Ozarks Unknown

19/05/2023

in 1968, the amusement park, Dogpatch USA, opened in Marble Falls (Newton County). Based on the Al Capp comic strip, Li’l Abner, Dogpatch USA featured rides and actors portraying the comic strip’s characters. Marble Falls’ name was temporarily changed to Dogpatch to promote the amusement park before changing back to Marble Falls in 1997. The park closed in 1993.

Shown here is an image from postcard booklet featuring actors portraying Li’l Abner, Daisy Mae, and Marrin’ Sam.

The Dogpatch USA postcard booklet was printed in 1969 and is from the Shiloh Museum’s Jacqueline Mooney Stites Collection (S-2020-29-2).

19/04/2023

Hey there! We've got a really interesting one for you today. If you thought nothing good ever happens in Pope County, Arkansas... you're right. BUT I bet you didn't know about a massive counterfeiting operation that was the bane of the federal government for years.

Check it out on your favorite podcasting platform!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1930213/12681801-15-bullfrog-valley-gang-counterfeiting-money-in-rural-arkansas.mp3?download=true

07/04/2023

Episode 14: Christina Riggs - Arkansas Woman Executed with the Same Drug She Used to Kill Her Kids

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SJ0GUCJYpcNYwHy2dZ6ji?si=a07bdb3110f84223

The first woman to be executed in the state of Arkansas since 1845 met her end much more recently than you might imagine. On May 3rd, 2000 Christina Riggs was executed - ironically using one of the very drugs she used in her crimes. Arkansas broke a 150 year streak without a woman being executed for someone who committed one of the worst crimes imaginable....

24/03/2023

If this isn't another reason that you should all go buy Nita Gould's book "Remembering Ella" I don't know what is.

Gould is the author of the book that served as the main source for the first episode of the podcast. Not only is it an excellent historical account, but she's obviously a very kind person. I can't recommend her book enough. It tells so much more than any podcast would ever be able to.

https://www.rememberingella.com/

18/03/2023

Happy St. Patrick's Day! We wanted to bring you some really interested Ozark Irish history in honor of the holiday. Enjoy!

Available on your favorite podcasting platform.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1930213/12464057-12-missouri-s-irish-settlement-the-irish-wilderness.mp3?download=true

01/03/2023

Episode 11: The Despair of William "Coin" Harvey's Monte Ne Resort

Over the past few weeks, local news outlets around Northwest Arkansas have spread the word that the historic Monte Ne ruins would soon be demolished. For many who grew up around Rogers, Arkansas, Monte Ne has been a backdrop for at least one memory. Of course, when word spread that the graffitied ruins would be demolished, people decried the removal of the “historic” ruins. It seemed though that very few people know what made Monte Ne historic in the first place - who was the creator of these now famous ruins? What do these ruins tell us about the failures of one of Arkansas’s first resorts and the mastermind behind it?

Available now on your favorite podcasting platform!

22/02/2023

Wrapping up the story of the double murder of Fayetteville pharmacist Lee Dickson and his pregnant wife Karen in this morning's episode! It'll go live at 8 am central.

This is also the 10th episode of the podcast! Thank you all for your support this far. Please continue spreading the word about the podcast - we have many more stories to share!

16/02/2023

Episode 9: 1984's Cocaine-Fueled Pharmacist Murders Part 1

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sTc2Tpm8d1ouC8Z9vJFP3?si=ea047b932f15461d

In 1984, a horrifying double homicide in Fayetteville, Arkansas destroyed a family and rattled a community. Ten days later the main suspect in the crime was discovered floating dead in a shallow pond with a stomach full of co***ne. His death was ruled a su***de, but the circumstances of his demise leave so many questions unanswered.

In this first episode of a 2 episode series, we’ll get acquainted with the key players in this disturbing story, and understand how a seemingly normal family ended up the victims of a double homicide.

Listen for free on your favorite podcasting platform!

11/02/2023

Here are some photos for Episode 7: Beebe's Blackbirds. This was a really fun episode to look into.

Let us know what you think!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/54O0T3Q9BtUHbh3ylJ8Kan?si=6bf078b8b4d54a57

08/02/2023

Good morning folks! Sorry about the lack of podcast this morning. It’s been a really busy week! We are hoping to get a podcast to you on Friday and then back to usual programming next week.

Thanks for your support!

25/01/2023

Episode 6: Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Pt. 2

Listen for free on your favorite podcast platform!

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZfAgz0d9Eli5HsxFiYXwI?si=8op8RvDlRiGFSUaDGOf-CQ

I think this is one of the most interesting cases we've covered. Let me know if you enjoyed the two part format and any other cases you'd like to see covered.

18/01/2023

Episode 5: Tony Alamo Christian Ministries pt. 1

Available for free on Spotify and Amazon Music.

Tony and Susan Alamo built an evangelical empire that led from the streets of LA to the Arkansas Ozarks. Operating from 1969 to 2008, Tony Alamo Christian Ministries quickly became infamous, and was widely regarded as a cult. The cult’s recruitment and retention of followers was based on a system of emotional, financial, and s*xual abuse. Eventually, these practices resulted in legal action against Tony Alamo and his ministry for a number of crimes including income tax evasion, the theft of his late wife’s body, and taking underage girls across state lines for s*x.

In this first episode of a two-part series we explore the early lives of Tony and Susan and the emergence of their ministry in LA.

SHOW NOTES:
Bowden, Bill. “Alamo Mansion in Disrepair, Entered Now on a Dare.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, April 9, 2017, pp, 1A, 9A.

Buchanan, Susy. “The Daughter’s Tale: Anti-Catholic Cult Leaders’ Child Recounts Abuse.” Intelligence Report, Spring 2008.

———. “The Ravening Wolf.” Intelligence Report, Fall 2007.

Davis, Andy. “Guilty Alamo Hears ‘Bye, Bye’ outside Court.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 25, 2009, pp. 1A, 6A.

Enriquez, Sam. “Alamo Christian Ministries: Is He a Prophet, Promoter, or Profiteer?” Los Angeles Times. July 11, 1993. Online at http://www.religionnewsblog.com/8506 (accessed June 12, 2020).

Flippo, Chet. “Siege of the Alamos.” People Weekly, June 13, 1983, pp. 28–33.

Franke, Eric W. “A Brief History of the Alamo Christian Foundation.” New England Institute of Religious Research.

Gordon, Ronald J. “The Alamo Christian Foundation.” Arkansas Historical Quarterly 76 (Autumn 2017): 218–247.

Hughes, Dave. “Alamo to Return Body of Wife after 7 Years.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 24, 1998, pp. 1A, 10A.

Larowe, Lynn. “Millions Awarded to 7 Tied to Alamo.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, February 28, 2014, p. 4B.

LaRowe, Lynn. “Lawyer Says Alamo Should Get a New Trial.” Texarkansas Gazette, July 21, 2010. https://www.tonyalamonews.com/3627/72110-tg-alamo-lawyers-s*x-with-minors-%E2%80%9Cincidental%E2%80%9D-to-his-purpose-for-traveling-across-state-lines.php.

McNeil, Betsy. “Nailing Tony Alamo.” This Rock 1 (October 1990).

Schriver, Debby. Whispering in the Daylight: The Children of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries and Their Journey to Freedom. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2018.

“Susan Alamo, 56, Founder of Ozark Mountain Ministry, Dies.” New York Times. April 11, 1982. https://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/11/obituaries/susan-alamo-56-founder-of-ozark-mountain-ministry-dies.html

Tony Alamo Christian Ministries. http://www.alamoministries.com.

Tony Alamo News. https://www.tonyalamonews.com/
Welsh, Adam. “Families Torn by Their Loved Ones’ Faith in Tony Alamo.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, June 11, 2000, pp. 1A, 11A.

Video. “Wicker Way Out West - Tony & Susan Alamo Christian Foundation.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vgqWUc2Ldw

Williams, John. “Alamo Ministry Resurrected.” Arkansas Times, November 29, 2007, pp. 14–16, 18.

06/01/2023

Don't miss the latest episode of Ozarks Unknown!

SHOW NOTES

Episode 3: Bizarre Disappearance of Gloria McDonald - Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Arkansas

The 2001 disappearance of 68 year old Gloria McDonald from Arkansas's Queen Wilhelmina State Park baffled investigators and frustrated family members. Twenty-two years later Gloria's disappearance remains unsolved. Was this a kidnapping, a horrific wilderness accident, or something even darker?

SOURCES
“Obituary - Daniel McDonald.” Cedar Key News. https://cedarkeynews.com/Archives/OLDSITE/Obituaries/4632-105.html

“Gloria White Moore McDonald.” The Charley Project. https://charleyproject.org/case/gloria-white-moore-mcdonald

“Gloria McDonald.” Doe Network. https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/4136dfar.html

Germer, Wes. “The disappearance of Gloria McDonald.” Sasquatch Chronicles.https://sasquatchchronicles.com/the-disappearance-of-gloria-mcdonald/

“In Arkansas, A Disappearance Baffles Investigators.” News on 6. February 20, 2001. https://www.newson6.com/story/5e36836f2f69d76f62098494/in-arkansas-a-disappearance-baffles-investigators

“The Strange Disappearance of Gloria McDonald in the Ouachita National Forest.” Medium. https://medium.com/the-mystery-box/the-unsolved-disappearance-of-gloria-mcdonald-d6567d266e97

“Queen Wilhelmina State Park.” Arkansas State Parks. https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/queen-wilhelmina-state-park

04/01/2023

SHOW NOTES

Episode 3: Bizarre Disappearance of Gloria McDonald - Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Arkansas
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uovTwXkGMYK99iefvJ0ya?si=oHZPU1jYTOS3Jfmd6PcKVA
Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/581f140c-9780-4e05-bf74-24f10869a341/episodes/50709f77-2088-4e01-a229-db803d748795/ozarks-unknown-3-bizarre-disappearance-of-gloria-mcdonald---queen-wilhelmina-state-park-arkansas

The 2001 disappearance of 68 year old Gloria McDonald from Arkansas's Queen Wilhelmina State Park baffled investigators and frustrated family members. Twenty-two years later Gloria's disappearance remains unsolved. Was this a kidnapping, a horrific wilderness accident, or something even darker?

SOURCES
“Obituary - Daniel McDonald.” Cedar Key News. https://cedarkeynews.com/Archives/OLDSITE/Obituaries/4632-105.html

“Gloria White Moore McDonald.” The Charley Project. https://charleyproject.org/case/gloria-white-moore-mcdonald

“Gloria McDonald.” Doe Network. https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/4136dfar.html

Germer, Wes. “The disappearance of Gloria McDonald.” Sasquatch Chronicles.https://sasquatchchronicles.com/the-disappearance-of-gloria-mcdonald/

“In Arkansas, A Disappearance Baffles Investigators.” News on 6. February 20, 2001. https://www.newson6.com/story/5e36836f2f69d76f62098494/in-arkansas-a-disappearance-baffles-investigators

“The Strange Disappearance of Gloria McDonald in the Ouachita National Forest.” Medium. https://medium.com/the-mystery-box/the-unsolved-disappearance-of-gloria-mcdonald-d6567d266e97

“Queen Wilhelmina State Park.” Arkansas State Parks. https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/queen-wilhelmina-state-park

03/01/2023

Hey there, crew! Hope you've had a great holiday season. We're so excited to bring you more content this year!

Be sure to subscribe to our show on your favorite podcasting platform - a new episode will air tomorrow!

30/12/2022

Have you heard about the Washington County Sheriff's Office experiment to prove that cattle mutilation wasn't caused by aliens? Well here's your chance! Don't miss the most recent episode of Ozarks Unknown.

Episode 2: Cattle Mutilations - Aliens, Satanists, & the Feds, oh my!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/23voBbGwR099gSUohjZtBf?si=o87Bz1LyQbCS2erx0RLK4w&fbclid=IwAR2WdnafzzepPi80SZuuIHQkZiHkLItJoyBswFjHTOzsws1YegbhGkSzgQI&nd=1

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/581f140c-9780-4e05-bf74-24f10869a341/episodes/aa0767a5-7704-4249-8e05-d34a80e15e42/ozarks-unknown-2-cattle-mutilations---aliens-satanists-the-feds-oh-my?fbclid=IwAR08vr_Oa0n0oPUMkpudSPXUi6-sH_2s20H6PuwMhwPKWT83jmZzDHhkcrU

30/12/2022

The 1912 murder of 16-year old Ella Barham in Boone County, Arkansas sparked a local frenzy for justice. Uncover the events that led to a firey 1913 murder trial and threats of mob violence in the first episode of Ozarks Unknown.

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/46sOQUGvJkuOhyYk6pryL6?si=23_hDPCbSBix7HA1_sGhgg&fbclid=IwAR2okt7w46CGblbUmAbwrqx1tFG9NVstM883xWkFT-1kDOMNjiCEgUpEly0&nd=1

Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/581f140c-9780-4e05-bf74-24f10869a341/episodes/76131419-808d-40f1-bad6-61bbf9cb21a4/ozarks-unknown-episode-1-ella-barham---murder-in-boone-county-arkansas

Photo courtesy of author Nita Gould, www.rememberingella.com.

29/12/2022

Don't miss this episode where we explore the cattle mutilation phenomena that swept the country in the 1970s. There are some very interesting connections to Arkansas!

Episode 2: Cattle Mutilations - Aliens, Satanists, & the Feds, oh my!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/23voBbGwR099gSUohjZtBf...
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/.../ozarks-unknown-2-cattle...

Millions of songs and podcast episodes. Any time. Anywhere.

22/12/2022

SHOW NOTES & PHOTOS
Episode 1: Ella Barham - Murder in Boone County, Arkansas
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/46sOQUGvJkuOhyYk6pryL6?si=23_hDPCbSBix7HA1_sGhgg
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/581f140c-9780-4e05-bf74-24f10869a341/ozarks-unknown

The main source for this episode was Nita Gould's fantastic book documenting the case - Remembering Ella: A 1912 Murder and Mystery in the Arkansas Ozarks (2018). Please check out her great website and grab a book for yourself. https://www.rememberingella.com/buy

Other sources:
Arkansas Circuit Court. 1913. State v. Davidson, No. 183, Case file. Boone County Circuit Clerk, Harrison, Arkansas.

Arkansas Supreme Court. 1913. Davidson v. State, 108 Ark. 158, SW 1103. University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law Library, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Estes, Bobby, and Carol B. Estes. 2009. “Lillian Ethel “Ella” Barham (1894-1912).” Find A Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40832262/lillian-ethel-barham.

Photos are courtesy of Nita Gould's website.

I can't wait to hear what you all think about this story! Do you think justice was really served? Was circumstantial evidence enough to convict? I'd love to hear any and all thoughts you have on this case.

21/12/2022

Check out the first episode of the new podcast Ozarks Unknown - a regional true crime and mystery pod! We will be on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music soon.

Thanks so much for your support!

A brutal murder in 1912 Boone County, Arkansas shattered the community's sense of peace and safety. As they hunted for the killer of 16-year-old Ella Barham, locals realized that the most horrific monsters may live among them. __________________ht...