History Speaks: Rails, Mines, Madams and Crooks
Series: Arts and Culture
From: WTIP
Length: 00:26:41
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Did you know there was a rail line from Thunder Bay, Ontario that traveled across the country’s border and went to a mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness at the end of the Gunflint Trail in Northeastern Minnesota? Listen as WTIP uncovers the story “Rails, Mines, Madams, and Crooks”. It’s a real life tale full of intrigue, mystery and wonder. Learn about the famous Madam Mag Matthews and her house of ill-repute located near Gunflint Lake, the Italian laborers that endured many hardships to build the rail line, and the crooked businessmen who secured funding for the project in some questionable ways.
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Piece Description
Did you know there was a rail line from Thunder Bay, Ontario that traveled across the country’s border and went to a mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness at the end of the Gunflint Trail in Northeastern Minnesota? Listen as WTIP uncovers the story “Rails, Mines, Madams, and Crooks”. It’s a real life tale full of intrigue, mystery and wonder. Learn about the famous Madam Mag Matthews and her house of ill-repute located near Gunflint Lake, the Italian laborers that endured many hardships to build the rail line, and the crooked businessmen who secured funding for the project in some questionable ways.
Intro and Outro
INTRO:It’s hard to imagine all that’s happened before our time-who the people are that have walked where we find ourselves today. Hidden stories are all around us. In the far corner of Northeastern Minnesota, near the country’s border with Canada, there’s a quiet and seemingly pristine wilderness called the Boundary Waters. It’s famous around the word as an untouched wilderness recreation area. But in and around it lie secrets from the area’s past; long-lost stories from America’s frontier times. Steam trains, mines, development, crooked businessmen, brothels, and ghost towns. Over the next half hour, we’ll uncover one such story in, “Rails, Mines, Madams and Crooks”, a historical documentary from WTIP North Shore Community Radio.
OUTRO:“Rails, Mines, Madams, and Crooks” can be heard again on wtip dot org. You’ll also find a slide-show of images related to the Paulson Mine.
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