History is Criminal

This week we jump back to 1882 and the hills of Eastern New York/Western Massachusetts for the story of a killer and possible cannibal who will lead authorities on a three year almost 500 mile chase. And we learn that newer is not always better. The Austerlitz Cannibal.

This week we jump back to 1925 Albany, New York and a just really poorly planned murder This story just goes to show you never really knows what goes on at your neighbor's, and you never really know who to trust.

Who was Albert Johnson, gangster on the run, serial, killer, driven insane by cabin fever. We might never know, but what we do know is that he led Royal Canadian Mounties on what has to be one of the craziest manhunts in Canadian History. Join us as we jump back to the winter of 1931-32 in the frost-bitten Northwest Territory for the tale of the Mad Trapper of Rat River.

We are still in 1935 Oklahoma, this time for a gun wielding co-ed and a questionable plot to extort money from a Dust Bowl farm family. Was it self defense, a gang looked to kidnap or kill a young woman, or was it all a hoax. And what the hell do Japanese spies have to do with anything.

Famous Crimes the World Forgot by John Lucky Morrow was an important resource for this episode.

In this episode we jump back to Dust Bowl Oklahoma and the story of 2 brothers who, more than a decade apart, go on killing sprees. And that might not be the most disturbing part of the story. It is the sick and twisted tail of Chester Comer.

We jump back to the early years of the 1800 and all over the young United States for a story of politics that makes today's rivalries seem downright reasonable. It is the wild story of Aaron Burr, with a guest shot (pun intended) by Alexander Hamilton. The duel is just part of the story.

Even so I don't see a hip-hop musical in Aaron's future.

Join us as we jump back to the 1790s and a revolt over whiskey and taxes. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton have a plan to pay off the national debt with a tax on whiskey. Only problem the farmers distilling whiskey aren't about to pay. Tar, feathers and a test of the Constitution, it's the Whiskey Rebellion.

Imagine if the most famous painting in the world vanished and nobody noticed. Jump back with us to 1911 France and ridiculously simple plan walk away with the Mona Lisa. But when you still something priceless, you might find it had to sell.

We are 24 hours late, but we still jump back to 1590s Scotland to look at a king obsessed with witches. By the time James VI/James I is done 70 people will have been executed and many more tortured. But why would he do it.

Legends must start somewhere. The legend of the gentleman bandit starts with Claude Du Vall. Born to a peasant family in Normandy, France he would charm his way into the hearts of noblewomen and to the top of the most wanted list in his adopted homeland of England.

Join us as we jump back to 1660s England and the story of the OG gentleman bandit, Claude Du Vall.