Forgotten Darkness

Forgotten Darkness

By forgottendarknessTrue Crime
Download on the App Store

Forgotten Darkness episodes

  • 16 - The Mysterious Death of Joao Prestes

    A man in Brazil dies mysteriously, ostensibly burned by a UFO, in 1946.  Also, a number of Chupacabra encounters; other Brazilian UFOs; people burnt as if by radiation in 1887 Venezuela; a "luminous cloud" over Pascagoula, Mississippi; and purple lightning in Maine.

    Broadus, Don. “A weird American phenomenon of 1874,” Flying Saucer Review 35: 3 (September 1990).

    Carrión, Felipe Machado. “The terrible death of João Prestes at Araçariguama,” Flying Saucer Review 19:2 (March/April 1973).

    Luce, Cynthia N. “Brazilian spooklights,” Fortean Times 49 (1987).

    Mauso, Pablo Villarubia. “The incredible saga of Joao Prestes,” https://www.ufocasebook.com/prestes.html

    Pratt, Bob. UFO Danger Zone. Madison, WI: Horus House, 1996.

    Suenaga, Claudio Tsuyoshi. “Phenomenon that defies time,” https://ufo.com.br/artigos/fenomeno-que-desafia-o-tempo.html [translated from Portuguese via Google Translate]

    “The burning man of Brazil,” http://www.wormwoodchronicles.net/wormwood-files/burning-man-of-brazil

    Turner, N.M.H. “UFO and radiation damage in 1887?: curious phenomenon in Venezuela,” Flying Saucer Review Case Histories 2 (December 1970).

    “Unusual weather: ball lightning in a February thunderstorm down east in Maine,” Weatherwise 29:2 (April 1976).

    Opening music by Kevin MacLeod.

    Closing music by Soma.

    34 min
  • 15 - 3X, The Man Behind the Gun
    Queens, 1930.  A serial killer shoots two men and sends bizarre coded messages to the press, nearly 40 years before the infamous Zodiac. 
    “3d parked car shooting laid to holdup man,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 20, 1930.“Another victim for New York's mystery slayer Thursday night,” Albuquerque Journal, June 20, 1930.“Deny harming balky witness in Nassau jail,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 10, 1933.“End of murders promised in new note by maniac,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 21, 1930.“Escaped L.I. inmate arrested in Phila. as maniac suspect,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 20, 1930.“First arrest made in hunt for crazy killer as third man is dying,” Canonsburg (PA) Daily Notes, June 20, 1930.“Girl is jailed as witness to grocer murder,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 16, 1930.“Gives final warning to seven more,” Belvidere (IL) Daily Republican, June 19, 1930.“Hunt killer as he looks for third victim,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 18, 1930.“Innocent man slain in robbery joke,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 11, 1930.McQueen, Kevin. New England Nightmares. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2018.“Mad slayer keeps Gotham police agog; 2 more dead,” Dubois (PA) Courier-Express, June 20, 1930.“Madman sought as chief pirate in yacht attack,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, September 14, 1931.“Make new arrest in 3X case, then let prisoner go,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 10, 1930.Morrow, Jason. Famous Crimes the World Forgot. Tulsa, OK: Historical Crime Detective, 2015.“Murderer tells cops he will strike again,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 10, 1937.“Necker killer eludes metropolitan police,” Kane (PA) Republican, June 21, 1930.“New York police fear red circle killer will return,” Eau Claire (WI) Leader-Telegram, October 6, 1937.Newton, Michael. The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Crimes. New York: Facts on File, 2009.“Police suspect radio maniac as 3X slayer,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 23, 1931.“Sister of mad killer's victim ignores threat,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 22, 1930.“Suspect is held in recent murders near New York,” Corsicana (TX) Daiy Sun, July 9, 1930.“Suspect named by girl as Whitestone killer,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 14, 1930.“Youth admits he may be red circle killer,” San Mateo (CA) Times, October 11, 1937.
    Opening music by Soundeyet and Kevin MacLeod.Closing music by Soma.
    34 min
  • 14 - The Murder of Norman Bechtel
    A church worker is slain in 1932 Philadelphia.  A lengthy investigation ensues, and a notorious inmate is questioned and a dramatic jailbreak he took part in is described. 
    “$60,000 life insurance carried by Norman Bechtel, murdered man,” Lebanon Daily News, January 22, 1932.“4-year-old murder case claimed near solution,” Sayre Evening Times, July 27, 1936.Bechtel, Norman R. (d. 1932), https://mla.bethelks.edu/mediawiki/index.php/Bechtel,_Norman_R._(d._1932)“Bechtel slain in shake-down, police believe,” Reading Times, April 16, 1937.“Bechtel slayer given ten years,” Pottstown Mercury, August 27, 1937.Boyd's Blue Book of Philadelphia.  Philadelphia: C.E. Howe, 1906.“Convict freed as 'reformed' held as bandit,” Philadelphia Inquirer, February 19, 1933.“Cult sacrifice clues sought in Bechtel murder,” Reading Times, January 22, 1932.“Detective victim of suspected slayer,” Tyrone Daily Herald, December 8, 1932.“Four of convicts believed at sea,” Altoona Tribune, July 17, 1923.“Gang sails,” Reading Times, July 17, 1923.“Hold negro as suspect in detective's murder,” Franklin News-Herald, December 10, 1932.“Judge gives bail for anti-Fascist,” Scranton Republican, December 19, 1931.“Judge posts youth's bail,” Mount Carmel Item, December 18, 1931.“Kidnapped autoist tells story of bandits' escape,” Reading Times, July 16, 1923.“No hexers involved in Bechtel case,” Shamokin Dispatch, January 22, 1932.“Man found stabbed to death in Philadelphia,” Cumberland (MD) Evening Times, January 20, 1932.“Murdered man loved to play game of poker,” Bradford Daily Record, January 23, 1932.“Phila. sleuth's slayer caught,” Reading Times, December 12, 1932.“Philadelphia mayor fires safety chief,” Scranton Republican, February 25, 1933.“Police quiz suspect in Bechtel slaying,” Reading Eagle, July 28, 1936.“Police seek 3X link in murder of churchman,” Marshall (TX) News-Messenger, February 5, 1932.“Police still far from solving hex murder,” Franklin News-Herald, January 22, 1932.“Police think old homicide case solved,” Utica (NY) Observer, April 16, 1937.“Quiz convict in slaying of church worker,” Pottstown Mercury, July 27, 1936.“Quiz Lew Edwards, ex-Berks convict, in Bechtel murder,” Reading Times, July 30, 1936.“Rev. D.J. Unruh accepts pastorate at Lansdale, Pa.,” Mennonite Weekly Review (Newton, KS), December 11, 1929.“Seek foreigner in the baffling Bechtel crime,” Bristol Daily Courier, January 22, 1932.“Seek suspect in Croskey case,” Altoona Tribune, December 9, 1932.“Slaying of N. Bechtel believed hex murder,” Lebanon Daily News, January 22, 1932.“Stabbing of Mennonite believed another of state's hex murders,” Franklin News-Herald, January 21, 1932.“This way breeds Communism,” Reading Times, November 28, 1931.“Woman killed Bechtel, Phila. police believe,” Reading Times, January 26, 1932.
    Opening music by Fesilyan Studios, https://www.fesliyanstudios.comClosing music by Soma.Statement of Eleanor Temple read by Mindi Gable.
    36 min
  • Halloween 2018
    Extra-long Halloween episode.  A club for people who tell ghost stories, Jesse James and the headless horseman, a faked poltergeist, a cursed saw-mill, a plague of heart attacks, and New Orleans voodoo by way of a beef tongue.
    “A hoodoo saw-mill in Brown County,” Indianapolis News, August 13, 1902.
    “Followed by a ghost,” Wood County (WI) Reporter, October 11, 1888.
    “Remarkable imposture,” New York Times, February 28, 1874.
    “Strange sickness,” Sacramento Record-Union, August 1, 1894.
    “The ghost club,” Sacramento Record-Union, October 31, 1891.
    “Tombs' hoodoos,” Topeka Daily Herald, August 12, 1905.
    Opening music by Kevin MacLeod.
    Ending music by Soma.
    1 hr 7 min
  • 13 - The Washroom Murder
    1932, Lansdale, Pennsylvania.  An Italian night watchman at an iron foundry is found, beaten and his body hung in a locker room.  Soon, an implication of cult vengeance soon gives way to a murder with a more commonplace motivation.
    “Believe woman may be implicated in mystery death,” Harrisburg Sunday Courier, February 21, 1932.
    “Cult murder now blamed on jealousy,” Wilkes-Barre Evening News, February 24, 1932.
    “Father of 10 kiddies hanged by unknown men,” Gettysburg Times, February 19, 1932.
    “Fears slaying by cult,” Bristol Daily Courier, February 25, 1932.
    “Forti slain to save his soul, police think,” Wilkes-Barre Evening News, February 20, 1932.
    “Hang body in locker of foundry,” Wilkes-Barre Evening News, February 18, 1932.
    “Man is slain while kneeling at his prayers,” Shamokin Daily News, February 22, 1932.
    “Member of religious cult found murdered,” Canandaigua (NY) Daily Messenger, February 19, 1932.
    “Mysteries of cult entered investigation,” Shamokin Daily News, February 19, 1932.
    “Noose death stumps coroner,” Reading Times, February 26, 1932.
    “Police report two motives in Forte slaying,” Shamokin Daily News, February 23, 1932.
    “Secret religious cult blamed for watchman's murder,” Kane Republican, February 19, 1932.
    “See cult slaying in hanging murder,” Reading Times, February 20, 1932.
    “Seek motive in slaying of watchman,” Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, February 18, 1932.
    “Suspect murder in Pennsylvania suicide case,” Bradford Evening Star and Daily Record, August 29, 1932.
    “Watchman brutally killed in foundry,” Tyrone Daily Herald, February 18, 1932.
    Who Hanged the Night Watchman? http://paoddities.blogspot.com/2018/08/who-hanged-night-watchman.html
    “Wife bares love plot in slaying,” Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, February 23, 1932.
    “Widow sees hex in noose murder,” Reading Times, February 23, 1932.
    “Worker's hanging puzzle to board,” Scranton Republican, June 16, 1932.
    Opening music by Kevin MacLeod.
    Closing music by Soma.
    24 min
  • 12 - The Severed Arm Mystery
    A grisly discovery made by man's best friend along the Susquehanna River near Airville, PA in 1948 leads police into a dizzying network of circumstantial clues and a case that may have links to a sex trafficking ring.  Also: account of an 1887 "maybe murder" near Elizabethtown, PA.
    “Abandoned car in Md. linked to York mystery,” Harrisburg Evening News, March 16, 1948.
    “Airville folks keep investigators baffled finding new bones,” York Gazette and Daily, March 25, 1948.
    “Arm mystery clue proves to be dud,” York Gazette and Daily, March 30, 1948.
    “Bones in burned truck not those of human,” Pottsville Republican, March 17, 1948.
    “Bones unmatched, probers declare,” York Gazette and Daily, March 27, 1948.
    “Car held here in York killing,” Hagerstown (MD) Daily Mail, March 16, 1948.
    “Coroner to cremate mystery bones,” York Gazette and Daily, April 3, 1948.
    “County severed arm case still baffles police,” York Gazette and Daily, March 19, 1948.
    “FBI arrests 47 in smash at vast white slave ring centering at Ironton, O.,” Cumberland (MD) News, November 24, 1947.
    “Find woman's arm; seek body,” Gettysburg Times, March 15, 1948.
    “G-Men arrest 14 persons for white slavery,” Cumberland (MD) Evening Times, December 2, 1947.
    “Hearing recalls 1948 attempt to rob grocer,” Cumberland (MD) News, October 6, 1954.
    “Man's body discovered along river by posse seeking dead woman,” York Gazette and Daily, March 15, 1948.
    “New bones case confronts cops,” York Gazette and Daily, March 24, 1948.
    “Newark man gets 5 years for A&P holdup attempt,” Cumberland (MD) News, February 20, 1948.
    “Paul J. Sites borne to his final rest,” Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, March 17, 1948.
    “Police puzzled by arm and body in York mysteries,” Harrisburg Evening News, March 15, 1948.
    “Police seek new clues in York bone mysteries,” Harrisburg Evening News, March 25, 1948.
    “Police seek two for questioning in arm case,” York Gazette and Daily, March 17, 1948.
    “Police seeking car in mystery of woman's arm,” York Gazette and Daily, March 16, 1948.
    “Police seeking woman's body,” Harrisburg Telegraph, March 15, 1948.
    “Seek further light on dismembered arm,” New Castle News, March 16, 1948.
    “Seek remains of woman; dog retrieves arm,” Delaware County Times, March 15, 1948.
    “Sex of severed arm owner not yet established,” York Gazette and Daily, March 18, 1948.
    “Valley man's body found in river at York,” Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, March 15, 1948.
    “White slavery arrests made on Bethel St.,” Hagerstown (MD) Morning Herald, December 2, 1947.
    “Was he murdered?,” Lancaster Intelligencer, February 24, 1887.
    24 min
  • 11 - Nellie the Lion
    The 1917 flap of lioness sightings around Monticello and Decatur, Illinois is examined.  Also a brief rundown of other area mystery cats.
    “Allerton's lion and dog fight until both die,” Chicago Tribune, July 21, 1917.
    “Big tracks are found,” Decatur Herald, July 18, 1917.
    “Camargo lion hunting proves popular job,” Mattoon Journal Gazette, June 25, 1917.
    Coleman, Loren. Mysterious America, the Revised Edition. New York: Paraview Press, 2001.
    “Cordon draws closer about lone lioness,” Lima (OH) Daily News, July 19, 1917.
    “Couldn't locate famous lioness,” Decatur Daily Review, July 30, 1917.
    “Decatur hounds at Monticello,” Decatur Daily Review, July 16, 1917.
    “Decatur's lion mystery solved,” Decatur Daily Review, July 31, 1917.
    “Hunters fail to capture lioness,” Marion (OH) Star, July 16, 1917.
    “Lion at large near Ravinia scares autoists,” Chicago Tribune, July 15, 1917.
    “Lion's trail network over central section,” Decatur Herald, July 19, 1917.
    “Lion dodges 300 armed men,” Decatur Daily Review, July 16, 1917.
    “Lion hunt in Champaign county,” Decatur Daily Review, June 6, 1917.
    “Lion hunt planned for today on Allerton farm, Monticello,” Decatur Herald, July 15, 1917.
    “Lion is still at large,” Bloomington Pantagraph, June 8, 1917.
    “Lion stories dull stuff for reporter,” Decatur Herald, July 23, 1917.
    “Lioness still safe in Piatt jungles,” Decatur Herald, July 17, 1917.
    “Man attacked by lion at Decatur,” Rock Island Argus, July 14, 1917.
    “Men search for lioness,” San Bernardino (CA) News, August 8, 1917.
    “Monticello lion hunters have a fruitless search,” Mattoon Journal Gazette, july 16, 1917.
    “More reports about the lion,” Decatur Daily Review, August 1, 1917.
    “Nellie wanders from Decatur to Long Creek,” Decatur Herald, July 20, 1917.
    “Posse goes after lion,” Mattoon Journal Gazette, August 1, 1917.
    “Roosevelt asked to hunt lion,” Decatur Daily Review, July 17, 1917.
    “Rumor lion is shot proves unfounded,” Decatur Herald, August 2, 1917.
    “Says Allerton is regular fellow,” Decatur Daily Review, July 19, 1917.
    “Section men see a lion,” Bloomington Pantagraph, July 20, 1917.
    “Tuscola men fail to kill that lion,” Decatur Daily Review, June 20, 1917.
    “Two automobile loads of men drove from Tuscola heavily armed,” Ford County Press, June 29, 1917.
    24 min
  • 10 - The Crimes of George Taylor

    A different kind of mud-slinging in the nation's capital - the bizarre story of George Taylor, AKA 1893-1894's Jack the Slasher, is recounted.  Not a jar of molasses or goose-down pillow was safe.  Also, the White House is visited by a "pestiferous crank."

    “A nest of tramps,” Washington Evening Star, November 21, 1893.

    “After the president,” Troy (AL) Messenger, November 29, 1893.

    “Another slasher outrage,” Washington Evening Star, January 22, 1894.

    “Astonishing vandalism,” Elwood (IN) Daily Press, December 2, 1893.

    “Attempted burglary,” Washington Evening Star, March 8, 1894.

    Boyd's Directory of the District of Columbia, 1897.

    “Claiming insanity,” Washington Evening Times, April 10, 1894.

    “Gathering proofs,” Washington Evening Star, March 21, 1894.

    “Given thirty years,” Washington Evening Star, April 21, 1894.

    “Guarding the White House,” San Francisco Examiner, November 19, 1893.

    “Held for examination,” Washington Evening Star, January 23, 1894.

    “Hid under a tree,” Washington Evening Star, March 24, 1894.

    “Hunt silver thief,” Washington Post, February 13, 1911.

    “Jack the cake slasher,” Alexandria (VA) Gazette, December 23, 1893.

    “Jack the slasher,” Salt Lake City (UT) Herald, November 20, 1893.

    “Jack the slasher,” Washington Times, March 23, 1894.

    “Jack the slasher,” Washington Evening Star, April 9, 1893.

    “'Jack the Slasher' terrorizes Washington,” https://blogs.weta.org/boundarystones/2015/07/02/jack-slasher-terrorizes-washington

    “Police confident,” Washington Evening Star, March 20, 1894.

    “Probably the man,” Washington Evening Star, March 13, 1894.

    “Reign of terror,” Washington Evening Star, November 20, 1893.

    Segrave, Kerry. Police Violence in America, 1869-1920: 256 Incidents Involving Death or Injury. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2016.

    “Slasher guilty,” Washington Evening Star, April 12, 1894.

    “Still hunting him,” Washington Evening Star, November 17, 1893.

    “Strange burglars,” Washington Evening Star, November 6, 1893.

    “Surely the slasher,” Washington Evening Star, March 23, 1894.

    “Terry not held,” Washington Evening Star, October 12, 1894.

    “The Terry case,” Washington Evening Star, May 21, 1894.

    “The slasher again,” Washington Evening Star, November 30, 1893.

    “The slasher held,” Washington Evening Star, March 27, 1894.

    “The two suspects,” Washington Evening Star, November 28, 1893.

    “Twice told tales: the story of Jack the Slasher,” Washington Times, October 18, 1919.

    “Washington's own terrifying 'Jack the Slasher' finally caught in 1894,” http://househistoryman.blogspot.com/2012/06/washingtons-own-terrifying-jack-slasher.html

    “Will probably die,” Washington Evening Star, November 23, 1893.

     

     

    34 min
  • 9 - The Murder of Old Suss

    A 1934 murder of a supposed witch in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania is recalled, as is a 1949 case of a supposed curse near Claysburg, Pennsylvania which reads like an episode of Supernatural.

    “1934 valley hex murder charges dropped,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, March 10, 1976.

    “Aged prophet of Bedford hills tells how faith heals,” Altoona Tribune, March 9, 1949.

    “Aged woman of North Union Township victim of assassin's bullet,” Pottsville Republican, March 19, 1934.

    “Another arson case in valley,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, December 1, 1976.

    “Dead GI's body exhumed to break spell on widow,” Altoona Mirror, March 4, 1949.

    “Hex house burns down,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, November 9, 1976.

    “Hex killer insane, says Dr. W. Bowers,” Mount Carmel Item, March 26, 1934.

    “Hex slayer sleeps well, believing he has broken spell,” Harrisburg Telegraph, March 23, 1934.

    “Hex slayer to escape trial,” Danville Morning News, March 27, 1934.

    “Hexed nine years, slayer of woman tells detectives,” Sayre Evening Times, March 23, 1934.

    “Man re-enacts slaying woman who hexed him,” Lebanon Daily News, March 23, 1934.

    “More under spell of woman killed by victim of hex,” Harrisburg Daily Courier, March 25, 1934.

    “Mountain hex slayer may be sent to state hospital for insane,” Pottstown Mercury, March 26, 1934.

    “Powder mill explodes,” Pottsville Republican, July 6, 1910.

    “Recall murder near Nuremberg,” Hazleton Plain Speaker, November 30, 1943.

    “Reuben was a good boy, mother says,” Altoona Tribune, March 8, 1949.

    “Seek to free suspect in valley hex murder,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, March 21, 1969.

    “Slayer of widow is contented in Pottsville jail,” New Castle News, March 23, 1934.

    “Vet's body exhumed to chase hex,” Pottstown Mercury, March 7, 1949.

    “Victim's life story checked,” Altoona Tribune, March 24, 1934.

    “Will stand trial for '34 slaying,” Lebanon Daily News, January 10, 1976.

    “Witch lore motive for killing,” Pottsville Republican, March 22, 1934.

    Find a Grave: Albert Shinsky. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98667816/albert-shinsky

    Find a Grave: Pvt. Reuben C. Rock. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/119132235/reuben-c-rock/photo

    Find a Grave: Susan Fuhrman Mummey. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62218671/susan-mummey

    St. Mars, Augustus. “The famous witch of Ringtown Valley,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 4, 1942.

     

    24 min
  • 9 - The Murder of Old Suss
    A 1934 murder of a supposed witch in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania is recalled, as is a 1949 case of a supposed curse near Claysburg, Pennsylvania which reads like an episode of Supernatural.
    “1934 valley hex murder charges dropped,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, March 10, 1976.
    “Aged prophet of Bedford hills tells how faith heals,” Altoona Tribune, March 9, 1949.
    “Aged woman of North Union Township victim of assassin's bullet,” Pottsville Republican, March 19, 1934.
    “Another arson case in valley,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, December 1, 1976.
    “Dead GI's body exhumed to break spell on widow,” Altoona Mirror, March 4, 1949.
    “Hex house burns down,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, November 9, 1976.
    “Hex killer insane, says Dr. W. Bowers,” Mount Carmel Item, March 26, 1934.
    “Hex slayer sleeps well, believing he has broken spell,” Harrisburg Telegraph, March 23, 1934.
    “Hex slayer to escape trial,” Danville Morning News, March 27, 1934.
    “Hexed nine years, slayer of woman tells detectives,” Sayre Evening Times, March 23, 1934.
    “Man re-enacts slaying woman who hexed him,” Lebanon Daily News, March 23, 1934.
    “More under spell of woman killed by victim of hex,” Harrisburg Daily Courier, March 25, 1934.
    “Mountain hex slayer may be sent to state hospital for insane,” Pottstown Mercury, March 26, 1934.
    “Powder mill explodes,” Pottsville Republican, July 6, 1910.
    “Recall murder near Nuremberg,” Hazleton Plain Speaker, November 30, 1943.
    “Reuben was a good boy, mother says,” Altoona Tribune, March 8, 1949.
    “Seek to free suspect in valley hex murder,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, March 21, 1969.
    “Slayer of widow is contented in Pottsville jail,” New Castle News, March 23, 1934.
    “Vet's body exhumed to chase hex,” Pottstown Mercury, March 7, 1949.
    “Victim's life story checked,” Altoona Tribune, March 24, 1934.
    “Will stand trial for '34 slaying,” Lebanon Daily News, January 10, 1976.
    “Witch lore motive for killing,” Pottsville Republican, March 22, 1934.
    Find a Grave: Albert Shinsky. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98667816/albert-shinsky
    Find a Grave: Pvt. Reuben C. Rock. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/119132235/reuben-c-rock/photo
    Find a Grave: Susan Fuhrman Mummey. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62218671/susan-mummey
    St. Mars, Augustus. “The famous witch of Ringtown Valley,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 4, 1942.
    24 min

About Forgotten Darkness

From the publisher's feed

Strange things are lost and forgotten in obscure corners of the newspaper.