Tales lost to time about crime, mischief, and strange occurrences as told by sisters Cathryn and Eli
The events leading up to the death and subsequent exhumation of young Ida Andres were tragic and made headlines in 1918 in Illinois. This week Elisabeth discusses the demise of Ida and the legal battle that ensued.
Photo one: The Journal Gazette. Matron, IL on newspapers.com
Photo two: Entrance to Arcola Cemetery where Ida was exhumed. By coan.net on findagrave.com
@ Mattoon, Illinois
On a January morning in 1946 the body of a woman was found on a roadside in California. The details of the story and work of diligent investigators brought justice to this case before the time of many modern day forensics. Join us this week as Cathryn lays out the details of this horrific crime.
1. Dorothy Eggers (Find a Grave, contributor cls)
2. Arthur Egger’s San Quentin mugshot (California State Archives)
3. Eggers Family (Find a Grave, contributor cls)
4. Arthur and attorney James Starritt (LA Times, May 22, 1946)
Join us this week as Cathryn details a vintage cult story. Set in Oregon at the turn of the 20th century this story does not lack on scandalous details. Follow along as this story twists and turns it’s way to one shocking conclusion.
1. Franz Edmund Creffield (Oregon State Penitentiary archives)
2. Maud Hurt (left) and Esther Mitchell (right) (Vintage True Crime Stories Volume II)
3. Creffield’s headstone (Find A Grave, contributor bessgabrielle
4. The Hurt Family (Vintage True Crime Stories Volume II)
This week Cathryn describes the horror that was the San Francisco Foundling Asylum. An asylum that had its fair share of secrecy and death. Sit back and get prepared for a story that will make you grateful we made it out of the 1800s!
1. The asylum at its address on Golden Gate Ave (The San Francisco Call, October 8, 1893)
2. Sketch of a nurse for the foundlings (The San Francisco Call, November 9, 1898)
3. Newspaper article illustrating “the cradle” to drop infants in (The San Francisco Examiner, September 14, 1902)
This week, Cathryn takes us out of the United States for the first time, to Canada! Join us as we seek the truth in the mysterious Redpath family murders. This story has elements of large creepy mansions and socially elite circles. At the end you’ll have to decide for yourself who committed the heinous crime and why they did it.
1. The Redpath Mansion (Redpath Sugar Museum)
2. Ada and Amy Redpath in 1871 (The McCord Museum)
3. A Redpath Sugar Ad (The Windsor Star, April 17, 1915)
4. Clifford Redpath in 1900 (The McCord Museum)
Cathryn brings a Colorado tale this week with the unfortunate story of Eddie Ives. This man potentially changed death penalty methods for the state of Colorado in the years following his life. With several incredible side stories, this episode will keep unexpected turns coming!
1. Depiction of nurse Farice King shooting officer Evans (Pittsburg Sun-Telegraph 12-30-1928)
2. Headstone of Eddie Ives (Greenwood Cemetery, Cañon City Colorado)
3. Officer Harry Ohle ( Find a Grave contributor D.C. Adams)
Join us this week for another interesting story straight off of the Kankakee River as Cathryn details several mysterious stories of Grape Island’s past. While this island is small, it has quite a list of curious and scary events.
1. The Steele Cabin (Star Press, July 30, 1905)
2. Story headline (Indiananapolis Star, July 30, 1905)
This week Cathryn tells us about the incredible life of Olive Oatman. Her story is packed with tragic loss, incredible strength, and themes of the old Wild West. Unfortunately, Olive had to bare the evidence of her captivity for the rest of her life.
1. Photo of Olive after her release (Arizona Historical Society)
2. Sketch of the Oatman massacre (San Francisco Chronicle February 5, 1893)
3. Olive after returning to society (University of Nebraska Press)
4. Sketch of Olive (San Francisco Chronicle February 5, 1893)
@ Yuma, Arizona
Join us this week as Cathryn tells the story of the worst maritime disaster in United States history, unknown to most. With close ties to the Civil War, this story is packed with historical significance and dreadful details. Put on your life preservers and get ready to be thankful for modern-day modes of travel!
1. The Sultana at Helena, Arkansas the day before the disaster (Wikipedia)
2. Captain James Cass Mason (Find a Grave, contributor Shannon Yarbrough)
3. Sketch of the Sultana disaster (Published in Harper’s Weekly, May 20, 1865)
Join us this week as Cathryn tells the story of a cult much like those of the modern day. This however, is set in 1830’s New York. Buckle up as allegations of polygamy, murder, and religious fanaticism emerge.
1) Sketch of the “Prophet Matthias” from Kent State University
2) Sojourner Truth: an 1870 album print by Randall Studios
3) Headstone of Elijah Pierson: Find a Grave, contributor Joanie First
4) The Beechwood Estate: from the Scarborough Historical Society
@ Ossining, New York
In 1800’s New England, consumption had a strong grip on the area and its population. Join us this week to find out what vampires had to do with the epidemic.
1. Consumption cure ad (Alma News, Alma Ks. 1878)
2. Mercy Brown’s headstone (Find a Grave, contributor Wi******er)
3. Missouri State Sanatorium (asylumprojects.org)
Hope everyone had a good Mother’s Day. Looking forward to Tuesday to release our next episode! Go and enjoy an honorable mention in the meantime!
In week two, the case of the Annie Redmond kidnapping in 1880’s Chicago is discussed. Unfortunately it’s not a happy ending for the Redmond family.
1. Sketch of Annie (Narka News)
2. Illinois Eastern Hospital for the Insane (Wikipedia)
3. Sketch of Josie Gurley (The Canton Independent Sentinel)
4. The blacksmith shop on State Street (The Canton Independent Sentinel)
5. Mrs. Parsons (The Canton Independent Sentinel).
Mid-week vintage inspiration while recording our next episodes. We’ve got two honorable mention episodes up if you need to escape pandemic reality and
🚫Graphic content warning🚫
Episode one cover the murder of Louisa Fox that occurred in 1869 in Ohio. This story has several twists and turns including a DIY tracheotomy and a full confession.
Our first episodes are live! We are up and running in Spotify and soon to be on Apple. If you enjoy bizarre and graphic accounts of historical tales this is the podcast for you. New content added weekly!
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