Best of the History Guy: Weird Crime

From the vaults, five classic episodes of the History Guy with weird crimes and criminals.
00:00 - Tommy Fitz's Perfect Landings
08:30 - The Fabulous Fraud from Brooklyn
14:19 - Georg Gärtner, the last German POW in America.
27:23 - Daniel Sickles' Temporary Insanity
39:50 - Soapy Smith: A Very Bad Man
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. If you like history too, this is the channel for you.
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#history #thehistoryguy #True crime

[@lizmacrae4970]

A little note about German prisoners of war in the UK …a POW called August was billeted on our family farm in Scotland when I was born in 1946…I don’t know how long he had been there before this. August was not given farm work at this stage but he was asked to look after me while my mother drove a new tractor which replaced two horses …perhaps he couldn’t drive. This arrangement went on for some time as he eventually taught me to walk played with me and kept me safe. When he was repatriated he kept in contact with my family by letter often and many years later he brought his family to visit. My uncle who was the main guy on the farm was wounded in the First World War by having half of his face blown off and his face was reconstructed by German surgeons…he was very grateful.

[@cahg3871]

Great story,thanks for sharing.

[@staceybrown686]

What an incredible story. Ah the carnage brought by war has it’s silver linings. Thanks for sharing.

[@NeilFLiversidge]

Hans Wronski was a German POW who lived near us. Worked in the pits and did electrical work on the side. You couldn't have met a nicer more honest bloke.

[@aftersexhighfives]

You almost cracking up at the pilot's antics is the best part of your wonderful story telling. ❤️

[@Taranofsky]

Absolutely. I love when he is GENUINELY delighted by the stories he's telling

[@curbozerboomer1773]

But this weird dude's story needed more attention...how does such an unstable, out of control young man go on to having a 50 year marriage, and what did he do for a living all those years?...Who would even want to be married to such a wing nut?

[@christophervandenberg4830]

You are the closest to a modern day Paul Harvey I have ever heard. Excellent job!

[@leslieortenzi8875]

Man, do I ever miss Paul Harvey! *And now, for the rest of the story*

[@tishhobbs6998]

What a wonderful and true compliment.

[@lovejumanji5]

Spot on !

[@djm5687]

...and now you know the rest of the story.

[@tamaracalderon6080]

💯

[@richardmourdock2719]

I heard all of these when they were originally posted. Only THG makes stories so interesting you want to hear them again.. and give them a Thumbs UP a second time!

[@jessiejones6633]

I wish all history teachers were like you. You make history fun and interesting.

[@ronniewall492]

WE HAD ONE THAT SPOKE MONOTONE AND WAS TORTURE.

[@killercharm]

History was my least favorite subject in school. It is my favorite subject now, in life. Shame on you history teachers. Who could possibly make what amounts to gossip boring?

[@ronniewall492]

@@killercharm WE HAD A GUY THAT TALKED IN MONOTONE IT WAS TOURTURE.

[@terriecotham1567]

Well said

[@elainebradley8213]

Cheers to Mrs. Gilmore.

[@toughenupfluffy7294]

An hour went by like it was a couple of minutes. Well done, History Guy!

[@probower4726]

I discovered this channel by random chance, and I have to say, you have some lovely work. Glad to always hear such fascinating bits and bobs of history.

[@tishhobbs6998]

Me too. Great stuff. Sharing it to my dad. He is going to love the pilot story. It reminds me of him and one of his flying buddies. He'll of course greatly enjoy the others.

[@DawnOldham]

I can't remember how I found THG's channel, but for several years, I've watched most, if not all of his videos! I've always loved history, and he adds a nice twist by being a great story teller, too!

[@nathank4708]

Yeah this channel and simon whistler channels.

[@theemmjay5130]

My brother has been a fan for some time, and had told me about him a few times, but I didn't actually start watching until one of his videos showed up in my recommendations. Now we occasionally chat about his videos and I even got him a THG glass for his birthday two years ago. (It's the one that says, "Don't all good stories involve pirates?)

[@bretnielsen5502]

14:00 We had a POW camp in our county. My Grandpa unable to serve for medical reasons hired several to help on the farm... they were friendly, helpful. and fed very well without any p[roblem. Only 1 building remains from the camp; it has been moved to the County Fair Grounds and is restored.

[@brianjones7660]

may i ask where?🤔

[@stevedietrich8936]

While I heard you tell these stories in your original videos it is great fun to hear them again. I forgot many of the details in the interim. "Surrendered to Bryant Gumbel" LMAO

[@catdaddy9626]

Amazing

[@MrMatteNWk]

He wasn't going to, but ya know, having to deal with this for hours... kzbin.info/www/bejne/h53WZ4OllJaba9U

[@ancientheart2532]

Did you hear about the Irishman that walked out of a bar? It could happen.

[@nathank4708]

It could happen. But has it ever happened?😂

[@seththebeatmxchine]

This is such a good one I can't wait to tell this to my Irish coworker

[@seththebeatmxchine]

Because of all the forest fire and smog going on in new England right now she literally made a comment today about how in an emergency situation Irish people run to the bar instead of a church. And how if they are at the bar they consider themselves "safe" 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheBoomersdad]

😂

[@crystalratclffe3258]

I worked at a geriatric psych nursing home. One client with severe Alzheimers who used to be in construction attached himself to the men walking around and discussing the structure of the hospital for renovation. Ironically, he knew all the locations of supportive structures and studs. We had to enlighten them to double-check his information just to be sure.

[@ScoobyDoozy]

It’d amazing how often this happens. A friend is the on-site carpenter for an aged care home. Most days he does his work to a very keen audience. He gets off easily compared to when they get contractors in. Those poor buggers can’t put in a single nail without enduring the groups official judgment. “Nope, nope” they shake their heads in unison. “He should put it…”. It warms my heart & makes me laugh every time I think of it. Thank you for the very important work you do.

[@annebradley6086]

@@ScoobyDoozy Your comment isn't making sense. Most likely Artificial Intelligence changed some of your words.

[@donnajohnson3334]

@@annebradley6086 It makes sense to me

[@hollerinwoman]

@@donnajohnson3334 To me too!

[@richardsmith4187]

I'm always amazed at the stories you present and the facts are very interesting and would probably be forgotten without you ! Thank you for your dedication to this worthwhile task of preserving history and keeping it alive.

[@lindatello323]

Have you considered collaborating with Sabaton?!!!

[@jayg1438]

I may have a minor correction. The Democrat and Chronicle mentioned in your first story is a paper out of Rochester, NY. I am a Rochestarian and history buff. The D&C was Gannett's early flagship newspaper. A lot of Gannett's corporate offices were in the old D&C building in Rochester, NY. Gannett HQ moved to VA in the 1980's.

[@TranscendianIntendor]

Yes, I remember that. When I worked for the worst company in my library of work, assembled experiences working I worked for Piedmont there in ROC. That was the airport identifier. It was sad when people arrived thinking they were on their way to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. Mistakes like that can kill a guy. Not that Strong is not a fine hospital. Not that there are not hospitals in Rochester NY, meaning that if you arrived expecting to be at the hospital, you had some to pick from, or could not get back on some plane to be delivered to where you thought you were.

[@shawnlindley5840]

New Mexico's past is history that deserves to be remembered. We have so many cool things here.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Indeed! I’d like to an episode on Blackdom.

[@anonemus2971]

I have visited the German POW Chapel on Camp Atterbury just outside of Edinburg Indiana. It was built by the POWs and is the only thing from the POW camp that survived. It is still there and is well preserved and can still be visited. It was a very humbling experience.

[@RetiredSailor60]

Good Friday morning from Ft Worth TX to everyone watching....My father was a private pilot for over 60 years. Owned at 1947 Cessna 140 for 55 years.

[@ds9311]

Hello from Arlington!

[@EndoftheBlock7224]

Hello from Grand Prairie

[@DrWoodyII]

Hello from Atlanta.

[@donnajohnson3334]

Hello fom Holden, MO.

[@leighcraig4004]

I am over the moon finding your channel. History was my first love in school. I used to be so knowledgeable in most things history. I had an unfortunate incident that causes me to fight my pain and body every day and take pills to sleep a good 4 1/2 - 5 hours a night and I think with everything going on, it's affecting my memory. I DO, however, remember what my favorite history teacher looked like but not his name. You remind me of him and I'm so thankful you're here. Have a wonderful evening and I can't wait to go through your videos. I'll remember that because I'm already here 🤗

[@DavidHBurkart]

Georg Gartner. Wow, what an enterprising life, the epitome of getting handed lemons and making lemonade. The importance of marrying the right spouse can not be underestimated. Had she not loved him or at least thought enough of him to take control of his situation, the outcome of this story may have had far less favorable outcome.

[@Hawkathon]

In the end, his wife actually divorced him while he was visiting his sister in Germany.

[@jarodstrain8905]

@@Hawkathon true, but a bit more to it. He went to Germany for more than two years without any contact with his wife. They later reconciled without remarriage. Her grandchildren called him grandfather. They were best of friends until her death.

[@tesmith47]

Being a white male helps too Lol

[@colddeadhands5167]

My Dad, 87th Infantry, always told us that they, G.I.'s, knew the difference between German soldiers and nazi's. He never explained but the inference was German soldiers were treated well. Nazi's were.....well you get the point.....

[@mq9893]

@@tesmith47 Well..Let's play that tape.. Because if he was not a "white" German then his wife wouldn't have helped him? FBI & INS would have locked him up?✋🏾 Sure wouldn't have helped him in 'many' other countries

[@charlayned]

There is a chapel that was built by the POWs at the count near Hereford Texas. It still exists and is tended. Also, at Ft. Sam Houston near San Antonio has 4 POW graves, two German and two Japanese. The Japanese have Japanese writing on the tombstone and the German has swastika's on them. We're both historians, so this stuff fascinates us. I love your channel.

[@susimar]

Are you serious? As a fellow Texan, imma look this up. Although, a swastika in Texas doesn’t shock me. Too bad swastika isn’t like a German alphabet character.

[@anathema2325]

That's actually so sweet. Enemy prisoner or not they was going to lay them to rest with full respect of their customs, gosh darn it. ( We will never know if it was according to their own wishes, im sure they asked the highest officer and it reflects more on that guys optimism regarding how the world would look like after the war)

[@burtvincent1278]

I've noticed that there are two kinds of pilots. By the book diciplinarians and seat of the pants "Smilin Jacks". I have blissfully spent most of my aviation career with the latter.

[@michaelgalea5148]

Excellent program thank you for sharing this with us. Always learn something new. Never a dull moment.

[@jamesengland7461]

You're a superb storyteller, Lance!

[@calendarpage]

Not too many people say "ripping yarn" anymore. Maybe we should bring it back.

[@zegotashalom3881]

Thanks History Guy, you have one of the best History Channels on KZbin. Your stories are extremely interesting and factual. I wonder if any History teachers are using some of your stories in school? God, Family and Country. God Bless. 1776

[@Hawkathon]

Soapy Smith: “For God’s sake, don’t shoot!” Frank H. Reed: “So, anyway, I start blasting.”

[@stagehand113]

I learned about Sickles in history class - that he disobeyed Gen. Meade and left little Round Top undefended. The high school that I attended was named after Col. Strong Vincent, who answered Meade’s call for volunteers to take position on Little Round Top, and was fatally wounded defending it. He was promoted by Lincoln to general right before he succumbed to his injury. He’s buried here next to his infant daughter, who was born after he died. Fortunately for the Union, Joshua Chamberlain also volunteered, and accomplished, with fewer men and littler ammunition, what Sickles probably never could have imagined.

[@punditgi]

Yet another winning compilation. Bravo, History Guy! 😃

[@ThePhoenixAscendant]

I've heard this story a few times but never heard the full tale presented so well and to hear his obituary at the end really cements the fact that this was a man who lived a full life before succumbing to cancer... f--- cancer... thank you for this wonderful story, Professor, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

[@saltyc]

"It's the lousy drink" 😂 I hope this guy stopped drinking after all of this.

[@michaeldougfir9807]

First let me say how very much I enjoyed this nearly an hour of varied stories. It also amused me quite a lot that, after Soapy Smith's story, you immediately mention your own merchandise. I hope there was no soap in your offerings! :-)

[@deborahbarry8250]

Soapy Smith definitely an interesting character in history. But I must say he was good at what he did. Thank you for sharing his story

[@johnvorres4351]

The Jimmy Stewart Movie, I think it was, " The Big Country " seems to be a story about Soapy Smith

[@klford9499]

I have learned so much history from you sir, Our History Guy. I have learned more here then I did in college. Please keep making these videos. I just purchased the orange sleeping bags, the advertiser for this episode, I want to support Our History Guy. Great work, you are teaching the masses here sir. Respect 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍👍👍👍👍

[@katiekane5247]

Soapy was the inspiration for American politicians & businessmen alike. Time to end their confidence game!

[@johnmichaelfitzgerald3052]

The History Guy is History for the Layman & for intellects alike.. God Bless, thankyou & G'day from Melbourne Australia🇦🇺

[@pablobruning4508]

These guys had some really big... or rather I should say, "showed some hutzpah!" LOL. Great stories.

[@rubymayfair674]

WHOA!! How have I missed this show?? JUST LOVE IT!! Laughed out loud a few times too,,,thanx soo much for your effort

[@CrazyBear65]

Dude, I wish I'd had a history teacher as cool as you when I was a kid. But alas, I did not.

[@notebender4]

This was a fun watch...such a reprieve from the crap going on around us... a good laugh was definitely needed! Thank you very much for putting these shorts all together

[@nextworld9176]

PERFECT presentation as always and INTERESTING as hell. Great graphics. Thanks, History Guy.

[@tomdave42]

This is why i love this channel. Ive been to Niagara several times ant this is the most indepth explanation of this event. Thank you.

[@michaeltelson9798]

I grew up in the small town next to Teterboro (population less than 100). The airport has had it place in history and such. At one occasion my blind 12 year old rheumatic Cocker Spaniel was found walking down the runway, till this day nobody could figure out he got pass the fences and such around the airport. Remember, my dog was blind. Celebrities would land there. As a Federal Agricultural Quarantine officer I inspect the jet that Henry Kissinger arrived in.

[@katiekane5247]

Dogs are almost supernatural

[@garyedwards3269]

Traveling carnivals were home to many con men. They'd put chalk on their hands and backslap an easily cheatable 'mark' making him a target for other con men and their games. The history of carnivals is worth remembering.

[@bionicman6969]

So many simply amazing lives and their stories lost in mists of time, luckily we have the History Guy to dig a few of these almost unreal stories of fantastic lives out of the fog and present them to us. Bravo!

[@RoaroftheTiger]

OMG ! Washington Heights is my "old neighborhood"... So I've been to Tommy's chosen Landing Strip ... near Geo. Washintington H.S. AMAZING ! btw - Today, Tommy's exploits would be signs of Post Traumatic Stress. Given His Military History, understandable.

[@Sidebranches]

The first guy is legion of bravery in crazy.

[@cherienafo7676]

Australia here/ thank you ! love your work and story telling ! fascinating !

[@olddoug8945]

Interesting to hear you talk about this. My Grandfather and his brother and the other farmers around them, in what is now the thriving suburbs of Washington DC, used German war prisoner labor on their farms and were complimentary in their comments about the experience.

[@charlessmart7640]

Daniel Sickles was not a solid, rational guy you could count on. Until Gettysburg, his military record had been surprisingly good. Then he made a major blunder leading Grant to remove him from command. Thereafter Siclkes never held a position of responsibility in the army. The history guy's description of this era of our history and Dan Sickles in particular is fantastic. The History Guy definitely waxed eloquent in this presentation!

[@scotcoon1186]

Nebraska had a lot of POW camps. I'm told the prisoners were good workers and glad to have a job. At Indianola, the town would shut off the lights, and close their curtains, except the stores and the county road, so the POWs could come into town to shop. Unfortunately the three men I know who could answer questions have passed.

[@prestongivens3594]

Good evening, THG! I like your technique of these "collections". Who does your graphics? They are well-done, and your increasing use of animation is eye-catching. Someone is putting a goodly amount of effort into them. Please, keep up the good work!

[@mikebowen3315]

Sickles wasn't all that much different than the politicians we suffer thru today.

[@Houndini]

Sad but true. Demand Term Limits. I can't figure out if 8 years is too long & We need demand only 4 years or less. And these serving now over there own actions manitory No Grandfather clauses. This crew are begging to be made a huge example out of with cheap low cost jail cell with hard labor with ball & chain for life.

[@mongolike513]

Tammany Hall.

[@krystalMtn]

The first story reminds me of crop dusters that use local dirt roads as airstrips for take off and landings. In the 80's my mother owned a local store in a small country town where one of her neighbors a couple miles away had his own aircraft. Some mornings as she drove from the countryside into town to open her store she would have to drive under one of his wings as he taxied his way to or from his home nearby. She would tell me the height of his wings were a few feet taller than the top of her Chevy Nova, so it worked out okay on the several occasions she encountered him vs. someone elese who might be driving a pickup truck.

[@hankhillsnrrwurethra]

Bless the comments making me aware that Rochester is in New York. Give yourselves that gold star.

[@PG-vt9hj]

I've been a fan of THG for a long time, but this is by far my most favorite episode.

[@healthcareforallfiftyseven3773]

Astounding! Perhaps the best collection of History Guy vignettes I have seen. Thank you for your passion for history.

[@djdhfdjnvlskm]

I like this guy, he entertains.

[@ThestuffthatSaralikes]

“Borrowing” a plane for a bet ONE time is EPIC. Doing it again to prove ya did it the first time? TRUE GOAT move. Bravo dude, BRAV-O.

[@joseruiz7575]

Great message Kendra! I will try and "...suffer with joy..." have a blessed weekend!

[@norcatch]

Soapy is actually in Don Rosas The life and times of Scrooge McDuck, part eight, King of the Klondyke as Soapy Slick in Skagway. There's even a scene when Scrooge has made it rich where they try to rob him. Soapy Slick was, though, first featured in a Carl Barks story.

[@janderson6257]

Scrooge McDuck! My absolute favorite comic book character a thousand years ago.

[@t16205]

I have the full collection, and you are absolutely right. Best Cartoon ever

[@daveroche6522]

8:00 Ah Stanley - "The Fabulous Fraud from Brooklyn" - I couldn't stop laughing as you went through his exploits H.G. - really would have loved to have hung out with him for a while. Thanx again H.G. - another great presentation.

[@michaelcronin9895]

Very grateful for all the research you do for us. Great compilation thank you.

[@davidelack8809]

I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Vandenberg, you are the outstanding and very entertaining heir to the Paul Harvey legacy. Well played sir!!

[@infotime9151]

Excellent presentations, thank you, sir.

[@roserossreads...1871]

Compelling stories, well researched. Enjoyed it . Thank you

[@edgarsnake2857]

Great stories, all. Thanks.

[@r.hill.2369]

As a recent subscriber, I have to shake my head at how good the content is. Never mind the 1st class presentation. Our host could probably make the history of Home owner associations seem fascinating.

[@spencertwitty8349]

Awesome video. Loved all the story's .and thank you for your efforts.

[@ABeautfulMess]

So happy to find you... 👍

[@nathanmieure4071]

Amazing Story! Thank you History Guy!

[@creative2716]

I love Tommy Fitzpatrick's zest for life (that damn drink tho). Lol. Fearless and foolish can go hand in hand.

[@cherienafo7676]

I dont know why, but your 'reports' remind me of "Letter from America" by Walter Cronkite- that I used to listen to as a young girl, on radio- never missed an episode ! So - thats a compliment, indeed.

[@JohnathanHyde.]

Randomly came across this in my suggestions. This was an awesome ride to be on. I love history and this was very interesting and entertaining. Especially loved the German POW segment. Very glad it worked out for him in the end. Looking forward to seeing what other content you have. I see a Best of Pirates right now and I love pirates so gonna dive into that!

[@charlesachurch7265]

Another great presentation xxx thanks. Happy New year!

[@stuartriefe1740]

8:30 am Eastern time…. I see we are getting some reruns today. That’s fine by me, I get to catch details I missed the first time, and Lance and team get a much needed break! 🙂

[@richgee4173]

Passed what?

[@stuartriefe1740]

Huh?

[@tonyfeuerhelm]

Nice work, good history, as always quality content. Thank you for posting.

[@superd9072]

You're very much the new Paul Harvey... Love your stories...

[@kefkaZZZ]

Nice compilation my guy!!! Really, REALLY like Soapy at the end there!

[@terriecotham1567]

Your never fail at making history fun or surprising. Thanks for posting

[@mbazzy123]

You have made it possible for me to enjoy learning history. Thank you lance !

[@mchurch3905]

This is what history is supposed to be: more facts and figures and less melodrama and personality. Thank you!

[@Mtlmshr]

I must say I’ve been enjoying these groups of videos you have been putting out

[@rbilleaud]

My dad said he remembered German POWs working the sugar cane fields in South Louisiana. Some of them enjoyed their experience so much, they returned after the war and settled down in the area.

[@neilperry2224]

My late great uncle, who was in the RAF returned to service in the forgotten war, the Korean War after being demobbed from the RAF after the Second World War.

[@HamiltonMechanical]

History Guy, I don't know what I'd do without you. I just love your videos so much. A very sincere thank you, my friend, for all the amazing content you create!

[@consortiumxf]

"The very next day Dan Sickles looked out his window to see Mr. Key Standing in the park Looking at their house Waving his hankie." LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@ZacCongo]

Another great video. A nice way to end the day, kicking back on the balcony with a snack, a drink, and the voice of the History Guy. I really like the visuals that go with it and I love the compilation format too. 😊

[@rex4843]

Great episode! Truth is truly stranger than fiction. thank you

[@garzascherry89]

I just found your channel,love it ! Very entertaining! I'm learning a lot.

[@jamesb.9155]

Well researched and wonderfully told tales sir!

[@kennethbrown5784]

Awesome a history guy video almost an hour long!!!!

[@coraschenectady6846]

I love history and ❤ your videos. Thank you 😊

[@pattihawks353]

A very interesting video, History Man! Thank you!

[@robertgoodwin5393]

The show is always a treat, and extremely well done!! thumbs up!! Db

[@joshuahilmer8547]

👀 a story about a master impersonator 😌 being told by a man with so many different military hats behind him. 🤣 Good stuff

[@Neilfrozn]

These unique stories are great! Thanks!

[@m.streicher8286]

The most amazing part is that he did it while under the influence.

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

He probably couldn't have done it sober! Booze, rightfully or wrongly, gifts you with self confidence.

[@annebradley6086]

Who?

[@thomasmyers9128]

My sister and brother-in-law lived in Leadville for a few years in the late 70’s… I got to visit for a couple of weeks… it was a very interesting little town…. It was almost 2 miles in elevation ( just below the tree line) It also had 2 or 3 original bars that were opened in the mid 1800’s…. Where Gun slingers like Doc Holiday and Earp Brothers would go……

[@ericwilliams7775]

Great stuff. Love ur channel

[@johnmeadows5645]

This was so interesting, thank you.

[@kevinclarke1222]

Bravo well said! With you all the way.