True Crime Historian

YESTERDAY’S NEWS -- Tales of classic scandals, scoundrels and scourges told from historic newspapers in the golden age of yellow journalism... The Case Against Professor Kane Episode 249 digs into the case of a college professor accused of drowning his wife for the love of another woman, but the prosecution first has trouble identifying her, then tracking her down, then getting the court to allow her testimony and love letters as evidence. I love a good fall from grace story, but what I really like about this case is the devotion shown by the professors father, a renown surgeon who lives in a small Pennsylvania town founded by his father. Stick around after the credits for a little bonus story about him. Culled from the historic pages of the Newport News, Virginia, Daily Press, the Kane, Pennsylvania Republican, and other newspapers of the era. A creation Of Pulpular Media ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true Do your hair a favor with all natural Nutrafol and get your first bottle for $10 with subscription and promotional code TRUE at Nutrafol.com. *** Opening and incidental music by Nico Vitesse. Incidental music also by Chuck Wiggins. Closing theme by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

Episode 248 looks at two strange murders from my hometown. They take place in a part of town known as Peck’s Addition, named for the doctor who originally purchased and plotted the lots. Peck’s Addition is bottom land near the Great Miami River, and until a flood protection project in 1913 helped keep the river at bay, the land was occupied and farmed by some of the city’s poorest citizens. So I guess it’s no wonder that a crop would be a matter of life and death. The Peck’s Addition Half-Acre of Corn Murder: Concerns a deadly mix-up over who’s supposed to be planting the potatoes and corn. The Peck’s Addition Melon Patch Murder: He kept telling those boys to quit stealing his melons, so when their father starts making a road through his melon patch, things turn ugly. The Scoundrel William Condon: Banjo Murderer. This is a little orphan story, one that I came across and found so much promise in, but there’s just no more to it. You don’t come across a banjo murder every day, though maybe you should. *** A creation Of Pulpular Media ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true Do your hair a favor with all natural Nutrafol and get your first bottle for $10 with subscription and promotional code TRUE at Nutrafol.com. *** Opening and incidental music by Nico Vitesse. Incidental music also by Chuck Wiggins. Closing theme by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

YESTERDAY’S NEWS -- Tales of classic scandals, scoundrels and scourges told from historic newspapers in the golden age of yellow journalism... The Soteldo-Barton Affair Episode 247 strikes close to home for me. Having worked for 25 years in a newsroom with very little security, the possibility of an indignant individual bursting in with a gun and opening fire because he didn’t like what was printed was a constant, albeit low-grade, fear. In this case, when the bullets start flying and witnesses ducking out the door, it’s hard to tell who shot who. *** A creation Of Pulpular Media ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true Do your hair a favor with all natural Nutrafol and get your first bottle for $10 with subscription and promotional code TRUE at Nutrafol.com. *** Opening and incidental music by Nico Vitesse. Incidental music also by Chuck Wiggins. Closing theme by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

PULP NONFICTION -- A celebration of the pioneers of true crime... *** Episode 246 explores two more European trunk murders told by two pioneers of true crime, reporters R.O. Scallon of the New York World and Peter Levins of the New York Daily News. The Brighton Trunk Murder By Peter Levin, tells of how an American trunk murder led to the discovery of three other trunk murders in Britain. Levin’s report will be followed by the Guardian’s report on the trial from one of the cases, including a statement by the accused. The Lake Como Honeymoon Trunk Murder By R.O. Scallan. When a American newlywed woman’s body turns up in a trunk in an Italian lake, police expect to find the groom’s body floating nearby. But alas, not a double murder, but a honeymoon squabble gone too far. *** A creation Of Pulpular Media ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true Do your hair a favor with all natural Nutrafol and get your first bottle for $10 with subscription and promotional code TRUE at Nutrafol.com. *** Opening and incidental music by Nico Vitesse. Incidental music also by Chuck Wiggins. Closing theme by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

YESTERDAY’S NEWS -- Tales of classic scandals, scoundrels and scourges told from historic newspapers in the golden age of yellow journalism... The Boy Preacher And His Teenage Wife Episode 245 tells the scandalous tale of a young preacher with a David complex, who in order to save his wife’s soul, takes her life, and the life of her mother, just so he could get away. Culled from the historic pages of the Augusta Chronicle and other newspapers of the era. Elliott Padrick remained confined in the Georgia State Prison in Milledgeville for 39 years until his death on March 12, 1961. *** A creation Of Pulpular Media ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true Do your hair a favor with all natural Nutrafol and get your first bottle for $10 with subscription and promotional code TRUE at Nutrafol.com. *** Opening and incidental music by Nico Vitesse. Incidental music also by Chuck Wiggins. Closing theme by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

AN EYE FOR AN EYE -- A special edition of Yesterday’s News exploring the criminal justice system at its most extreme: Inflicting the Death Penalty... The Murders of Phoebe Hogg and Phoebe Hogg Episode 244 tells of a murder in Victorian London so vicious and violent and ghastly that some people believe to this day that the perpetrator was the infamous Jack The Ripper. Or Jill The Ripper as it were, for this brutal murder of a mother and her babe fell squarely upon Mary Eleanor Wheeler Pearcy, who will pay dearly for her crime. *** *** A creation Of Pulpular Media ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true Do your hair a favor with all natural Nutrafol and get your first bottle for $10 with subscription and promotional code TRUE at Nutrafol.com. *** Opening and incidental music by Nico Vitesse. Incidental music also by Chuck Wiggins. Closing theme by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

AN EYE FOR AN EYE -- A special edition of Yesterday’s News exploring the criminal justice system at its most extreme: Inflicting the Death Penalty... Torture In The Quiet Dell Slaughter Garage Episode 243 is the sordid tale of a man who pursued women he presumed were wealthy with long distance love letters in order to swindle them of their money. Yeah, that’s a story we’ve heard before, but this one goes an extra step darker with a gruesome murder of women and children. Consider that your trigger warning. The West Virginia community was so outraged by the crime that the lingering crowds began to worry the police. And for good reason. You’ll want to join them. There are some excellent first-hand accounts of the events of this story, and because the victim was from Chicago, the Tribune sent their ace reporter Genevieve Forbes Herrick to West Virginia to interview the principals. We welcome back Susan Ferman to read Ms. Herrick’s reports. Culled from the historic pages of the Chicago Tribune, Pittsburgh Press and other newspapers of the era. *** A creation Of Pulpular Media ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true Do your hair a favor with all natural Nutrafol and get your first bottle for $10 with subscription and promotional code TRUE at Nutrafol.com. *** Opening and incidental music by Nico Vitesse. Incidental music also by Chuck Wiggins. Closing theme by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

YESTERDAY'S NEWS - A reading from historic newspapers in the golden age of yellow journalism. - This episode is probably one of the most bizarre murder cases on record, about a woman who kept a secret lover for 18 years -- in her attic. You know that’s not going to end well. - Not too much more to say about it as the story speaks for itself. You heard the set-up. It gets weirder... - Music by Dave Sams - www.truecrimehistorian.com/1930dolly

PULP NONFICTION -- A celebration of the pioneers of true crime... Two Twists On A Classic Tale Episode 242 is dedicated to listener Peter Boe who wanted me to do this case so badly he sent me a book. For a lot of reasons, I can’t read a 298-page book in a single episode, so I found something just as interesting: Two versions of the case by two true crime pioneers, the first by distinguished journalist Alfred Henry Lewis and the second by True Crime Historian favorite Edmund Pearson. It’s interesting how they approach it from different perspectives, with different details. And we’ll end with an obituary that tells of the interesting life of the defendant after she leaves Bond Street. *** A creation Of Pulpular Media ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true Do your hair a favor with all natural Nutrafol and get your first bottle for $10 with subscription and promotional code TRUE at Nutrafol.com. *** Theme music performed by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

PULP NONFICTION -- A celebration of the pioneers of true crime... The Money Was The Motive Episode 241 is another variation on one of our favorite tropes, the trunk murder. This one takes place in the Pacific Northwest when a shady couple of transients tries to pull a long con on a wealthy, recently widowed rancher. Getting rid of the body is always the tricky part. Culled from the historic pages of True Detective Magazine, the Oregon Daily Journal and other newspapers of the era. *** ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true *** Theme music performed by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

YESTERDAY’S NEWS -- Tales of classic scandals, scoundrels and scourges told from historic newspapers in the golden age of yellow journalism... The Trial Of The Mother of Dolls Episode 240 is one of those cases where you just know that someone is off their rocker, but it’s hard to figure out exactly who. Things get weird when a husband charges his wife with murdering twin babies that he never saw. So what was he pushing around in the double stroller the last couple of months. Culled from the historic pages of the Munster Times, the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers of the era. *** Hosted by Wondery. @wonderymedia ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true *** Some incidental music by Nico Vitesse Theme music performed by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

AN EYE FOR AN EYE -- A special edition of Yesterday’s News exploring the criminal justice system at its most extreme: Inflicting the Death Penalty... The Rev. Executioner Tightens The Noose Episode 239 not only gives you two executions for the price of one, but an executioner that has to choose between his moral convictions and his duty under the law. What I like most about this story, though, is the fierce teenage daughter who shows no fear when it comes to facing down these half-witted bandits. If the final scene doesn’t raise the hair on your neck, I don’t know what will.Culled from the historical pages of the Des Moines Tribune, the Des Moines Register and other newspapers of the era. *** Hosted by Wondery. @wonderymedia ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true ZOLA is the wedding registry that will do anything for love. Receive a $50 credit towards your registry when you sign up at zola.com/true *** Theme music performed by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

YESTERDAY’S NEWS -- Tales of classic scandals, scoundrels and scourges told from historic newspapers in the golden age of yellow journalism... The Boston Broker Bomber’s Attack On Wall Street Episode 238 takes an inside look on the mad business of stock trading during the boom of the late 1800s as we hear the news of a bombing attack on an office of one of the titans of Wall Street, the second richest man in the world. The dust is barely settled when the lawsuits begin, and you’ll get a kick out of the reason why. Culled from the pages of the New York World and other newspapers of the era. Hosted by Wondery. @wonderymedia ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true ZOLA is the wedding registry that will do anything for love. Receive a $50 credit towards your registry when you sign up at zola.com/true *** Theme music performed by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

Episode 237 The Heroic Widow And The Bloodthirsty Bandits: A frail Mexican woman rides a burro through hours of anguish to save her kidnapped American benefactor. Murder In The Palm Of His Hand: When a Kentucky divorcee shows up with four bullet holes in her back, police turn to the old paraffin test to eliminate suspects and see through alibis. The Ingenious Bluebeard of Kensal Rise: The silver-tongued George Albert Crossman sure had a way with the ladies. He had three of them living in one house, each oblivious to the real nature of his relationship with the others. You know that’s not gonna end well. The Corpse In The Oversize Trunk: Across the channel in France, police try to track down the mysterious body and the distinctive trunk that it was hidden in. *** Hosted by Wondery. @wonderymedia ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true Hear the mystery explained at Unexplained Mysteries on your favorite podcast player. *** Theme music performed by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer

AN EYE FOR AN EYE -- A special edition of Yesterday’s News exploring the criminal justice system at its most extreme: Inflicting the Death Penalty... The Tragedy Of Joyce Joan Shouse Episode 236 is a down and dirty story of a negligent mother, a sexually frustrated hunchback, and one terrible night in a hotel cafe. There’s a lot of blame to go around on this one. Culled from the historical pages of the Louisville Courier Journal and other newspapers of the era. *** Hosted by Wondery. @wonderymedia ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. You can eat like a gourmet and cook like a chef in your own kitchen with Blue Apron, a better way to cook. @BlueApron Be a part of the story. Get in the game at huntakiller.com/true Hear the mystery explained at Unexplained Mysteries. *** Theme music performed by Dave Sams and Rachel Schott, engineered by David Hisch at Third Street Music. Incidental music from podcastmusic.com and musopen.org. Media management by Sean R. Jones Production assistance by Emily Simer Braun Richard O Jones, Executive Producer