Unsolved Mysteries of the Old West

by W.C. Jameson

Two subjects continue to fascinate people—the Old West and a good mystery. This book explores and examines twenty-one of the Old West's most baffling mysteries, which lure the curious and beg for investigation even though their solutions have eluded experts for decades. Many relate to the death or disappearance of some of the best-known lawmen and outlaws in history, such as Billy the Kid, Buckskin Frank Leslie, John Wilkes Booth, The Catalina Kid, and Butch Cassidy. Others involve mysterious tales and legends of lost mines and buried treasures that have not been recovered—yet.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, True Crime

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 1999

About the author

W.C. Jameson is the award-winning author of 70 books, 1500 articles and essays, 300 songs, and dozens of poems. He is the best selling treasure author in the United States and his prominence as a professional fortune hunter had led to stints as a consultant for the Unsolved Mysteries television show and The Travel Channel. He served as an advisor for the film, "National Treasure" starring Nicolas Cage and appears in an interview on the DVD. Jameson has written the sound tracks for two PBS documentaries and one feature film. His music has been heard on NPR and he wrote and performed in the musical, “Whatever Happened to the Outlaw, Jesse James?” Jameson has acted in five films and has been interviewed on The History Channel, The Travel Channel, PBS, and Nightline. When not working on a book, he tours the country as a speaker, conducting writing workshops and performing his music at folk festivals, concerts, roadhouses, and on television. He lives in Llano, Texas.

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting!! It was short and to the point and I learned and continue to wonder a lot!! Definitely recommend if you’re interested in the old west at allll

[Imagination's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST READ FOR ANY HISTORY LOVER OR LOVER OF THE OLD WEST!!! Even if you don't think yourself interested in this type of thing, I can guarantee that even one chapter will stick with you and become a fascination for you. I loved every each mystery, but the one that stuck with me the most is The Victorio Peak Treasure Mystery. It was like reading the plot of a movie, an Indiana Jones movie, but it's all real! READ THIS BOOK!!!

[Candida · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives you a look at some unsolved mysteries of the West, some that are well known and some unknown to me. They are interesting and offer some alternative theories of what happened in these crimes.

[kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh.

[Margret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives you a look at some unsolved mysteries of the Old West from Billy the Kid to Pancho Villa a total of twenty-one mysteries. Well written, interesting, informative, and fun. I enjoyed it, each story and makes me want to know more about them.

[Casondra Mackeller-Stille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. I love how they made the timeliness too and connecting the stories

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jameson's book covers twenty-one mysteries of the Old West and includes Butch Cassidy, Billy the Kid, Pearl Hart, Belle Star and Etta Place. However if you are looking for new information, this is not the book. Even though old mysteries do tend to stay unsolved, I would have preferred a well-researched, documented case study of each. (lj)

[Truitti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This informative book dispelled some of the solved myths that I was taught. I enjoyed that each story gave me enough information on the topic so I could decide if I wanted to find additional information or not. Interesting perspective and I thought that the author attempted to stay objective. Not a dry retelling, but an informative missive.

[Rita McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Read

Well written and very interesting. While I am sure there will be some who "explain" every thing, still believe reading this book is else worth the time. Truly enjoyable!

[Rex Libris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book of who really dunnit and lost treasure stories. Jameson examines the stories of who really bushwacked such and such a person, and lines up the suspects and gvie the pro's and con's as to if that person were really the killer.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite was the story about Pancho Villa. This guy was boisterous, daring and had lots of women. I can add a one-liner about him:

Pancho Villa,
con una vieja en cada rodilla.

[Pancho Villa,
with a gal on each leg.]

[J. Bryce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and interesting, with a modicum of hoke. But enjoyable if you like mysterious deaths, the Od west, and trivia.

[Matthew Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I like this kind of stuff yet it was hard to keep my interest all the wat to the end, but I did finish it.