Old Timey Crimey

We're starting off our month-long Halloween series with a fit of the vapors! Our first Halloween episode will take us to the mad, mad world of Mattoon, Illinois in 1944, where the "Phantom Anesthetist" attacked dozens of people with...well, we still don't know. But we have theories and rampant speculation, as always.

And don't miss several seriously random fun facts involving fast food restaurants, popular comic books, and well-known children's writers. Plus helium voices and a truly beautiful Broadway song commemorating this week's topic. 

Also, give us that 5-star review you know we deserve! You can also follow us here on Podbean, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. While you're at it, hit us up on our FB group or Twitter to talk Old Timey Crime.

Thanks for listening, and remember: just, you know, don't gas people. 

____

Sources:

Bsonstott. “Information on Farley Lewellyn.” Reddit: Unresolved Mysteries. https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/6pcuva/information_on_farley_llewellyn/

Bellows, Alan. “The Mad Gasser of Mattoon.” Damn Interesting. https://www.damninteresting.com/the-mad-gasser-of-mattoon/

Carlson, Debbie. “The Mattoon Mad Gasser – Looking Back At A Textbook Case Of Mass Hysteria.”  BELT Magazine. https://beltmag.com/the-mattoon-mad-gasser-looking-back-at-a-textbook-case-of-mass-hysteria/

Cox, Ray. “Botetourt's Mad Gasser reports of 1930s discounted as mass hysteria.” The Roanoke Times. https://www.roanoke.com/news/local/botetourt-s-mad-gasser-reports-of-s-discounted-as-mass/article_0aa70661-bb5e-5b6d-a424-c836062e99ff.html

“Flit Gun.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flit_gun

Grubin, Don and Madsen, Lars. “Lie detection and the polygraph: A Historical Review.” Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology. Vol. 16 Issue 2. P. 357-359.

Klickna, Cindy. “The Case of the Mad Gasser of Mattoon.” Illinois Times. https://illinoistimes.com/article-70-the-case-of-the-mad-gasser-of-mattoon.html

MacGowan, Doug. “The Mad Gasser of Mattoon, Illinois.” Historic Mysteries. https://www.historicmysteries.com/the-mad-gasser/

“Mad Gasser of Mattoon.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Gasser_of_Mattoon

“Mattoon, IL.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattoon,_Illinois

Mio, Leslie. “The Mad Gasser of Mattoon.” Eastern Illinois University. https://www.eiu.edu/localite/gasserhome.php

Morphy, Rob. “Mad Gassers of America.” Mysterious Universe. https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2011/06/mad-gassers-of-america/

Slocum, Jake. “6 Famous Unsolved Mysterious with Really Obvious Solutions.” Cracked. https://www.cracked.com/article_16671_6-famous-unsolved-mysteries-with-really-obvious-solutions.html

“Victims of Gas Prowler Now 25.” Charleston Daily Courier. https://www.eiu.edu/localite/9-9-44.JPG

“The Mad Gasser of Mattoon.” American Hauntings. https://www.americanhauntingsink.com/madgasser?rq=mad%20gasser

We're heading back to the early 1900s, where we find Kristy's near-doppelganger! Aaaand she's a murder victim. 

Join us as we talk about Ocey Snead, a wonderful girl with a terrible family. We'll discuss her mother's swirly eyeglasses of persuasion, super weird medical and legal payment plans, and giant novelty pens!

And along the way, Kristy will look at her doppelganger's picture several times and get more disturbed with each viewing. In fact, she might eat her hair--or cry! It's a rollercoaster, folks. 

We have a nice palate cleanser at the end with a Five Minute Crimey: the absurd tale of Big Nose George. If you're looking for some new shoes, don't bother with designer--just find yourself a dead outlaw.

Also, give us that 5-star review you know we deserve, and in it, please tell us about your doppelganger! You can also follow us here on Podbean, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. While you're at it, hit us up on our FB group or Twitter to talk Old Timey Crime.

Thanks for listening, and remember: there are only so many faces in the world. You might just share yours with a murder victim. 

____

Sources: 

Gribben, Mark. “Does This Black Dress Make Me Look Fat.” The Malefactor’s Register. http://malefactorsregister.com/wp/does-this-black-dress-make-me-look-fat-2/

Vitelli, Romeo. “Killing Ocey Snead.” Providentia. https://drvitelli.typepad.com/providentia/2019/02/killing-ocey-snead.html

“Ocey Snead.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocey_Snead

Ewing, Kelley. “More Dreadful Than The Most Gruesome Of Tales: Newspaper Coverage Of The East Orange Bathtub Mystery.” Virginia Memory. http://www.virginiamemory.com/blogs/fit-to-print/2016/06/03/more-dreadful-than-the-most-gruesome-of-tales-newspaper-coverage-of-the-east-orange-bathtub-mystery/

Raphael, Shannon. “Sister Act: The Bizarre Drowning of Ocey Snead.” The Line-Up. https://the-line-up.com/the-bizarre-drowning-of-ocey-snead

Ya just can't kill 'im, seeee?

Or maybe you can, but it'll take a LOT of attempts. Join us this week for a trip to old timey gangster land, where we follow Legs Diamond on his wild career of bootlegging, carousing with showgirls, and getting shot. Many times. SO many times. 

Along the way, of course we'll have gangster voices galore, along with a delightful exploration of gang names. And a discussion of a mother-daughter video (soon to be posted on our social media!) that will leave you needing about seven showers. 

Don't forget to give us a five star review on Apple Podcasts, where you can tell us your body part + gemstone gangster name.

Also, follow us here on Podbean, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. While you're at it, hit us up on our FB group or Twitter to talk Old Timey Crime. Thanks for listening, and if someone shoots you, be like Legs and survive...most of the time.

__

Sources:

Artofneed/Eamon Loingsigh. “Gangs of Brooklyn.” https://artofneed.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/gangs/

Downey, Patrick. “Legs Diamond.” Berfrois. https://www.berfrois.com/2012/03/patrick-downey-jack-legs-diamond/

Ferranti, Seth. “Jack ‘Legs’ Diamond Was Very Hard to Kill.” Ozy.  https://www.ozy.com/flashback/jack-legs-diamond-was-very-hard-to-kill/85109

Forsyth, Owen. “Marion ‘Kiki’ Roberts and Legs Diamond.” The Irish Mob. https://theirishmob.com/marion-kiki-roberts-legs-diamond/

Forsyth, Owen. “Alice Kenny Diamond.” The Irish Mob. https://theirishmob.com/alice-kenny-diamond/

Grondahl, Paul. “The Unfinished Business of ‘Legs’ Diamond.” Times Union. https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/The-unfinished-business-of-Legs-Diamond-5053434.php#photo-5583591

“Jack Diamond.” Crime Museum. https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/organized-crime/jack-diamond/

“Jack ‘Legs’ Diamond.” BabyFace Nelson Journal. https://www.babyfacenelsonjournal.com/legs-diamond.html

“Legs Diamond.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legs_Diamond

“Marion ‘Kiki’ Roberts newsreel interview 1931.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=97&v=D-pDDRY00qk

“Speakeasy.” Etymonline. https://www.etymonline.com/word/speakeasy

U.S. Inflation Calculator. https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

Whelan, Frank. “SAD LEGACY OF 'LEGS' GANGSTER MOLL/DANCER 'KIKI' ROBERTS HOOFED WAY INTO -- AND OUT OF – VALLEY.” The Morning Call. https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1996-12-26-3112381-story.html

We're back in Traumatown for a second round of horror with Albert Fish. Join us as Kristy yearns for a time machine and a laser cannon, and Scott fawns over Teddy Roosevelt. 

Old Timey Crimey: Half the calories, all the trauma. 

Don't forget to give us a five star review on Apple Podcasts, and follow us here on Podbean, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. While you're at it, hit us up on our FB group or Twitter to talk Old Timey Crime. Thanks for listening, and once again, for the last time...only use needles for sewing, okay?

Sources:

Schechter, Harold. Deranged: The Shocking True Story of America's Most Fiendish Killer! Pocket Books. 1998.

"Albert Fish Parts I-III." Last Podcast on the Left.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Mk8lkiS9IugdzmigLl9gf?si=Wumwn6ZwSTa2Z82m7Pg1Bg

https://open.spotify.com/episode/63Ej9kVU2mE74Jlqoc2Vzh?si=BqHwEt2qRNa6REvSXzZ4aA

Cummins, Dan. Timesuck podcast. "141 - Albert Fish: NY Killer and SUPER Creep." https://open.spotify.com/episode/5V19j6vxfvpgiUpq5v9Fao?si=qnISj7b2S-KQysG2qgj-kA

Hendrie, Phil. http://www.philhendrieshow.net/wednesday-november-30-2005-2/

Scott and Kristy take a trip through Traumatown as they take a look at the infamous Albert Fish, a man to whom few proclivities were too extreme. 

We'll talk about some truly gruesome stuff, all while wondering: Why don't people's voices ever tell them to do GOOD things?!

Don't forget to follow us here on Podbean, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and hit us up on our FB group or Twitter to talk Old Timey Crime. Thanks for listening, and just...only use needles for sewing, okay?

----

Sources:*

Schechter, Harold. Deranged: The Shocking True Story of America's Most Fiendish Killer! Pocket Books. 1998.

"Albert Fish Parts I-III." Last Podcast on the Left.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Mk8lkiS9IugdzmigLl9gf?si=Wumwn6ZwSTa2Z82m7Pg1Bg

https://open.spotify.com/episode/63Ej9kVU2mE74Jlqoc2Vzh?si=BqHwEt2qRNa6REvSXzZ4aA

Cummins, Dan. Timesuck podcast. "141 - Albert Fish: NY Killer and SUPER Creep." https://open.spotify.com/episode/5V19j6vxfvpgiUpq5v9Fao?si=qnISj7b2S-KQysG2qgj-kA

Hendrie, Phil. http://www.philhendrieshow.net/wednesday-november-30-2005-2/

*Scott misspoke during the episode and attributed his information to the wrong podcast, which explains the disparity between what we said and what you see here.  

This week, Kristy and Scott wander back to England in 1909, when a rubber robbery turned into a police chase that's equal parts tragic and hilarious.

We've got cops borrowing guns from bystanders a tramjacking that turns into a tramchase, and some seriously inept criminals. Like, "commit a robbery within yelling distance of a police station" inept. All in all, this two hour chase would cover six miles, and the bandits would expend a shocking 400 rounds of ammunition. 

You'll be the best gumshoe ever if you leave us a 5-star review on iTunes. And if you'd like to control our fates, simply go to our Amazon wishlist and purchase a book for a future "Deep Dive" to pick a future episode topic. 

Don't forget to follow us here on Podbean, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and hit us up on our FB group or Twitter to talk Old Timey Crime. Thanks for listening, and make sure you turn on your Benny Hill music. 

____________________

Sources:

“1909 Tottenham Outrage Robbery.” The Shady Old Lady’s Guide to London. http://www.shadyoldlady.com/location.php?loc=441

“Aliens Act 1905.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliens_Act_1905

“An Outrage That Appalled a Nation.” BBC News Magazine. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7844916.stm#blq-main

Belam, Martin. “The ‘Tottenham Outrage’ Centenary.” http://www.currybet.net/cbet_blog/2009/01/the-tottenham-outrage-centenar.php

Fathers, David. “The World’s Most Bizarre Heist Chase Happened in Tottenham.” Londonist. https://londonist.com/london/tottenham-outrage-1909

“FN M1900.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_M1900

“Hijack.” Etymonline.com. https://www.etymonline.com/word/hijack

Nye, Eric. “Pounds Sterling to Dollars: Historical Conversion of Currency.” University of Wyoming. https://www.uwyo.edu/numimage/currency.htm

“The Tottenham Outrage—1909.” Summerhill Road. http://tottenham-summerhillroad.com/tottenham_outrage1909.htm (map also available there)

“Tottenham Outrage.” London Remembers. https://www.londonremembers.com/subjects/jacob-lepidus

“Tottenham Outrage.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tottenham_Outrage

“Webley Revolver.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webley_Revolver

Weindling, Dick. “The Tottenham Outrage: the West Hamstead Connection.” History of Kilburn and West Hampstead. http://kilburnwesthampstead.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-tottenham-outrage-west-hampstead_29.html

Scott and Kristy look at Eugene Francois Vidocq, a man who just couldn't decide what he wanted to be--unless he was escaping from jail. From traveling entertainer to swordsman, from traitor to fake aristocrat, he did it all and SO. MUCH. MORE.

This man did not know how to handle a promotion or learn from experience, but he knew how to keep everyone guessing.

You'll be the best gumshoe ever if you leave us a 5-star review on iTunes. And if you'd like to control our fates, simply go to our Amazon wishlist and purchase a book for a future "Deep Dive" to pick a future episode topic. 

Don't forget to follow us here on Podbean, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and hit us up on our FB group or Twitter to talk Old Timey Crime. Thanks for listening, and always be your best Vidocq. 

______

Sources: 

Ashley, Mike. “The Great Detectives: Vidoqc.” The Strand Magazine. Issue 4. https://strandmag.com/the-magazine/articles/the-great-detectives-vidocq/

Blazeski, Goran “Eugene Vidocq: The ex-convict who became the world’s first private investigator.”

“Eugene Francois Vidocq.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne_Fran%C3%A7ois_Vidocq

FlourishingAnyway. “Eugène Vidocq: The Convict Who Became the Father of Modern Criminal Investigation.” Owlcation. https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Eugne-Franois-Vidocq-The-Convict-Who-Became-the-Father-of-Modern-Criminal-Investigation

Friendly, Michael “A.-M. Guerry’s Moral Statistics of France: Challenges for Multivariable Spatial Analysis” by https://arxiv.org/pdf/0801.4263.pdf#page=31&zoom=100,0,657

“Galley Slave.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galley_slave

Kristy and Scott take a look at the mysterious case of Louis Le Prince, a man with fabulous facial hair and a true passion for invention. He should have become one of the top names in the annals of innovation, but fate--or maybe Thomas Edison--got in the way. We'll look at the case and the four main theories that try to explain just what happened to this historical genius. 

Don't miss Kristy's Edison Elephant Outrage, Scott's incredible obliteration of supposed new evidence in the case, and some exclamation point guidelines. 

You'll be the best gumshoe ever if you leave us a 5-star review on iTunes. And if you'd like to control our fates, simply go to our Amazon wishlist and purchase a book for a future "Deep Dive" to pick a future episode topic. 

Don't forget to follow us here on Podbean, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and hit us up on our FB group or Twitter to talk Old Timey Crime. Thanks for listening!

__

Sources: 

Baggs, Robert K. "The Mysterious Disappearance of Louis Le Prince, Father of Cinematography.” FStoppers. https://fstoppers.com/originals/mysterious-disappearance-louis-le-prince-father-cinematography-156151

Casey, Kieron. “The Mystery of Louis Le Prince, The Father of Cinematography.” Science + Media Museum. https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/louis-le-prince-created-the-first-ever-moving-pictures/

Cutler, Max. Cutler, Ron. Tinker, Becky. Brandenburg, Maggie. Rossner, Richard.“Camera Shy The Disappearance of Louis Le Prince.” GONE podcast. Cutler Media/Parcast Network.

Flynn, Arabella. “Monday Mystery: The Disappearance of Louis Le Prince.” Unsolicited Advice. http://ariflynn.blogspot.com/2017/01/monday-mystery-disappearance-of-louis.html

Gupta, Atreyee. “The Disappearance of Louis Le Prince.” ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369702108701603

Hannaford, Alex. "The Mystery of Leeds' Long-Lost Movie Pioneer.” The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/the-first-film/louis-le-prince-inventor-true-story/

Herbert, Stephen. “Louis Aime Augustin Le Prince.” Who’s Who of Victorian Cinema. http://www.victorian-cinema.net/leprince

History.com Editors. “Edison Patents the Kinetograph.” History. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/edison-patents-the-kinetograph

Joe, Devin, Steve. “Louis Le Prince.” Thinking Sideways Podcast.

Lantero, Allison. “The War of the Currents: AC Power vs. DC Power.” Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/articles/war-currents-ac-vs-dc-power

“Louis Le Prince.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Le_Prince

“Thomas Edison.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison#Motion_pictures

This week, we wander from 1817 to 1974 to examine two murders with some striking similarities. Was it pure coincidence, or was something sinister at play? Don't worry, Kristy has an entirely out-there conspiracy theory for you--and Scott's just as shocked as anyone. 

Along the way, we have some international food talk in which we insult both other cultures and our own, Kristy kicks Scott out, and your intrepid co-hosts make each other wildly uncomfortable with our speculation about lacerations and bloody shoes. 

You'll be the best gumshoe ever if you leave us a 5-star review on iTunes. And introducing a novel way you can control our fates! Go to our Amazon wishlist and purchase a book for a future "Deep Dive" to pick a future episode topic. 

Don't forget to follow us here on Podbean, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and hit us up on our FB group or Twitter to talk Old Timey Crime. Thanks for listening!

She was 6 feet, 200 pounds of pure murder. This week, Scott and Kristy delve into the case of Belle Gunness, frequent flyer of insurance companies, banks, and probably any establishment that sells both cleavers and poison. She was the Spiderwoman to H.H. Holmes's Spiderman, and if they'd met, they'd either have killed each other or killed even more people--if that's possible. 

Don't miss our list of La Porte, Indiana's many luminaries--seriously, don't miss this--along with so, so many air quotes that you can't see because this is an audio medium. But don't worry, we'll tell you. 

You'll be the best gumshoe ever if you leave us a 5-star review on iTunes. Don't forget to follow us here on Podbean, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and hit us up on our FB group or Twitter. Thanks for listening!