The Remote Oatman Family Massacre Site and the Story of Olive Oatman

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ธ.ค. 2023
  • About February 18, 1851, the Oatman family, while on their way to California, was attacked in a remote part of Arizona by natives. After the attack, six members of the family were dead, and two of the Children were taken by the attackers as slaves. When one of the girls, Olive Oatman, returned to western society five years later, she became a media sensation due to her story, and the tattoos she now sported on her face.
    The incident, which became known as the Oatman Family Massacre, took place in a remote part of Arizona, located north east of what is now Sentinel, Arizona near the Gila River. At the site of the massacre you can find the traces of a couple of old wagon roads, and a lone sign marking the spot where the Oatman's were killed and once laid buried.
    Near the massacre site, across the Gila River, is the grave of the Oatman family and a memorial to them. In this video we drive to the site of the massacre, explore the wagon road, and cross the Gila River to visit the memorial.
    Here is a link to R.B. Stratton's 1857 book Captivity of the Oatman Girls: www.gutenberg.org/files/55071...
    A much better book is The Oatman Massacre by Brian McGinty, available on Amazon and elsewhere.
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ความคิดเห็น • 1K

  • @billbombshiggy9254
    @billbombshiggy9254 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +147

    I appreciate videos like this. I'm disabled, poor and couldn't do these walks if I wanted to.
    Videos like this are the only way I can actually see these places.

    • @Trump_Lake_24
      @Trump_Lake_24 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      brother most of us are poor -ish otherwise
      we'd be asking for your cash app

    • @billbombshiggy9254
      @billbombshiggy9254 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Trump_Lake_24 are most of you disabled? Even if I had the money, I couldn't do this. Unless you can find me an off road wheelchair that can do stunts.

    • @phat-kid
      @phat-kid 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      with hoveround, you can go to the grand canyon! hoveround!
      just making a joke. i'm disabled and poor too, even though we live in the richest country on earth. keep your head up bill bomb shiggy

    • @johnmurphy9688
      @johnmurphy9688 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@Trump_Lake_24 psssoff

    • @chrisdelnagro5867
      @chrisdelnagro5867 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      That was super interesting! I’ve heard of people enslaved by the Natives but haven’t heard many stories about survivors. Thanks!

  • @silkie8511
    @silkie8511 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +33

    I’m loving these historical stories of your Wild West. Thank you from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    • @rudymartinez6242
      @rudymartinez6242 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Lots of Old West guys were Scots and Irish.

    • @texasgina
      @texasgina วันที่ผ่านมา

      If it weren't for my Scottish ancestors coming to America I'm sure I wouldn't be here because I'm also part Native American and everything northwest Europe lol I'm a Heinz 57

  • @baalmoloch4933
    @baalmoloch4933 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +279

    As a guy who's kicked around the California and Arizona wildernesses for most of my years, I really appreciate the "Deeper History" you research and bring to light about these places, as a history geek and "Historical Marker Junkie" myself, the familiarity with a lot of these places plus the bonus information you always manage to find, both recall fond memories of the sites and excite my thirst for the "Behind the Scenes" knowledge of these places. Thank you so much for your scholarly approach and hands on guides!

    • @EZurg
      @EZurg 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Cool thx

    • @Sj27m
      @Sj27m 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Do you ever metal detect?

    • @jackiemack8653
      @jackiemack8653 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Read captivity of the Oatman girls

    • @walterlahaye2128
      @walterlahaye2128 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Facinating history!

    • @simrdownmon6431
      @simrdownmon6431 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      History is written by the Victor's, so you should never trust it. If you're gonna be a geek about something, make it about something that's not a bunch of BS.

  • @loriw5457
    @loriw5457 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    You are an EXCELLENT narrator - thank you for uploading this.

  • @user-ew4qn1um2l
    @user-ew4qn1um2l 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +104

    Thank you. We live in Arizona, and have heard of Olive Oatman, and her family's massacre many times. But your photography and narrative brought it alive.

    • @rojoknight
      @rojoknight 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Don't feel to bad for the Oatman family. My great and so on grandfather Thomas Cresap had his son killed by a indian who returned the favor to the same indian before he died. He was known to dispatch at least 100 indians during his time time and his other son's total that many and more. Point? What comes around goes around. Don't get mad get even.

    • @rosameryrojas-delcerro1059
      @rosameryrojas-delcerro1059 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Unless you have names and dates (newspaper articles?) of all of those alleged unualivings, your grandad Tommy and family could have been exaggerating. It is not uncommon among outdoorsy-types with large egos for the fish to get bigger and bigger. One-upsmanship and keeping up with the Joneses, or the Hatfields I guess has existed since the dawn of hunanity and isn't limited to suburbia. The WW2, USS Enterprise was reported (inJapan) as sunk by the Japanese at least 3 times. She was called the grey ghost because she just kept showing back up. She was never sunk. Unless you have documents that all thse people actually passed away (assuming Tommys family wasn't full of baloney) everything he says is 100% hearsay. I could literally tell you that I unalived hundreds of people, and without proof, it would never hold up in a court of law. One man/family can't unalive hundreds of people (as Tommy claimed) in a county with a population of a few thousand people and it go unreported and unnoticed.

    • @travler1226
      @travler1226 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      This Native behavior so common in its cruelty seems to be forgotten.

    • @rosameryrojas-delcerro1059
      @rosameryrojas-delcerro1059 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Psht, as if 7000 years (recorded) and 30,000 years before writing were a f-ing utopia..... Never did anything violent eh? The world is flat too I guess??@@travler1226

    • @tfolmer1234
      @tfolmer1234 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@travler1226And the savagery of white "christian" murderers is defiantly forgotten.

  • @AFloridaSon
    @AFloridaSon 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    Honestly, there's a lot of little known but important history lessons like this out there. The problem I have is usually the one telling the stories. Too often, people try to turn them into hour long videos, and they add so much filler that the actual story gets lost. I'm very impressed by this video. Thank you for keeping with the storyline.

  • @short-fuse
    @short-fuse 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +79

    Thanks for remembering the Oatman family. Very sad story.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

      Yeah. The video can only really scratch the surface. Some of the details are heartbreaking.

    • @Dee-JayW
      @Dee-JayW 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

      @@SidetrackAdventuresWhat about a story on the people whose land they were stealing?

    • @sonofadyingnation7186
      @sonofadyingnation7186 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      @@Dee-JayW "What about a story on the people whose land they were stealing?"
      Just largely unpeopled land, or land that belonged to Stone Age savages.

    • @Dee-JayW
      @Dee-JayW 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@sonofadyingnation7186 fully populated land, with successful cultures like anywhere else in the world. There were 100 million indigenous in North America, all of NA, including what some call central America. Many empires. Just like the rest of the world. War, peace, hundreds of different languages, extensive trade routes, just like the rest of the world. Have you Studied North American Indigenous History? It covers the first 10,000 years of their history.

    • @tyc1Z.Z1
      @tyc1Z.Z1 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      How many centuries did it take for the White to almost fully occupy & dominate the land? For Whites to become the owners of this land surely must not have been a peaceful process for the natives . They were as good as wiped out

  • @ritawilbur6128
    @ritawilbur6128 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +49

    I read "Girl with the Blue Tattoo" some years ago. It's very interesting and sad to see the sites where her family was killed. Thank you for sharing this!

  • @jeremyrobertson3752
    @jeremyrobertson3752 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +53

    Love your videos and thanks for the time you spend making them. A ancestor of mine, Robert Kelly, was first on scene and helped bury the bodies. He mentioned in his memoirs about how sad and tragic it was. He went to Carlsbad a short time later and ran Rancho Agua Hedionda.

  • @sandyzalecki1145
    @sandyzalecki1145 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +181

    I've heard of Olive Oatman, but I didn't know the whole story. She was given honor in a show called "Hell on Wheels" which is about the building of the Trans Continental Railroad. One of the characters in the show is loosely based on her story. Thanks once again for your great videos and history lessons.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

      I've been meaning to check that show out.

    • @sandyzalecki1145
      @sandyzalecki1145 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      @@SidetrackAdventures It's a bit violent for me but it does have some good history in it.

    • @javierramos9795
      @javierramos9795 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      She was prostitute on the show though.

    • @valentinorossi7019
      @valentinorossi7019 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@sandyzalecki1145I am into season 4 on prime, it's violent but it's entertaining and characters are interesting

    • @bethdrsrdp626
      @bethdrsrdp626 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      It’s interesting because I watched Hell on Wheels and saw Olive’s character. She was a “lady of the evening”, and had a tattoo that ran from the outside of her mouth running down to her chin. I knew of her, and when I moved to Pennsylvania, Olive is well known.

  • @bobnoon253
    @bobnoon253 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +79

    Great telling of the story. Of all the telling of this tale you are the only one who pointed out that the south side of the Gila River was then Mexico. That is the reason Lorenzo wasn't able to get help from the military at that time.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +22

      For whatever reason I think the Gadsen Purchase isn't as well known as some of the other expansions of the country.

    • @gus473
      @gus473 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      ​@@SidetrackAdventuresYup, exactly! Would love to see what you and Bob Boze Bell of True West Magazine (and TH-cam channel) could do together on a few of these stories. You're both good at these tales of the desert Southwest! 🤠✌️

    • @MrStaybrown
      @MrStaybrown 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      The Mexican cessation was complete in 1850. Which is all of California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona, western Colorado and western New Mexico.
      The gadsden purchase was 1853-1854, which was the very southern part of Arizona and and into New Mexico along the current Mexico/US border.

    • @marcoantonioalvarez6483
      @marcoantonioalvarez6483 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      When you said coyotes, you mean the actual animal or the immigrant smugglers?

    • @hardtack8776
      @hardtack8776 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      @@marcoantonioalvarez6483
      He mentioned “coyote scat” (animal feces), so sure he meant the animal type of coyote.

  • @joepeach997
    @joepeach997 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +44

    Steve, that was an exceptional rendering of this sad and somewhat redemptive story. I can't imagine what the survivors endured. I think you have everything in place to do some national and even wordly documentaries.

  • @bluepacificsurf
    @bluepacificsurf 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +140

    Anyone who is raised wearing shoes, having their shoes removed then forced to walk 60 miles barefoot through the Arizona desert is truly amazing. Thank you for telling this story. It is not hard to see why the trappers, traders, homesteaders and all western pioneers had a negative opinion of the native tribes.

    • @Slay_No_More
      @Slay_No_More 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +44

      Hell, the stories of the interactions that early settlers had of these tribes capturing people for slavery and sex slavery was enough for me to be less sympathetic.

    • @sherryjohnson9463
      @sherryjohnson9463 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      😂😂😂

    • @JuMPDesigns
      @JuMPDesigns 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Um....the reason for the violence was because the colonists came in hot. Youre blaming people for their reaction to aggressive invasion. Nevermind the rampant alcoholism and vulgarity amongst the western travelers 🧐
      That being said, violence begets violence and the "civilized" visitors should have known that.

    • @wakranich3488
      @wakranich3488 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Indigenous People were killed more than whites.. 6 Tribes are Extinct b/c of the White Man!!

    • @nicholaslibby1515
      @nicholaslibby1515 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      That squares it up

  • @victoriawilliams6156
    @victoriawilliams6156 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    I love listening to the story of what happened as you walked through the place where it happened. With such a simple, straightforward delivery, I was captivated by your storytelling.

  • @petehealy9819
    @petehealy9819 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +90

    Very well done, Steve! I'd heard of Olive Oatman and had seen her photo, but I learned a lot more from your video. As always, beautiful choice of music and great editing. And I'm always impressed by your steady camera work as you make your way over rough ground!

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      Thank you.

    • @DaveInLAS
      @DaveInLAS 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      Steve your channel is fantastic, keep being awesome!

  • @danielnorman8595
    @danielnorman8595 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +29

    These stories you tell are made so much more interesting because you visit the places while explaining them. Thank you for doing this I enjoy them

  • @THE-HammerMan
    @THE-HammerMan หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    As a native San Diegan and trucker for 30+ years, I have gone past the exit for Oatman countless times without knowing their story. Thank you.
    Marvelous presentation and work with your video!

  • @Kurt_Outdoors
    @Kurt_Outdoors 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +31

    I live in Toronto Canada. Rented a car a few years back and tried to make it to this site....but road was too rough. So thanks for this video! Very interesting to see the actual spot!

    • @michaelpierson7256
      @michaelpierson7256 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      If u should ever come back rent a SUV of some sort instead. Here in oregon I drive up lava ridges and very rough roads in a ford explorer😊

    • @stevewhitaker1474
      @stevewhitaker1474 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Get a Jeep Wrangler.

    • @wabankik
      @wabankik 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      ...A Studebaker is the vehicle You want to use to get Through Those old Cow Paths!!!

  • @dvhughesdesign
    @dvhughesdesign 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

    Excellent video and extremely well spoken.
    I read "The Blue Tattoo - The Life of Olive Oatman" years ago and have been fascinated with her and family's story ever since. It is wonderful that I had a chance to visit the historic site through your thoughtful tour. Hopefully one day I can go there in person. Thanks for uploading!

  • @UniusPoenitentis
    @UniusPoenitentis 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +55

    Thanks very much for this adventure, Steve. I am familiar with the story of the Oatman Massacre and Olive. I've also been to Oatman, Arizona close to half a dozen times. (Viewers: you must visit Oatman!) I have often wondered how easy it might be to visit the massacre site, and I can't tell you how many times I thought of one day trying to visit it when passing the exit close to it off of I 8. Boggles the mind what Olive and her little sister and Lorenzo had to face after the massacre. What strength and resilience! So poignant too how Lorenzo never stopped trying to be reunited with Olive, and that the reunion happened. I hope that the parents died quickly from their injuries as well as the other children. Those westward pioneers were very courageous people in forging forward despite the risks of such attacks. I remember as a school child when one of my classmates brought the braided hair of one of his ancestors who had been scalped by a tribe somewhere in Kansas to school for show and tell! Boy did that make an incredible impression on me. Thanks for the adventure, Steve!

    • @f_youtubecensorshipf_nazis
      @f_youtubecensorshipf_nazis 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      stealing native land isn't heroic AT ALL
      ya the impressive was it turned you into genocidal racist , grats

  • @TheStuport
    @TheStuport 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +41

    Like many who Ride In The Sidetrack Adventures Posse, I too have seen the photo of Olive Oatman and heard and watched many replicated stories about this tragic massacre. Your rendition Steve is by far the Best. You always take a full dive into the researching and come up with information that perfectly connects all the dots. Details such as Olive and her sister having to walk those 60 plus miles barefooted and the tattooing they received so that they eventually reached the Land of The Dead as a Mojave! The amount of detail, work and physical hiking to get the best up close shots for us Fans is never lost on us Steve...Thank You! As a brother, I very much respect young Lorenzo and his fortitude. MOO From COW-lumbus, Ohio 👋🙏

  • @alexapplegate619
    @alexapplegate619 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +30

    I knew you'd get to this story eventually based on your continued exploration of the southwest. Excellent video and, as usual, very well done!

  • @JohnDavies-cn3ro
    @JohnDavies-cn3ro 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Thank you, Steve; I had seen the photograph of poor Olive on youtube before, but this is the first time I've actually heard the story of what happened to her. An intriguing tale; and I must admit I could get hooked on your channel.

  • @fubarfrank74
    @fubarfrank74 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    Every once in awhile the YT algorithm hits its mark and your channel is the most recent one. This content is perfect for indulging my adventurous spirit when I can't do myself and your research is top notch. I live in Vegas so alot of this is in my backyard. Thank you so much for the hard work and time you put into this. Got a new sub and I'm sure I'll be around as long as youre putting out content. Cheers!

  • @HughPoland
    @HughPoland 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    I love your channel! You explore places I'll probably never get to see for myself, and I learn something every time I watch. Your channel has helped me see the beauty in the southwestern desert, and I especially love your demeanor--you deliver with a calm voice, no hype, just the facts but delivered with a touch of wonder as you take us around the corner to see the next thing. I know it takes a lot of time to put these together. Thank you for what you do and for who you are!

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you, I appreciate it.

    • @stephendavis4241
      @stephendavis4241 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Agreed Hugh. You know this takes prep research for the smooth delivery we get to see. Then the editing makes it seamless as if it's just two people walking the trails and discovering along the way. Thank you Steve, safe trails and good health to you.

  • @Rockfan10001
    @Rockfan10001 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Thanks Steve for another great lesson in history,. I am from Texas , but currently working in Arizona. I enjoy exploring the parks and all your state has to offer. I had never heard this tragic story and appreciate you including it as an episode of your channel.

  • @nathanielovaughn2145
    @nathanielovaughn2145 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This is one of the coolest, most-informative, entertaining, and top quality channels I've seen in a long time. Subbed.

  • @ScottDLR
    @ScottDLR 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks so much for all the effort you put into these, Steve. .

  • @dennisrobinson4588
    @dennisrobinson4588 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    What a fascinating history of human history of life in the southwest. Thank you so much, I really appreciate your story telling. Many of these places and events I have visited but not realize “the rest of the story “! Again thanks .

  • @ccpbux
    @ccpbux 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Steve, love your video’s and the narration you put into them. Overall, you provide us with awesome content! Thank you!!

  • @rl3810
    @rl3810 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I looked for something new and your videos popped up.
    Just wanted to say your videos are so well done.
    I can see you've done a lot of research for each video I've watched so far.
    It's so refreshing to discover someone new who does awesome work on YT.
    Excellent video.

  • @JH_75
    @JH_75 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Well done, Steve. What a fascinating story; Ive heard it before but your telling of it is great, full of detail, and the on-site videography really adds color to the story. Thanks.

  • @ELMS
    @ELMS 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I have actually been to the town of Oatman but have never heard of this. What a story. A very interesting channel and it’s nice to see you’re finding an audience!

  • @superman9772
    @superman9772 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

    i grew up kinda close to the site and hunted that area... some back story to the event was that it was kinda part of the yuma war which the infamous glanton gang set off .... the state of sonora hired the glanton gang to kill apaches in northern sonora (the massacre site was part of mexico at that time) well, the glanton gang was killing and scalping everyone and so any "white" person was kinda considered part of the glanton gang by native americans and thus the hostile massacre of the oatmans...the famous sarah bowman (aka: "the great western" and 1st citizen of yuma, az) recused olive oatman by parleying via one of her yaqui employees, francisco... sara bowman was an amazing lady and was buried with full military honor of a colonel in the presido in san francisco.... a fictional novel "blood meridian" by corman mccarthy tells the story of the glanton gang and there's the factual confession of samuel chamberlain, a member of the glanton gang, as well... by the way, great work getting out there !... that really is some tough terrain

  • @jimmyolsenschannel6263
    @jimmyolsenschannel6263 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Gee, you make great short documentaries, man. Please keep up the good work!

  • @timmusick9875
    @timmusick9875 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great job! Loved the maps the music and the clippings, and most of all the history.

  • @TheCrossroads533
    @TheCrossroads533 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    I love your video tours. Your calm voice and knowledge of each site add much to your narratives. I didn't realize the Rio Gila was the old border. I hiked along the Gila near Wild Horse Pass in 2017 and some water was flowing. No matter, I salute you for a job well done.

  • @johngoodman1540
    @johngoodman1540 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Thanks, Steve, really enjoy your videos and the efforts that go into them.

  • @rosalindafaye5668
    @rosalindafaye5668 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    What an amazing TH-cam video! Thanks for going in depth and visually showing us this adventure!

  • @michaelsmodelrailroading7665
    @michaelsmodelrailroading7665 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Thank you for taking the time and effort to research and present Olive Oatman's story, including your visit to the absolutely desolate site of the massacre, which really brings the whole saga to life.

  • @GONNALIVEHIKING
    @GONNALIVEHIKING 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Love all your videos Steve, often wonder where you get the idea to visit these random places and get the information for stories like this

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      I've thought about going out here for awhile, but it never worked out before. I think I first heard about Olive Oatman in True West Magazine maybe? I'm not even sure at this point.

  • @teamgh0ul
    @teamgh0ul 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Well researched and very informative! Keep up the great work!

  • @TheSmokie55
    @TheSmokie55 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    WOWZA...Your content is getting to be so good. I have always liked it, but I really like the pace and history you develop in the stories. Great Job.

  • @bobbyGnOly
    @bobbyGnOly 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    you really are one of the best at these....thanks

  • @shooter31m
    @shooter31m 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Once again, another intriguing and informative video Steve!
    I’m going to have to check that out the next time I’m out that way, I’ve always been interested in the wagon and stage lines in the southwest. Many thanks from South Carolina.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The modern world has stopped most of the water from the Gila from making it to the Colorado River. Most of the water doesn't make it past Phoenix.

  • @jefftarwood4594
    @jefftarwood4594 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

    Steve I am always amazed that so many of the roads you travel on to get to some of the locations look just like what I expected roads in the Southwest to look like. Another great vid about history I had never heard of.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      A few days ago there was a road that turned out way worse than I thought, and I ended up having to pull over and walk the rest of the way (it will be in next week's video).

  • @garyp.7501
    @garyp.7501 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I love these travel videos where you go to these desert graves and ghost towns! Thank you so much for making them!

  • @dwightdonnelly8662
    @dwightdonnelly8662 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Smooth video work, and historically informative. Thank you.

  • @SpanishEclectic
    @SpanishEclectic 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +32

    This has always been such an interesting, but very sad story. It seems so strange to read about places like San Bernardino and Temecula (where Lorenzo was living) as they were in the 1850s. Also incredible to find out that it took weeks for supply wagons to travel from San Diego to Ft. Yuma. I did a deep dive into Olive Oatman's history after reading that the character of Eva, from the show Hell on Wheels, was loosely based on her. The Blue Tattoo, by Margot Mifflin, is a fascinating read, which goes into great detail about Olive's life. "Washes" and seemingly dry river beds here in the Southwest can pose a danger to the unsuspecting; flash floods, from rain in the mountains miles away can turn a trickle into a deluge without warning. Definitely providing a good home for coyotes...better than in my back yard (where we see them from time to time). Nice job!

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      I've been wanting to check out Hell on Wheels. A couple of people have mentioned there's a character based on Olive Oatman in it.

    • @SpanishEclectic
      @SpanishEclectic 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@SidetrackAdventures Hell on Wheels is very good, though quite violent. It's a Western, after all. The creators were fascinated by a PBS documentary on the Golden Spike and the race to join the railroads into one. It's so weird to see Anson Mount (the main character, Cullen Bohannon) now playing a Starfleet Captain with perfect hair, lol. I'm old enough to remember the 60s when what was hot on TV was Westerns and Sci Fi.

    • @flamencoprof
      @flamencoprof 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I have not read "The Blue Tattoo", but I have seen quotes, and it looks very good.

    • @dougsmuaythai
      @dougsmuaythai 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      definately a fun show to watch@@SidetrackAdventures

    • @dvhughesdesign
      @dvhughesdesign 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@SidetrackAdventures Hell on Wheels is really quite a good series. I really enjoyed it. But like most, if not all series that last past 3 or 4 seasons, it noticeably begins to spiral towards the absurd and loses its intrigue. IMHO, of course.

  • @jaysilverheals4445
    @jaysilverheals4445 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    good summation. a small note that Lorenzo was not thrown off the edge he climbed down during the night. The spot where he lay trying to get up during the night was barely over from the massacre site about 75 or so feet. As he tried to get up and if you reenact it from the exact spot his view he seemed to be looking out over a cliff. But had he been able to stand fully up such as a person inspecting the spot today its in fact a rocky hill he stumbled down not remembering it. He even said he saw the bloody trail where he had made it down during the night. He then passed out some more and he woke up and viewed up virtually exactly where you were standing as you pointed the camera up towards the massacre site. That exact view by the way of him looking up was in the book but they drew the tongue of the wagon backwards when in fact it would have been facing west. They went straight north through the ravine in the mountain you pointed the camera at. The first camp of captivity was about 65 miles north in a large wash a few miles southwest of Auguila. There is a road that can be hiked or driven to the exact spot.

  • @Lizerator
    @Lizerator 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very well done! Thanks for all the research and filming that you do.

  • @dogparty-tt8qw
    @dogparty-tt8qw 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Cool video! Thanks, heard this story a few times but, the visuals bring it together.
    Hope you can keep this up!

  • @williamd4707
    @williamd4707 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Oatman Arizona is one town along the old 66 highway. It is also very quirky with wild burros walking through town. The road is very twisting and winding and interesting to drive. Great history and a good video for Sidetrack Adventure.

  • @gbryant261
    @gbryant261 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    I visited Oatman in October and wondered how it got its name. Thank you so much for a fascinating, if sad, story of the Oatmans and old Arizona.

  • @juliojames5986
    @juliojames5986 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Steve, You do a fantastic service to history. Research, filming, story telling….Great ! Thanks 👍🏻🤠

  • @terrystewart2070
    @terrystewart2070 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you Steve! I look forward to your videos weekly and find them entertaining and informative! Kudos, and carry on!

    • @RobertJakob-yr4ce
      @RobertJakob-yr4ce 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      As a history teacher I am forever indebted to you for factual n imperial info delivered in a clear n non judgemental manner. Wish I was still in the classroom to deliver this material to the kids. Bless you n yours!

    • @RobertJakob-yr4ce
      @RobertJakob-yr4ce 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Empirical, sorry for the typo n lack of proofreading.

  • @johnsaunders1435
    @johnsaunders1435 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    Very well done and with lots of respect to the Oatman family. Your videos are quite humble and subtle yet have a way of drawing the viewer into the content. Keep up the great work and keep them coming!

  • @Billmawkee
    @Billmawkee 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Great story. I was impressed by your calm recitation of the Oatman story, not trying to focus just on the obvious violence that the Oatman family experienced.

    • @kamakaziozzie3038
      @kamakaziozzie3038 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      This story does help me understand the early Western movies.
      When watching re-enactments of scalpings and such violence, my father told me these acts were exaggerated.
      Thank you for shining the light on the fact the White Man were not the only ones that were violence prone.

    • @fbcpraise
      @fbcpraise 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@kamakaziozzie3038read “Empire of the Summer Moon,” a NY Times bestseller. This story is a children’s bedtime story in comparison. Being beaten to death with clubs is much better treatment than they would have gotten from many tribes.

  • @ronr7623
    @ronr7623 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Another excellent video.. I love your lesser known interesting places... thank you for sharing and for us to live vicariously through these great vids.

  • @charlesgordon8751
    @charlesgordon8751 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Excellent video and story. I really enjoyed watching this and it's the perfect length.

  • @MrCoolJaybo1
    @MrCoolJaybo1 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Glad to see you Back in Arizona Sir! I hope your travels bring you around the Globe area, there is lots of history that would be interestingly learned from your perspective.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I didn't get up there on this trip, but I do plan on getting back to that area soon.

  • @johnkaper1129
    @johnkaper1129 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Excellent video, I have heard of the story of the Oatman massacre and the capture of Olive Oatman and her life with her captor and the Tattoos. To see the place of the actual massacre and have you tell the story was really amazing, incredible. You can see how hardy the pioneers and the native Americans were back then, truly tough living and survival. Thank you, very interesting !

  • @stevecoppock7855
    @stevecoppock7855 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Really enjoyed this one Steve! Great history and video :-)

  • @JoeBuiDesertTrippin
    @JoeBuiDesertTrippin 11 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Great video, Steve! Thanks for the fascinating exploration!

  • @Bigfoot14000
    @Bigfoot14000 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    A very good video Steve, and a very sad and moving story. It is truly tragic that human societies visit such inhumanity upon each other. It seems to be the norm for our species.

  • @mikem.1220
    @mikem.1220 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +20

    I was a young Marine at 29 Palms in 1974. It was a formative time in my life. As a boy from Arkansas I might as well been on the moon.
    I have been back once. Your videos are a combination of therapy, desire and regret. Like the Marine Corps.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I can tell you, I was stationed in North Carolina, I stopped by once, it felt weird being back.

    • @mikem.1220
      @mikem.1220 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@SidetrackAdventures 2nd Tanks for 3 weeks 10th Marine cannon cockocker. Hard Corps.

    • @Desert-edDave
      @Desert-edDave 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

  • @frankmarullo228
    @frankmarullo228 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I don't know who you are , but I just came across your channel , and boy I'm glad I did watched 3 different shows of yours and I subscribed thank you for this one FRANK FROM MONTANA.....

  • @Buckshot9796
    @Buckshot9796 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Great story well told. One of many such stories of murder and mayhem against both natives and settlers. It's a sad comment on the human condition that if you cannot defend your land and possessions someone, sooner or later, will come and take them from you.

  • @lindabriggs5118
    @lindabriggs5118 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    I used to live near here a number of decades ago. I never heard of this and I am surprised to learn of this. Thank you. That area has so much history.

  • @irish3335
    @irish3335 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video, thanks for putting the legwork in to make it!

  • @Freightmeister
    @Freightmeister 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    We just visited Oatman AZ twice this month; your video was very timely. Thank you for all the research you had done - it helped us connect with what we saw.

  • @theeddorian
    @theeddorian 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    The Oatman story is an interesting one, with several elements that characterize many tragic western bits of history. Coyotes are generally fairly shy, and walking, we make a lot of noise. I fell into the back entrance to a coyote den outside Sacramento and watched four half grown pups scamper out the front. I like to whistle at coyotes like I would to call my dog. They often stop and look around.

    • @riverraisin1
      @riverraisin1 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      I do the same while hiking the open desert. They stop and look when you whistle, but always keep their distance. Not sure why people have so much fear of such a magnificent creature. They only get aggressive when people feed them regularly.

    • @theeddorian
      @theeddorian 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@riverraisin1 I've always liked coyotes. One Miwok friend thought I was a little crazy, But she was quite surprised that they would respond when I whistled, and thought it was "weird." The Miwok regard Coyote as one of the four original participants in creation.

    • @JohnAllen-gg1oz
      @JohnAllen-gg1oz 22 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@riverraisin1 They kill small dogs and cats.

  • @martharunstheworld
    @martharunstheworld 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Coyotes aren't going to hurt you, unless you have small dogs. Great video about a tragic story!

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I'm not taking any chances! I saw a huge coyote not that long ago.

    • @shellchenonceau6987
      @shellchenonceau6987 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      A woman in Nova Scotia Canada was killed by coyotes.

    • @martharunstheworld
      @martharunstheworld 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@shellchenonceau6987 Might have been coy wolves, they're much bigger and more aggressive.

  • @1drednot
    @1drednot 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Awesome video! I've read the various books and then visited the site in person. Your narration was spot on! Well done brother!

  • @dks13827
    @dks13827 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Indians !! Say it.

    • @danielwynne8547
      @danielwynne8547 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      All of Indians I know prefer to be called Indians

  • @georgehernandez9420
    @georgehernandez9420 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Awsome narration of the story !! Keep them coming !! Love ur content!

  • @firevike2420
    @firevike2420 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great video, THANK YOU! I drive I8 all the time to Phoenix from SD and thought I knew those areas between well… The history I never knew is amazing! Watch out for Javelina in that brush, they are WAY more vicious than any Yotes! Thanks again and keep up the great videos and history!

  • @sjlawson3708
    @sjlawson3708 20 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I saw the first of your films yesterday, enjoyed it, and I’m enjoying this one. I live in South Carolina and know there really isn’t a good chance of me visiting these places myself (especially with an RV and a disabled daughter). I really do like the music in the background and (IMO) it’s at just the right volume.

  • @channel34mil
    @channel34mil 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    You are an excellent commentator and historian. Your voice is very well projected, I enjoyed the trip a lot. Thanks men

  • @victorcontreras3368
    @victorcontreras3368 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    A great presentation! I say this because this is the 3rd time I've viewed this one. On the videos that really catch my attention, I view them several times to retain important facts. Am going to read the book on this subject and tell my brother who has property in Mohave near Oatman. Thanks for the service you do, my friend.❤

  • @kiljoysvnzr0
    @kiljoysvnzr0 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Really appreciate what you do in going to these sites and telling the local history. I honestly find it very interesting and hope you can start to include some central California in coming episodes.Thanks again and best of luck!

  • @Kindle1234
    @Kindle1234 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Well, I learned something today, thanks Steve for another great history lesson. Seen this picture many times, not knowing the story behind it. amazing the knowledge, you have of so many old historical sites. Thanks a bunch

  • @johnmccaffery5186
    @johnmccaffery5186 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Wow, sad story but very well. Documented by yourself. This is one of your best.

  • @johnwalker4251
    @johnwalker4251 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This was great! Thx! Please make more of these with visits to the event site.

  • @karenbochinski
    @karenbochinski 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Such a sad story for this family. I so enjoy your show. Many shows like yours are boring and say little but you do your homework and always have something educational to say

  • @billblack432
    @billblack432 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great job, as usual. Clarified what I've heard over the years.

  • @stevenririe8098
    @stevenririe8098 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very much enjoyed this. The narration is very well done.

  • @stephenrothwell8142
    @stephenrothwell8142 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I've been so interested in your work that I've just realised that you are over 100,000. Subs. Well done matey 😁😎

  • @tedbaxter5234
    @tedbaxter5234 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    You are a great story teller and I appreciated the video too. Thank you.

  • @stpeteaustin
    @stpeteaustin 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Love your videos, keep up the great work.

  • @5five6x45
    @5five6x45 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Love your content keep up the great work ❤️‍🔥👍🏼❗️

  • @paul-ld9vh
    @paul-ld9vh 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Watching your video of this area today makes me appreciate how easy our current lifestyle is. I can only imagine how difficult life was back then.
    Really great video. You recount a story from the past masterfully.

  • @rayb9053
    @rayb9053 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Another extremely interesting episode! It amazes me that you continue to find these awesome historical sites that I have never heard of after living my whole life in California 🙂

  • @markhopkins1904
    @markhopkins1904 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow! Thanks for yet another superb video!

  • @RichardFriendartist
    @RichardFriendartist 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    really fascinating man. Great upload!

  • @jerryjones188
    @jerryjones188 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    You do great location research and great historical research to make your presentations. I have not been to this site yet. I picked up some new information by watching your video. I always knew of Lorenzo's unfailing search for his sisters. A brother's love. Thanks for a great piece of history.

  • @deborahlh7747
    @deborahlh7747 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very well done and an interesting story. Thanks for sharing.

  • @TreDeuce-qw3kv
    @TreDeuce-qw3kv 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    If you keep putting out this kind of high quality back road/trail history adventures, I will have to subscribe...👍👍

  • @tdhawk7284
    @tdhawk7284 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I always enjoy your wonderful historic videos. Thank you!

  • @jimmyk6336
    @jimmyk6336 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I've been to Oatman Az about a half a dozen times. Thanks for the video and for revisiting the history of the Oatman Family...

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Oatman, AZ is a lot of fun. I need to get back out there.