Before one nineteenth-century traveler could reach St. Louis and join a wagon train headed into the American West, he encountered stories and discoveries almost too strange to believe.

In this episode of The Mad Wild West, we follow the beginning of his journey through accounts of mysterious ancient mounds in Ohio, unusual human remains, and the strange female mummy discovered deep inside Mammoth Cave. Then the story takes a deadly turn when a doctor and his companion race through the wilderness to save a dying man—only to face tragedy, dangerous water, exhaustion, and a pack of hungry wolves.

These accounts come from the writings and beliefs of a nineteenth-century traveler. Some of his conclusions remain controversial and would be challenged by modern archaeology, but his firsthand descriptions provide a fascinating look at how early Americans understood the mysteries they encountered.

The journey west has only just begun.

Broadcasting from Wickenburg, Arizona—the World Headquarters of The Mad Wild West Podcast.

Some stories refuse to stay buried.

#WildWest #AmericanHistory #MammothCave #AncientMounds #FrontierHistory #WesternPodcast #MadWildWest

In the News of the 1800s a massive earthquake, a Chief visit, shot in a bedroom and more. In the main story - a dove's death saved the scalps of men. The sad death of an Indian girl and the tragic end to a squaw fight.

In the news of the Mad Wild West, a man dies of more than blood loss. A list of men wanted. In the main story, we hear about the hunt for two missing scouts who left a military camp to deliver a message and other items to another camp. What the Army wagon train turned search team learns about the two scouts' fate shakes them to their core.

In the Headlines we learn the history of the Pima Indians and the praise for a Sheriff carrying out his duties in the Mad Wild West. In the main story, we meet a woman who escapes her captives after brutality on her family, only finding herself racing on a horse across the prairie alone in one of the longest recorded rides in the shortest time to regain her freedom.

Hear the deadly news stories of the 1870's in the Mad Wild West. Then dive to the main story that Kit Carson tells of two friends who fight for their lives at Pawnee Rock and how a Chief left their lives up to the Great Spirit by letting one of them run the knife gauntlet against his warriors.

Death and gold go hand in hand in the Arizona Territory. From the news of Apache attacks to one mans friend drowning and his secret gold stash hideout went to his watery grave with him. Come listen to even more dangers that unfold on this Mad Wild West episode.

In the News - Indian attacks in Arizona. The main story - hear the first hand account of the deadly crossing of the Mad Wild West desert in hopes to find riches in California! Mother Nature is a big killer!

Come follow the trail to a bloody encounter between the cavalry and the Apaches in the Arizona mountains. Also hear the news about a man that carried a 5 foot sword. Find out the recipe for Wizard Oil (do not try and make it).

In the main story hear about a gentleman desperado who spares some but others loose their heads when they disobey. In the news, listen to how Alaska handles marital disputes that get out of hand in the 1800's. In the ADs we hear what's for sale in the Mad Wild West - guns, poison and the cure all for eye problems.

Listen to what happened in Los Angeles in the 1850's when desperados roamed the streets. Some headlines in the Arizona Territory - Virgil Earp shot! Lynch mobs need to be stopped and as always a few advertisements of the day to kick things off.