In October of 1843, the literary genius Charles Dickens sat down to embark on what was in its original intent a cold, calculated business venture, intended to offset impending financial losses. While his previous works, The Pickwick Papers and The Old Curiosity

Shop had risen to meteoric levels of sales and positive critical acclaim, other works like Barnaby Rudge and Martin Chuzzlewit had conversely registered numbers far less in magnitude than the author had originally expected. This left Dickens slightly bewildered and uncomfortable--and somewhat compromised—as his business partners of the day were tightening the pressure on him to produce a palatable work. And one that would make it to press by that December. He had absolutely no idea how deep an emotional chord his little story would strike with the ordinary citizen—a simple story of redemption.

Today, I would like to discuss what is arguably the most famous

of all the works of Charles Dickens—A Christmas Carol—and a few of it’s cinematic offshoots, adaptations and transmogrifications.

On Box Number Seven.

November 30th, 1921, Over 100 years ago—a rural town in northern California was engaged in the mid-season holiday machinations. People baking pies, making presents and generally enjoying the wintry intermission between Thanksgiving and the upcoming Christmas celebrations.

What was a normal foggy winter morning--would become a moment that was so horrible, that there is no way to recall the moments without invoking the carnage that ensued.—the moment that a school carriage containing 15 souls would intersect with an oncoming train, killing nearly everyone, many of them instantly—the horrific nature of the scene—a a scene that technically reverberates right through the ledger lines of school-bus protocol to this day.

35 year old Claude Nobs had no idea that simple act of heroism in a 1971 fire would echo so long.

Hope you like it

Thank you to Dino Jelusick for the opening liner promo.

In May of 1892, John and Charles Ruggles conspired to rob a Wells Fargo Stagecoach just outside Shasta Ca. A man would be killed in the process and by July a clandestine community of men would circumvent the judicial process.

Right or wrong, the moment cast a pall over California--as the photographic remnant would be disseminated worldwide.

Further speculation about there the stolen gold was, might be or is goes on every today.

On this episode, I am joined by Ryan McCloskey, most recently appearing on Discovery Channel's Expedition Unknown with Josh Gates, to discuss the dispositional theories of the loot.

Inquires about the information accrued, interviews or so forth can be sent to [email protected]

Ryan McCloskey can be found on Instagram: @Redding_cemetery_tours

Ryna was featured on Discovery Channel's "Expedition Uknown". The Great Gold Rush Shootout.

Self-explanatory

The Goat--through the eyes of the GOAT.

NOTE: The YouTube version off this has a video presentation to go along with the narrative!

It can be found here:

If you are in any way familiar with the saga of the Ruggles Brothers' 1892 robbery, killing and subsequent lynching at the hands of an anonymous, midnight populace, you may think that Smith Mountain Cemetery was their final resting place.

As I discovered a few weeks ago, this is not the case, and while that part may not be a mystery to everyone, the actual burial site has been in obscurity for many years. Through a combination of Providence, technology and an obsessive need to keep looking, I have found it. Here is the brief rundown.

In which I fall on my sword for complete and utter dereliction. But I have my reasons.

if you listened to Episode #52, you'll get it.

If you haven't --DO SO NOW.

In episode 17 of my podcast, I discuss the 1909 Airship disaster in Redding, California that claimed one life and damaged another. Perhaps you remember my peripheral fascination with the 78 year old man that was trampled in the melee--, and the brief itemization of physical traumas he survived before--and after this one.

I went back, simply intending to make a more detailed itemization of my hero-sub-plot--dude.--and discovered that he was a ridiculously-active human being, with his fingers in everything.

And he was present during some of the Wests's most formative years.