In 1868, Indian raids were a thing to be feared in the gold rush town of South Pass City, Wyoming.

Miners would work their claims with a loaded rifle within reach and were always alert. John Johnson used this dangerous fact to his advantage to get his partner motivated to work.

The story of Johnson’s exploits was written by Peter Sherlock who was only a babe in his mother’s arms when he arrived at South Pass City in 1868. While other families and miners soon left for richer strikes, the Sherlock family remained to eke out a living.

Sherlock and his younger brothers grew up in the rugged countryside, exploring the gulches and streams and listening to the old timers tell their adventures when Wyoming was just a territory and danger could lurk over the next hillside.

After Sherlock was b

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