Forgotten Stories: Historical Crimes and the Unusual

This week Elisabeth tells us several bizarre animal-related stories. Cathryn describes a man whose life is plagued by banana peels and a very tall wedding cake.

This week Cathryn covers the atrocities of a WWII-Era covert research unit. This unit "studied" a wide variety of barbaric medical procedures, disease processes, and weaponry against humanity. We will never know the names or numbers of the victims of Unit 731 but this week we will just a little about what they went through.

Strange headlines this week include an odd natural phenomenon, baby how-to's, answers to health questions, and an unfortunate cigar fire. 

It was almost Christmas morning in 1945 when a housefire ravaged the Sodder family home in West Virginia. Five out of the nine children were thought to have perished in the fire when they did not make it out of the home, but several inconsistencies at the scene led George and Jennie to believe that their children had been taken. Join us this week to hear Elisabeth tell the mysterious story.

Strange stories covered this week include a child's body found in a mansion wall, death by dirty hog tusk, an alleged tear duct removal, hilarious accidents told at a safety convention, and a 26th birthday party for a cat.

A year into the Civil War and desperate to free himself and his family, Robert Smalls decided to attempt a risky operation to escape his life of servitude. The outcome would not be good if they were caught, but Robert was willing to sacrifice his life if it meant earning his freedom. Listen to Elisabeth's story this week to learn more about the brave mission.

This week the girls discuss strict ice cream laws, a beloved hedgehog, a horrific motorcar accident, and a man mauled by a stallion. 

This week Cathryn tells us the story of murderess Leonarda Cianciulli. The story takes place in World War II Era Italy and illustrates how far a mother may be willing to go to protect her children. Tune in to find out the details of Leonarda's crimes and how she earned her bizarre nickname.

This week Elisabeth reads us more excerpts from "My Baby Said". Cathryn shares the first time a human was mailed by USPS and a prison carriage tale. Elisabeth then tells a heart-wrenching account of a child choking on a jack. Tune in this week for these notable short glimpses into the past!

This week Cathryn covers Victorian-Era London serial killer, Amelia Dyer. While she is not as well known as other killers of her era she boasts a prolific body count. Tune in this week to learn about Amelia's victims and what became of the Ogress of Reading.

This week Cathryn reads articles about the art of bull frogging and a cruel donkey jockey. Elisabeth discusses a new medical treatment involving chewing gum and some unusual diseases.

Just months after their marriage in 1875, tragedy struck the home of Charles and Florence Bravo in London. Charles fell gravely ill one day and quickly passed away under suspicious circumstances. His cause of death was determined to be antimony poisoning, and an inquest was soon underway to determine who was at fault. Click play to hear Elisabeth dish the details!

This week the girls tell stories of strange first proposals, the life of a perfume blender, a pair of glasses that was reunited with an owner after 20 years, and causes of prematurely gray hair. 

After facing persecution from the German government and Lutheran church over his religious teachings, a man by the name of Johann Georg Rapp was forced to flee his country to the United States with his followers in tow. Once in America, the group was free to build their self-sustaining, utopian society in preparation for the Second Coming. Although the group had their quirks such as practicing celibacy and eating five meals a day, they were very hard workers and their endeavors paid off greatly. Tune in to hear Elisabeth spill the details on this early cult!

This week the girls discuss the problematic ways of a school for deaf girls, a missing bridegroom, some hints for good health, a cow that birthed seven calves, and a death by hypnotism case. Tune in this week to hear more!

This week Cathryn tells the story of the waste disaster experienced by London in the 1850s. This event was not only a massive public safety issue but also had effects on governmental function. It also happened to effect disease transmission understanding today and the current sewer situation the city faces.

This week the girls recount a story of a madman in a hot air balloon, and unfortunate place to pick walnuts, people's most embarrassing moments, and a terrible muscle injury.

In this week's heavy episode Cathryn reads excerpts from the diary of Hélène Berr. A French Jewish woman living in Paris during World War II. Details of the war, Nazi-occupied France, and Hélène's daily life are discussed. Unfortunately the ending does not conclude triumphantly for the Berr Family.

Odd headlines this week include an alligator family coming out of hibernation, a queer incident in church, a goose and chicken rivalry, and a real-life mermaid.

The tragedy that inspired Herman Melville to write Moby Dick was just the beginning for the crew aboard the ship. The horrific situation they found themselves in over the next three months stranded at sea would turn out to be the ultimate struggle of life and death. Listen this week to hear all the grisly details if you dare.

This week the girls discuss the advances in modern dentistry and a farmer without a bath for 22 years. Cathryn then introduces a new segment, My Nearest Approach to Death, while Elisabeth brings back an old segment, My Baby Said. We then wrap it up with a revolver-wielding bartender.

This week Cathryn discusses the problematic death of Joe Arridy. Joe was a mentally disabled man who found himself wrapped up in a legal battle he was unable to comprehend. Unfortunately for Joe, the legal system failed him in the most tragic way possible. Tune in this week to learn more about the messy past of capital punishment in the United States.

Elisabeth kicks off the weekend with stories of first marriage proposals. Other topics of the week include include an interesting menu at a vegetarian dinner party, revenge on a fish warden, and a dog who tried to bite a woman but nearly choked to death on her skirt instead.

In May of 1902, the citizens of St. Pierre in Martinique watched nervously as the volcano outside of town became increasingly active. Over the course of several weeks, ash and smoke became so thick that trees and buildings were collapsing. Many tried to flee the town when it seemed as if an eruption was imminent, but unfortunately they were not permitted to do so. The event that took place on the morning of May 8th proved to be quite catastrophic. 

This week the Elisabeth talks about an unfortunate bung-hole accident, and an unusual disturbance on a roof. Cathryn digs up stories of people's most embarrassing moments and a pumpkin overgrowth story. 

Elisabeth discusses the first kidnapping for ransom in the United States. Although not having the desired outcome, there is still hope for resolution in this case thanks to modern advances in technology. Certain aspects of little Charley's case even live on to this day. Tune in to hear more!

This week the girls discuss toxic eggs, and a withdrawal of divorce. Elisabeth then tells the odd tale of a man and eight hours at a bung hole. Cathryn wraps us up with a tale of a man who hurts his wife and the son then hurts the man. 

In 1944 the town of Mattoon, Illinois was plagued by a series of terrifying gas attacks. Townspeople formed gas patrols, night watches, and kept firearms close. However after several weeks of terror, authorities issue statements that the attacks had in fact never happened at all. Tune in this week to learn the true culprits of the gassing.

This week Cathryn tells the story of a mother-to-infant transplant. We then discuss a boys wacky find, an inside look behind the morning yawn, and some deadly potato fumes.

In January 1935, a murder shrouded in mystery occurred at the Hotel President in downtown Kansas City. Room 1046 would forever be the site of a curious series of events. Tune in this week as Cathryn unravels the case that remains cold to this day and learn about the history of a historical hotel with its fair share of tragedy.

News stories this week include a lucky find in a warming pan, the gray hair trend, a goat that mistook a car for an enemy, and a 40 foot high hen's nest.

Residents of Macon, Georgia awoke to shocking news on the morning of August 6, 1887. An entire family of nine had been brutally murdered in their home. Only one man escaped with his life and suspicion quickly turned onto him as the prime suspect. Tune in to hear the rest of the details in this shocking story that remains one of the most grisly crimes in Georgia history to this day.

This week the girls discuss  a hydrophobic disaster, money being accidentally destroyed, and exploding gas lamps. Elisabeth finishes by bringing back "My Baby Said" and Cathryn tells the tale of whale that chocked on a boat. 

Throughout the early 1900s "rejuvenation" became a popular concept in minds around the world. This fad would eventually entail bizarre procedures that would graft endocrine tissue from one entity to another. Unfortunately for the inmates at San Quentin prison thanks to leading physician, Dr. Leo Stanley, rejuvenation was tested out right there within prison walls. Tune in this week as Cathryn brings to light one of the most shocking tales of prison experimentation known.

This week the girls talk about grandparents who cut new teeth, a soup kettle accident, the proper care of sweaters, early typhoid shots, and "My First Proposals".

An unusual event occurred around the globe in 1859 that left people confused and concerned. Over the course of four days, odd lights in the sky and strange electrical phenomena had some convinced that the end days were near. Tune in to hear Elisabeth discuss the causes of the Carrington Event and what might happen if it happened again today.

This week the girls talk about a young lad crushed by a falling dog, what to do with garden rubbish, a cow acting strangely, and why the English can't make coffee. They finish off with a boy who gets his eye shot out and some unique fashion inventions.

An apparent highway robbery in Pennsylvania in 1896 resulted in the murder of Emma Kaiser. A surprising suspect was taken into custody and a bizarre tale of insurance money and unfaithfulness unfolded. Tune in to hear Elisabeth's forgotten story of the week.

Join us this week as the girls talk everything roundworms, another strange accident, and the history of the banana. Elisabeth then tells the tale of a 4-legged chicken and Cathryn discusses everything giraffes. 

This week Cathryn describes the campaign launched against the United States by Japan at the end of World War II. This offensive included hundreds of bomb-laden balloons descending on the Pacific Northwest and Western portion of the country. Although considered a tactical failure, the Fu-Go campaign did claim the lives of 6 American citizens. Join us this week to learn more about this little known part of America's history.

This week the girls discuss a woman tragically killed by an elevator, a heartwarming foster piglet story, and all about chameleons. We wrap up this week discussing snakes as a part of ones diet. 

In the year 1874 the Great Plains were devastated by an unexpected invasion. This cloud of winged insects came with a ferocity that shook the people of the central United States to their core. Crops were destroyed and livelihoods lost. Tune in this week to hear all the details and how the resilience of those in the heartland proved even a plague could be overcome.

This week the girls find tales of strange inventions, monkey mothers, a man that lives off of lemons, and a death under strange circumstances. Then they both top it off with vintage Independence Day stories. 

At one point in history, Leprosy, now known as Hansen's Disease, was a highly feared condition that was avoided at all costs. Before antibiotics had been discovered, many governments thought their only option was isolation for those afflicted. In Hawaii, this misconception led to the formation of the Kalaupapa leper colony. Tune in to hear Elisabeth recount the history of this place and the surprising condition it remains in today.

This week the girls find old newspapers detailing an insane asylum fire, a duck that turned to soap, a sisterly beating, a picnic gone wrong, and more "My Baby Said". Tune in to hear the details!

A single, horrific fire in Chicago in 1903 would become the largest loss of life from a single building fire people had ever experienced. In a matter of minutes hundreds of people lost their lives, and the effects became greater than the Great Chicago Fire. 

This week the girls retell stories including a wife sold for 50 cents, an abandoned train infant, and a mother blamed for a son's suicide. We then wrap it up with gold nugget-containing chickens and another segment of "My Baby Said."

Join us this week as Cathryn dives into the life and work of the notable Clara Barton. This woman was not only the figure behind the American Red Cross but was also a civil rights activist, proponent of women's suffrage, and an accomplished teacher.  Tune in to learn more about this incredible woman's story.

This week in Honorable Mentions Cathryn digs up several tragic deaths and an interesting description of the camel. Elisabeth tells a story about a lucky find of honey and several funny entries of "My Baby Said". You won't want to miss this episode!

In the 1890s it was discovered that freshwater mussels in Arkansas waterways held precious pearls that could earn a lucky finder a fortune. People came in droves to Arkansas to try their hand at pearl hunting, the influx of people was equated to the gold rush in the West. Tune in this week to hear Elisabeth spill the details on pearl hunting techniques and how mussel collection changed rapidly in just a few short years.

This week Elisabeth tells a collection of cemetery-related stories. Cathryn then interjects with a shirt related whodunit and a good old-fashioned pneumonia cure.