Walter Edward Perry Scott (September 20, 1872 – January 5, 1954), also known as “Death Valley Scotty”, was a miner, prospector and conman who operated around Death Valley, California. Later in life, he was befriended by Albert Johnson, who built the Death Valley Ranch in Grapevine Canyon in Death Valley, which is commonly known as “Scotty’s Castle“.
Early Life and Beginnings
Walter Edward Perry Scott, better known as “Death Valley Scotty,” was born on September 20, 1872, in Cynthiana, Kentucky, the youngest of six children in a family immersed in the harness racing circuit. His early years were spent traveling with his family, fostering a love for adventure and performance. At age 11, Scott left home to join his older brothers, Warner and Bill, on a ranch near Wells, Nevada. His first job in the West was as a water boy for a survey party along the California-Nevada border in 1884, which introduced him to the stark beauty of Death Valley. This early exposure to the desert marked the beginning of a lifelong connection to the region. By 16, his horsemanship skills earned him a spot as a stunt rider in Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show, where he toured the United States and Europe for 12 years, honing his flair for showmanship and self-promotion.
The Conman’s Rise to Fame
After a falling out with Buffalo Bill in 1900, Scott turned to gold prospecting, leveraging his charisma to convince wealthy investors to fund his ventures. He claimed to have discovered a lucrative gold mine in Death Valley, a story that was entirely fabricated. In 1902, he began soliciting funds from wealthy backers, including a New Yorker who invested over $5,000 without seeing any returns. Scott’s schemes escalated in 1904 when he claimed to be transporting $12,000 in gold dust on an eastbound train, only for the bag to be “stolen” before reaching Philadelphia, a story that captivated newspapers and launched his reputation as a flamboyant hustler. His most audacious stunt came in 1905, when he chartered the “Coyote Special,” a three-car train, to break the rail speed record from Los Angeles to Chicago in just 44 hours and 54 minutes. The press dubbed him “Death Valley Scotty,” a moniker that stuck for life.
The Battle of Wingate Pass
One of Scott’s most infamous cons was the 1906 “Battle” of Wingate Pass, designed to convince a mining engineer, A.Y. Pearl, and his investors of the existence of his gold mine. When Pearl insisted on seeing the mine, Scott staged an elaborate hoax, leading the group into Death Valley. The expedition turned chaotic when gunfire erupted—likely orchestrated by Scott—creating the illusion of a dangerous ambush. The stunt backfired when investors grew suspicious, but it added to Scott’s growing legend as a roguish figure. Despite the fraud, Scott’s charm and storytelling kept him in the public eye.
Friendship with Albert Johnson and Scotty’s Castle
Scott’s most significant relationship was with Albert Mussey Johnson, a Chicago insurance executive he met in 1904. Johnson, intrigued by Scott’s tales, invested in his fictitious mines. In 1906, Johnson visited Death Valley to inspect the claims, enduring the Wingate Pass fiasco. Surprisingly, Johnson was not deterred by the deception. The desert’s dry air benefited his health, and he developed a genuine fondness for Scott’s eccentric personality. The two formed an unlikely lifelong friendship. In 1922, Johnson and his wife, Bessie, began constructing a lavish Spanish-style mansion in Grapevine Canyon, known as Death Valley Ranch but popularly called Scotty’s Castle. Scott falsely claimed he funded the $1.5–$2.5 million estate with his mining wealth, a myth he perpetuated by entertaining guests with tales of his secret mines. In reality, Johnson built the castle as a vacation home, incorporating luxurious features like a pipe organ, custom furniture, and a Chimes Tower with 25 carillon chimes. Scott lived primarily in a nearby five-room cabin at Lower Vine Ranch, making appearances at the castle to maintain his persona.
Dubious Reputation and Legal Troubles
Scott’s reputation as a conman was well-earned. He faced lawsuits from creditors in 1912 after falsely claiming to have sold a mine for $12 million, landing him in jail briefly. His schemes often involved fencing stolen high-grade ore, using leased mines as a front. Despite these misdeeds, Scott’s charisma and media savvy kept him a beloved figure. Newspapers called him the “Sphinx of the American Desert” and “King of the Desert Mine,” romanticizing his exploits. His friendship with Johnson shielded him from severe consequences, as Johnson continued to support him financially, even paying him a $30 monthly stipend.
Later Years and Legacy
Construction on Scotty’s Castle halted in the 1930s due to a surveying error revealing the land was federal property and Johnson’s financial troubles during the Great Depression. Johnson willed the estate to the Gospel Foundation, with the condition that Scott could live there until his death. Scott remained a fixture at the castle, regaling tourists with exaggerated stories of his adventures. He died on January 5, 1954, at age 82, and was buried on a hill overlooking the castle beside his dog, Windy. The National Park Service purchased the property in 1970 for $850,000, and it became a major attraction in Death Valley National Park, though it closed in 2015 due to flood damage and a 2021 fire.
Scott’s legacy is a blend of fact and fiction. His grave marker, dedicated by the Death Valley ’49ers Inc., bears his quote: “I got four things to live by. Don’t say anything that will hurt anybody. Don’t give advice—nobody will take it anyway. Don’t complain. Don’t explain.” This encapsulates his philosophy of living large without apology. While his scams and self-promotion earned him a dubious reputation, his friendship with Johnson and the enduring allure of Scotty’s Castle cemented his status as a colorful figure in American frontier history.
