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.