Tiff wraps up the fascinating and enormous history of the Cherokee Nation’s FIRST female Principal Chief; Wilma Mankiller. 

Wilma Mankiller rose from community development work to become a transformational leader of the Cherokee Nation. In 1983 she joined Ross Swimmer as Deputy Chief and, despite severe gender-based hostility—including threats and vandalism—won election and later became the first woman Principal Chief in 1985 when Swimmer joined the BIA. As deputy and then chief she prioritized community development, improved health care and housing, and pursued a balanced economic strategy that respected Cherokee culture while supporting responsible business growth. She reformed council elections to improve local representation, expanded cultural and literacy institutions, and used media access to counter stereotypes and educate voters. Her 1987 and 1991 campaigns emphasized self-determination, federal partnerships, and protecting social programs amid federal budget cuts; she also overcame health crises while maintaining leadership and earning national recognition.

As Principal Chief (1987–1995) Mankiller advanced economic diversification, infrastructure projects, and programs supporting small business, education, and healthcare, negotiated tax and self-governance compacts, and pursued resource claims—including the long Arkansas River litigation that led to a 2002 settlement. Her administration faced legal and jurisdictional conflicts with the United Keetoowah Band but also strengthened tribal courts and law enforcement cooperation. After leaving office due to health concerns, she taught, wrote, and campaigned on tribal sovereignty, women’s rights, and public health, receiving many honors (Presidential Medal of Freedom, numerous honorary degrees, hall‑of‑fame inductions). Her legacy endures through community projects, the Mankiller Foundation, cultural recognition, expanded tribal services, and ongoing tributes such as films, a US quarter, and a Barbie in her honor.

Wilma Mankiller not only represents the fundamental importance of recognizing our Native roots, but also she represents what ALL girls and women can accomplish. Being a role model does not stop with the Cherokee Nation, but with all of America. What a true gem we had right here in Oklahoma.

Sources: 

Wikipedia

Oklahoma Historical Society

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Britannica

Wilma Mankiller: Chief of the Cherokee Nation by Pamela Dell

This week, Tiff talks about a true Oklahoma warrior woman…Wilma Mankiller. 

Wilma Pearl Mankiller (born November 18, 1945) was a Native American activist and community developer who became the first woman elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She revitalized the Nation’s government, improved healthcare and education, and advanced a Nation‑to‑Nation model of self‑government with the United States. Raised as one of eleven children on Mankiller Flats in Oklahoma, she experienced poverty, federal relocation to San Francisco under the Indian Relocation policies, and cultural alienation—events she later described as her “own little Trail of Tears.” Those early hardships, combined with her political awakening during the 1960s Red Power movement (including supporting the Alcatraz occupation), led her into organizing, social work, and advocacy for tribal sovereignty and Native children’s welfare.

After returning to Oklahoma in the mid‑1970s, Mankiller earned degrees in social science, worked in tribal offices, and survived a near‑fatal 1979 car accident and subsequent health challenges. She channeled her experience into concrete community development: securing grants, leading projects such as laying 16 miles of water pipeline in Bell, Oklahoma, and directing the Cherokee Nation’s Community Development Department. Her leadership emphasized the Cherokee principle of gadugi—working together for the common good—and left a lasting legacy of tribal self‑help, cultural preservation, and strengthened institutions for the Cherokee people.

And that’s all just in part 1! Stay with us for part 2 next week!

Sources: 

Wikipedia

Oklahoma Historical Society

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Britannica

Wilma Mankiller: Chief of the Cherokee Nation by Pamela Dell

Thanks for sticking with us while we took care of some home stuff! We appreciate you all!

This week’s drop is in with cahoots with one of our favorite cousins, Raven Rollins, host of The Sirens Podcast AKA Sirens | A Southern True Crime Podcast. 

Remember when Jess covered the Roger Wheeler Case (Season 3: Episodes 128, 129, 130, 131)? Jess and Tiff got the privilege of sitting down with the lead detective, thanks to Raven’s invitation! 

Oklahoma Hall of Famer and retired Tulsa PD Detective Mike Huff spoke candidly with Raven and your favorite cousins regarding his time working the murder case of Roger Wheeler. When Det. Huff discovered organized crime was involved, you better believe he was shocked! Tune in to the captivating, first hand account, of one of Tulsa’s, as well as Oklahoma’s, most notable heroes. With almost 40 years in law enforcement—and three decades in the Homicide Unit—Huff shares his insights on one of Oklahoma’s most notorious murder cases—the infamous Roger Wheeler / Whitey Bulger investigation—from his new book “Killing My Father: The Inside Story of The Biggest FBI Corruption Scandal In History”, which he wrote with Roger's son, David Wheeler, and historian Laurence J. Yadon.

 Raven Rollins is an Investigative Journalist, and the host of The Sirens Podcast. Raven focuses on Advocacy of the victims of these crimes, as well as prevention by discussing safety and situational awareness. She investigated the cold cases from the ground up to see if anything may have been missed to convey them in their storytelling accurately. ​With notorious and unknown cases alike, every victim sees the light on our show. Additionally, she is the author of several books, most notably “Sins of the South”, “Allegedly”, and “This is True Crime”. Please check out her books, or give them this gift giving season to the favorite true crime lover in your life! 

Get Killing My Father on Amazon

Get all three of Raven’s book on Amazon 

This week Jess wraps up the devastating and horrific case of Heather Rich. Hang on tight cousins, this is going to be a bumpy ride to justice…

Last week’s discussion covered the investigation into the atrocities that befell Heather Rich, and the interrogations of Josh Bagwell, Curtis Gambill, and Randy Wood. All three were tried as adults in Texas because the murder occurred there. Curtis Gambill’s trial began first after a change of venue; he agreed to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty and to testify against Josh Bagwell. Bagwell’s defense relied heavily on victim‑shaming Heather, while the prosecution’s case depended on testimony from Gambill and Randy Wood. Randy Wood ultimately rejected a plea deal, chose to testify against Bagwell without a promise of leniency, and incriminated himself, claiming Bagwell knew of the plan and helped dispose of the body. 

After the convictions, all three men served time in Texas prisons and experienced further legal and extralegal events (seriously, you gotta listen to the episode…it’s WILD!!). Additionally, the Rich family pursued a wrongful‑death civil suit over the sale of ammunition. Finally, the case left lasting community and family trauma. 

This is part 3 of 3. 

Listener discretion is advised this week. 

Sources:

• Wikipedia

• News Channel 6

• Find a Grave.com 

• ABC News

• Chilling Crimes.com

• The New York Times

• Texas Monthly.com 

• True Crime Line Site.com 

Last week, Jess introduced us to the tragic story of Heather Rich of Waurika. 

Sixteen-year-old Heather Rich went missing after sneaking out the night of October 2, 1996, and her body was later found in Belknap Creek with severe, fatal wounds; so bad that she could only be identified by a ring. Local law enforcement initially treated her disappearance as a runaway case, so Heather’s parents, Duane and Gail Rich, conducted their own inquiries. Investigators from Montague County, Jefferson County, the FBI, and the Texas Rangers interviewed many people but faced a community “code of silence.” Attention focused on a party at Josh Bagwell’s house the night she vanished and on several local youths—Curtis Gambill, Randy Wood, and Josh Bagwell himself—whose behavior and histories (including violence, drug use, and prior offenses) raised suspicion. Forensic evidence later linked Bagwell and Gambill.

Ranger Lane Akin, emotionally affected by the case, and Montague County investigators pursued leads that culminated in the arrest of Gambill, Wood, and Bagwell on October 25, 1996. Under interrogation, Curtis Gambill gave a detailed account implicating Randy and Josh, claiming Heather had been intoxicated and assaulted before being taken to the creek and shot; Randy’s statement aligned closely but portrayed himself as fearful and passive, while Bagwell refused to speak. Curtis failed a polygraph; Randy passed. The scene, witness remarks, and the presence of a matching shotgun—along with confessions and inconsistent accounts—drove the investigation forward. 

This is part 2 of 3. 

Listener discretion is advised this week. 

Sources:

• Wikipedia

• News Channel 6

• Find a Grave.com 

• ABC News

• Chilling Crimes.com

• The New York Times

• Texas Monthly.com 

• True Crime Line Site.com

Listener request this week! Join us as Jess walks us through part 1 of the death of Heather Rich. 

Heather Rose Rich, a vivacious Waurika, Oklahoma high‑school sophomore and cheerleader’s body was found in Belknap Creek on October 10, 1996. Heather, known for her beauty, bubbly personality, and popularity, had been struggling with personal issues: family stress after her father’s severe workplace injury, self‑harm, eating‑disorder behaviors, experimentation with drugs, and the recent breakup with her boyfriend Randy Wood. She disappeared after a heated argument with her mother over an expensive phone bill; initial sheriff’s deputies dismissed the missing‑person report as a likely runaway case. As rumors about local drug activity and possible links to other troubled teens circulated, a rancher ultimately discovered Heather’s badly mutilated, gunshot‑wounded body in a backwater creek, and her father identified her by a gold heart‑shaped 

This week’s episode is situated around Heather’s death against the backdrop of Waurika and the Red River country—a small, tight‑knit town with a lawless past and a present marked by limited outlets for youth, drug problems, and social divisions. Key suspects quickly include ex‑boyfriend Randy Wood, a quietly troubled football player from a poor family, and Josh Bagwell, a wealthy peer with whom Heather had flirted; both were absent or evasive around the time she vanished and became persons of interest in the community’s gossip. The discovery of Heather’s body galvanized searches, rumors, and an escalating investigation, and the promise of justice. 

Listener discretion is advised this week. 

Sources:

• Wikipedia

• News Channel 6

• Find a Grave.com 

• ABC News

• Chilling Crimes.com

• The New York Times

• Texas Monthly.com 

• True Crime Line Site.com    

Happy Halloween! What better way to wrap up Spooky Season 2025 than with some haunting tales from Oklahoma’s most haunted town? And with Tiff at the reins, you know the spooks and kooks will keep your spine chill!

Guthrie, Oklahoma, was established almost overnight during the Land Run of 1889, transforming from a railroad station into a bustling city as tens of thousands of settlers staked claims. Designated as the capital of the Oklahoma Territory and later the first state capital upon statehood in 1907, Guthrie experienced a brief period of prominence before the capital was moved to Oklahoma City in 1910. This shift slowed the city's growth, inadvertently preserving its extensive collection of late 19th and early 20th-century architecture, leading to the establishment of the Guthrie Historic District, one of the largest urban historic districts in the nation.

Guthrie is often considered one of the most haunted cities in Oklahoma, with numerous ghost stories tied to its historic sites. Notable locations include the Santa Fe Depot, which served as a bustling railway hub and is now a private event center, and the Blue Belle Saloon, known for its colorful past and spectral inhabitants. The old Logan County Hospital, now converted into a senior living community, is also reputed to be haunted, with reports of ghostly apparitions and eerie occurrences. These sites, rich in history and folklore, attract visitors looking to explore their haunted legacies, especially during the Halloween season.

So wrap up our favorite time of the year with your favorite spooky and kooky cousins! 

Sources:

• Ghosts & Legends of Oklahoma by Mike Ricksecker

• Haunted Guthrie, Oklahoma by Tonya McCoy & Jeff Provine

• Abandoned Oklahoma

Jess wraps up her look at Oklahoma during World War I in this week’s episode. It’s a treat (not a trick) because it includes a brief history of your favorite cousins’ ties to the Great War. 

The University of Oklahoma experienced a significant transformation during World War I, with strong patriotic sentiments leading many students to consider joining the military. As a result, classrooms emptied, and the university formed a volunteer regiment, allowing male students to participate in military training while continuing their studies. The university actively equipped students for military service, with participation from various groups, including the creation of a regimental band and involvement from female students through the Red Cross. 

Conversely, Cordell Christian College faced challenges due to its pacifist beliefs, leading to its eventual closure amid local council scrutiny and accusations of disloyalty. Despite some faculty and students participating in the war effort, the college's stance created conflict with patriotic citizens, ultimately resulting in harassment and investigations by local defense councils. 

Meanwhile, Native Americans played a crucial role in the war, with many serving in the military and contributing to agricultural efforts to support the war. The war brought significant social changes, including increased employment opportunities for women and racial tensions, culminating in incidents of violence against African American soldiers returning home.

Come along with Jess and Tiff as we explore the years right after statehood, and how Oklahomans were showing that “Oklahoma Standard” before it was a thing! 

Sources:

• World War I Oklahoma (Military) by James Gregory

• Oklahoma Historical Society - WWI

• Oklahoma Historical Society - WWI - 2

• GearySchools.org

• American Legion

• Oklahoma State University

• Choctaw Nation.com

• KOSU.org      

Oklahoma became a state in 1907…less than 10 short years later our nation was thrown into the very first World War. Where did that leave OK? What part did we play? This week Jess takes us through those beginning stages…or Part 1 of World War I Oklahoma. 

Oklahoma's involvement in WWI evolved from initial aversion to enthusiastic participation due to economic pressures. The state experienced significant agricultural decline as European markets closed, leading to falling crop prices. As the U.S. prepared for war, Oklahoma began organizing for the draft, with high rates of registration despite initial resistance. The Green Corn Rebellion in 1917, driven by anti-draft sentiment among farmers, highlighted tensions within the state, leading to arrests and increased patriotism. Public sentiment shifted rapidly, with the government enforcing loyalty and suppressing dissent, further complicating the landscape for Oklahomans during the war. We wonder where all this was during OK History class…

Sources:

• World War I Oklahoma (Military) by James Gregory

• Oklahoma Historical Society - WWI

• Oklahoma Historical Society - WWI - 2

• GearySchools.org

• American Legion

• Oklahoma State University

• Choctaw Nation.com

• KOSU.org      

Tiff concludes her 2-parter this on one of OK’s worst bank robberies of all time…

On December 14, 1984, the Geronimo bank robbery and murder shocked the small town of Geronimo, Oklahoma, when 19-year-old Jay Wesley Neill, along with his boyfriend Robert Grady Johnson, committed heinous acts that resulted in the deaths of several bank employees and customers. Armed with a handgun and knife, Neill stabbed three female tellers, including a pregnant woman, and shot four customers, killing one. The duo fled with approximately $17,000 and was arrested three days later in San Francisco after using marked bills from the robbery. Both were convicted of murder and sentenced to death, with their appeals process taking seven years, during which unusual events, including competency trials and allegations of misconduct, unfolded.

As the legal proceedings continued, both men found themselves embroiled in a web of accusations and appeals. Neill, seeking to save his life, pleaded guilty while attempting to shift blame onto Johnson, leading to a renewed trial where he was again found guilty and sentenced to death. Johnson, who maintained his innocence, faced a trial with circumstantial evidence linking him to the crime but was ultimately convicted as well. The case raised significant questions about the influence of their sexual orientation in the judicial process, with some arguing that Neill's death sentence was affected by anti-gay bias. As of 2024, Johnson continues to file for new trials based on claims of withheld evidence, while the families of victims have also pursued civil actions against the bank for negligence regarding security measures.

Join us for the heartbreaking and tragic conclusion to one of Oklahoma’s darkest crimes. 

Sources

Wikipedia

LA Times

Clark County Prosecuting Attorney

The Gayly

Time

OK Court of Criminal Appeals

Oklahoma’s Most Notorious Cases Volume 2 by Kent Frates

The Lawton Constitution

KSWO 7 News