History Channel: Jesse James' Hidden Treasure

As originally produced by - and aired on - The History Channel - this documentary program rests on an unusual thesis. Jesse James (1847-82) continues to court a reputation as one of the most notorious and intriguing outlaws in the American Old West, but certain questions about his life and legacy remain unanswered: notably, the final resting place of the gold that James found (and whether it can still be excavated), as well as his real identity. Some suggest that James was not simply an outlaw plundering for his own selfish gain, but a secret member of the Confederacy committed to helping the South rise up and defeat the Yankee North. This program joins a group of historians-cum-treasure seekers as they embark on an on-camera search for Jesse's treasure and answer long-shrouded questions about him, including his motivation for stealing and the circumstances surrounding his death.