 00:03:14,426 -[engine revs] -[tires screech] 78 00:03:18,632 --> 00:03:21,433 Okay, so this episode is about bank robbers in the '20s 79 00:03:21,535 --> 00:03:23,802 And not drug cops in the '80s, but come on. 80 00:03:23,804 --> 00:03:25,504 Miami vice is a classic. 81 00:03:25,506 --> 00:03:27,406 Plus, turquoise is really my color. 82 00:03:30,444 --> 00:03:32,044 All right, down to business 83 00:03:34,114 --> 00:03:36,148 The heart of our story actually takes place 84 00:03:36,217 --> 00:03:38,150 About 100 miles north of miami, 85 00:03:38,219 --> 00:03:40,152 In the quaint town of stuart 86 00:03:40,220 --> 00:03:42,955 Along with classic florida beach-side vibes, 87 00:03:43,023 --> 00:03:45,057 This town is literally calling out to me 88 00:03:45,125 --> 00:03:46,925 About the ashley gang. 89 00:03:46,927 --> 00:03:51,263 ♪ well john ashley grew up in the everglades ♪ 90 00:03:51,332 --> 00:03:54,933 ♪ those who knew him said he wasn't all that bad ♪ 91 00:03:56,203 --> 00:04:00,739 ♪ those he murdered might just disagree with that ♪ 92 00:04:00,808 --> 00:04:03,642 Turns out, people here are really into the ashley gang. 93 00:04:03,711 --> 00:04:06,044 This band, they're called the ashley gang, 94 00:04:06,046 --> 00:04:09,414 And they're singing about, who else, the ashley gang. 95 00:04:09,416 --> 00:04:13,118 ♪ till the ashley gang went down ♪ 96 00:04:14,521 --> 00:04:16,555 ♪ they went out again for trouble ♪ 97 00:04:16,623 --> 00:04:17,522 [mouthing] 98 00:04:17,524 --> 00:04:19,424 ♪ trouble's what they found ♪ 99 00:04:19,426 --> 00:04:21,460 ♪ sheriff baker made a promise ♪ 100 00:04:21,528 --> 00:04:23,862 ♪ before they laid him in the ground ♪ 101 00:04:23,964 --> 00:04:27,799 ♪ he'd see the ashley gang go down ♪ 102 00:04:29,169 --> 00:04:30,402 -Thanks. -Sure. 103 00:04:30,404 --> 00:04:32,904 Even the beer here is named after the ashley gang, 104 00:04:32,906 --> 00:04:33,839 And I'll give you one guess 105 00:04:33,907 --> 00:04:35,207 What the name of the bartender is. 106 00:04:35,209 --> 00:04:36,942 -My name's susie. -It's ashley. 107 00:04:37,044 --> 00:04:38,243 It's definitely susie. 108 00:04:38,312 --> 00:04:39,477 Okay, nice try, ashley. 109 00:04:39,513 --> 00:04:43,615 ♪ he'd see the ashley gang go down ♪ 110 00:04:44,718 --> 00:04:48,153 -[applauding] -[cheering] 111 00:04:49,256 --> 00:04:51,323 [josh] in addition to bands and beer, 112 00:04:51,325 --> 00:04:53,792 Stuart, florida is also hom to a new exhibit 113 00:04:53,794 --> 00:04:55,827 Dedicated to the ashley gang 114 00:04:55,829 --> 00:04:59,197 My education about the man known as the "king of the everglades" 115 00:04:59,199 --> 00:05:01,333 Begins here, at the elliott museum. 116 00:05:02,703 --> 00:05:06,938 Founded in 1961, this terrif and eclectic collection 117 00:05:06,940 --> 00:05:08,640 Celebrates the spirit of invention, 118 00:05:08,709 --> 00:05:10,809 Along with art and florida history. 119 00:05:12,313 --> 00:05:14,346 Amidst the miles of memorabilia, 120 00:05:14,448 --> 00:05:16,315 I find ceo rob steele. 121 00:05:17,318 --> 00:05:18,716 Rob? 122 00:05:18,718 --> 00:05:20,552 -[rob] josh, welcome to the elliott museum. -Nice to meet you. 123 00:05:20,621 --> 00:05:22,387 -We're thrilled to have you here. -I'm thrilled to be here. 124 00:05:22,389 --> 00:05:24,056 This place is amazing. 125 00:05:24,157 --> 00:05:26,625 It's eclectic. You never know what's around the next corner. 126 00:05:26,627 --> 00:05:29,061 Well, that kinda brings me to my first question, I guess, 127 00:05:29,129 --> 00:05:30,729 Which is, the place is so diverse. 128 00:05:30,731 --> 00:05:32,964 You've got these awesome car 129 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:34,599 And you know, americana, 130 00:05:34,601 --> 00:05:36,301 A baseball collection, 131 00:05:36,303 --> 00:05:37,903 And now, a new exhibit 132 00:05:37,905 --> 00:05:40,505 On a group of notorious criminals. 133 00:05:40,507 --> 00:05:43,208 -Beloved notorious criminals, the ashley gang. -[josh] right. 134 00:05:43,210 --> 00:05:46,211 The ashley gang is not, I would say, a household name. 135 00:05:46,213 --> 00:05:47,279 They're really not. 136 00:05:47,281 --> 00:05:49,948 The john dillingers carry more notoriety, 137 00:05:50,050 --> 00:05:52,551 But the ashley gang robbed more than 40 banks, 138 00:05:52,619 --> 00:05:54,219 While dillinger only robbed 24. 139 00:05:54,221 --> 00:05:55,220 Wow. 140 00:05:55,222 --> 00:05:56,755 [rob] in the course of their work, 141 00:05:56,857 --> 00:05:58,357 It was impressive. 142 00:05:58,458 --> 00:06:00,559 It's a story that is waiting to be told 143 00:06:00,627 --> 00:06:02,227 That everyone should know about. 144 00:06:02,229 --> 00:06:04,730 At the center of this gang is john ashley. 145 00:06:07,901 --> 00:06:11,036 When does john's criminal career kick off? 146 00:06:11,038 --> 00:06:14,106 In his early 20s, john ashley is in the everglades, 147 00:06:14,108 --> 00:06:17,309 And he has a partner who's a seminole indian named desoto tiger. 148 00:06:17,311 --> 00:06:21,313 They would routinely take a canoe and set trap lines to catch otters 149 00:06:21,315 --> 00:06:24,349 And sell the pelts for cash to the nearby trading post. 150 00:06:24,418 --> 00:06:27,753 At some point in the game, desoto tiger ends up shot dead 151 00:06:27,854 --> 00:06:29,855 -And his body floating in the river. -Hmm... 152 00:06:30,424 --> 00:06:31,656 Not long after, 153 00:06:31,658 --> 00:06:34,259 John ashley sells a tall stack of otter pelts 154 00:06:34,361 --> 00:06:35,727 With the seminole markings 155 00:06:35,729 --> 00:06:37,529 At a trading post in miami. 156 00:06:38,832 --> 00:06:40,899 Enter palm beach sheriff george baker, 157 00:06:40,901 --> 00:06:44,202 Whose pursuit of the ashley will become a family obsessi 158 00:06:44,204 --> 00:06:47,139 Carried on by his son, sheriff bob baker. 159 00:06:47,207 --> 00:06:49,207 With ties to the kkk, 160 00:06:49,209 --> 00:06:52,711 Sheriff bob's participation ensures there are no good gu 161 00:06:52,713 --> 00:06:55,414 In the story of the ashley gang. 162 00:06:55,416 --> 00:06:57,916 In response to the murder of desoto tiger, 163 00:06:57,918 --> 00:07:01,686 A detail of deputies are sen to arrest john ashley. 164 00:07:01,688 --> 00:07:02,821 And how does that go? 165 00:07:02,823 --> 00:07:04,322 -Not altogether well. -[josh chuckles] 166 00:07:04,324 --> 00:07:09,027 They're met with the rifles of the ashley family... 167 00:07:09,029 --> 00:07:12,664 ...And john notoriously sent a message to the sheriff, saying, 168 00:07:12,733 --> 00:07:15,200 "don't send any more chicken-hearted men with rifles. 169 00:07:15,202 --> 00:07:16,334 They're liable to get hurt. 170 00:07:16,436 --> 00:07:17,502 Wow. 171 00:07:17,504 --> 00:07:18,904 At 19 years old? 172 00:07:18,906 --> 00:07:22,407 At 19 years old, he stood toe-to-toe against the sheriff, 173 00:07:22,409 --> 00:07:24,109 And that was the beginning of a feud 174 00:07:24,111 --> 00:07:26,111 That lasted till the end of john's life 175 00:07:26,113 --> 00:07:28,947 -Between sheriff baker and john ashley. -Wow. 176 00:07:30,551 --> 00:07:33,952 As the murder case attracts more attention and controversy, 177 00:07:34,054 --> 00:07:37,522 John ashley eventually surrenders himself to authorities, 178 00:07:37,524 --> 00:07:39,758 Only to then break out of jail. 179 00:07:39,827 --> 00:07:42,461 Once a fugitive, john forms a gang of outlaws 180 00:07:42,529 --> 00:07:45,964 Joined by his brothers and occasional other partners in crime. 181 00:07:47,534 --> 00:07:49,201 This gang that he forms, 182 00:07:49,203 --> 00:07:51,937 This is largely a family affair, right? 183 00:07:51,939 --> 00:07:53,405 [rob] four brothers and a nephew, 184 00:07:53,407 --> 00:07:55,540 Along with john and his father. 185 00:07:55,642 --> 00:07:58,109 [josh] the first few scores are a little bumpy, 186 00:07:58,111 --> 00:08:00,812 Proving that even a life of crime has a learning curve. 187 00:08:00,814 --> 00:08:02,280 [gunshot] 188 00:08:02,282 --> 00:08:04,916 First thing that they knocked over as a gang was a train, right? 189 00:08:04,918 --> 00:08:06,518 [rob] attempted train robber 190 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:08,653 It didn't go exactly according to plan. 191 00:08:08,755 --> 00:08:10,589 The teller windows from the bank of stuart, 192 00:08:10,591 --> 00:08:13,859 Which was their first successful robbery as a gang. 193 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:15,360 These are the actual windows from the bank? 194 00:08:15,428 --> 00:08:17,095 Those are the windows. 195 00:08:17,097 --> 00:08:19,097 [josh] wow. So, how much did they get away with in that robbery? 196 00:08:19,099 --> 00:08:21,132 [rob] $5,000 was their take 197 00:08:21,201 --> 00:08:22,834 Not bad for a day's work. 198 00:08:22,836 --> 00:08:26,404 Not bad, when you consider the fact that that's $140,000 in today's dollars. 199 00:08:26,406 --> 00:08:28,440 Oh, that's, that's a very good day's work. 200 00:08:28,509 --> 00:08:29,941 It turns out, I should be robbing banks. 201 00:08:30,010 --> 00:08:31,810 You might wanna reconsider a career change 202 00:08:31,812 --> 00:08:33,211 When you hear how the getaway went. 203 00:08:33,213 --> 00:08:34,613 Oh, they don't get away scot-free? 204 00:08:34,615 --> 00:08:37,516 One of the gang members had a misfire of his firearm, 205 00:08:37,518 --> 00:08:40,719 And the bullet passed through john ashley's jaw, 206 00:08:40,721 --> 00:08:43,688 Lodged in his skull and caused his eye to be removed. 207 00:08:43,690 --> 00:08:46,324 [josh] wow, so that's why we always see him with that eye patch. 208 00:08:46,326 --> 00:08:49,027 [rob] he had an eye patch and a glass eye. 209 00:08:49,029 --> 00:08:51,496 [josh] now, every good stor needs a little romance, 210 00:08:51,498 --> 00:08:53,832 And john ashley's is no exception. 211 00:08:56,003 --> 00:08:58,403 And there's also a bonnie to his clyde, right? 212 00:08:58,405 --> 00:09:01,840 Absolutely. Laura upthegrove, his devoted. 213 00:09:01,909 --> 00:09:04,175 -Sorry, what now? -Laura upthegrove. 214 00:09:04,177 --> 00:09:05,944 Sir, this is a family program. 215 00:09:05,946 --> 00:09:08,513 -So her name is upthegrove? -Upthegrove. 216 00:09:08,515 --> 00:09:10,415 [josh] and she wasn't just a hanger-on here, right? 217 00:09:10,417 --> 00:09:13,151 [rob] not at all. She was a full partner in crime. 218 00:09:13,220 --> 00:09:16,288 [josh] laura earned her way into the gang with her solid marksmanship 219 00:09:16,290 --> 00:09:18,223 And cunning criminal mind. 220 00:09:18,225 --> 00:09:20,492 She cased potential robbery spots, 221 00:09:20,494 --> 00:09:22,060 Oftentimes planned the heist 222 00:09:22,062 --> 00:09:24,329 And even drove the getaway car. 223 00:09:24,331 --> 00:09:27,198 In short, she became a key player. 224 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:29,334 She was a stalwart member of the gang. 225 00:09:29,336 --> 00:09:32,537 There was nothing they couldn't ask her to do. 226 00:09:32,606 --> 00:09:35,540 [josh] with a gunslinging love interest now added to the team, 227 00:09:35,642 --> 00:09:38,610 John and the gang embark on a 10-year crime spree 228 00:09:38,612 --> 00:09:40,445 That is simply epic. 229 00:09:40,547 --> 00:09:42,447 Along with daring bank robberies, 230 00:09:42,549 --> 00:09:45,817 The gang become major moonshiners in the swamps, 231 00:09:45,819 --> 00:09:48,053 Producing and selling illegal hooch 232 00:09:48,154 --> 00:09:51,222 And even engaging in piracy off the florida coast. 233 00:09:51,224 --> 00:09:52,624 As a criminal enterprise, 234 00:09:52,626 --> 00:09:56,428 The ashley gang is bold and very diversified. 235 00:09:56,430 --> 00:09:58,063 And what's he doing with all this money? 236 00:09:58,164 --> 00:09:59,764 He's, like, a swamp guy, right? 237 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:01,533 So, like, is he living large? 238 00:10:01,635 --> 00:10:04,102 John ashley was actually reinvesting in the community. 239 00:10:04,104 --> 00:10:05,603 There are lots of oral histories 240 00:10:05,605 --> 00:10:09,140 From people that were directly affected by his generosity. 241 00:10:09,242 --> 00:10:10,075 [josh] like jesse james, 242 00:10:10,077 --> 00:10:11,142 Dillinger, 243 00:10:11,244 --> 00:10:12,944 And other criminal antiheroe 244 00:10:12,946 --> 00:10:15,513 John ashley has gained a folkloric reputation 245 00:10:15,515 --> 00:10:17,415 As a kind of robin hood. 246 00:10:17,417 --> 00:10:19,517 Sometimes called the "swamp bandit," 247 00:10:19,519 --> 00:10:22,420 John's enterprises bring some infrastructure and mone 248 00:10:22,422 --> 00:10:25,557 To an otherwise undeveloped and impoverished region. 249 00:10:25,659 --> 00:10:27,525 And he had a lot of people on the salary, too, 250 00:10:27,527 --> 00:10:29,794 To run all these enterprises. 251 00:10:29,796 --> 00:10:32,030 [josh] but other locals, like people in stuart 252 00:10:32,032 --> 00:10:34,032 Whose money was in the bank john robbed, 253 00:10:34,034 --> 00:10:35,300 See him for what he was. 254 00:10:36,203 --> 00:10:37,368 A crook. 255 00:10:37,370 --> 00:10:39,504 And his spree eventually comes to an end, 256 00:10:39,506 --> 00:10:42,507 The culmination of his long grudge with sheriff baker. 257 00:10:43,410 --> 00:10:45,410 On November 1, 1924, 258 00:10:45,412 --> 00:10:47,512 Baker's deputies are part of a trap, 259 00:10:47,514 --> 00:10:50,215 Set to capture john ashley and three of his men 260 00:10:50,217 --> 00:10:52,150 As they travel north to jacksonville. 261 00:10:54,655 --> 00:10:58,023 In the aftermath, john and his associates are shot dead. 262 00:11:00,427 --> 00:11:04,062 Afterward, john ashley's glass eye is plucked out of its socket 263 00:11:04,064 --> 00:11:05,830 And delivered to sheriff baker, 264 00:11:05,832 --> 00:11:09,134 A twisted trophy to mark the end of their bitter feud 265 00:11:10,203 --> 00:11:13,438 Oh, my word. 266 00:11:13,507 --> 00:11:14,706 Pretty amazing, 267 00:11:14,708 --> 00:11:15,807 Staring back at you. 268 00:11:15,809 --> 00:11:18,410 [josh] literally staring back at me. 269 00:11:18,412 --> 00:11:20,245 This is his actual glass eye. 270 00:11:20,313 --> 00:11:22,013 [rob] correct. 271 00:11:22,015 --> 00:11:23,848 It's actually kind of hard to look at, 272 00:11:23,917 --> 00:11:25,817 Because suddenly, 273 00:11:25,819 --> 00:11:29,320 It actually seems like this larger-than-life character 274 00:11:29,322 --> 00:11:31,089 Is looking back at us. 275 00:11:31,091 --> 00:11:34,025 The sheriff intended to use it to make a keychain. 276 00:11:34,027 --> 00:11:36,428 Okay. It's a good way to keep an eye out for your car keys. 277 00:11:36,930 --> 00:11:38,329 [laughs] 278 00:11:38,331 --> 00:11:39,731 All right, I'm gonna give this back to you. 279 00:11:39,733 --> 00:11:40,598 Thank you. 280 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:41,700 Back in the case. 281 00:11:41,702 --> 00:11:42,901 Can I get the purell? 282 00:11:44,438 --> 00:11:46,304 But let's keep an eye on the prize 283 00:11:46,306 --> 00:11:48,540 And stay focused on the potential treasure. 284 00:11:48,608 --> 00:11:50,241 How much money did they get away with 285 00:11:50,310 --> 00:11:52,043 Over the course of this crime spree? 286 00:11:52,045 --> 00:11:53,611 In today's money, millions. 287 00:11:54,014 --> 00:11:54,946 Millions? 288 00:11:55,449 --> 00:11:56,848 Okay. 289 00:11:56,850 --> 00:11:59,918 -So, I take it the money wasn't recovered at the time. -[rob] no. 290 00:11:59,920 --> 00:12:01,252 For almost 100 years now, 291 00:12:01,254 --> 00:12:03,722 People have been digging hol in martin county, 292 00:12:03,724 --> 00:12:04,723 Trying to find it. 293 00:12:04,725 --> 00:12:05,990 [josh] and what do you think 294 00:12:05,992 --> 00:12:07,525 Do you think that that treasure's still out there? 295 00:12:07,527 --> 00:12:10,361 If that amount of money ever saw the light of day, 296 00:12:10,463 --> 00:12:11,629 We'd be aware of it. 297 00:12:11,631 --> 00:12:13,631 -Just sort of vanished? -[rob] absolutely. 298 00:12:14,034 --> 00:12:14,933 [josh] well... 299 00:12:15,001 --> 00:12:16,101 Well, now we just gotta find it. 300 00:12:16,103 --> 00:12:17,602 It's a tall task. 301 00:12:18,605 --> 00:12:20,071 Somebody's gotta do it. 302 00:12:21,308 --> 00:12:24,042 Fortunately, several investigators are hot on the case. 303 00:12:24,044 --> 00:12:26,111 One is author patrick mesmer 304 00:12:26,113 --> 00:12:28,346 Who's written three books on the ashley gang 305 00:12:28,448 --> 00:12:31,516 And is now going after their treasure in the swamps 306 00:12:31,518 --> 00:12:33,651 I head to a nearby dock to meet him. 307 00:12:35,122 --> 00:12:36,254 Patrick, how are you? 308 00:12:36,356 --> 00:12:37,922 Hey, josh, good meeting you. 309 00:12:37,924 --> 00:12:39,357 [josh] nice to meet you, too, man. Beautiful day. 310 00:12:39,426 --> 00:12:40,692 Oh, it's an awesome day. 311 00:12:40,694 --> 00:12:42,627 Is it a beautiful day for finding treasure? 312 00:12:42,629 --> 00:12:45,296 -Every day's a good day for finding treasure. -I like that attitude. 313 00:12:45,298 --> 00:12:46,598 Okay, ashley gang. 314 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:48,600 Is there any truth to the idea 315 00:12:48,602 --> 00:12:50,602 That there's ashley gang treasure out there? 316 00:12:50,604 --> 00:12:51,703 I believe there is... 317 00:12:51,705 --> 00:12:52,970 Really? 318 00:12:52,972 --> 00:12:54,739 ...Because I've studied a lot about that period of history 319 00:12:54,808 --> 00:12:56,107 -In this area. -[josh] right. 320 00:12:56,109 --> 00:12:58,543 Patrick's research has turned up information 321 00:12:58,645 --> 00:13:01,880 About a largely-forgotten ashley gang moonshining site 322 00:13:01,882 --> 00:13:04,616 A place where john may have stashed the gang's loot. 323 00:13:04,618 --> 00:13:07,719 And I guess, more importantly, do you happen to know where to find it? 324 00:13:07,721 --> 00:13:09,420 I have a pretty good idea of where it is, 325 00:13:09,422 --> 00:13:11,055 But it's not where you would think. 326 00:13:11,057 --> 00:13:12,724 Is it in the middle of a marina? 327 00:13:12,726 --> 00:13:14,025 [patrick] no, it's not here, 328 00:13:14,027 --> 00:13:16,761 But we need to leave from here to get where we need to go. 329 00:13:16,830 --> 00:13:18,496 All right, so which one of these yachts is yours? 330 00:13:18,498 --> 00:13:20,665 Yacht, who needs a yacht? 331 00:13:20,733 --> 00:13:22,734 I think everybody needs a yacht, don't they? 332 00:13:22,803 --> 00:13:24,903 I've got something better and much faster. 333 00:13:24,905 --> 00:13:26,104 What's better than a yacht? 334 00:13:29,910 --> 00:13:31,342 Everyone doesn't need a yach 335 00:13:34,681 --> 00:13:37,015 Besides, these little boater-cycles are a lot of fun 336 00:13:38,051 --> 00:13:39,450 And very fast. 337 00:13:40,453 --> 00:13:41,419 Holy [bleep]! 338 00:13:44,157 --> 00:13:45,223 [exclaims] 339 00:13:45,225 --> 00:13:46,291 [laughs] 340 00:13:47,294 --> 00:13:49,661 We're headed from stuart to a tiny, narrow 341 00:13:49,762 --> 00:13:53,164 Patch of land in the mangrov called corset island. 342 00:13:53,233 --> 00:13:55,099 Let's see what you got, patrick. 343 00:13:55,101 --> 00:13:58,303 Patrick lets her rip, and I'm in hot pursuit 344 00:13:58,305 --> 00:14:01,506 On a quest for some good old-fashioned sunshine state treasure. 345 00:14:10,517 --> 00:14:13,518 Okay, josh, this is corset island! 346 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:17,222 I found an old newspaper article from the 1920s 347 00:14:17,224 --> 00:14:21,860 That said that the ashley ga camp was here on this island 348 00:14:21,928 --> 00:14:23,327 [josh] I'm jet-skiing in florida 349 00:14:23,329 --> 00:14:25,830 With author turned treasure hunter, patrick mesmer, 350 00:14:25,832 --> 00:14:28,333 As we search for bank robbe and bootlegger, 351 00:14:28,434 --> 00:14:30,201 John ashley's old hideout. 352 00:14:31,705 --> 00:14:33,504 He believes this area was a base 353 00:14:33,506 --> 00:14:36,207 For one of their major moonshining operations. 354 00:14:36,209 --> 00:14:38,710 This is impenetrable. 355 00:14:38,712 --> 00:14:41,012 That is if we can actually get onto the island. 356 00:14:41,514 --> 00:14:43,648 Just all mangroves. 357 00:14:43,717 --> 00:14:46,317 Hey, josh, I think we can get in over here! 358 00:14:46,853 --> 00:14:47,919 Go for it. 359 00:14:47,921 --> 00:14:49,621 Finally, a possible way in. 360 00:14:51,224 --> 00:14:53,458 We dock at a break in the mangroves. 361 00:14:53,559 --> 00:14:56,060 Okay, here we are. Let's go find some treasure. 362 00:15:03,203 --> 00:15:04,402 So what's the move here? 363 00:15:04,404 --> 00:15:06,103 We have some metal detectors. 364 00:15:06,106 --> 00:15:09,107 Think what we're gonna do is just check this little shallow area here. 365 00:15:09,109 --> 00:15:11,309 There's some sandy beaches around the island. 366 00:15:11,311 --> 00:15:12,844 We just kinda work our way along 367 00:15:12,913 --> 00:15:14,312 And see if anything pops up 368 00:15:14,314 --> 00:15:15,847 Okay, well, let's get after it. 369 00:15:17,217 --> 00:15:20,385 The gang's moonshining exploits peaked during prohibition, 370 00:15:20,387 --> 00:15:23,721 The period between 1920 and 1933, 371 00:15:23,723 --> 00:15:26,925 When it was illegal to transport, buy, or sell alcohol 372 00:15:26,927 --> 00:15:28,326 Within the united states. 373 00:15:31,765 --> 00:15:33,131 You get bull sharks in here? 374 00:15:33,133 --> 00:15:35,033 -A few. -Good. Good, good, good. 375 00:15:35,035 --> 00:15:36,067 Perfect. 376 00:15:36,069 --> 00:15:38,503 Remote, hidden, and near the coast, 377 00:15:38,505 --> 00:15:40,538 Patrick believes this area was a base 378 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:43,007 For one of their major booze operations 379 00:15:43,009 --> 00:15:45,410 As the gang took full advantage of prohibitio 380 00:15:45,412 --> 00:15:48,313 Building enough liquor still to kick their side hustle 381 00:15:48,315 --> 00:15:49,847 Into a large-scale productio 382 00:15:50,650 --> 00:15:52,016 [metal detector beeping] 383 00:15:52,018 --> 00:15:53,251 Hey, josh, I got a hit. 384 00:15:55,622 --> 00:15:56,621 Let me see. 385 00:15:57,424 --> 00:15:59,157 [metal detector beeping] 386 00:15:59,225 --> 00:16:00,558 That's a hit for sure. 387 00:16:03,730 --> 00:16:05,263 -Certainly smells like treasure. -[patrick mesmer] ugh. 388 00:16:06,733 --> 00:16:07,832 There it is. 389 00:16:11,137 --> 00:16:12,437 [laughing] a copper pipe. 390 00:16:12,439 --> 00:16:15,206 -A copper pipe. -Hey, a copper pipe was used in a still. 391 00:16:15,208 --> 00:16:17,508 That's absolutely right. It's old copper too. 392 00:16:17,510 --> 00:16:19,944 Yep, that could be still copper. 393 00:16:19,946 --> 00:16:21,446 -What's that doing here? -Right. 394 00:16:23,616 --> 00:16:26,584 Our first find elevates our spirits quite a bit. 395 00:16:26,586 --> 00:16:29,754 Now, we press inland in hopes of uncovering even more. 396 00:16:32,125 --> 00:16:33,124 [patrick] hey, josh. 397 00:16:34,060 --> 00:16:36,127 Looks like we got an opening here. 398 00:16:36,129 --> 00:16:37,128 [josh] let's see where it goes. 399 00:16:43,003 --> 00:16:44,836 Wow. Oh, look at that. 400 00:16:46,639 --> 00:16:47,638 We found the interior. 401 00:16:48,608 --> 00:16:50,008 [patrick] see, this opens up in here. 402 00:16:50,010 --> 00:16:51,909 -Oh, wow, it really does. Look at that. -[patrick] yes. 403 00:16:57,717 --> 00:16:58,949 -There's building material. -[josh] yeah. 404 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:02,754 [patrick] so this area looks like it had buildings on it. 405 00:17:03,923 --> 00:17:05,456 [josh] after getting a lay of the land, 406 00:17:05,558 --> 00:17:07,792 It doesn't take long for patrick to surmise 407 00:17:07,794 --> 00:17:11,429 How this would have been an ideal area for a bootlegging operation 408 00:17:12,232 --> 00:17:13,497 [patrick] that is a road. 409 00:17:13,499 --> 00:17:15,099 -[josh] that looks like a road. -[patrick] it is a road. 410 00:17:15,101 --> 00:17:16,701 [josh] oh, look at that. So it's like an old abandoned trail 411 00:17:16,703 --> 00:17:18,136 That connects the camp out to the water. 412 00:17:19,606 --> 00:17:21,039 This looks like an old trail in here. 413 00:17:21,140 --> 00:17:22,306 [patrick] yep. 414 00:17:22,308 --> 00:17:23,574 We got a bluff here. 415 00:17:24,644 --> 00:17:27,612 [josh] once the booze was made, it had to be moved 416 00:17:27,614 --> 00:17:31,616 Patrick explains how corset island operated as a staging ground 417 00:17:31,618 --> 00:17:35,219 For the ashleys to transpor their product discretely. 418 00:17:35,221 --> 00:17:36,721 This would have been a great spot 419 00:17:36,723 --> 00:17:38,923 For the ashley gang to have a camp. 420 00:17:38,925 --> 00:17:40,290 On the other side of that is the ocean. 421 00:17:41,728 --> 00:17:43,761 [josh] this would have been a perfect departure point 422 00:17:43,863 --> 00:17:46,964 For trips to the bahamas, just 50 miles away, 423 00:17:47,033 --> 00:17:48,599 Where they could buy liquor legally 424 00:17:48,601 --> 00:17:50,935 And smuggle it back to the united states. 425 00:17:52,939 --> 00:17:54,505 [patrick] they would buy cases of booze, 426 00:17:54,507 --> 00:17:56,340 And they would bring it back 427 00:17:56,409 --> 00:17:58,543 Unload it at a dock here at this site. 428 00:17:58,644 --> 00:18:01,145 A lot of times, the profit margin on booze 429 00:18:01,214 --> 00:18:03,448 Was six times what they paid for it. 430 00:18:03,516 --> 00:18:07,852 -Wow. -It's 70 or $80,000 for one trip. 431 00:18:07,921 --> 00:18:10,254 Imagine if you did five trips a week. 432 00:18:10,323 --> 00:18:14,225 They actually had a lock on the rumrunning trade for several years, 433 00:18:14,227 --> 00:18:15,960 Where no one could do it except them. 434 00:18:17,530 --> 00:18:19,130 [josh] but as lucrative as this was, 435 00:18:19,132 --> 00:18:22,233 The ashley gang wanted even more. 436 00:18:22,302 --> 00:18:24,702 [patrick] they weren't just bootleggers, they were also pirates. 437 00:18:24,704 --> 00:18:26,404 They would attack other rumrunners. 438 00:18:26,406 --> 00:18:28,039 [josh] you mean literal pirates? 439 00:18:28,141 --> 00:18:29,941 -These guys were crazy. -[patrick] yes. 440 00:18:29,943 --> 00:18:31,709 How much money are we talking about here? 441 00:18:31,711 --> 00:18:34,045 -A lot. -And where is that money? 442 00:18:34,147 --> 00:18:35,313 Underneath our feet. 443 00:18:38,518 --> 00:18:40,251 Convinced we have the right spot, 444 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:41,519 Patrick and I get to work. 445 00:18:48,962 --> 00:18:51,562 [metal detector beeping] 446 00:18:51,664 --> 00:18:53,231 Hey, josh, I got a hit. 447 00:18:56,903 --> 00:18:58,402 -Here? -Yep. 448 00:18:58,404 --> 00:19:00,404 Right in that area right there. 449 00:19:00,406 --> 00:19:02,306 Patrick, why don't you dive in there and get that out. 450 00:19:02,308 --> 00:19:03,741 [laughing] 451 00:19:03,810 --> 00:19:05,209 All right. 452 00:19:05,211 --> 00:19:07,411 [exclaiming] 453 00:19:07,413 --> 00:19:09,547 Patrick, you couldn't find stuff on land? 454 00:19:09,615 --> 00:19:11,215 -Hold that for a second. -[patrick] mmm-hmm. 455 00:19:11,217 --> 00:19:13,951 [josh] remember kids, treasure hunting is dangerous business. 456 00:19:13,953 --> 00:19:15,620 -[beeping] -[splashing] 457 00:19:15,622 --> 00:19:17,155 Just ask my camera operator 458 00:19:17,256 --> 00:19:18,256 [both laughing] 459 00:19:18,357 --> 00:19:19,657 [camera operator speaking] 460 00:19:20,660 --> 00:19:21,559 Look! 461 00:19:24,230 --> 00:19:25,730 What is happening? 462 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:28,199 You all right? 463 00:19:28,201 --> 00:19:29,433 [camera operator speaking] 464 00:19:29,535 --> 00:19:30,134 What was it? 465 00:19:31,037 --> 00:19:32,703 A crab. A big crab? 466 00:19:34,941 --> 00:19:36,407 [josh] sure there's a joke here to be made 467 00:19:36,409 --> 00:19:38,609 About my camera man catching crabs, 468 00:19:38,611 --> 00:19:40,311 But I'm above that. 469 00:19:40,313 --> 00:19:41,812 I thought an alligator had your leg. 470 00:19:41,814 --> 00:19:43,414 -[camera operator speaking] -[laughing] 471 00:19:43,416 --> 00:19:44,615 [josh] okay, where were we? 472 00:19:47,053 --> 00:19:48,219 -Hold this for a second. -Mmm-hmm. 473 00:19:48,855 --> 00:19:50,421 Let's see if I can... 474 00:19:50,423 --> 00:19:52,323 -[metal detector beeping] -here we go. 475 00:19:53,226 --> 00:19:54,225 Oh, I got it. 476 00:19:58,031 --> 00:19:59,530 -What is that? -Wow. 477 00:20:02,802 --> 00:20:05,136 I thought it was a beer tab for a second, but it's not. 478 00:20:05,939 --> 00:20:07,238 Oh, you know what this is? 479 00:20:07,340 --> 00:20:08,639 I think this is part of a lantern. 480 00:20:08,708 --> 00:20:10,541 I think that's the wick turner on an oil lamp. 481 00:20:10,643 --> 00:20:12,843 -Yeah. -A really old oil lamp. 482 00:20:12,945 --> 00:20:14,712 -[patrick] wow. -[josh] let's see, it's stamped. 483 00:20:14,714 --> 00:20:16,414 It says dietz company. 484 00:20:17,217 --> 00:20:19,750 A trusty 1920s dietz oil lam 485 00:20:19,819 --> 00:20:22,053 Would've been the perfect wa for the ashley gang 486 00:20:22,154 --> 00:20:24,088 To illuminate their bootlegging activities 487 00:20:24,090 --> 00:20:25,423 In the stealth of night. 488 00:20:26,659 --> 00:20:27,959 That is so cool. 489 00:20:33,066 --> 00:20:35,233 [beeping] 490 00:20:35,334 --> 00:20:38,102 Gold coin, gold coin. Come on, gold coin. Come on. 491 00:20:39,606 --> 00:20:41,038 Whatever this is. 492 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:42,306 -Huh? -What do you think? 493 00:20:42,942 --> 00:20:44,208 Some kind of armature. 494 00:20:45,211 --> 00:20:46,444 Whatever it is, it's not treasure. 495 00:20:47,146 --> 00:20:48,245 Keep moving. 496 00:20:49,249 --> 00:20:51,215 We continue to search and to dig... 497 00:20:52,719 --> 00:20:53,718 ...And dig. 498 00:20:55,922 --> 00:20:57,521 Have at it, patrick. 499 00:20:57,523 --> 00:20:58,723 How's it going, patrick? 500 00:20:58,725 --> 00:21:00,291 [patrick] I'm determined. 501 00:21:00,293 --> 00:21:02,426 Yeah, that's how I started. 502 00:21:02,428 --> 00:21:04,729 Now, I'm determined [whispers] to find a daquiri. 503 00:21:06,332 --> 00:21:08,032 After a few hours of investigating, 504 00:21:08,101 --> 00:21:10,401 It feels like we need a new tactic. 505 00:21:10,403 --> 00:21:13,037 All right, so promising spot for sure, 506 00:21:13,139 --> 00:21:15,106 Couple cool finds, no treasure yet. 507 00:21:15,108 --> 00:21:16,440 No, but I'll tell you what, 508 00:21:16,509 --> 00:21:18,843 I brought a couple of special tools 509 00:21:18,911 --> 00:21:20,945 That I think might give us an edge. 510 00:21:21,014 --> 00:21:21,746 All right, what do you got? 511 00:21:25,685 --> 00:21:26,717 Magnets. 512 00:21:26,719 --> 00:21:27,852 Magnets? 513 00:21:30,156 --> 00:21:31,155 Magnets. 514 00:21:32,525 --> 00:21:34,458 Magnet fishing as the pros call it 515 00:21:34,527 --> 00:21:36,827 Is actually a surprisingly effective wa 516 00:21:36,829 --> 00:21:38,929 To recover items under water 517 00:21:38,931 --> 00:21:40,731 And it's also a hell of an upper body workout. 518 00:21:42,502 --> 00:21:43,434 Okay, josh. 519 00:21:43,536 --> 00:21:46,404 This magnet has 3,600 pounds of pull. 520 00:21:46,406 --> 00:21:48,406 -I take it that's strong. -It's very strong. 521 00:21:48,408 --> 00:21:50,941 -Okay. -[patrick] it won't pick up gold or silver, 522 00:21:50,943 --> 00:21:54,512 But sometimes those items get concreted in with other things... 523 00:21:54,514 --> 00:21:56,247 -Sure. -[patrick] ...Like a case or a box. 524 00:21:57,650 --> 00:21:59,917 [josh] after 100 years of storms and erosion, 525 00:21:59,919 --> 00:22:02,653 Anything the ashley's may have buried on corset island 526 00:22:02,722 --> 00:22:04,422 Is just as likely to be bogged down 527 00:22:04,424 --> 00:22:06,524 In the water's edge as it is in the ground. 528 00:22:08,061 --> 00:22:10,461 Now, is there a specific technique to this? 529 00:22:10,529 --> 00:22:13,130 We take the magnet, and we throw it in the water. 530 00:22:13,132 --> 00:22:15,333 Okay, run that by me one more time. 531 00:22:15,434 --> 00:22:17,702 We take the magnet and we throw it in the water. 532 00:22:17,704 --> 00:22:18,936 I got it now. 533 00:22:24,610 --> 00:22:26,644 That was a good one. I feel real good about this one. 534 00:22:28,114 --> 00:22:31,215 We cast out into the water again and again 535 00:22:31,217 --> 00:22:34,819 Until finally, patrick feel a little added resistance on his line. 536 00:22:35,955 --> 00:22:37,221 Oh, I got something. 537 00:22:37,223 --> 00:22:38,222 [josh] what do you got? 538 00:22:40,727 --> 00:22:41,726 Come on. 539 00:22:45,631 --> 00:22:46,831 It's shiny, what is that? 540 00:22:49,402 --> 00:22:50,401 [patrick] it's a knife. 541 00:22:50,937 --> 00:22:52,169 It's a steak knife. 542 00:22:54,307 --> 00:22:56,607 All right, well, is that a weapon from the ashley gang? 543 00:22:56,609 --> 00:22:58,909 -[patrick] uh, I don't think so. -[laughing] 544 00:22:58,911 --> 00:23:00,811 [josh] john ashley was know for holding up banks, 545 00:23:00,813 --> 00:23:02,046 Not steak houses. 546 00:23:02,148 --> 00:23:03,347 You get three more of those, we got a set. 547 00:23:03,416 --> 00:23:04,714 [laughing] 548 00:23:05,952 --> 00:23:08,819 [josh] often times success relies upon perseverance. 549 00:23:08,821 --> 00:23:11,322 With magnet fishing, that's even more so. 550 00:23:12,625 --> 00:23:14,625 There's worse ways to spend an afternoon. 551 00:23:14,627 --> 00:23:17,161 We continue to toss our magnets into the water 552 00:23:17,263 --> 00:23:20,631 In the hopes we can drag in some of that sweet ashley gang treasure. 553 00:23:22,635 --> 00:23:24,402 Old nail. 554 00:23:24,404 --> 00:23:27,605 Unfortunately, hours later, we have little to show for I 555 00:23:27,607 --> 00:23:28,906 But some sore shoulders. 556 00:23:32,044 --> 00:23:33,611 I got a fish hook. 557 00:23:34,947 --> 00:23:37,948 What's it gonna take to find ashley gang treasure out here you think? 558 00:23:38,050 --> 00:23:40,751 I think it's gonna take dedication and hard work, 559 00:23:40,820 --> 00:23:42,520 Just like we've been doing today. 560 00:23:42,522 --> 00:23:45,089 Florida has 1,300 miles of coastline, 561 00:23:45,091 --> 00:23:49,059 And for hundreds of years, it's been all about smuggling and piracy, 562 00:23:49,128 --> 00:23:50,528 All along our coast, 563 00:23:50,530 --> 00:23:52,797 And a lot of that story is still buried here. 564 00:23:52,799 --> 00:23:56,033 Right, and as we see over and over again, even today. 565 00:23:56,102 --> 00:23:58,102 That history keeps coming back to the surface. 566 00:23:58,104 --> 00:23:59,136 Yes, it does. 567 00:23:59,205 --> 00:24:00,805 All right, well, we gotta keep looking. 568 00:24:00,807 --> 00:24:02,706 We should probably go make sure those jet skis are still there. 569 00:24:02,708 --> 00:24:03,707 [laughs] I agree. 570 00:24:03,709 --> 00:24:04,842 Come on, let's go. 571 00:24:06,412 --> 00:24:08,813 Patrick and I jet back towards civilization, 572 00:24:08,815 --> 00:24:13,284 Having explored what might b one of the ashley gang's bases of operation. 573 00:24:13,286 --> 00:24:15,152 But there's another critical location 574 00:24:15,221 --> 00:24:16,520 Associated with the gang 575 00:24:16,522 --> 00:24:18,155 That might yield even more. 576 00:24:18,958 --> 00:24:20,424 Back in the town of stuart, 577 00:24:20,426 --> 00:24:22,326 I'm following in the gang's footsteps 578 00:24:22,328 --> 00:24:25,963 To see where they lead and where they end. 579 00:24:25,998 --> 00:24:28,799 This restaurant over here used to be the old bank of stuart. 580 00:24:28,801 --> 00:24:30,801 It's where john ashley lost his eye, 581 00:24:30,803 --> 00:24:34,104 And in fact, the gang robbed this place not once, but twice. 582 00:24:34,106 --> 00:24:36,340 By the second time, they were so recognizable 583 00:24:36,409 --> 00:24:38,242 That they couldn't just walk in unnoticed. 584 00:24:39,345 --> 00:24:42,413 So john's nephew slipped in by wearing a dress. 585 00:24:44,116 --> 00:24:45,649 As for john, 586 00:24:45,751 --> 00:24:47,751 He found himself in and out of prison, 587 00:24:47,853 --> 00:24:50,855 Escaping for the third time in 1923. 588 00:24:51,624 --> 00:24:53,157 By this time, the ashley gan 589 00:24:53,226 --> 00:24:55,159 Kicks their robberies into high gear, 590 00:24:55,228 --> 00:24:58,028 Operating out of a homestea and moonshining headquarter 591 00:24:58,030 --> 00:24:59,463 Deep in the swamp, 592 00:24:59,532 --> 00:25:01,599 Where many believe their ill-gotten treasure 593 00:25:01,601 --> 00:25:03,734 Was ultimately buried. 594 00:25:03,803 --> 00:25:06,804 The only problem, the town was torched to the ground 595 00:25:06,806 --> 00:25:09,306 And then lost to history. 596 00:25:09,308 --> 00:25:12,042 But now, two experts believe they've found it. 597 00:25:18,451 --> 00:25:22,820 [josh] I'm on the trail of the notorious bandit and moonshiner, john ashley 598 00:25:22,822 --> 00:25:24,722 Now, florida historians, 599 00:25:24,724 --> 00:25:26,557 Steve carr and chessy ricca 600 00:25:26,592 --> 00:25:29,026 Believe they've relocated a lost town 601 00:25:29,028 --> 00:25:31,095 That might contain the lost treasure 602 00:25:31,097 --> 00:25:33,430 Of the notorious gangster. 603 00:25:33,432 --> 00:25:35,232 So let's start with a little orientation. 604 00:25:35,301 --> 00:25:36,600 Where are we? 605 00:25:36,602 --> 00:25:38,702 Well, you're standing in the town of fruita. 606 00:25:38,704 --> 00:25:40,170 I'm sorry, the town? 607 00:25:40,206 --> 00:25:42,606 -The town of fruita. Yeah. -[chessy ricca] the ghost town of fruita. 608 00:25:43,209 --> 00:25:44,441 I don't even see a ghost town. 609 00:25:44,510 --> 00:25:45,743 -[laughs] -like, where is it? 610 00:25:45,811 --> 00:25:47,611 -Well, you gotta look hard. It's here. -Okay. 611 00:25:48,614 --> 00:25:50,014 [josh] so there was a town here? 612 00:25:50,016 --> 00:25:51,916 And when was this town in existence? 613 00:25:51,918 --> 00:25:57,121 Roughly 1910 through 1912 it began its roots, 614 00:25:57,123 --> 00:25:59,590 Homesteaded by joe ashley, 615 00:25:59,592 --> 00:26:03,127 The father of the notorious bandit, john ashley. 616 00:26:03,129 --> 00:26:05,262 John ashley actually called this home, 617 00:26:05,331 --> 00:26:07,131 And this was his base of operation. 618 00:26:07,133 --> 00:26:09,099 And they... Their home was where? 619 00:26:09,101 --> 00:26:10,200 It was right here where you're standing. 620 00:26:10,202 --> 00:26:11,302 -Like, right here, right here? -Yeah, yeah. 621 00:26:11,304 --> 00:26:12,836 This is the ashley homestead. 622 00:26:12,905 --> 00:26:14,138 You're standing on top of it. 623 00:26:15,575 --> 00:26:17,841 [josh] if steve is right, this is the location 624 00:26:17,943 --> 00:26:20,411 Of one of the most dramatic and bloody events 625 00:26:20,413 --> 00:26:22,513 In the gang's history. 626 00:26:22,515 --> 00:26:25,115 Remember sheriff bob baker, the one who would eventuall 627 00:26:25,117 --> 00:26:27,618 Use john's glass eye as a keychain? 628 00:26:27,620 --> 00:26:30,654 Well, having had quite enoug of the ashley gang's exploit 629 00:26:30,756 --> 00:26:33,857 Baker orders a large group of heavily armed deputies 630 00:26:33,959 --> 00:26:36,694 To raid the ashley homestea in the pre-dawn hours 631 00:26:36,696 --> 00:26:39,129 Of January 9th, 1924. 632 00:26:44,804 --> 00:26:46,737 A massive shootout ensues. 633 00:26:46,806 --> 00:26:49,273 [gunshots] 634 00:26:49,275 --> 00:26:51,508 And while john escapes, the sheriff's men 635 00:26:51,510 --> 00:26:54,712 Burn the ashley home and the moonshining operation 636 00:26:54,714 --> 00:26:55,713 Into oblivion. 637 00:26:57,350 --> 00:26:58,616 [steve carr] right here, josh. 638 00:26:59,852 --> 00:27:01,819 That's ceramics from the, um... 639 00:27:01,821 --> 00:27:03,821 Probably from the ashley homestead... 640 00:27:03,823 --> 00:27:05,022 -[josh] it's a plate? -[steve] ...From the house. 641 00:27:05,024 --> 00:27:06,724 Um, this place was burned to the ground. 642 00:27:06,726 --> 00:27:09,059 The dishes inside of course were crushed. 643 00:27:09,095 --> 00:27:11,128 -Wow. -There's archeological evidence 644 00:27:11,130 --> 00:27:13,797 That the house existed and was here. 645 00:27:13,799 --> 00:27:16,734 Look at that, dinner plate that might have been in the ashley home. 646 00:27:16,835 --> 00:27:19,203 John ashley may have eaten off of that plate. 647 00:27:19,205 --> 00:27:20,237 How crazy is that? 648 00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:23,207 This famous raid that went down. 649 00:27:23,209 --> 00:27:24,608 That was supposed to have taken place 650 00:27:24,610 --> 00:27:26,710 Near one of the big stills they were moonshining in, 651 00:27:26,712 --> 00:27:29,213 -Right? -So in one fell swoop, 652 00:27:29,215 --> 00:27:33,217 The idea was to bring enough deputies here, 653 00:27:33,219 --> 00:27:35,252 And josh, they didn't come with warrants, 654 00:27:35,354 --> 00:27:37,254 They came here to do business, 655 00:27:37,356 --> 00:27:39,023 To take this place out. 656 00:27:39,025 --> 00:27:42,393 Fruita is gone, it was destroyed in one night. 657 00:27:42,395 --> 00:27:46,096 [josh] the main target of the raid was the gang's whiskey stills. 658 00:27:46,098 --> 00:27:49,033 Steve and chessy not only believe they've found that area, 659 00:27:49,035 --> 00:27:51,802 They think the ashley treasu could still be buried there 660 00:27:52,805 --> 00:27:55,005 So let's talk about this treasure, right? 661 00:27:55,007 --> 00:27:56,840 There are these rumors, these stories 662 00:27:56,909 --> 00:28:00,010 That it might have been hidden out near this still site. 663 00:28:00,012 --> 00:28:02,112 Do we know where this raid took place, 664 00:28:02,114 --> 00:28:04,515 The actual kinda flashpoint out here? 665 00:28:04,517 --> 00:28:05,882 Uh, yes we do. 666 00:28:05,884 --> 00:28:08,752 Um, we're lucky to have photographs of where the site was, 667 00:28:08,854 --> 00:28:11,255 And I think with 99% certain, josh, 668 00:28:11,323 --> 00:28:13,524 I can put you on that whiskey still site, 669 00:28:13,526 --> 00:28:15,092 Which was the whole point of the raid. 670 00:28:15,094 --> 00:28:16,360 Can we see it? 671 00:28:16,462 --> 00:28:17,461 You ready to go? 672 00:28:17,563 --> 00:28:18,628 Please. 673 00:28:22,635 --> 00:28:24,334 [chessy] now, josh, I want you to keep an eye out 674 00:28:24,403 --> 00:28:26,103 -For these cactuses here. -[josh] yeah. 675 00:28:26,105 --> 00:28:27,705 [chessy] also, there's one other thing 676 00:28:27,707 --> 00:28:29,440 You gotta keep an eye out for. 677 00:28:29,541 --> 00:28:32,209 We got pygmy rattlesnakes. 678 00:28:32,211 --> 00:28:33,644 What the hell's a pygmy rattlesnake? 679 00:28:33,713 --> 00:28:35,679 It's like a rattlesnake but small, 680 00:28:35,681 --> 00:28:37,848 And it has no rattle. 681 00:28:37,950 --> 00:28:40,951 -But the rattle's the one way you know they're there! -[chessy chuckles] 682 00:28:40,953 --> 00:28:42,119 Welcome to florida. 683 00:28:42,955 --> 00:28:44,521 This state is crazy. 684 00:28:44,523 --> 00:28:46,123 All right. Come on. 685 00:28:46,125 --> 00:28:47,791 [josh] keeping an ever watchful eye out 686 00:28:47,793 --> 00:28:50,828 For non-rattling snakes and whatever other wildlife 687 00:28:50,830 --> 00:28:52,463 Florida has in store for us 688 00:28:52,531 --> 00:28:54,598 We finally arrive at a clearing, 689 00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:55,899 Which steve believes was 690 00:28:55,901 --> 00:28:57,801 At the center of the police raid. 691 00:28:58,938 --> 00:29:00,838 [steve] so, josh, where we're standing, 692 00:29:00,939 --> 00:29:03,040 This was that major still site. 693 00:29:03,042 --> 00:29:04,441 The big whiskey still was right here. 694 00:29:04,510 --> 00:29:06,009 [steve] right here in front of you. 695 00:29:06,011 --> 00:29:08,278 Now, there's an old photograph 696 00:29:08,280 --> 00:29:10,147 That showed the sheriff's deputies 697 00:29:10,249 --> 00:29:12,816 Who raided this place in 1924. 698 00:29:12,818 --> 00:29:15,052 Yes, I've seen that. They're all lined up, right? 699 00:29:15,121 --> 00:29:16,353 -In front of a building. -Correct. 700 00:29:16,422 --> 00:29:18,422 And that building was right there. 701 00:29:21,527 --> 00:29:23,527 [josh] and was that building the still? 702 00:29:23,529 --> 00:29:24,695 It was the stillhouse. 703 00:29:24,697 --> 00:29:27,865 It was the operation during prohibition. 704 00:29:27,900 --> 00:29:30,901 They were producing over 100 gallons of whiskey a day. 705 00:29:30,903 --> 00:29:34,304 -Sorry, 100 gallons of whiskey a day? -100 gallons of whiskey a day. 706 00:29:34,306 --> 00:29:36,006 This was a massive operation. 707 00:29:36,008 --> 00:29:38,942 This was one of the most productive activities 708 00:29:38,944 --> 00:29:40,244 Anywhere in the country. 709 00:29:40,312 --> 00:29:42,713 So, how do we know that still was right here? 710 00:29:42,715 --> 00:29:44,114 I'm gonna prove that to you. 711 00:29:45,584 --> 00:29:47,718 [steve] so, josh, I got something I want you to see here. 712 00:29:47,720 --> 00:29:49,820 [josh] ooh, look at this. What do we got? 713 00:29:49,822 --> 00:29:52,322 I believe that's gonna be part of the foundation stone 714 00:29:52,324 --> 00:29:54,525 For the still that we were talking about. 715 00:29:54,527 --> 00:29:56,226 I mean, that is a cut stone for sure. 716 00:29:56,228 --> 00:29:57,561 -Look at that. -[steve] it is. 717 00:29:57,629 --> 00:29:58,462 What do you got? 718 00:29:58,564 --> 00:29:59,663 Got some blue glass. 719 00:29:59,665 --> 00:30:01,899 Blue glass. So, what's blue glass doing out here? 720 00:30:01,901 --> 00:30:04,334 Well, john ashley's brother bill produced 721 00:30:04,436 --> 00:30:06,069 His own brand of moonshine 722 00:30:06,071 --> 00:30:08,038 And he put it in those blue bottles. 723 00:30:08,107 --> 00:30:09,406 That's it right there, right? 724 00:30:09,408 --> 00:30:11,909 We got moonshiners glass and a foundation stone 725 00:30:11,911 --> 00:30:13,010 In the middle of nowhere. 726 00:30:13,078 --> 00:30:15,712 And we got a lot more over here to show you, too. 727 00:30:15,714 --> 00:30:17,948 Wow. All right. Well, let's go find it. 728 00:30:19,118 --> 00:30:20,517 [josh] everything points to this being 729 00:30:20,519 --> 00:30:21,952 The location of the raid. 730 00:30:21,954 --> 00:30:24,021 [chessy] I got a broken whiskey bottle. 731 00:30:24,023 --> 00:30:25,455 [josh] look at that. Whiskey bottle. 732 00:30:25,557 --> 00:30:28,325 If you find a full one, chessy, let me know. 733 00:30:28,327 --> 00:30:29,793 [josh] if this is the spot, 734 00:30:29,795 --> 00:30:32,963 It makes sense that treasur could be buried here, too. 735 00:30:33,032 --> 00:30:35,833 After all, the gang was maki a lot of money here 736 00:30:35,934 --> 00:30:38,602 And most of it has never been found. 737 00:30:38,604 --> 00:30:41,505 A lot of people believe that they could have been producing 738 00:30:41,507 --> 00:30:45,342 As much as $5,000 a day in revenue. 739 00:30:45,444 --> 00:30:48,645 -And that's a hell of a lot of money in 1920. -[josh] yeah. 740 00:30:48,747 --> 00:30:51,715 Ashley had a penchant for swapping 741 00:30:51,717 --> 00:30:53,617 Paper money out for gold 742 00:30:53,619 --> 00:30:55,619 And he couldn't put his proceeds in the bank. 743 00:30:55,621 --> 00:30:57,120 -He had to hide it. -Yeah. 744 00:30:58,157 --> 00:31:00,824 [steve] if he's producing $5,000 a day, josh, 745 00:31:00,826 --> 00:31:06,196 We could be talking millions if not billions of dollars in gold. 746 00:31:06,198 --> 00:31:07,965 [josh] it's believed that john may have buried 747 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:11,635 Boxes of gold coins out her near their base of operation 748 00:31:12,638 --> 00:31:14,504 Our mission, look for the loot, 749 00:31:14,506 --> 00:31:15,906 But also see if we can find 750 00:31:15,908 --> 00:31:17,941 Any remnants of the gang's presence, 751 00:31:18,010 --> 00:31:19,209 Which would be historic. 752 00:31:20,312 --> 00:31:22,112 We point our noses to the ground 753 00:31:22,114 --> 00:31:24,147 And slowly start walking the site. 754 00:31:25,217 --> 00:31:26,617 Ooh! I got metal. Steve! 755 00:31:28,821 --> 00:31:29,820 [josh] so, what do you think? 756 00:31:30,656 --> 00:31:32,322 Uh, it could be part of a stove. 757 00:31:33,125 --> 00:31:34,258 [josh] as we scour the land 758 00:31:34,326 --> 00:31:36,093 I can't help but feel goosebumps 759 00:31:36,095 --> 00:31:38,562 At the idea that john ashle and his gang 760 00:31:38,664 --> 00:31:41,398 May have stood in this very place. 761 00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:43,433 [chessy] hey, guys, I think I got something cool over here. 762 00:31:45,537 --> 00:31:47,037 [josh] where? Look at that! 763 00:31:48,507 --> 00:31:49,973 Wow! 764 00:31:53,646 --> 00:31:56,346 [chessy] hey, guys, I think I got something cool over here. 765 00:31:56,448 --> 00:31:57,948 [josh] we're in the swamps of florida 766 00:31:57,950 --> 00:32:00,117 Searching for traces of the ashley gang 767 00:32:00,119 --> 00:32:01,351 And their treasure. 768 00:32:01,420 --> 00:32:04,154 -[chessy] I think I got a bullet. -[josh] wow! 769 00:32:04,223 --> 00:32:06,156 [josh] now, we may have just uncovered a remnant 770 00:32:06,225 --> 00:32:09,259 From one of the bloodiest chapters in their history. 771 00:32:09,361 --> 00:32:11,028 Oh, a big one. Look at that! 772 00:32:12,431 --> 00:32:13,730 [chessy] that is too cool. 773 00:32:13,732 --> 00:32:15,232 So, that is... 774 00:32:18,404 --> 00:32:19,803 That's 12 gauge. 775 00:32:19,805 --> 00:32:21,004 Look at that. 776 00:32:21,006 --> 00:32:22,506 Look, we got another one. 777 00:32:22,508 --> 00:32:24,007 -Two of them! -Yeah. 778 00:32:24,009 --> 00:32:25,208 -Just literally lying there. -Yeah. 779 00:32:25,210 --> 00:32:26,343 [steve] josh, this speaks 780 00:32:26,445 --> 00:32:28,812 To the violent nature of the story. 781 00:32:28,814 --> 00:32:31,181 [josh] when sheriff baker's men come to the homestead, 782 00:32:31,183 --> 00:32:32,950 They're not here to negotiat 783 00:32:32,952 --> 00:32:36,420 They immediately open fire on the gang. 784 00:32:36,422 --> 00:32:39,289 In the mayhem, joe ashley, john's father, 785 00:32:39,291 --> 00:32:41,124 Is shot and killed. 786 00:32:42,528 --> 00:32:44,127 Having witnessed his father's death, 787 00:32:44,129 --> 00:32:47,064 John immediately fires back in retaliation, 788 00:32:48,500 --> 00:32:51,635 Killing officer fred baker, cousin of sheriff baker. 789 00:32:53,105 --> 00:32:56,440 John's girlfriend laura is also seriously injured, 790 00:32:56,508 --> 00:32:59,609 Taking three wounds to the abdomen. 791 00:32:59,611 --> 00:33:02,813 John, however, miraculously escapes. 792 00:33:02,815 --> 00:33:05,716 And, like almost every other part 793 00:33:05,718 --> 00:33:07,017 Of john ashley's story though, 794 00:33:07,019 --> 00:33:08,318 They don't kill him. 795 00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:11,321 Yeah, he had kind of a sixth sense about these things, 796 00:33:11,323 --> 00:33:13,223 And while everybody was sleeping, 797 00:33:13,225 --> 00:33:15,959 John always seemed to have one eye open. 798 00:33:16,028 --> 00:33:18,028 -Remember he... -Well, that's all he had. 799 00:33:18,030 --> 00:33:19,629 Sorry, it was right in front of me. 800 00:33:19,631 --> 00:33:21,565 -It was right in front of me. -[chessy laughs] 801 00:33:21,600 --> 00:33:24,001 Just the idea that we may be holding the shells 802 00:33:24,003 --> 00:33:26,036 That were used to kill somebody out here. 803 00:33:26,138 --> 00:33:27,603 -Absolutely. -People died out here, yeah. 804 00:33:27,605 --> 00:33:29,306 -This was a life and death situation, man. -This is where they died. 805 00:33:29,308 --> 00:33:31,041 This was one of the biggest battles 806 00:33:31,110 --> 00:33:32,809 In palm beach county history. 807 00:33:35,614 --> 00:33:37,748 [josh] one of the reasons john survived is that he wa 808 00:33:37,849 --> 00:33:40,517 Sleeping in a campsite away from the main whiskey still 809 00:33:40,519 --> 00:33:41,952 And the ashley home. 810 00:33:42,021 --> 00:33:44,121 This site must be close by 811 00:33:44,123 --> 00:33:46,556 And there's been a long-standing local rumor 812 00:33:46,658 --> 00:33:49,926 That another whiskey still w there as well. 813 00:33:49,928 --> 00:33:51,828 We head deeper into the swamp to search 814 00:33:51,830 --> 00:33:54,431 And chessy almost immediatel detects something. 815 00:33:56,301 --> 00:33:59,136 -[metal detector beeping] -[chessy] hey, guys. I got a good mark over here. 816 00:34:01,040 --> 00:34:02,339 It could just be a piece of metal. 817 00:34:02,441 --> 00:34:03,707 Let's see if it'll come out here. 818 00:34:03,709 --> 00:34:05,208 -Ooh, is that it? -[softly] yeah. 819 00:34:07,613 --> 00:34:08,845 Is it scrap iron or something? 820 00:34:08,947 --> 00:34:09,946 Yeah, that's what it looks like. 821 00:34:09,948 --> 00:34:12,049 Just a thin piece of scrap metal. 822 00:34:12,051 --> 00:34:13,050 Okay, well. 823 00:34:13,619 --> 00:34:15,218 That's a good sign. 824 00:34:15,220 --> 00:34:18,722 [josh] soon even more metal comes out of the ground. 825 00:34:18,724 --> 00:34:20,257 [chessy] there's, like, a little nail in there. 826 00:34:23,962 --> 00:34:26,129 It's got that rounded kind of edge. 827 00:34:26,832 --> 00:34:27,931 This was attached 828 00:34:27,933 --> 00:34:30,200 To whatever the remainder of that is over there. 829 00:34:30,202 --> 00:34:32,135 [josh] like the edge of a crate maybe? 830 00:34:32,204 --> 00:34:33,403 Something was here. 831 00:34:33,405 --> 00:34:36,506 I don't know if it tells us that we're at this campsite, 832 00:34:36,508 --> 00:34:38,041 -But... -It tells you that man 833 00:34:38,110 --> 00:34:40,510 At one point in time was in fact right here. 834 00:34:40,512 --> 00:34:41,912 [josh] that's a start. We'll take it. 835 00:34:41,914 --> 00:34:44,414 All right. Let's keep looking. 836 00:34:44,416 --> 00:34:47,617 [josh] what might be the edge of a box handle is an intriguing sign. 837 00:34:47,619 --> 00:34:50,353 In fact, there are signs everywhere. 838 00:34:53,725 --> 00:34:55,125 [steve] ah, hey, josh. 839 00:34:55,127 --> 00:34:57,561 I got something for you. 840 00:34:57,662 --> 00:35:00,263 -[josh] more scrap metal? -Well, I don't think so. 841 00:35:00,365 --> 00:35:03,400 This looks like an old trap. 842 00:35:03,402 --> 00:35:05,902 -Oh, my word. -They were otter hunters. 843 00:35:05,904 --> 00:35:07,137 [josh] careful that thing's not still loaded. 844 00:35:07,206 --> 00:35:09,506 -It is definitely a trap... -Ahhh! 845 00:35:10,309 --> 00:35:11,641 Ow! 846 00:35:11,710 --> 00:35:13,543 -Um, we can take it off at the... -Son of a... 847 00:35:14,146 --> 00:35:15,512 Yeah, it's a trap. 848 00:35:15,514 --> 00:35:17,247 -It's an old animal trap. -That is a trap. Look at that. 849 00:35:17,316 --> 00:35:18,515 And what's cool about it is 850 00:35:18,517 --> 00:35:20,550 -It's still got the chain stuck to it. -Right? 851 00:35:20,652 --> 00:35:21,751 I don't want to break it obviously, 852 00:35:21,853 --> 00:35:23,153 But the crazy thing is look at that. 853 00:35:23,188 --> 00:35:24,554 [steve] it's still moving, yeah. 854 00:35:24,656 --> 00:35:26,623 [josh] you could still actually set this trap. 855 00:35:26,625 --> 00:35:28,225 All the pieces of it are here. 856 00:35:28,227 --> 00:35:30,227 All the things these guys are known for, 857 00:35:30,229 --> 00:35:33,330 The moonshining, the guns, the traps, the bootleg... 858 00:35:33,332 --> 00:35:34,898 We're finding all of these things 859 00:35:34,900 --> 00:35:38,301 That are so closely associated with these guys too, right? 860 00:35:38,303 --> 00:35:40,804 That's the beauty in archaeology is it allows us 861 00:35:40,806 --> 00:35:45,308 To tell their story from what they left behind. 862 00:35:47,312 --> 00:35:48,612 [metal detector beeping] 863 00:35:50,415 --> 00:35:52,249 [metal detector sounding] 864 00:35:52,284 --> 00:35:53,850 Hey, guys. I think I got something cool over here. 865 00:35:59,691 --> 00:36:01,725 I think I found something crazy. 866 00:36:01,727 --> 00:36:04,094 -[josh] what? -It's ribbed on the side like a coin, 867 00:36:04,096 --> 00:36:05,462 But it's thicker than a coin. 868 00:36:06,265 --> 00:36:07,264 -Thank you so much. -Try that. 869 00:36:08,934 --> 00:36:11,101 -[chessy] what? -Wait, is that a coin? 870 00:36:11,103 --> 00:36:12,502 [steve] it's a silver dollar. 871 00:36:12,504 --> 00:36:13,703 -It's actually two silver dollars. -Shut up. Oh, my god. 872 00:36:13,705 --> 00:36:15,171 -Those are coins! -Chessy... 873 00:36:15,173 --> 00:36:16,339 -Oh, my god. This is so exciting! -...It's two silver dollars 874 00:36:16,441 --> 00:36:17,407 Stuck together. 875 00:36:17,409 --> 00:36:19,342 -Are you kidding me? -Actually treasure. 876 00:36:19,411 --> 00:36:21,111 -There you go, right there. -What? 877 00:36:21,513 --> 00:36:24,147 Look at that. 878 00:36:24,216 --> 00:36:29,719 [josh] these are two piece liberty dollars minted between 1921 and 1928 879 00:36:29,721 --> 00:36:33,190 Which puts us right on the money for the ashley gang. 880 00:36:33,192 --> 00:36:35,959 -Hey, nice job. -Thank you, sir. 881 00:36:37,196 --> 00:36:39,229 [josh] these discoveries are strong indicators 882 00:36:39,231 --> 00:36:42,999 That we may be close to the camp and long-lost moonshine stil 883 00:36:43,001 --> 00:36:45,535 Where john ashley was sleepi the night of the raid. 884 00:36:46,805 --> 00:36:48,605 Encouraged, we press our search 885 00:36:48,607 --> 00:36:50,407 Into more unforgiving territory. 886 00:36:50,409 --> 00:36:53,210 Josh, this is getting thick back here. 887 00:36:53,212 --> 00:36:55,111 [josh] I mean, super overgrown. 888 00:36:55,113 --> 00:36:58,048 This is the old florida. 889 00:36:58,116 --> 00:37:00,517 This is, like, prehistoric florida. 890 00:37:00,519 --> 00:37:03,553 If you were a pioneer back in early florida 891 00:37:03,655 --> 00:37:05,522 This is what you had to survive. 892 00:37:08,160 --> 00:37:10,527 -[josh] see any glass? -I'm not seeing much. 893 00:37:10,529 --> 00:37:11,828 Me neither. 894 00:37:15,234 --> 00:37:18,034 -[steve] hey, josh, check this out. -What have you got? 895 00:37:18,036 --> 00:37:20,337 [steve] this is what we've been looking for. 896 00:37:20,405 --> 00:37:22,706 -[chessy] shut up. -This is it. Look at this. 897 00:37:23,742 --> 00:37:25,174 [josh] is this part of a still? 898 00:37:25,176 --> 00:37:28,612 -This is the boiler tank for a still. -[josh] get out of here. 899 00:37:28,614 --> 00:37:29,979 -That's insane. -Back here 900 00:37:30,015 --> 00:37:33,350 -In the woods we found the boiler tank. -That is too cool. 901 00:37:33,418 --> 00:37:34,784 -Stop. -Dude, 902 00:37:34,786 --> 00:37:36,820 -That's unbelievable. -Oh, my god, high fives all round. Woo. 903 00:37:36,822 --> 00:37:39,055 -[steve] take a look at this. -[josh] is that blue paint? 904 00:37:39,157 --> 00:37:40,257 -[steve] yeah, well, no, -[josh] what is that? 905 00:37:40,358 --> 00:37:43,059 -It's a ceramic finish inside, -wow. 906 00:37:43,161 --> 00:37:44,628 Which is important because 907 00:37:44,630 --> 00:37:47,764 In a moonshine still you had to keep the mash perfectly clean. 908 00:37:47,866 --> 00:37:49,899 -It couldn't mix with rust or anything else. -Right. 909 00:37:50,736 --> 00:37:52,602 Guys, look, sitting right here. 910 00:37:52,604 --> 00:37:55,105 -A bottle literally right in front of you. -Right there. 911 00:37:55,607 --> 00:37:57,107 That's insane. 912 00:37:57,109 --> 00:37:58,608 -[steve] definitely agreed. -This whole site, I think, 913 00:37:58,610 --> 00:38:01,311 -Is just littered with this stuff. -[chessy] yeah. 914 00:38:01,313 --> 00:38:03,813 This is now, I think, a significant place. 915 00:38:03,815 --> 00:38:07,651 [josh] this old still is a remarkable piece of american history. 916 00:38:07,752 --> 00:38:10,720 It's the very tool of the trade that the ashley gang used 917 00:38:10,722 --> 00:38:13,623 To amass great wealth during the time of prohibition. 918 00:38:14,426 --> 00:38:16,426 This place is like a goldmine. 919 00:38:16,428 --> 00:38:18,061 -There's stuff everywhere. -[steve] here, here. 920 00:38:18,163 --> 00:38:20,330 All right, everybody keep looking around. Everybody. 921 00:38:20,332 --> 00:38:22,499 -You got it, josh. -This is insane. 922 00:38:22,501 --> 00:38:25,335 [josh] believing we're now in the heart of john ashley's camp, 923 00:38:25,404 --> 00:38:27,804 We immediately fan out around the still 924 00:38:27,806 --> 00:38:30,106 To see if anything else is here. 925 00:38:30,108 --> 00:38:31,941 Getting a lot thicker in here. 926 00:38:36,415 --> 00:38:38,515 -[josh] steve? -[steve] yeah? 927 00:38:38,517 --> 00:38:40,650 [josh] the [bleep] is this? Guys, come here. 928 00:38:41,553 --> 00:38:43,887 There's a huge hunk of metal here. 929 00:38:43,889 --> 00:38:46,723 -[steve] wow, wow, wow. -[josh] what the hell is this? 930 00:38:53,632 --> 00:38:56,599 [josh] life is a journey filled with crossroads and choices. 931 00:38:56,601 --> 00:38:58,134 But in stuart, florida, 932 00:38:58,136 --> 00:39:00,503 One of the more terrifying feats of civil engineering 933 00:39:00,505 --> 00:39:05,608 Lies here at an intersectio affectionately called confusion corner. 934 00:39:05,610 --> 00:39:07,310 This doesn't seem so confusing. 935 00:39:07,312 --> 00:39:09,045 -[car honks] -sorry. 936 00:39:09,147 --> 00:39:10,046 [car honks] 937 00:39:10,916 --> 00:39:14,317 Guess I go here and he comes here. 938 00:39:14,319 --> 00:39:17,153 -[car honks] -oh, good lord. 939 00:39:17,255 --> 00:39:19,956 [josh] eight streets, a traffic circle, and a trai 940 00:39:20,058 --> 00:39:22,559 All meet in one jumbled junction. 941 00:39:22,627 --> 00:39:24,327 What could possibly go wrong 942 00:39:24,830 --> 00:39:25,962 Look, kids, big ben. 943 00:39:27,265 --> 00:39:28,631 Who designed this? 944 00:39:29,801 --> 00:39:31,901 [josh] so, the next time your life is at a crossroads 945 00:39:31,903 --> 00:39:33,536 No matter how bad you think it is, 946 00:39:33,605 --> 00:39:34,804 It could always be worse. 947 00:39:34,806 --> 00:39:36,806 [car honks] 948 00:39:36,808 --> 00:39:38,375 Oh, and merge carefully. 949 00:39:38,377 --> 00:39:41,611 -Go ahead, go ahead. -[car honks] 950 00:39:41,613 --> 00:39:45,615 We got it. Sweet lord above, I'm alive. 951 00:39:45,617 --> 00:39:48,618 [sighs in relief] somebody's gotta fix that. 952 00:39:51,423 --> 00:39:52,489 [josh] guys, come here. 953 00:39:52,491 --> 00:39:54,624 There's a huge hunk of metal here. 954 00:39:54,626 --> 00:39:58,027 -[steve] wow, wow, wow. -[josh] what the hell is this? 955 00:39:58,029 --> 00:40:00,497 [josh] having found a long forgotten whiskey still, 956 00:40:00,499 --> 00:40:06,002 We're scouring the location of a lost campsite belongin to the notorious john ashley 957 00:40:06,004 --> 00:40:08,304 And we've just made another find. 958 00:40:08,306 --> 00:40:10,607 Wait, is this actually a car? 959 00:40:10,609 --> 00:40:12,142 [josh] whatever it is, it's big. 960 00:40:12,243 --> 00:40:14,344 Oh, my god, oh, my god. 961 00:40:14,413 --> 00:40:17,113 -Well, that answers your question. [laughs] -dude, it's a car. 962 00:40:17,115 --> 00:40:18,882 [steve laughing] you asked, 963 00:40:18,884 --> 00:40:22,118 -And I think chessy pretty... -Why is there a car in the middle of the forest? 964 00:40:22,120 --> 00:40:23,753 Did this grow out of it? 965 00:40:23,855 --> 00:40:27,023 You got a tree growing through the center. 966 00:40:27,025 --> 00:40:29,426 [josh] john would have had a vehicle out at this camp 967 00:40:29,428 --> 00:40:32,429 To move moonshine into town and across the state. 968 00:40:32,931 --> 00:40:34,230 There's a headlight. 969 00:40:34,232 --> 00:40:35,899 -[steve] look how tinny these... -That's a headlight. 970 00:40:35,901 --> 00:40:38,268 -That is. Look at it. It's going around the... -Look at that. 971 00:40:38,303 --> 00:40:40,537 -That's ancient. -Old car. 972 00:40:40,605 --> 00:40:42,439 1920s, definitely. 973 00:40:42,540 --> 00:40:45,608 -Um... -Wait, this could be john ashley's car. 974 00:40:46,912 --> 00:40:48,311 -[chuckles] -that's insane. 975 00:40:49,614 --> 00:40:51,014 [steve] yeah, look at this, josh. 976 00:40:51,016 --> 00:40:52,715 This kind of looks like, maybe, the grill 977 00:40:52,717 --> 00:40:54,717 Or where a radiator could be. 978 00:40:54,719 --> 00:40:56,118 It's a lot of metal, I can tell you that. 979 00:40:56,187 --> 00:40:57,821 -[chessy] yeah, that is a lot of metal. -Is that an engine? 980 00:40:58,190 --> 00:40:59,322 This is a fender. 981 00:41:00,258 --> 00:41:02,258 [steve] I'm thinking it might be a truck 982 00:41:02,327 --> 00:41:06,196 Because the trucks from the 20s had the door cut out. 983 00:41:06,198 --> 00:41:09,399 -Can you see how it follows like a cut out pattern? -Yes. For sure, right here. 984 00:41:09,401 --> 00:41:13,102 [steve] so I think this is an old truck, like an old model t. 985 00:41:13,104 --> 00:41:15,138 [josh] based on the pieces we've found, 986 00:41:15,240 --> 00:41:18,408 Steve believes this could b a ford model tt, 987 00:41:18,410 --> 00:41:23,112 Which debuted in 1917 and fits the timeline of john ashley. 988 00:41:23,114 --> 00:41:26,115 This is truly a remarkable discovery. 989 00:41:26,117 --> 00:41:28,051 This changes everything, josh. 990 00:41:28,119 --> 00:41:31,821 In my mind, I can almost see the whiskey camp right here. 991 00:41:32,657 --> 00:41:34,224 Boiling whiskey over here, 992 00:41:34,226 --> 00:41:37,260 The truck to load up the whiskey when it's ready to go. 993 00:41:37,329 --> 00:41:40,330 We have trails running back here to who knows where. 994 00:41:40,332 --> 00:41:44,133 We're finding bottles that clearly date to the period. 995 00:41:44,235 --> 00:41:45,502 I mean, what more could you ask? 996 00:41:46,838 --> 00:41:48,238 [josh] this is really a treasure. 997 00:41:49,107 --> 00:41:51,107 To me, this is treasure. 998 00:41:51,109 --> 00:41:55,245 Finding an antique truck in the middle of the everglades. 999 00:41:55,313 --> 00:41:57,814 Clearly, nobody has been here before us. 1000 00:41:57,816 --> 00:42:01,417 -I see no signs of anything modern. -No, anything. Nothing. 1001 00:42:01,419 --> 00:42:03,386 -Not a beer can, not an anything. -No. 1002 00:42:03,388 --> 00:42:08,558 We are just rediscovering the whiskey camp of the ashley gang. 1003 00:42:08,660 --> 00:42:10,426 This is treasure. This is real treasure. 1004 00:42:10,428 --> 00:42:13,429 To an archaeologist, this is a lifetime of work. 1005 00:42:13,431 --> 00:42:15,999 -I mean, this is a whole camp here. -Uncovering this whiskey... 1006 00:42:16,001 --> 00:42:18,635 An archaeologist could work out here for years. 1007 00:42:18,703 --> 00:42:19,802 This is so awesome. 1008 00:42:20,939 --> 00:42:22,639 [josh] as for john ashley himself, 1009 00:42:22,707 --> 00:42:26,709 He escapes the raid but not the long arm of the law. 1010 00:42:26,711 --> 00:42:31,114 In November of '24, fed up and embarrassed by john ashley's exploits, 1011 00:42:31,116 --> 00:42:33,249 Sherriff baker receives a ti 1012 00:42:33,351 --> 00:42:36,719 That the ashleys will be travelling north on the dixie highway. 1013 00:42:36,721 --> 00:42:38,955 The police place a chain across the road, 1014 00:42:38,957 --> 00:42:42,058 Stopping the car, and handcuffing the gang. 1015 00:42:42,060 --> 00:42:43,726 According to one of the deputies, 1016 00:42:43,728 --> 00:42:46,062 John ashley makes a sudden move, 1017 00:42:46,064 --> 00:42:49,799 Giving the officers no choic but to shoot all of the men 1018 00:42:51,636 --> 00:42:55,705 The gang, like this site, will eventually fall to ruin 1019 00:42:55,707 --> 00:42:58,641 Laura, it is said, lays low in palm beach count 1020 00:42:58,710 --> 00:43:01,611 Operating a gas station until 1927 1021 00:43:01,613 --> 00:43:05,448 When she dies by poisoning, possibly having taken her own life. 1022 00:43:06,318 --> 00:43:08,151 The so-called king of the everglades 1023 00:43:08,219 --> 00:43:11,154 Finally receives his florida retirement. 1024 00:43:11,255 --> 00:43:13,189 Today, the ashley family cemetery 1025 00:43:13,191 --> 00:43:16,025 Resides within the bounds of a private country club 1026 00:43:16,027 --> 00:43:19,929 -Near the 18th hole of a beautiful golf course. -[club swishes] 1027 00:43:19,931 --> 00:43:23,499 Given john's crime-ridden past, it's a pretty decent lie. 1028 00:43:25,403 --> 00:43:28,705 And while he's received a reputation as a beloved scoundrel, 1029 00:43:28,707 --> 00:43:32,041 The fact is he was undoubtedly a ruthless criminal. 1030 00:43:33,011 --> 00:43:34,744 Personally, I'm more intrigu 1031 00:43:34,746 --> 00:43:39,015 By those who are trying to preserve the early histor of this wild state 1032 00:43:40,418 --> 00:43:44,020 And rediscover the gang that thrived in its humid swamps. 1033 00:43:44,022 --> 00:43:45,989 Beneath the overgrown vines 1034 00:43:45,991 --> 00:43:48,157 We've unearthed historic fin 1035 00:43:48,226 --> 00:43:51,060 That helped to paint a fuller picture of the ashley gang. 1036 00:43:52,430 --> 00:43:55,098 I thank steve and chessy for the incredible adventur 1037 00:43:55,100 --> 00:43:57,800 And wish them luck on future excavations. 1038 00:43:59,404 --> 00:44:01,404 Oh, and of course, I remind them to call me 1039 00:44:01,406 --> 00:44:05,108 If and when they ever find a missing bo of ashley treasure.