I’ve only visited tourist ghost towns, but I’ve had a small cup for assaying for decades before I ever made the connection to Jack Bell. Have to ask husband if we were ever to those sites. His memory is far better than mine.
A research librarian friend just found a story of Jack Bell’s from 1927 that tells about the prison break - WITH NITRO - of the ore thief that they captured in this story. After Jack married my grandmother, they moved to the town - Canon City, CO - with the state prison and Jack worked there for a while, which is why his description of the layout of the prison is so good.
Neat. I went to many that weren’t far off I-70, but required steep hiking. Idaho Springs to Silver Plume in general, plus other places in Park County.