The Battle at Wingate Pass
The Battle at Wingate Pass, an infamous 1906 incident, is one of the most colorful episodes in California's history. Orchestrated by Walter Edward Scott, better known as "Death Valley Scotty," this staged shootout near Death Valley was a desperate attempt to conceal a con job that had spiraled out of control. What began as a fabricated gold mine escalated into a chaotic spectacle involving gunfire, legal troubles, and a near-fatal injury, cementing Scotty's reputation as a master of mischief and manipulation.
The Setup: Scotty's Gold Mine Scheme
Scotty, a native of Cynthiana, Kentucky, was a flamboyant conman who thrived on publicity and charm. By 1904, he had concocted a story of a mysterious gold mine in Death Valley, claiming it was laden with rich ore but required investment to begin operations. He enlisted Obadiah Sands to pitch the venture to wealthy Chicago businessmen Albert Johnson and Edward Shedd. Sands promised the investors a two-thirds stake in the mine in exchange for a $2,500 grubstake, with the assurance of immense returns.
For two years, Shedd and Johnson awaited dividends that never materialized. By 1906, they had grown suspicious of Scotty's claims and decided to inspect the mine themselves. Realizing his deception was about to be exposed, Scotty concocted a plan to scare the investors away. He gathered a group, including his brothers Bill Keys and Bob Belt, to stage a fake ambush during the journey to the fictitious mine.
The Ambush at Wingate Pass
On February 23, 1906, Scotty and his party departed Daggett, California, with wagons, mules, horses, and ample whiskey to keep the investors-except for the teetotaler Johnson-in good spirits. Two days later, as they approached Wingate Pass, shots rang out. A rider appeared, claiming he'd been ambushed and his pack train scattered. Scotty reassured his party and led them forward.
As dusk approached, the staged ambush began. Scotty's men, hidden behind stone-breastworks, fired shots to create the illusion of danger. However, chaos erupted when a drunken Bob Belt accidentally shot Scotty's brother, Warner, in the groin. Scotty's panic betrayed the ruse; he galloped toward the shooters, yelling, "Stop shooting, you fools, you hit my brother!" The investors quickly realized the ambush was a sham and returned to Daggett in disgust, vowing never to invest further.
The Aftermath: Legal Troubles
The injury to Warner Scott was severe, but he was rushed to Los Angeles for medical treatment and survived. Meanwhile, Scotty's gang disbanded, fearing arrest. One investor, Daniel Owen, reported the incident to the San Bernardino County sheriff, leading to an investigation. Sheriff John C. Ralphs, a no-nonsense lawman, issued warrants for Scotty and his accomplices, including Bill Keys and Bob Belt.Ever the showman, Scotty continued his antics, even starring in a play titled "Scotty, King of the Desert Mine" in Seattle. Upon his return, he faced multiple arrests and charges. However, Scotty's cunning once again saved him. On April 27, 1906, just before his preliminary hearing, Scotty revealed a jurisdictional issue: the incident had occurred in Inyo County, not San Bernardino County. Authorities confirmed this by locating the county boundary marker, which Scotty had secretly moved south by six miles. With San Bernardino County lacking jurisdiction and Inyo County uninterested in prosecuting, all charges were dropped.
The Legend Lives On
Despite the fiasco, Scotty's notoriety only grew. Years later, he confessed to moving the boundary marker to escape prosecution. Albert Johnson, one of the swindled investors, remained amused by Scotty's tall tales and later built a grand home in Death Valley known as "Scotty's Castle." Johnson allowed Scotty to live there and perpetuate the myth of his gold mine.The Battle at Wingate Pass remains a testament to Scotty's audacity and charisma. While it exposed his fraudulent schemes and solidified his place in history as one of the Mojave Desert's most legendary figures. To this day, the existence of Scotty's mythical gold mine continues to spark curiosity and debate, adding another layer to the enduring mystique of Death Valley Scotty.
Death Valley Scotty
Bill Keys
