River City Mystery Podcast

Explore the incredible and complex story of "Wildman Joe," an African American man born into slavery whose life took unimaginable turns through a devastating steamboat accident, a challenging existence as a ragman, and ultimately, a bizarre and controversial career in the world of sideshow circuses. This episode delves into the lives of Joe Rettig and the eccentric showman Jeremiah "Doc" Kahler, examining how their paths fatefully crossed in Evansville, Indiana, leading to the creation of the "Wildman Joe" sideshow circus act. We explore the ethical complexities of exploiting human difference for entertainment, and the extraordinary resilience of a man who survived against all odds. Key Moments: Introduction to Wildman Joe's Story: The episode begins by introducing the enigmatic figure of Wildman Joe and hinting at the untold stories from Evansville's past. (Approximate timestamp: 00:00:16) Joe Rettig's Early Life in Slavery: Learn about Joe's birth into slavery in North Carolina and the harsh realities he faced before the Civil War brought the promise of freedom. (Approximate timestamp: 00:00:16) Life on the Steamboats and the Tragic Accident: Discover Joe's transition to working on steamboats after the war and the horrific boiler explosion that left him permanently scarred. (Approximate timestamp: 00:00:44) Becoming a Ragman in Evansville: Follow Joe's return to Evansville and his difficult life on the margins, sifting through the city's refuse. (Approximate timestamp: 00:01:03) Enter Jeremiah "Doc" Kahler: The narrative shifts to the colorful life of "Doc" Kahler, a former St. Louis saloon keeper with a penchant for the peculiar, who would become a traveling showman. (Approximate timestamp: 00:02:44) Doc Kahler's Famous Flea Circus: Hear the fascinating and almost unbelievable tale of Kahler's renowned trained flea circus. (Approximate timestamp: 00:03:46) Legal Troubles and a Flea-Filled Courtroom: Learn about Kahler's brushes with the law, including a unique court appearance involving his performing fleas. (Approximate timestamp: 00:03:04) The Demise of the Flea Circus: The episode recounts the sudden and tragic end of Doc Kahler's prize-winning flea troupe. (Approximate timestamp: 00:05:22) The Meeting in Evansville: The two vastly different lives converge as Doc Kahler encounters Joe Rettig in Evansville and sees an opportunity for a new sideshow act. (Approximate timestamp: 00:08:07) The Creation of "Wildman Joe": Explore the transformation of Joe Rettig into the sideshow persona of "Wildman Joe," and the fabricated narrative created around him. (Approximate timestamp: 00:09:08) Life as a Sideshow Performer: Discover how joining the circus changed the course of Joe's life, providing him with a livelihood and the chance to travel. (Approximate timestamp: 00:11:00) Performance and Exploitation: The episode details the nature of Wildman Joe's act, highlighting the elements of performance, fear, and the exploitation of Joe's physical appearance. (Approximate timestamp: 00:09:08) Traveling with the Circus: Learn about Joe's travels with various circuses, including performances for large audiences and even internationally. (Approximate timestamp: 00:11:35) A Story of Resilience: The episode concludes by reflecting on Joe Rettig's incredible resilience and his ability to endure immense hardship and find a way to survive against all odds. (Approximate timestamp: 00:12:11) Show notes:  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/20 Join the River City Mystery Discord server to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

Georgia "Jean" Cook was a 56-year-old mother of two when she was murdered on October 6, 2005, while working at Busler's gas station on Highway 41 North in Evansville, Indiana.  For years, investigators with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office have tirelessly pursued leads, interviewed over 300 witnesses, and even traveled across state lines, but Jean's killer remains at large. In this episode, I talk with Fred Cook, Jean's son, as well as Andy Hinton, one of Jean's co-workers and friends who actually spoke with Jean briefly after she was shot. We explore the details of the case, the impact on Jean's family, and the ongoing hope that someone will finally provide the crucial piece of the puzzle needed to bring justice for Jean and closure for the family. If you have information on this case, contact the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Department at 812-461-6200. Show notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/19 Other links: https://vanderburghsheriff.org/#send-a-tip-form https://www.14news.com/story/9134480/unsolved-murder-jean-cook/     Join the River City Mystery Discord server to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord  

This episode features my interview with Evansville's Forest Witch, Crystal Folz.  Crystal has been a practicing witch since the early 1990s.  Her practice is steeped in animism and Kentucky folklore and superstition.  Crystal teaches others about the importance of sustainability in the craft and hopes to shed light on the mass consumerism and unethical labor practices involved in harvesting witchcraft supplies. She has led and participated in many local pagan organizations and currently co-chairs Three Corners Pagan Circle, which serves Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois witches.  She has worked with several paranormal investigation teams, giving psychic impressions, and currently co-chairs Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators (SIPI).  She tries to bring a back porch approach to paranormal encounters, leaving out the "woo woo" as much as possible. She has also joined search and rescue teams as a psychic consultant.   Links mentioned in this episode: https://kentuckyconjurer.me/ https://www.threecornerspagancircle.com/ Crystal's email:  dirtandbones@kentuckyconjurer.me https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord https://www.rivercitymystery.com/18  

In January, 2000, 18-year-old Elizabeth Bannister was stabbed to death in a house full of people in Evansville, Indiana, yet no one claims to have seen or heard anything.  Savannah, a member of the River City Mystery Discord server, invited me to discuss this bizarre, unsolved case on her YouTube channel, "Don't Hate. CREATE".   If you have any information that you believe may be relevant to solving Elizabeth's murder, contact the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-7979. Links mentioned in this episode: "Don't Hate.  CREATE" YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@donthate.create River City Mystery Discord - https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord Where The Bodies Are Buried - S1 E1 William "Clyde" Gibson - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VNbbx3u5qa0useqeRaENf?si=b118e30a4bea462e Dealing Justice - Episode 8:  Queen of Diamonds:  Elizabeth Bannister, IN Deck - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6YfuNICxTf9nOmTpcLcO2x?si=168b6b2c199c4e31 Episode show notes:  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/17  

Zachary Carey's best friend, Chris, dropped him off at the Welcome to Lynnville sign on May 30,2023.  He hasn't been seen since.  Chris reached out to me following my last episode where I spoke with Zachary's mother, Gina, and sister, Cecelia, to offer his insight into the case. If you have any information that you think may be useful in Zachary's case, please contact the Warrick County Sheriff Department at 812-897-6180.

Zachary Carey, a 38-year-old resident of Evansville, Indiana, has been missing since May 30, 2023.  In this episode, Zachary's mother, Gina, and sister, Cecelia, share their insights on the case. If you have any information that you think may be useful in Zachary's case, please contact the Warrick County Sheriff Department at 812-897-6180. To view photos of Zachary, please visit https://www.rivercitymystery.com/15

Multiple bigfoot encounters have been reported in the Hoosier National Forest since 2017.  The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) website contains a catalog of fairly recently reported encounters from the region, including a report in 2018 from Martin County and a report in 2020 from Washington County. This episode includes an interview I had with Angela, who had an encounter in June, 2022, while driving eastbound on Interstate 64 between Evansville, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky.  The encounter occurred near mile marker 88 at Turkey Fork.  See below for link to map. I also interview Bill, an army veteran and avid hunter who had 3 encounters within a few miles of Shoals, Indiana, between 2017 and 2019.   If you've had an encounter in southern Indiana, southern Illinois, or western Kentucky, reach out to me at matt@rivercitymystery.com or you can share you story on my Discord server at rivercitymystery.com/discord.   Links mentioned in episode: Bill's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@billthreet1022 Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization:  https://bfro.net/ Washington County BFRO report:  https://bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=65589 Martin County BFRO report:  https://bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=60871 Indiana Bigfoot Researchers Organization Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/IBROrganization/ Map of the Turkey Fork area of Interstate 64 (88 mile marker) where Angela had her encounter:  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TurkeyFork.jpg  

Troy DeWayne Smith, 50, was shot in the back of his head while he sat on his couch in his apartment on the 500 block of S. New York Avenue in Evansville, Indiana, on May 24, 2020.   Troy's body was discovered by his brother, TaRon Fields.  In this episode, I discuss the case with TaRon. If you have any information that you think may be useful to the case, please contact the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-4025.  You can make an anonymous tip at 800-78-CRIME. Troy's mother has offered a $5,000.00 reward for information leading to a successful prosecution in this case. Troy's obituary Smith Family Offering Reward to Catch Killer Reward being offered for info in Spring 2020 homicide case

A hoard of 700 civil war-era gold coins was found buried at an undisclosed Kentucky cornfield in July, 2023.  Was this a unique case, or is it possible that buried treasures may be found all over the tri-state area?   https://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/folklore/id/3872/rec/10 https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/cave-in-rock-and-americas-river-pirates/146392#:~:text=From%20the%20late%201700s%20to,cave%20(although%20there%20is%20no https://www.wymt.com/2023/07/12/millions-rare-gold-coins-unearthed-kentucky-cornfield/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Kentucky_Hoard#:~:text=The%20Great%20Kentucky%20Hoard%20is,the%20hoard%20has%20remained%20anonymous.&text=The%20coins%20found%20are%20U.S.%20Civil%20War%2Dera%20coins. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpe_brothers

Andi Madison Wagner of Evansville, Indiana, has not been seen since August 6, 2022. Date of birth:  6/9/1998 Eyes:  Brown Hair:  Brown Height:  5'4" Weight:  125 lbs Race:  White / Caucasian Tattoo #1:  Dreamcatcher on left forearm Tattoo #2:  The name "Joshua Brown" on right forearm Nickname:  "Riri" Last seen wearing orange tank top and jeans.  She frequently visited Oakland City & Newburgh, Indiana. Where is Andi - Facebook Group If you have any information on Andi's disappearance, contact the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-7979. ****** In this episode: Interview with Rick White, former Emergency Management Director in Union County, Kentucky. Rick's TikTok:  Front Porch America JuJu's Rabbit Hole - Interview with Franky Lee (Andi's cousin) Narked Divers Brother's Underwater Recovery WEVV-44 - Family searching for missing woman Andi Wagner

A recent story out of England where two police officers experienced a "phantom train" reminded me of a story my sister, Barbie Deig, told me years ago.  In the early 1990's, she, along with many others, attended an outdoor revival in Evansville, Indiana, and experienced a "phantom train".  If you attended the revival and would like to share your story, visit my discord at www.RiverCityMystery.com/discord. https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/local-news/terrifying-ghost-train-reported-swadlincote-8218578 https://www.facebook.com/SwadlincoteSNT/posts/pfbid02atTUUMR1XQ6X3fkEdawy7UCADgWDryLRcHgKDet1nDKrWGSzyare8fQnBukYN7PCl https://www.coasttocoastam.com/article/british-cops-report-hearing-phantom-train/ By Tim Binnall In a spooky story out of England, a pair of police officers say that they heard a 'phantom train' pass their station where they later learned that a railway had once existed long ago. According to a local media report, the eerie incident occurred last week in the town of Swadlincote as constables Joe Stafford and Whitney Holmes-Small were set to commence their work patrolling the community. To their profound surprise, the duo suddenly heard the unmistakable sound of locomotive approaching the police station. As the noise grew closer, their confusion was compounded when leaves on nearby trees began to sway and the air felt like it was being moved by an unseen force. Amazingly, the pair claim that the noise from the proverbial 'ghost train' went right past the station and, as the sound appeared to fade into the distance, the phantom locomotive even tooted its horn. Understandably bewildered by what they experienced, they looked into the history of the building and discovered that there had once been a railway that ran right next to the site. Remarkably, rather than keep the strange story a secret within their ranks, the Swadlincote Police Department actually shared the officers' account on social media and asked if anyone else had previously encountered the phantom train, which would seem to suggest that the tale was a genuine report of ghostly activity on the part of the two cops.  

Interview with Geraldine Sutton Stith, daughter of Elmer "Lucky" Sutton, one of 11 people who encountered strange beings on their Kelly, Kentucky, farm on August 21, 1955.  Geraldine was told the horrifying, yet fascinating, story by her father when she was eight years old.  We may never know what really happened on that farm in the middle of the night so long ago, but Geraldine's unique perspective is a story you'll want to hear. Show Notes - https://www.rivercitymystery.com/9 Check out Geraldine's Etsy page for her books and merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/aliensandgoblins Information on Geraldine's appearance on UFO Witness: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13889478/  

Interview with Joni Mayhan, author, paranormal investigator, and ghost walk guide in New Harmony, Indiana.   Haunted New Harmony | Where History and Hauntings Collide (jonimayhan.com)   Joni Mayhan (@jonimayhan933) TikTok | Watch Joni Mayhan's Newest TikTok Videos   Amazon.com: Joni Mayhan: books, biography, latest update

Doris McDonough was brutally beaten to death in her own kitchen in Evansville, Indiana, on October 3, 1968.  Her husband, William, provided a timeline of events that may raise more questions than answers about what happened that day.  The case remains unsolved.  Show Notes Unsolved Indiana: Murder Mysteries, Bizarre Deaths, & Unexplained Disappearances by Autumn Bones The Bones of Autumn – Reddit

Interview with Joe Weigant, retired Evansville Police Department detective who founded Evansville Paranormal Investigations and Consulting (EPIC). Joe is a psychic and spirit communicator who specializes in crossing over trapped spirits so the living and the dead can achieve peace.  He discusses some of the cases he's investigated and provides his insights on the paranormal.   He hosted "The World Beyond Radio Show" where he interviewed other paranormal investigators, psychics, tarot readers, and others in the field.   Every year, Joe leads tours of Waverly Hills Sanitorium in Louisville, Kentucky.   Joe has taught and lectured for numerous groups on topics such as quantum and metaphysics, energy healing, spirit communication, mediumship, the Law of Attraction, Reiki Certification, intuition and psychic ability, working with spirit guides, and more.   He's a 6th degree black belt in Okinawa Kempo & a martial arts instructor at Club Bushido.   Joe owns Tri State Holistic Wellness in Evansville, where he uses a combination of energy work (Reiki), tuning forks, and other emotional and physical healing modalities to achieve holistic health and well-being.   If you have questions that you'd like for Joe to address on the show, go to www.rivercitymystery.com/contact and leave a voice or text message.

Blake Crews, 20, was excited to start a business teaching drums.  He spent much of his last day alive trying to print business cards for the new business.  Blake never had the chance to live out his dream, though; he died after he was shot multiple times in the face while staying at a friend's house in Henderson, Kentucky in January, 2015. The case remains unsolved to this day. LordanARTS - BrainScratch: Justice for Blake Crews KSP Cold Cases: Blake Crews Investigation Henderson County native Blake Crews was murdered on January 17, 2015. In an effort to enhance and elicit new leads, KSP has developed a short YouTube video highlighting the main points of the open case. The Crews' family have increased the reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder of their son, Blake Crews. This reward, in conjunction with the Henderson County Crime Stoppers reward, brings the total up to $15,000. KSP detectives are still actively pursuing leads in this case but we respectfully request assistance from the public. We encourage anyone with knowledge of this case to contact Kentucky State Police Post 16 at 270.826.3312 or anonymously 800-222-5555.

During the summer of 1940, a home just outside of Odon, Indiana, caught fire 28 times in a single day.  Witnessed by many, the cause of the fires remains a mystery to this very day.

Theresa Rideout, 36, disappeared along with her dog, River, on September 2, 1994.  Her boyfriend, Jack Barnett, checked into a motel and killed himself just over a week later.  Was Jack responsible for her disappearance?  Investigators never found her body or evidence of a crime scene.  What happened to Theresa Rideout?

My wife and I had an encounter with something unusual while taking a walk around Garvin Lake in Evansville on the evening of Saturday, August 21, 2021.

In this episode, you'll discover why a preacher was called to help deal with a disturbing situation at the Four Seasons Motel in Mount Vernon, Indiana.