Bath, Michigan: The First Explosion Wasn't the End. The true crime history of the Bath School Disaster becomes even more disturbing after investigators uncover what really happened on May 18, 1927.

Most people know the explosion.

Almost nobody knows what happened next.

As the people of Bath rushed to rescue children trapped beneath the collapsed school, the man responsible drove directly into the disaster scene. Then another explosion ripped through the rescuers. Even worse, investigators soon discovered hundreds of pounds of additional explosives beneath the remaining school building that never detonated.

This is Part 2 of our investigation into the Bath School Disaster, the deadliest school mass murder in American history.

Inside This Mystery:

• The shocking second phase of the Bath School attack

This episode follows the aftermath of the initial explosion, the rescue efforts, the second attack, the discovery of unexploded explosives beneath the school, the investigation into Andrew Kehoe, and how Bath Township refused to let tragedy define its future.

Nearly one hundred years later, many Americans have never heard this story.

The people of Bath never forgot.

Every town has a past. Yore Town uncovers the real stories, forgotten crimes, and local mysteries that time tried to bury.

Timestamps

00:30 — Recap of part one and the setup for continuing the timeline.

02:49 — The fire at Andrew’s house is revealed as a distraction.

03:45 — The Bath Consolidated School explodes at approximately 8:45 a.m.

04:15 — Community members rush in to help with no modern disaster response.

05:44 — Parents learn about the explosion by word of mouth and rush to the school.

06:45 — Survivors are pulled from the wreckage amid darkness, dust, and confusion.

08:06 — The episode explains that the school was a target, not an accident.

09:06 — Andrew Cahow arrives in a truck loaded with explosives and shrapnel.

11:16 — Superintendent Emery Huyck is at the school helping with the disaster response.

11:45 — Andrew reaches for his rifle and the truck explodes.

12:13 — Andrew and the superintendent die in the second blast.

13:39 — Rescuers discover additional explosives beneath the surviving section of the school.

14:35 — The explosion beneath the south wing fails, preventing even greater loss of life.

15:46 — The conversation shifts to motive and why the act was far beyond simple anger about taxes.

16:41 — Rescue efforts continue as doctors, nurses, and volunteers arrive.

17:39 — The death toll is discussed, including 38 children.

18:59 — Nelly, Andrew’s wife, is found dead at the farm.

19:49 — The sign reading “Criminals are made, not born” is discovered.

20:29 — The episode reflects on the scale of the tragedy and how the country learned about Bath.

21:27 — The story of Bath fading from national memory is discussed.

24:04 — The episode talks about reporters, spectators, and the flood of people coming to town.

25:33 — Funeral services begin, with grief spreading across the town.

27:03 — Donations and support arrive, including pennies collected by schoolchildren.

28:02 — The town begins rebuilding almost immediately.

30:04 — Bath’s place in American history and later rediscovery after newer school attacks is discussed.

30:34 — The memorial “Girl with a Cat” is mentioned.

31:02 — The original cupola from the school is preserved in memorial park.

32:12 — The Bath School Museum Committee and the effort to preserve the story are highlighted.

33:12 — The episode closes by emphasizing that Bath remembered, even if America did not.

34:11 — Final reflection on honoring the victims and not the killer.

34:40 — Closing remarks and sign-off.

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