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00:00:01,836 --> 00:00:04,128
William shatner:
A ruthless outlaw,
who escaped justice.
2
00:00:05,414 --> 00:00:06,672
A mysterious mountain range,
3
00:00:06,823 --> 00:00:10,342
Guarded by a deadly curse.
4
00:00:10,494 --> 00:00:13,253
And giant winged creatures
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That soared across the frontier.
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00:00:17,667 --> 00:00:19,667
When we think of the old west,
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00:00:19,762 --> 00:00:22,596
We tend to imagine
a romanticized era
8
00:00:22,748 --> 00:00:24,931
On the american frontier
filled with cowboys,
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00:00:25,026 --> 00:00:27,693
Native americans, and outlaws.
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00:00:28,921 --> 00:00:32,089
But what's less well-known
is that there are many strange
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00:00:32,182 --> 00:00:35,275
And sometimes
downright bizarre tales
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00:00:35,369 --> 00:00:36,851
From this time period.
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Stories about cursed mountains,
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Fearsome monsters
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And even
flying objects in the sky.
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Is it possible the wild west
was actually much stranger
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00:00:50,793 --> 00:00:53,960
Than we commonly think?
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00:00:54,055 --> 00:00:56,871
Well, that is what
we'll try and find out.
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♪ ♪
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Each year, thousands of tourists
travel to this small rural town,
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00:01:18,895 --> 00:01:22,397
Located 160 miles
east of albuquerque,
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To visit a museum dedicated
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To the most notorious outlaw
of the old west...
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...Billy the kid.
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00:01:32,927 --> 00:01:34,760
Among the attractions
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00:01:34,911 --> 00:01:38,246
Is a tombstone where,
according to the history books,
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The gunslinger was laid to rest.
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Kristina downs:
Among infamous
outlaws of the wild west,
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00:01:46,682 --> 00:01:50,609
Billy the kid is definitely,
today, the most famous.
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He's been the subject
of countless novels.
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He has appeared
in more motion pictures
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Than any other
historical figure.
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00:02:01,622 --> 00:02:04,081
And his fame has just really
grown and grown and grown.
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Shatner:
The bandit known
as billy the kid
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00:02:08,187 --> 00:02:11,463
Reportedly committed his first
murder at the age of 17...
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...When he shot
and killed a blacksmith
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In a saloon located
in bonita, arizona
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On August 17, 1877.
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He then evaded arrest,
fled to new mexico,
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00:02:26,054 --> 00:02:29,206
And adopted the alias
william h. Bonney.
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00:02:30,317 --> 00:02:35,136
But because of his youth
and his growing notoriety,
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He earned his infamous
nickname, billy the kid.
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00:02:40,719 --> 00:02:43,220
Billy the kid claimed
to have killed 21 men,
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One for each year
of his short life.
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♪ ♪
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He escaped prison
at least three times,
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He was shot and stabbed,
and these things
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All added to the legend
and the lore surrounding him.
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00:03:04,593 --> 00:03:06,834
At the height of his infamy,
there was a $500 bounty
50
00:03:06,854 --> 00:03:08,836
On billy the kid's head, which
was a crazy amount of money
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00:03:08,931 --> 00:03:10,338
At that time period.
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That resulted in
sheriff pat garrett
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And his sizable posse
trying to hunt him down.
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According to official accounts,
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He was shot down
by pat garrett in 1881
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And laid to rest
in sumner, new mexico.
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00:03:25,873 --> 00:03:29,783
Shatner:
In 1882, sheriff pat garret
published a book entitled
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00:03:29,935 --> 00:03:33,603
An authentic life
of billy the kid,
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00:03:33,622 --> 00:03:37,441
Which described garret's
encounters with the outlaw,
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00:03:37,459 --> 00:03:42,221
Including their final showdown
in sumner, new mexico.
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00:03:42,448 --> 00:03:44,706
For decades, historians
considered the book
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00:03:44,725 --> 00:03:47,392
To be the definitive account
of the death of billy the kid.
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00:03:49,730 --> 00:03:53,957
But then, in the 1940s,
new information came to light
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00:03:54,050 --> 00:03:56,401
Which suggested that,
incredibly,
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00:03:56,553 --> 00:04:00,130
Billy the kid had
evaded justice and survived
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00:04:00,148 --> 00:04:01,907
For more than 60 years.
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00:04:08,323 --> 00:04:11,566
Investigator and lawyer
william morrison
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00:04:11,660 --> 00:04:14,327
Visits this rural community
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00:04:14,421 --> 00:04:17,998
In search of an elderly
prospector and cowboy named
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00:04:18,150 --> 00:04:21,242
Brushy bill roberts.
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00:04:21,262 --> 00:04:24,429
Morrison has traveled
to meet with brushy bill
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00:04:24,581 --> 00:04:29,659
Because he has reason to believe
that bill may, in fact...
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00:04:29,678 --> 00:04:31,728
Be billy the kid.
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00:04:32,848 --> 00:04:34,589
Ian neligh:
In 1949,
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00:04:34,683 --> 00:04:36,850
William morrison
came across somebody
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00:04:36,944 --> 00:04:40,612
Who said he knew that
billy the kid was still alive
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00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:42,522
And living in texas.
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00:04:42,674 --> 00:04:44,007
And william morrison
decided that
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00:04:44,100 --> 00:04:45,859
That's who he needed to find.
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00:04:45,953 --> 00:04:51,456
So he went to texas, and he
found brushy bill roberts.
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00:04:51,608 --> 00:04:54,960
When he asked brushy bill
if he was billy the kid,
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00:04:55,187 --> 00:04:58,130
Brushy bill said,
“okay, I am billy the kid,
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00:04:58,357 --> 00:05:02,208
"and I will tell my story
if you can secure me a pardon
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00:05:02,303 --> 00:05:04,044
"from the governor of new mexico
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For the crimes
that I committed."
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00:05:07,866 --> 00:05:10,717
Downs:
Brushy bill was hesitant
to admit to being billy the kid
87
00:05:10,869 --> 00:05:12,886
Because there was
still technically
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00:05:13,038 --> 00:05:14,646
A warrant out for his arrest
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00:05:14,798 --> 00:05:17,724
And he'd been sentenced to death
and if he were recaptured,
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00:05:17,818 --> 00:05:19,943
He technically could have
still been executed.
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00:05:22,806 --> 00:05:24,881
Shatner:
It may seem outlandish
to consider the possibility
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00:05:24,974 --> 00:05:28,309
That brushy bill roberts
was billy the kid.
93
00:05:29,404 --> 00:05:32,389
But the truth is that,
the more william morrison
94
00:05:32,482 --> 00:05:35,559
Investigated
brushy bill's story...
95
00:05:35,577 --> 00:05:39,504
The more he started to believe
that it could be true.
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00:05:41,083 --> 00:05:44,584
William morrison
thought that brushy bill
97
00:05:44,736 --> 00:05:47,070
Very well could be
billy the kid.
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00:05:47,163 --> 00:05:49,573
He had knife wounds
and bullet wounds
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00:05:49,591 --> 00:05:51,908
That seemed to fit
with the kid's story.
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00:05:51,927 --> 00:05:55,837
In addition, morrison found
several different people
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00:05:55,856 --> 00:05:58,415
Who knew the kid
in the olden days
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00:05:58,508 --> 00:06:02,085
Who were willing to sign
affidavits saying that,
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00:06:02,104 --> 00:06:05,030
Yeah, indeed, brushy bill
was billy the kid.
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00:06:06,274 --> 00:06:08,608
Shatner:
While the evidence in favor
of brushy bill's story
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00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:12,353
Was compelling, many skeptics
asked an obvious question:
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If billy the kid didn't
actually die in 1881,
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Then who is buried
in the grave site
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Located in fort sumner,
new mexico?
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00:06:24,276 --> 00:06:26,626
The official account
of billy the kid's death
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00:06:26,778 --> 00:06:28,111
Comes from pat garrett.
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00:06:28,130 --> 00:06:31,114
But there's a lot of
inconsistencies
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00:06:31,207 --> 00:06:33,617
In garrett's story
from the very beginning.
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He said that billy was armed,
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00:06:35,787 --> 00:06:40,123
But when the body was examined,
there was no weapon on him.
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The body was described
as having facial hair.
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Billy the kid was
always described
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00:06:44,721 --> 00:06:46,479
As not having facial hair.
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00:06:46,632 --> 00:06:49,799
The body was also described
as having dark skin,
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00:06:49,893 --> 00:06:53,153
And billy was always
described as fair-skinned.
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00:06:53,247 --> 00:06:55,155
So all of the inconsistencies
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00:06:55,307 --> 00:06:57,582
In garrets' story
raises a lot of doubt
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00:06:57,809 --> 00:07:00,401
Into his version of
billy the kid's death
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00:07:00,421 --> 00:07:02,403
And it opens the door
for the possibility
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00:07:02,423 --> 00:07:05,148
That garrett shot the wrong man.
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00:07:05,241 --> 00:07:07,500
And billy the kid
could have survived,
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00:07:07,653 --> 00:07:10,178
And brushy bill roberts really
could have been billy the kid.
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00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:13,673
Shatner:
With the help of
william morrison,
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00:07:13,825 --> 00:07:15,842
Brushy bill was able
to secure a meeting
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00:07:15,936 --> 00:07:20,013
With thomas mabry,
the governor of new mexico,
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00:07:20,165 --> 00:07:22,515
In an effort to finally
receive a pardon
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For the crimes of billy the kid.
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But, unfortunately,
the meeting did not go well
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For brushy bill.
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00:07:32,286 --> 00:07:33,768
Neligh:
Brushy bill's meeting
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00:07:33,787 --> 00:07:36,362
With the governor of
new mexico went horribly.
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00:07:36,515 --> 00:07:38,682
He couldn't remember
pat garrett's name.
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It's said that
he maybe was suffering
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00:07:41,186 --> 00:07:42,702
From some kind of
physical ailment.
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We don't really know,
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00:07:44,631 --> 00:07:47,023
But it didn't take long
for the governor to decide
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00:07:47,042 --> 00:07:48,967
That he wasn't gonna
give him the pardon.
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00:07:50,471 --> 00:07:52,954
Shatner:
Soon after the governor
denied his clemency,
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00:07:52,973 --> 00:07:54,864
Brushy bill suffered
a heart attack
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00:07:54,958 --> 00:07:58,643
And died on December 27, 1950.
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00:08:02,149 --> 00:08:04,874
But even in his final days,
brushy bill never wavered
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00:08:04,893 --> 00:08:09,321
From his claim that he was,
in fact, billy the kid.
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00:08:10,382 --> 00:08:11,881
And the town of hamilton, texas
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00:08:11,975 --> 00:08:14,050
Still commemorates
brushy bill to this day,
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00:08:14,143 --> 00:08:16,328
Where his tombstone
identifies him
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00:08:16,479 --> 00:08:20,332
As being
the notorious gunslinger.
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00:08:21,835 --> 00:08:23,835
The wild west looms very large
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00:08:24,062 --> 00:08:25,895
In the american
historical consciousness
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00:08:25,914 --> 00:08:27,005
For a variety of reasons.
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It attracted outlaws,
it attracted people on the run.
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00:08:32,012 --> 00:08:35,255
And so, it was a place
to reinvent oneself,
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To create a new persona.
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If you took on a new name
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And just called yourself
differently,
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How would anybody ever know?
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00:08:41,763 --> 00:08:44,022
So there is an interest
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00:08:44,249 --> 00:08:46,691
In these larger-than-life
legendary characters,
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Like billy the kid,
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00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:51,530
And whether or not
he actually did get shot.
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00:08:51,681 --> 00:08:55,091
Because it's the story of
how america came to be.
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00:08:56,094 --> 00:08:59,279
Did billy the kid,
one of the most notorious
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00:08:59,373 --> 00:09:01,765
Gunslingers of the wild west,
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00:09:01,783 --> 00:09:05,602
Survive into the 20th century,
and live a full life?
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00:09:05,620 --> 00:09:09,122
Some residents of the town
of hamilton, texas believe
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00:09:09,216 --> 00:09:12,292
That the answer is a firm "yes."
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00:09:12,386 --> 00:09:15,220
Just as there are those
who believe that a mysterious
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00:09:15,371 --> 00:09:18,890
Mountain range, located
in the arizona desert,
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00:09:19,117 --> 00:09:20,392
Is imbued
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00:09:20,619 --> 00:09:22,894
With a deadly curse.
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00:09:26,808 --> 00:09:30,217
Shatner:
In southern arizona,
50 miles east of phoenix,
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00:09:30,312 --> 00:09:32,237
Lie the superstition mountains.
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00:09:33,465 --> 00:09:35,982
These jagged peaks
rise approximately
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00:09:36,076 --> 00:09:37,801
1,800 feet into the sky,
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And dominate
the surrounding landscape.
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00:09:41,230 --> 00:09:44,249
According to the folklore
of the native apache people,
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00:09:44,476 --> 00:09:47,919
The superstition mountains
are a sacred place
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00:09:48,146 --> 00:09:51,998
That is guarded by a
supernatural entity known as...
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00:09:52,150 --> 00:09:54,551
-(thunder crashing)
-...The thunder god.
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00:09:56,488 --> 00:09:58,655
To the native apache,
the superstition mountains
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00:09:58,748 --> 00:10:00,323
Are the home of the thunder god,
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00:10:00,416 --> 00:10:02,083
And as such,
they should be respected.
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00:10:03,345 --> 00:10:06,587
Most apache will not enter
the superstition mountains
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00:10:06,607 --> 00:10:08,665
Because they believe
that to do so
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00:10:08,683 --> 00:10:13,186
Could anger the thunder god,
causing him to lash out
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00:10:13,338 --> 00:10:16,356
And probably kill the person
who has violated his space.
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00:10:17,692 --> 00:10:21,602
Ron feldman:
The apache, they did not live
too much in the superstitions
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00:10:21,622 --> 00:10:25,014
Because that's where
the thunder god lived,
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00:10:25,033 --> 00:10:26,182
Was in the superstitions.
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00:10:26,201 --> 00:10:29,202
And many times, actually,
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00:10:29,354 --> 00:10:30,687
I've heard thunder sounds
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00:10:30,780 --> 00:10:32,964
Even when there is
no thunderstorms around.
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00:10:35,469 --> 00:10:37,210
There's something there.
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00:10:37,362 --> 00:10:40,472
I mean, definitely,
the mountains do roar at times.
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00:10:41,700 --> 00:10:43,808
The mountains rumble
by themselves.
199
00:10:46,054 --> 00:10:48,538
And it's been
attributed to, of course,
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00:10:48,556 --> 00:10:51,232
The apache religion of
their thunder god.
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00:10:55,489 --> 00:10:58,657
Shatner:
The superstition mountains
got their name in the 1800s
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00:10:58,808 --> 00:11:02,385
When pioneers heard tales
from the local native americans
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00:11:02,478 --> 00:11:05,330
About people
mysteriously disappearing
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00:11:05,557 --> 00:11:09,483
Or suddenly dying after entering
this sacred mountain range.
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00:11:09,577 --> 00:11:12,078
But in spite of these warnings,
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00:11:12,172 --> 00:11:15,674
Settlers often did not view
the superstition mountains
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00:11:15,901 --> 00:11:17,801
With such reverence.
208
00:11:19,738 --> 00:11:22,071
For those who came to
the superstition mountains
209
00:11:22,165 --> 00:11:24,165
During the wild west era
in search of gold,
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00:11:24,259 --> 00:11:25,742
The superstition mountains,
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00:11:25,835 --> 00:11:27,744
Like every other part of
the american landscape,
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00:11:27,837 --> 00:11:29,437
Were a resource
waiting to be tapped.
213
00:11:30,357 --> 00:11:32,248
This was a place of possibility,
214
00:11:32,341 --> 00:11:34,317
This is a place of
possible wealth.
215
00:11:35,362 --> 00:11:36,861
Lynne mcneill:
We tend to associate
216
00:11:37,088 --> 00:11:40,532
This idea of westward
expansion with discovery,
217
00:11:40,759 --> 00:11:42,016
When, of course,
there were humans there...
218
00:11:42,110 --> 00:11:44,536
(chuckles)
...All along for centuries
219
00:11:44,763 --> 00:11:48,540
Who already had an existing
relationship with that land.
220
00:11:48,767 --> 00:11:52,618
They knew what was in it,
and had their own beliefs
221
00:11:52,771 --> 00:11:54,938
About what was
an appropriate way
222
00:11:55,031 --> 00:11:57,298
To interact with this landscape.
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00:11:59,461 --> 00:12:01,386
Downs:
The apache were not happy
to see these settlers
224
00:12:01,537 --> 00:12:04,464
Coming into their sacred land,
and according to legend,
225
00:12:04,558 --> 00:12:08,301
Put a curse on the land
that would result in the deaths
226
00:12:08,395 --> 00:12:12,213
Of anybody who tried to mine
the superstition mountains
227
00:12:12,232 --> 00:12:14,232
Because they believe
that to do so,
228
00:12:14,459 --> 00:12:16,401
Is to risk angering
the thunder god.
229
00:12:17,887 --> 00:12:19,553
Shatner:
There are those
who believe the curse of
230
00:12:19,573 --> 00:12:21,722
The superstition mountains
is both real...
231
00:12:21,816 --> 00:12:25,318
-(thunder crashing)
-...And deadly.
232
00:12:25,412 --> 00:12:28,972
As evidence, they point
to a curious treasure mystery
233
00:12:29,065 --> 00:12:30,582
That took place in the mountains
234
00:12:30,809 --> 00:12:32,751
Over the course of
more than a hundred years.
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00:12:35,088 --> 00:12:39,649
The story begins with the
untimely demise of the peraltas,
236
00:12:39,667 --> 00:12:43,077
A family of prospectors
who went searching for gold
237
00:12:43,096 --> 00:12:47,098
In the superstitions
in the 1840s.
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00:12:47,250 --> 00:12:50,326
The peralta family were
supposedly the spanish
239
00:12:50,345 --> 00:12:51,919
That came first to mine
240
00:12:52,013 --> 00:12:53,229
In the superstition wilderness.
241
00:12:55,275 --> 00:12:58,668
And they worked several mines
in an area where there was gold,
242
00:12:58,761 --> 00:13:00,612
There was silver,
and they mined for both.
243
00:13:01,764 --> 00:13:03,264
Jesse feldman:
As the story goes,
244
00:13:03,283 --> 00:13:06,509
The spanish peralta
family amassed
245
00:13:06,602 --> 00:13:10,363
Crude bullion bars
from their mine.
246
00:13:10,457 --> 00:13:13,699
And what I mean by crude,
that would be made of gold,
247
00:13:13,794 --> 00:13:16,185
Silver, copper and lead.
248
00:13:17,297 --> 00:13:21,115
And they stored this wealth
in a hidden drift underground.
249
00:13:21,209 --> 00:13:22,950
And then, suddenly,
250
00:13:23,044 --> 00:13:25,637
The apache attacked the miners.
251
00:13:27,808 --> 00:13:30,975
The apaches got tired
of them being there
252
00:13:31,202 --> 00:13:34,887
And destroying the natural
beauty of this place.
253
00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:37,206
They were intruders,
254
00:13:37,225 --> 00:13:39,725
And the apache, in 1848,
wiped them out.
255
00:13:41,046 --> 00:13:45,156
Shatner:
After the massacre, the apaches
reportedly buried the gold
256
00:13:45,383 --> 00:13:49,402
And backfilled the mine in order
to appease the thunder god.
257
00:13:50,646 --> 00:13:53,890
But since that time, treasure
hunters have not been scared off
258
00:13:53,983 --> 00:13:55,408
By the fate of
the peralta family,
259
00:13:55,502 --> 00:13:57,743
Or the supposed curse.
260
00:13:57,838 --> 00:14:02,081
Over the years, thousands of
fortune seekers have journeyed
261
00:14:02,175 --> 00:14:06,736
To the superstition mountains
in search of the lost gold.
262
00:14:06,754 --> 00:14:10,239
The desire to find
the hidden resources,
263
00:14:10,258 --> 00:14:14,668
To find this treasure that
history tells us is there,
264
00:14:14,762 --> 00:14:18,523
Is exciting people to this day.
265
00:14:18,750 --> 00:14:22,360
And that sense of
possibility and potential,
266
00:14:22,511 --> 00:14:25,512
That there's still
more wealth, more prosperity
267
00:14:25,607 --> 00:14:28,441
To be had, is something that
268
00:14:28,593 --> 00:14:30,201
Is really hard to squash.
269
00:14:31,429 --> 00:14:33,020
Shatner:
According to some estimates,
270
00:14:33,039 --> 00:14:34,873
At least 600 people
have lost their lives
271
00:14:35,100 --> 00:14:38,451
Searching for gold
in the superstition mountains.
272
00:14:38,545 --> 00:14:42,196
Many of these people died
in bizarre and gruesome ways
273
00:14:42,215 --> 00:14:44,273
That defy explanation,
274
00:14:44,367 --> 00:14:46,943
Perhaps lending credence
to the notion
275
00:14:47,036 --> 00:14:51,948
That the mountains are
actually cursed.
276
00:14:52,041 --> 00:14:53,783
The most famous
of these incidents
277
00:14:53,801 --> 00:14:57,620
Was the death of a man
named adolph ruth.
278
00:14:58,790 --> 00:15:02,975
Ron feldman:
Back in the 1930s,
there was adolph ruth.
279
00:15:03,128 --> 00:15:04,794
He was a treasure hunter,
amongst other things.
280
00:15:04,812 --> 00:15:07,196
And he came out here
to hunt the actual mine.
281
00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:10,557
And he disappeared.
282
00:15:10,652 --> 00:15:12,744
And after about six months,
283
00:15:12,971 --> 00:15:16,831
They found his head
and his body separated.
284
00:15:18,159 --> 00:15:21,644
It became nationally known.
285
00:15:21,737 --> 00:15:24,071
And a lot of people
wanted to come out
286
00:15:24,090 --> 00:15:26,999
Looking for the mine
because of adolf ruth.
287
00:15:27,093 --> 00:15:29,168
There's good reason to believe
that there could be a curse
288
00:15:29,262 --> 00:15:30,820
On the superstition mountains.
289
00:15:30,838 --> 00:15:32,989
A lot of people have died
prospecting for gold.
290
00:15:33,082 --> 00:15:35,658
And bodies have been
found decapitated,
291
00:15:35,751 --> 00:15:37,176
Which seems like something
292
00:15:37,328 --> 00:15:39,345
That couldn't happen
from natural causes,
293
00:15:39,497 --> 00:15:40,846
And something that may have
294
00:15:40,999 --> 00:15:42,774
Some kind of
supernatural origin.
295
00:15:44,444 --> 00:15:45,777
In an interesting way,
296
00:15:46,004 --> 00:15:48,429
The stories of
native american curses
297
00:15:48,523 --> 00:15:52,266
Are a way of commemorating
the dark history of the land.
298
00:15:52,285 --> 00:15:54,844
And acknowledging that
299
00:15:54,862 --> 00:15:57,847
The original inhabitants
were forced off of the land
300
00:15:57,865 --> 00:15:59,791
And in many cases killed.
301
00:16:00,018 --> 00:16:03,519
It's about remembering
that the present situation
302
00:16:03,538 --> 00:16:06,756
Was arrived at
through some dark actions.
303
00:16:08,301 --> 00:16:13,529
Are the superstition mountains
guarded by a deadly curse?
304
00:16:13,548 --> 00:16:17,383
Well, if you ask some of
the locals, the answer is "yes."
305
00:16:17,477 --> 00:16:21,053
And does that suggest that
other seemingly far-fetched
306
00:16:21,206 --> 00:16:24,482
Tales from the wild west
could also be true?
307
00:16:25,710 --> 00:16:28,561
Perhaps the answer
can be found by examining
308
00:16:28,655 --> 00:16:33,140
Native american legends
about a massive flying creature
309
00:16:33,159 --> 00:16:36,828
That is known
as the thunderbird.
310
00:16:44,671 --> 00:16:46,579
Shatner:
The spirit of the wild west
is alive and well
311
00:16:46,731 --> 00:16:47,988
In this small town,
312
00:16:48,008 --> 00:16:51,009
Where saloon doors
still swing open,
313
00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:54,587
And horses pull stagecoaches
along main street.
314
00:16:54,739 --> 00:17:00,259
Founded in the late 1800s,
tombstone embraces its history
315
00:17:00,411 --> 00:17:03,262
When outlaws, gunslingers,
and violent shootouts
316
00:17:03,414 --> 00:17:05,189
Were all too common.
317
00:17:56,076 --> 00:18:00,060
Shatner:
The gunfight at the o.K. Corral
is the most well-known tale
318
00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:01,871
From this wild west boomtown.
319
00:18:03,750 --> 00:18:06,900
But tombstone's past is
also riddled with bizarre,
320
00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:08,735
Supernatural stories--
321
00:18:08,830 --> 00:18:12,498
Including tales
of strange creatures
322
00:18:12,650 --> 00:18:14,241
Roaming the frontier
323
00:18:14,260 --> 00:18:18,262
That spread like wildfire
in the 19th century.
324
00:18:18,414 --> 00:18:20,747
There are a lot of legends
that have come out of tombstone,
325
00:18:20,767 --> 00:18:23,250
But there's
one very curious one.
326
00:18:23,269 --> 00:18:25,103
In 1890,
327
00:18:25,330 --> 00:18:28,773
The tombstone epitaph
reported a story
328
00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,834
About two ranchers
who saw a giant,
329
00:18:31,853 --> 00:18:34,529
Flying creature
in the sky above them.
330
00:18:50,855 --> 00:18:52,779
Chad lewis:
The not only were afraid of it,
331
00:18:52,874 --> 00:18:55,115
But apparently,
they tracked it down
332
00:18:55,209 --> 00:18:56,801
And killed this creature.
333
00:18:57,971 --> 00:19:01,639
And tried to take
a photograph of it sprawled out.
334
00:19:02,958 --> 00:19:05,626
Shatner:
According to local lore,
a photo of the strange creature
335
00:19:05,645 --> 00:19:07,628
Was indeed taken
and even published
336
00:19:07,722 --> 00:19:10,314
In the tombstone epitaph.
337
00:19:10,466 --> 00:19:13,376
But locating
the supposed picture
338
00:19:13,469 --> 00:19:15,728
Has proven to be difficult.
339
00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:18,990
In terms of the photograph,
there are legions of people
340
00:19:19,141 --> 00:19:21,233
Who remember
seeing this picture,
341
00:19:21,386 --> 00:19:23,386
Even into the 1930s and 40s,
342
00:19:23,404 --> 00:19:26,164
Yet no one has ever
been able to locate it.
343
00:19:27,392 --> 00:19:30,242
And in fact, the edition
of the epitaph
344
00:19:30,395 --> 00:19:33,396
That the story ran in
345
00:19:33,414 --> 00:19:35,822
Didn't have
any photographs at all.
346
00:19:37,159 --> 00:19:39,084
Shatner:
Although the alleged newspaper
photo has never been found,
347
00:19:39,179 --> 00:19:43,181
Over the years,
a number of bizarre pictures
348
00:19:43,408 --> 00:19:47,000
Featuring cowboys
and a massive winged creature
349
00:19:47,020 --> 00:19:50,646
Have surfaced
and can be seen on the internet.
350
00:19:51,766 --> 00:19:54,250
One photograph depicts
a group of men
351
00:19:54,343 --> 00:19:57,010
With a giant winged beast.
352
00:19:57,030 --> 00:20:01,348
The creature is winged,
but it's not really a bird.
353
00:20:01,367 --> 00:20:04,035
It looks more
like a pterodactyl,
354
00:20:04,186 --> 00:20:07,947
Something prehistoric
with large, leathery wings
355
00:20:08,041 --> 00:20:11,191
And a large head with
two feet hanging down below.
356
00:20:12,361 --> 00:20:17,048
It adds to the mystery of
the creature and makes us wonder
357
00:20:17,199 --> 00:20:19,942
What exactly is flying around
in the southern deserts?
358
00:20:21,203 --> 00:20:24,055
Shatner:
While the images of the winged
creature are compelling,
359
00:20:24,206 --> 00:20:27,283
Historians have questioned
their authenticity,
360
00:20:27,301 --> 00:20:30,043
And claim that they may
have been fabricated
361
00:20:30,063 --> 00:20:33,806
As a result of
the fascination people have
362
00:20:33,958 --> 00:20:37,050
With this strange tale
from the old west.
363
00:20:38,145 --> 00:20:41,572
Although most variations
of the photo seem to be hoaxes,
364
00:20:41,724 --> 00:20:43,983
I think it's weird when
you combine all of the things
365
00:20:44,135 --> 00:20:45,818
Of the newspaper encounter,
366
00:20:45,970 --> 00:20:49,413
People swearing that they
personally saw the photograph,
367
00:20:49,565 --> 00:20:51,415
And now it's gone.
368
00:20:51,567 --> 00:20:54,660
It only adds more history
and wonder to the story.
369
00:20:54,812 --> 00:20:56,587
And I think, in some regard,
370
00:20:56,739 --> 00:20:59,164
It makes it even bigger
than it would've been.
371
00:21:00,485 --> 00:21:04,487
Shatner:
Is the story of the tombstone
pterodactyl just a tall tale?
372
00:21:04,505 --> 00:21:07,265
Or is it possible
373
00:21:07,416 --> 00:21:09,433
That there really was a species
of giant flying creatures
374
00:21:09,660 --> 00:21:12,419
That roamed the deserts
of the old west?
375
00:21:13,589 --> 00:21:16,515
Perhaps the answer can be
found by examining accounts
376
00:21:16,667 --> 00:21:21,020
From native american
folklore of a creature known
377
00:21:21,172 --> 00:21:23,281
As the thunderbird.
378
00:21:23,432 --> 00:21:27,009
Thompson:
The thunderbird is one of
the most widespread, powerful
379
00:21:27,028 --> 00:21:31,271
Creatures and symbols
in native american mythology.
380
00:21:31,291 --> 00:21:34,350
It is a gigantic bird,
some kind of raptor,
381
00:21:34,368 --> 00:21:37,019
Sometimes with
somewhat human qualities.
382
00:21:37,038 --> 00:21:40,356
But it's connected with
thunder and with lightning.
383
00:21:40,374 --> 00:21:42,633
Very often,
it's flapping its wings
384
00:21:42,785 --> 00:21:44,543
Is what creates thunder,
and it shoots lightning
385
00:21:44,637 --> 00:21:47,305
Out of its eyes.
386
00:21:47,456 --> 00:21:50,975
The thunderbird is common
in native american tribes
387
00:21:51,126 --> 00:21:51,884
All over the west.
388
00:21:51,978 --> 00:21:53,719
You'll find them on petroglyphs,
389
00:21:53,813 --> 00:21:55,146
On the rocks,
390
00:21:55,373 --> 00:21:57,481
Or you'll find them
in totem poles
391
00:21:57,708 --> 00:22:00,543
As a special bird,
a special spiritual power
392
00:22:00,561 --> 00:22:03,896
Of protection
and support and strength.
393
00:22:04,048 --> 00:22:06,565
That's what
the thunderbird represents.
394
00:22:07,976 --> 00:22:11,887
Weatherly:
By some accounts, thunderbirds
were strictly spiritual beings.
395
00:22:11,980 --> 00:22:13,980
They lived in another world,
396
00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:18,318
And they were frightening
but could also, sometimes,
397
00:22:18,338 --> 00:22:20,913
Lend their power to the people.
398
00:22:21,065 --> 00:22:23,156
On other occasions,
399
00:22:23,250 --> 00:22:25,659
They were purportedly
real creatures
400
00:22:25,678 --> 00:22:27,511
That could swoop down
at any time
401
00:22:27,663 --> 00:22:30,348
And snatch up humans
if they so choose.
402
00:22:31,851 --> 00:22:34,760
Shatner:
Is it possible that
there is a connection
403
00:22:34,912 --> 00:22:37,246
Between the thunderbird
and the winged creature
404
00:22:37,264 --> 00:22:42,175
That was reportedly seen
near tombstone, arizona in 1890?
405
00:22:42,195 --> 00:22:44,862
For now, the answer is unclear.
406
00:22:47,091 --> 00:22:52,018
But people remain fascinated
by the idea that massive winged
407
00:22:52,038 --> 00:22:56,791
Birds really did soar
over the american frontier.
408
00:22:57,952 --> 00:22:59,435
Thompson:
It's important to remember that
409
00:22:59,453 --> 00:23:01,620
This is taking place
in the wild west,
410
00:23:01,772 --> 00:23:04,531
It's taking place when people
are looking out for marvels
411
00:23:04,625 --> 00:23:07,459
And becoming aware of
native american explanations,
412
00:23:07,553 --> 00:23:09,703
Native american
mythology at the same time.
413
00:23:10,781 --> 00:23:12,615
So people were aware
that the thunderbird
414
00:23:12,633 --> 00:23:14,116
Was held to be out there.
415
00:23:14,135 --> 00:23:15,284
Which leads us back
to the question,
416
00:23:15,377 --> 00:23:16,785
You know, the thunderbird,
417
00:23:16,804 --> 00:23:19,638
Is it a cryptid, like,
it's out there somewhere?
418
00:23:19,790 --> 00:23:21,381
Is it simply a deity
419
00:23:21,475 --> 00:23:22,975
That's sort of cobbled together
420
00:23:23,069 --> 00:23:25,069
From abstract notions
of what the divine is?
421
00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:29,740
Or is it sort of resulting
from people finding,
422
00:23:29,967 --> 00:23:31,817
You know, pterodactyl
skeletons and saying,
423
00:23:31,969 --> 00:23:33,560
"wow, there must have been
a great big bird here
424
00:23:33,579 --> 00:23:34,820
At some point"?
425
00:23:34,972 --> 00:23:36,396
Or maybe all three.
426
00:23:36,416 --> 00:23:39,158
So this is still
a great mystery.
427
00:23:40,327 --> 00:23:43,495
Even though no remains of
an actual thunderbird
428
00:23:43,648 --> 00:23:45,238
Have ever been found,
429
00:23:45,258 --> 00:23:47,908
Does the fact that
it is such a widespread
430
00:23:47,927 --> 00:23:50,761
And sacred figure
in native american lore
431
00:23:50,988 --> 00:23:53,097
Suggest that it did
432
00:23:53,324 --> 00:23:56,767
Or may still exist?
433
00:23:57,770 --> 00:23:59,995
Perhaps.
434
00:24:00,088 --> 00:24:02,681
But there are stories of
other strange creatures
435
00:24:02,833 --> 00:24:06,944
From the old west for which
there may be tangible evidence.
436
00:24:07,095 --> 00:24:11,431
For instance, there's a cave
in the mountains of nevada
437
00:24:11,451 --> 00:24:14,526
Where miners
reportedly discovered
438
00:24:14,679 --> 00:24:16,871
The bones of giants.
439
00:24:25,614 --> 00:24:27,298
Shatner:
Inside a narrow cave,
440
00:24:27,525 --> 00:24:31,193
Two miners are
searching for bat guano,
441
00:24:31,212 --> 00:24:34,472
A key ingredient
in making fertilizer.
442
00:24:35,808 --> 00:24:38,309
But as they head deeper
into the darkness...
443
00:24:39,461 --> 00:24:42,295
...They make
an unexpected discovery.
444
00:24:43,374 --> 00:24:46,484
They find more than
40 human skeletons,
445
00:24:46,711 --> 00:24:51,730
Some of which
are abnormally large.
446
00:24:51,882 --> 00:24:55,993
Weatherly:
In 1911, giant bones were
found in lovelock cave.
447
00:24:57,238 --> 00:24:59,145
Large human skulls
448
00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:00,647
And skeletons that measured
449
00:25:00,666 --> 00:25:03,667
Between seven
and eight feet in height,
450
00:25:03,819 --> 00:25:08,005
Which for ancient man would've
been rather significant.
451
00:25:09,233 --> 00:25:10,991
Hugh newman:
This caused a sensation,
452
00:25:11,085 --> 00:25:13,660
And one of the strange things
about the discoveries
453
00:25:13,679 --> 00:25:15,829
In lovelock cave
is that the skeletons
454
00:25:15,923 --> 00:25:17,515
Were often found with red hair.
455
00:25:19,167 --> 00:25:23,003
So it does seem like they were
a different kind of people
456
00:25:23,022 --> 00:25:25,581
Than the native americans
from the area.
457
00:25:26,859 --> 00:25:29,935
Shatner:
Although many of the large
bones found in lovelock cave
458
00:25:30,029 --> 00:25:33,680
Were unfortunately
lost to time, for decades,
459
00:25:33,699 --> 00:25:37,493
A number of skulls were
preserved at a local museum.
460
00:25:38,538 --> 00:25:40,445
Newman:
Until about ten years ago,
461
00:25:40,540 --> 00:25:43,690
There were four very
large skulls on display
462
00:25:43,784 --> 00:25:45,709
Inside the museum.
463
00:25:45,861 --> 00:25:48,620
These were then removed
and ceremonially buried.
464
00:25:48,773 --> 00:25:51,290
What's also interesting is that
465
00:25:51,442 --> 00:25:56,387
Over 100,000 artifacts were
excavated from lovelock cave.
466
00:25:56,538 --> 00:25:59,390
The strange thing is that many
of the artifacts were huge.
467
00:25:59,617 --> 00:26:01,967
Like, you have
giant-sized sandals,
468
00:26:02,119 --> 00:26:07,714
Like a 15-inch-long shoe
which is size 29 u.S.
469
00:26:07,808 --> 00:26:11,217
Which would fit someone
who's about nine feet tall.
470
00:26:12,387 --> 00:26:15,981
And even pieces of clothing
which were so big,
471
00:26:16,133 --> 00:26:18,075
It looked as though
they were worn by giants.
472
00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:22,729
Shatner:
The idea that giant bones
were actually found
473
00:26:22,748 --> 00:26:26,825
In a cave in nevada
may sound far-fetched to some.
474
00:26:26,919 --> 00:26:30,646
But the truth is that there
were many such discoveries
475
00:26:30,739 --> 00:26:33,924
Reported during the wild west.
476
00:26:34,076 --> 00:26:35,759
Thompson:
In the southwestern
united states,
477
00:26:35,986 --> 00:26:38,095
There's several
very strange stories
478
00:26:38,322 --> 00:26:41,432
Of these dead corpses
or skeletons
479
00:26:41,583 --> 00:26:43,350
Being found regularly.
480
00:26:44,437 --> 00:26:46,662
In terms of
the reports of giants,
481
00:26:46,755 --> 00:26:48,439
This is a compelling motif.
482
00:26:48,666 --> 00:26:50,182
People were fascinated
by this idea
483
00:26:50,276 --> 00:26:52,067
Of a giant race that had
lived here previously.
484
00:26:53,337 --> 00:26:55,354
And this connects to
a lot of biblical belief
485
00:26:55,448 --> 00:26:57,689
That tended to be fairly
literal back in the day.
486
00:26:57,783 --> 00:27:01,510
The bible talks about back when
there was a race of giants
487
00:27:01,603 --> 00:27:03,195
That lived among the earth.
488
00:27:04,290 --> 00:27:07,291
And so, for many people
in the wild west,
489
00:27:07,518 --> 00:27:10,202
When you see some skeletons
dug out of the earth
490
00:27:10,354 --> 00:27:12,112
That seem to corroborate this,
491
00:27:12,206 --> 00:27:14,131
This was an affirmation of
492
00:27:14,282 --> 00:27:16,133
Literal biblical
beliefs, as well.
493
00:27:17,211 --> 00:27:19,119
Shatner:
Is it really possible
494
00:27:19,138 --> 00:27:23,532
That a race of giants
once inhabited the old west,
495
00:27:23,625 --> 00:27:25,534
As the numerous discoveries
496
00:27:25,627 --> 00:27:28,887
Reported throughout
the 1800s suggest?
497
00:27:28,981 --> 00:27:31,206
And if so,
498
00:27:31,299 --> 00:27:33,558
Was evidence of these giants
499
00:27:33,711 --> 00:27:35,736
Recovered in lovelock cave?
500
00:27:37,990 --> 00:27:40,549
Perhaps a clue can be found
by examining the history
501
00:27:40,642 --> 00:27:43,568
Of the indigenous paiute people,
502
00:27:43,663 --> 00:27:47,239
Who have inhabited
the nevada desert for centuries.
503
00:27:48,316 --> 00:27:50,483
Weatherly:
A woman named sarah winnemucca,
504
00:27:50,503 --> 00:27:53,987
Who was a descendant of
chief winnemucca of the paiutes,
505
00:27:54,081 --> 00:27:58,509
Wrote a book in the 1800s and
recounted her people's battle
506
00:27:58,736 --> 00:28:02,254
With this race of giants,
the si-te-cah.
507
00:28:02,406 --> 00:28:05,574
Now, what's fascinating
about this is that
508
00:28:05,592 --> 00:28:07,351
She says that it was
an actual battle,
509
00:28:07,578 --> 00:28:11,246
Not part of tribal lore
or mythology
510
00:28:11,339 --> 00:28:13,691
But something
that actually occurred.
511
00:28:14,752 --> 00:28:16,843
The si-te-cah were red-haired
512
00:28:16,862 --> 00:28:20,772
And lived in the mountains
near the paiute nation,
513
00:28:20,925 --> 00:28:22,533
And they were cannibals.
514
00:28:23,944 --> 00:28:25,536
According to the paiutes,
515
00:28:25,763 --> 00:28:29,522
They naturally grew tired
of being cannibalized
516
00:28:29,542 --> 00:28:32,284
-And they confronted
these giants.
-(shouting)
517
00:28:32,378 --> 00:28:35,454
Lewis:
A war was started
between the giants
518
00:28:35,606 --> 00:28:37,606
And the paiute people.
519
00:28:37,699 --> 00:28:40,459
For three years
they battled one another.
520
00:28:40,553 --> 00:28:42,627
The last of the giants
521
00:28:42,780 --> 00:28:45,630
Holed themselves up
in the lovelock cave.
522
00:28:45,783 --> 00:28:49,059
And the paiute people
stuffed the openings
523
00:28:49,286 --> 00:28:51,453
With a bunch of brush
and firewood
524
00:28:51,472 --> 00:28:53,397
And lit the place on fire.
525
00:28:55,901 --> 00:28:59,987
And that was the end of
the red-haired, giant cannibals.
526
00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:04,390
Newman:
What's also interesting is that,
527
00:29:04,485 --> 00:29:07,894
When the discovery was made
in 1911 at lovelock cave,
528
00:29:07,913 --> 00:29:11,990
They also found evidence
of extreme burning
529
00:29:12,084 --> 00:29:15,160
Which took place
near the entrance to the cave.
530
00:29:15,254 --> 00:29:18,330
So this matches
the story almost precisely.
531
00:29:18,482 --> 00:29:21,483
And, again,
we have evidence of red hair
532
00:29:21,502 --> 00:29:25,429
Because sarah winnemucca hopkins
actually saved some of the hair
533
00:29:25,656 --> 00:29:27,413
And sewed it
into a mourning dress,
534
00:29:27,433 --> 00:29:29,767
Which she used
when she gave lectures.
535
00:29:29,994 --> 00:29:33,419
And so the story of the paiutes
defeating the giants
536
00:29:33,514 --> 00:29:35,272
Then suddenly became a reality.
537
00:29:37,167 --> 00:29:39,518
Shatner:
For many, the evidence
in support of the paiute story
538
00:29:39,670 --> 00:29:42,279
About the red-headed giants
is compelling.
539
00:29:43,616 --> 00:29:47,359
Not only because of what
was found in lovelock cave,
540
00:29:47,511 --> 00:29:50,846
But also because
there have been reports
541
00:29:50,864 --> 00:29:54,107
Of giant bones being discovered
in other places
542
00:29:54,126 --> 00:29:56,460
Throughout
the western nevada desert.
543
00:29:57,871 --> 00:29:59,112
Newman:
If you go back
544
00:29:59,131 --> 00:30:00,539
And look through the records,
545
00:30:00,691 --> 00:30:02,633
You can find
numerous accounts of bones,
546
00:30:02,784 --> 00:30:05,527
Skeletons
and giant-sized artifacts
547
00:30:05,620 --> 00:30:07,137
That have been found
in this area.
548
00:30:08,290 --> 00:30:10,715
In 1904, it was reported
549
00:30:10,868 --> 00:30:14,144
That an 11-foot-tall skeleton
was found.
550
00:30:14,296 --> 00:30:16,721
And then we have accounts
in 1931
551
00:30:16,816 --> 00:30:19,891
Of an 8.5-foot skeleton
that was reported.
552
00:30:20,044 --> 00:30:23,045
And so the fact is,
you have the stories,
553
00:30:23,138 --> 00:30:24,546
You have the skeletal evidence
554
00:30:24,639 --> 00:30:27,399
And you have the artifacts
555
00:30:27,551 --> 00:30:30,218
And even the legends
that prove this was
556
00:30:30,237 --> 00:30:32,830
A real story of giants
in this area.
557
00:30:34,500 --> 00:30:38,060
Thompson:
To be sure, the paiutes believed
this to be a historical truth.
558
00:30:38,153 --> 00:30:41,004
People might dismiss 'em
as just folklore.
559
00:30:41,231 --> 00:30:43,231
But, again, who's to say
that it didn't happen?
560
00:30:43,325 --> 00:30:44,900
Of course
there were ethnic conflicts.
561
00:30:44,918 --> 00:30:46,510
Of course there were wars.
562
00:30:46,661 --> 00:30:48,161
And, of course,
people tend to remember this.
563
00:30:48,180 --> 00:30:50,088
So this has been
a real important part
564
00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:53,075
Of many, many people's
historical beliefs
565
00:30:53,093 --> 00:30:55,519
And how they think
about their own history.
566
00:30:55,746 --> 00:30:58,856
Was the nevada desert
once inhabited
567
00:30:59,007 --> 00:31:01,692
By red-haired,
man-eating giants?
568
00:31:01,843 --> 00:31:05,863
Archaeological findings suggest
that such a fantastic notion
569
00:31:06,014 --> 00:31:08,031
Is entirely possible.
570
00:31:08,258 --> 00:31:11,093
But not all curious skeletons
from the old west
571
00:31:11,186 --> 00:31:13,370
Were located in remote caves.
572
00:31:13,597 --> 00:31:16,431
In fact,
some were actually displayed
573
00:31:16,524 --> 00:31:18,524
In traveling carnival shows,
574
00:31:18,544 --> 00:31:22,195
Like the remains of a petrified
man who was known as...
575
00:31:22,289 --> 00:31:24,715
Sylvester the mummy.
576
00:31:30,890 --> 00:31:32,280
Shatner:
Along the waterfront of the city
577
00:31:32,299 --> 00:31:34,449
Lies ye olde curiosity shop,
578
00:31:34,542 --> 00:31:37,119
A quaint
wild west souvenir store.
579
00:31:38,213 --> 00:31:41,899
Inside, tourists can see
an extensive collection
580
00:31:42,050 --> 00:31:45,193
Of strange and macabre relics
from the american frontier.
581
00:31:46,313 --> 00:31:48,146
The main attraction
582
00:31:48,298 --> 00:31:50,799
Is one of the best-preserved
mummies in the entire world,
583
00:31:50,817 --> 00:31:51,867
Who's known as...
584
00:31:53,395 --> 00:31:54,870
...Sylvester.
585
00:31:57,082 --> 00:32:01,143
My great-grandfather opened
our store back in 1899, so...
586
00:32:01,236 --> 00:32:04,737
We're 123 years old this year.
587
00:32:04,831 --> 00:32:06,406
And without a doubt,
588
00:32:06,500 --> 00:32:08,333
Sylvester is our biggest,
589
00:32:08,485 --> 00:32:11,094
Most interesting curio.
590
00:32:12,264 --> 00:32:13,746
Sylvester is so perfect.
591
00:32:13,766 --> 00:32:15,748
He's got his mustache
592
00:32:15,768 --> 00:32:18,176
And hairs on his head.
593
00:32:19,346 --> 00:32:22,831
He's probably about two-thirds
of the size and weight
594
00:32:22,849 --> 00:32:24,608
That he was when he was living.
595
00:32:25,686 --> 00:32:29,171
And he just inspires curiosity.
596
00:32:29,264 --> 00:32:32,616
We got sylvester in the 1940s.
597
00:32:34,602 --> 00:32:37,028
And when we got sylvester,
598
00:32:37,122 --> 00:32:40,123
His arms were kind of crossed
in front of him.
599
00:32:41,776 --> 00:32:45,128
And he has a little hole in his
abdomen just above his wrist...
600
00:32:46,373 --> 00:32:48,023
...And a little stain there.
601
00:32:48,041 --> 00:32:50,616
The story we were told was that
602
00:32:50,711 --> 00:32:54,638
-He was shot and died
in the gila bend desert...
-(gunshot)
603
00:32:54,789 --> 00:32:57,365
...In arizona
during the wild west
604
00:32:57,384 --> 00:33:00,811
And just the right chemicals
in the sand
605
00:33:01,038 --> 00:33:03,814
And the heat and everything
preserved him.
606
00:33:04,041 --> 00:33:07,709
And, today, people come in
and gawk at him
607
00:33:07,728 --> 00:33:09,302
From a lot of
different countries--
608
00:33:09,396 --> 00:33:11,137
Around the world, even.
609
00:33:11,231 --> 00:33:14,157
He's, uh, really special.
610
00:33:15,736 --> 00:33:17,828
Shatner:
While the sight
of a perfectly preserved mummy
611
00:33:17,979 --> 00:33:20,664
From the old west
may seem puzzling...
612
00:33:21,834 --> 00:33:23,725
...In the 1800s,
613
00:33:23,744 --> 00:33:26,819
Mummies
and other strange human remains
614
00:33:26,839 --> 00:33:29,840
Were popular attractions
that were commonly displayed
615
00:33:29,991 --> 00:33:32,342
In what were known as...
616
00:33:32,494 --> 00:33:34,252
Dime museums.
617
00:33:35,422 --> 00:33:37,663
The dime museum was basically
exactly what it sounds like--
618
00:33:37,683 --> 00:33:39,349
It was a museum
that cost a dime.
619
00:33:39,501 --> 00:33:40,684
Although, in some cases,
it cost more than a dime.
620
00:33:42,187 --> 00:33:44,354
Inside, you could see
all kinds of amazing wonders
621
00:33:44,506 --> 00:33:45,914
And human oddities--
622
00:33:46,007 --> 00:33:49,509
People like the bearded lady.
623
00:33:49,528 --> 00:33:51,511
You'd have strange things
from other countries
624
00:33:51,530 --> 00:33:53,196
That were very exotic
at the time.
625
00:33:54,258 --> 00:33:56,682
Almost anything odd and unusual.
626
00:33:56,702 --> 00:33:59,094
And, really, at that time
in our history,
627
00:33:59,112 --> 00:34:00,779
There weren't other places
you could go see that.
628
00:34:00,873 --> 00:34:02,188
You didn't have tv,
you didn't have the internet,
629
00:34:02,282 --> 00:34:03,707
You didn't have movies.
630
00:34:03,934 --> 00:34:05,767
If you wanted to see
something different,
631
00:34:05,786 --> 00:34:06,951
You went to the dime museum.
632
00:34:08,272 --> 00:34:10,789
And from there, they took all
kinds of wondrous attractions
633
00:34:10,941 --> 00:34:13,050
Onto the road,
in sideshows and in carnivals.
634
00:34:14,536 --> 00:34:16,202
Thompson:
Traveling carnivals were
635
00:34:16,221 --> 00:34:18,555
The premier entertainment
of the day.
636
00:34:19,783 --> 00:34:22,967
These would often display
the extraordinary,
637
00:34:23,120 --> 00:34:24,227
The exotic,
638
00:34:24,379 --> 00:34:25,896
But, also,
639
00:34:26,123 --> 00:34:28,065
There was sort of
a macabre element, too.
640
00:34:28,216 --> 00:34:30,233
One of the things
they would even have on display
641
00:34:30,385 --> 00:34:33,904
Is actual desiccated or even
slightly mummified corpses
642
00:34:34,055 --> 00:34:36,298
Of wild west people.
643
00:34:37,392 --> 00:34:40,393
And they became
a real compelling attraction.
644
00:34:40,412 --> 00:34:43,154
This ranged
from mummified remains
645
00:34:43,307 --> 00:34:44,472
To strange things--
646
00:34:44,491 --> 00:34:46,658
Tiny, little pygmy mummies,
647
00:34:46,752 --> 00:34:49,569
Great big giants
648
00:34:49,588 --> 00:34:52,923
And all sorts of other, sort of,
oddities or freaks of nature.
649
00:34:56,169 --> 00:34:58,820
Shatner:
Why were people in the old west
so fascinated
650
00:34:58,839 --> 00:35:02,006
By the sight of macabre
and sometimes gruesome displays
651
00:35:02,101 --> 00:35:03,725
Of human remains?
652
00:35:05,253 --> 00:35:08,605
It certainly doesn't seem
very respectful to the deceased.
653
00:35:09,757 --> 00:35:11,499
But some historians claim
that mummies
654
00:35:11,593 --> 00:35:13,685
And other strange curiosities
655
00:35:13,779 --> 00:35:18,690
Touched on the american spirit
of seeking out the unknown.
656
00:35:19,785 --> 00:35:22,677
Mcneill:
In this same time
of westward expansion,
657
00:35:22,696 --> 00:35:25,622
We see this dawning interest
658
00:35:25,849 --> 00:35:29,684
In carnivals, sideshow
attractions, dime museums,
659
00:35:29,777 --> 00:35:33,112
Where you could go
and witness for yourself
660
00:35:33,206 --> 00:35:38,426
The truly extraordinary things
that the world had to show us.
661
00:35:39,621 --> 00:35:42,806
As much
as it may seem exploitative,
662
00:35:43,033 --> 00:35:45,809
As much as it may seem
to be making a spectacle
663
00:35:45,960 --> 00:35:48,386
Out of human life,
664
00:35:48,538 --> 00:35:51,556
It's also mirroring this idea
665
00:35:51,708 --> 00:35:53,650
That the world is more wondrous,
666
00:35:53,877 --> 00:35:56,153
More strange
than what we experience
667
00:35:56,304 --> 00:35:58,229
In an established,
well-populated
668
00:35:58,382 --> 00:36:00,148
Urban center back east.
669
00:36:01,160 --> 00:36:03,142
Hartzman:
During this time in history,
670
00:36:03,162 --> 00:36:06,054
You have a lot of european
descendants traveling out west.
671
00:36:06,072 --> 00:36:07,497
And they were seeing new things
672
00:36:07,649 --> 00:36:09,148
That no one
had ever seen before.
673
00:36:09,168 --> 00:36:11,059
And the stranger,
more odd it was,
674
00:36:11,152 --> 00:36:12,794
The more exciting it was to see.
675
00:36:14,006 --> 00:36:16,398
Shatner:
Dime museums
and sideshow attractions
676
00:36:16,416 --> 00:36:19,417
Lost their popularity
in the early 20th century
677
00:36:19,569 --> 00:36:21,511
As the west became more settled.
678
00:36:22,589 --> 00:36:25,407
But, today,
more than a hundred years later,
679
00:36:25,425 --> 00:36:27,667
Curios like sylvester the mummy
680
00:36:27,686 --> 00:36:30,078
Continue to entertain the public
681
00:36:30,096 --> 00:36:34,173
And are a link to a bygone era.
682
00:36:34,193 --> 00:36:36,526
Hartzman:
There's not much left of the old
west you can still go see.
683
00:36:36,753 --> 00:36:39,270
But what's really amazing
about these mummies,
684
00:36:39,423 --> 00:36:40,680
Here you actually have a body
685
00:36:40,699 --> 00:36:42,090
That traveled
through the old west
686
00:36:42,108 --> 00:36:44,943
As an attraction
people came to see,
687
00:36:45,095 --> 00:36:47,162
And you can still see
the same body today.
688
00:36:48,189 --> 00:36:49,597
Whatever their life was like,
689
00:36:49,616 --> 00:36:52,542
Their afterlife
has been so much longer,
690
00:36:52,694 --> 00:36:55,103
And they continue to bring
amazement and wonder to people
691
00:36:55,121 --> 00:36:57,214
From all parts of the world.
692
00:36:58,866 --> 00:37:03,220
The fact that tourists travel
to catch a glimpse of sylvester
693
00:37:03,371 --> 00:37:07,282
Shows that these bizarre stories
from the wild west
694
00:37:07,375 --> 00:37:10,060
Still hold
our enduring fascination.
695
00:37:10,287 --> 00:37:14,898
Which is also the case
in aurora, texas,
696
00:37:15,049 --> 00:37:17,141
Where some locals
are convinced that,
697
00:37:17,294 --> 00:37:19,719
In 1897,
698
00:37:19,738 --> 00:37:23,240
This small town
was visited by a being
699
00:37:23,391 --> 00:37:25,075
From another world.
700
00:37:29,973 --> 00:37:31,489
Shatner:
In central texas,
about 50 miles east of dallas,
701
00:37:31,583 --> 00:37:33,375
Lies the town of aurora.
702
00:37:34,402 --> 00:37:36,828
With a population
of 1,500 people,
703
00:37:36,980 --> 00:37:39,163
Aurora looks like any number
of small communities
704
00:37:39,258 --> 00:37:40,840
Located in the region.
705
00:37:42,152 --> 00:37:43,818
But, curiously, every year,
706
00:37:43,911 --> 00:37:46,245
Thousands of tourists
from all over the world
707
00:37:46,339 --> 00:37:48,765
Flock to the town's
local cemetery.
708
00:37:49,917 --> 00:37:52,844
They come to visit
the grave site
709
00:37:52,996 --> 00:37:54,938
Of an extraterrestrial.
710
00:37:57,091 --> 00:38:00,168
The alien is supposedly buried
in the aurora cemetery,
711
00:38:00,261 --> 00:38:02,186
And people today leave
all sorts of offerings.
712
00:38:02,281 --> 00:38:04,281
(insects trilling)
713
00:38:04,508 --> 00:38:07,575
Everything from tinfoil hats
to coins to lottery tickets.
714
00:38:09,121 --> 00:38:13,031
Weatherly:
It's fascinating to think
that an alien being
715
00:38:13,125 --> 00:38:15,700
Is buried in a small texas town,
716
00:38:15,794 --> 00:38:17,519
And many people have tried
to get to the bottom
717
00:38:17,537 --> 00:38:19,111
Of the mystery.
718
00:38:19,205 --> 00:38:21,464
On the surface,
it seems simple enough--
719
00:38:21,616 --> 00:38:24,617
Excavate the grave and find out
exactly what's there.
720
00:38:24,636 --> 00:38:27,879
However,
at some point in history,
721
00:38:28,031 --> 00:38:29,806
The marker for the grave
disappeared,
722
00:38:29,957 --> 00:38:34,144
So no one knows exactly where
the creature is buried.
723
00:38:35,555 --> 00:38:38,039
Shatner:
The story
of the so-called aurora incident
724
00:38:38,132 --> 00:38:41,709
Dates back to April 17, 1897,
725
00:38:41,803 --> 00:38:44,228
When the residents of the town
reported seeing
726
00:38:44,323 --> 00:38:49,141
A strange, unidentified flying
object descend from the sky
727
00:38:49,235 --> 00:38:52,662
And crash in a fiery blaze.
728
00:38:53,740 --> 00:38:56,333
At 6:00 a.M. In the morning,
729
00:38:56,484 --> 00:39:00,728
Something came crashing down
in aurora, texas.
730
00:39:02,082 --> 00:39:06,634
It smashed through a windmill
on judge proctor's property...
731
00:39:07,846 --> 00:39:10,764
...Killing the lone occupant.
732
00:39:11,850 --> 00:39:15,000
Whatever this craft was,
733
00:39:15,095 --> 00:39:17,020
It was a puzzle for the people.
734
00:39:18,264 --> 00:39:21,691
The pilot was described as being
very disfigured from the crash.
735
00:39:21,843 --> 00:39:23,693
They don't give a lot
of detailed description
736
00:39:23,920 --> 00:39:27,364
Other than to say
that he was not of this world.
737
00:39:28,367 --> 00:39:31,926
They contacted
a nearby military base
738
00:39:31,945 --> 00:39:36,614
Who sent a representative down
to inspect the scene.
739
00:39:36,766 --> 00:39:40,768
He declared the dead occupant
a martian.
740
00:39:41,863 --> 00:39:45,790
The people in aurora decided
to give the creature
741
00:39:45,942 --> 00:39:47,717
A christian burial.
742
00:39:47,869 --> 00:39:50,461
It was buried
in the aurora cemetery,
743
00:39:50,555 --> 00:39:54,557
Along with some of the debris
from the alien craft.
744
00:39:57,044 --> 00:40:00,397
Shatner:
Two days after the crash,
on April 19, 1897,
745
00:40:00,548 --> 00:40:04,550
The incident was reported
in the dallas morning news,
746
00:40:04,569 --> 00:40:06,961
Which has led many researchers
to conclude
747
00:40:06,980 --> 00:40:10,407
That this crash did,
in fact, take place.
748
00:40:11,651 --> 00:40:13,301
And for more than a century,
749
00:40:13,394 --> 00:40:14,744
Investigators
have tried to prove
750
00:40:14,896 --> 00:40:18,640
That the craft actually came
from another world
751
00:40:18,658 --> 00:40:20,324
By searching for the body
752
00:40:20,477 --> 00:40:23,586
Of the supposed
extraterrestrial pilot.
753
00:40:25,331 --> 00:40:26,814
Hartzman:
As far as we know,
754
00:40:26,908 --> 00:40:28,149
The body is still in
that same cemetery
755
00:40:28,168 --> 00:40:29,408
In aurora, texas.
756
00:40:29,428 --> 00:40:31,152
In the 1970s,
757
00:40:31,171 --> 00:40:35,080
A couple ufo groups tried
to go exhume the body.
758
00:40:35,100 --> 00:40:37,082
But the city denied them
the chance
759
00:40:37,177 --> 00:40:38,843
To take the body out so they
could investigate it further
760
00:40:38,937 --> 00:40:42,439
And see if it really was
an alien from another planet.
761
00:40:43,942 --> 00:40:46,109
Shatner:
For now, the truth
about the aurora incident
762
00:40:46,260 --> 00:40:48,111
Remains elusive,
763
00:40:48,338 --> 00:40:51,673
Just like countless other
tall tales from the wild west
764
00:40:51,691 --> 00:40:54,692
That continue
to capture our imagination...
765
00:40:55,937 --> 00:40:59,956
...And inspire historians and
researchers to look for answers.
766
00:41:01,108 --> 00:41:02,533
Trimble:
The west was mythical.
767
00:41:02,627 --> 00:41:04,109
It was bigger than life.
768
00:41:04,129 --> 00:41:06,445
You have to imagine
easterners coming here
769
00:41:06,539 --> 00:41:08,965
And they sat around the campfire
at night
770
00:41:09,192 --> 00:41:10,950
And told tall tales.
771
00:41:11,044 --> 00:41:13,044
And there was truth to 'em,
772
00:41:13,138 --> 00:41:14,879
A-a whole lot of truth
773
00:41:14,973 --> 00:41:18,216
That was sprinkled into
these stories that were told.
774
00:41:18,368 --> 00:41:20,218
And we don't know
where the truth ended
775
00:41:20,312 --> 00:41:22,312
And the tall tale began.
776
00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:29,819
Is there really an alien buried
in aurora, texas?
777
00:41:30,046 --> 00:41:32,989
Did giant thunderbirds soar
across the frontier?
778
00:41:33,216 --> 00:41:35,992
Could billy the kid
have faked his own death?
779
00:41:36,143 --> 00:41:39,554
Well, stories like these
definitely make you wonder
780
00:41:39,572 --> 00:41:43,148
Whether the wild west
was much stranger
781
00:41:43,243 --> 00:41:45,502
Than the history books tell us.
782
00:41:45,729 --> 00:41:48,320
And as we continue searching
for the truth
783
00:41:48,340 --> 00:41:50,173
Behind these legends,
784
00:41:50,324 --> 00:41:53,009
One can only imagine
that we'll uncover
785
00:41:53,236 --> 00:41:58,431
Even more bizarre tales from
the west that will remain...
786
00:41:59,518 --> 00:42:01,351
...Unexplained.
787
00:42:01,502 --> 00:42:03,603
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