Death Valley Region: Book II

Photographs, maps, and newspaper excerpts tell the story of when prospecting and mining were at a frenzied pace. Gold, borate, salt, copper, silver, lead, marble, talc, antimony and many other minerals were sought and mined. Towns like Crackerjack, Telluride, Skibo sprang up. All this perceived mineral wealth caused railroads like the Tonopah & Tidewater to lay tracks. There was “Hootch” Simpson who had to be hung twice, Jim Riff who died of thirst, speed demon “Alkali Bill” Brong, and Death Valley Scotty who stock in his gold mining company which had no gold. Just to see what was really happening in this morbidly named place, some hearty souls started to venture into the region. This is the second book of a trilogy that covers the history of the Death Valley region.