Canyon Diablo & Two Guns

It was in 1880 when the violent and bloody community of Two Guns in Canyon Diablo came to life. Having been born by pure accident when the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad ordered the wrong span length for the bridge that was to cross the canyon. When the wrong parts for the bridge arrived, the bridge was at the lip of the canyon and for six months all work ceased until the right parts could arrive and work could resume, and so the community of Two Guns was born.

Originally the structures were a few tents and some hasty built rock shacks that could meet the needs for the railroad workers. But quickly more tents and shacks could be seen then followed by real building's. Even setting up a stagecoach route from the town to Flagstaff. Numerous brothel's, saloon's, gambling house's and dance hall's made up the majority of the town. Very quickly the town was home to over 2,000 souls from all walks of life.

With every Wild West town comes outlaws and gunslingers. But Two Guns, it can be argued was the most deadly of all. Numerous shootout's, stabbing's, robberies and straight up assassinations were actually commonplace here. Within the first year the town received it's first marshal. It is documented that the marshal sworn in at 3pm, and was being buried by 8pm on the same night! Five more town marshals would quickly follow, the longest one lasting only a month. All were killed in the line of duty.

Needless to say, it didn't take long at all for Two Guns to form its own "Boot Hill Cemetery". The first 35 graves to be dug were for men who all met very violent ends. The 36th grave however, was for a man named Herman Wolfe, who died several miles away and was brought into town to be buried. Herman is noted as being the only man in the town who died from a non violent death. There were also countless lynchings that occurred and many of those men were hanged and shot were either left hanging or left to rot in the desert, never being buried in the cemetery.

-This was a dangerous and deadly place to visit-

The town didn't last long thought. When the railroad bridge was completed the town simply died. The original bridge was replaced in 1900 and by 1903 the only thing remaining in the canyon was a Navajo trading post.
Not much of this town still exists aside from a few building foundations, the ruins of the old trading post and the grave of Herman Wolfe.

Now As Far As Treasure Goes.......
There were so many robberies and hold up's from the stage coach that went from Canyon Diablo to Flagstaff that the Army dispatched troops to escort the stage, but it didn't help as it still was still held up regularly. One of the many outlaws who prayed on the stage was a young man by the name of John Shaw, who was killed in the canyon during a shootout. Another was William Evans who was also killed in a shootout following a robbery.
The big treasure however is of a robbery that occurred on May 10, 1881 where $125,000 was stolen from the stage as it was making it's way to the town. It was held up by five men and after the hold up they were tracked down by a large posse with the aid of Army soldiers at a spring. All five bandits were killed in the gun battle that followed and their stolen loot was never recovered and still to this day is waiting to be found!!!

If while on your adventured this week, you happen to be along the I-40 maybe stop and check out the area as you never know what you might find!

To access the canyon you will need a high clearance vehicle with 4x4 capability. It is located off of exit 230/Two Guns from I-40.

(Please be sure to follow State, Federal laws as well as private property, if in doubt just ask permission.)

I hope everyone has a safe, exciting and adventurous week!

Stay Safe, Stay Alive, Keep Treasure Hunting!!!!
#somee
% #wep3
Canyon Diablo & Two Guns It was in 1880 when the violent and bloody community of Two Guns in Canyon Diablo came to life. Having been born by pure accident when the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad ordered the wrong span length for the bridge that was to cross the canyon. When the wrong parts for the bridge arrived, the bridge was at the lip of the canyon and for six months all work ceased until the right parts could arrive and work could resume, and so the community of Two Guns was born. Originally the structures were a few tents and some hasty built rock shacks that could meet the needs for the railroad workers. But quickly more tents and shacks could be seen then followed by real building's. Even setting up a stagecoach route from the town to Flagstaff. Numerous brothel's, saloon's, gambling house's and dance hall's made up the majority of the town. Very quickly the town was home to over 2,000 souls from all walks of life. With every Wild West town comes outlaws and gunslingers. But Two Guns, it can be argued was the most deadly of all. Numerous shootout's, stabbing's, robberies and straight up assassinations were actually commonplace here. Within the first year the town received it's first marshal. It is documented that the marshal sworn in at 3pm, and was being buried by 8pm on the same night! Five more town marshals would quickly follow, the longest one lasting only a month. All were killed in the line of duty. Needless to say, it didn't take long at all for Two Guns to form its own "Boot Hill Cemetery". The first 35 graves to be dug were for men who all met very violent ends. The 36th grave however, was for a man named Herman Wolfe, who died several miles away and was brought into town to be buried. Herman is noted as being the only man in the town who died from a non violent death. There were also countless lynchings that occurred and many of those men were hanged and shot were either left hanging or left to rot in the desert, never being buried in the cemetery. -This was a dangerous and deadly place to visit- The town didn't last long thought. When the railroad bridge was completed the town simply died. The original bridge was replaced in 1900 and by 1903 the only thing remaining in the canyon was a Navajo trading post. Not much of this town still exists aside from a few building foundations, the ruins of the old trading post and the grave of Herman Wolfe. Now As Far As Treasure Goes....... There were so many robberies and hold up's from the stage coach that went from Canyon Diablo to Flagstaff that the Army dispatched troops to escort the stage, but it didn't help as it still was still held up regularly. One of the many outlaws who prayed on the stage was a young man by the name of John Shaw, who was killed in the canyon during a shootout. Another was William Evans who was also killed in a shootout following a robbery. The big treasure however is of a robbery that occurred on May 10, 1881 where $125,000 was stolen from the stage as it was making it's way to the town. It was held up by five men and after the hold up they were tracked down by a large posse with the aid of Army soldiers at a spring. All five bandits were killed in the gun battle that followed and their stolen loot was never recovered and still to this day is waiting to be found!!! If while on your adventured this week, you happen to be along the I-40 maybe stop and check out the area as you never know what you might find! To access the canyon you will need a high clearance vehicle with 4x4 capability. It is located off of exit 230/Two Guns from I-40. (Please be sure to follow State, Federal laws as well as private property, if in doubt just ask permission.) I hope everyone has a safe, exciting and adventurous week! Stay Safe, Stay Alive, Keep Treasure Hunting!!!! #somee % #wep3
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