Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: History Unhinged

Oregon's Serial Killer Update

When Jody and I first talked about this story back in 2023, it felt like something out of a true crime documentary that was still being written.

At the time, several women had been found dead across the Portland area, rumors of a serial killer were spreading everywhere, and investigators were publicly saying they had no reason to believe the cases were connected.

A lot has changed since then.

In this bonus episode, I take a step back and walk through the entire story from the beginning, from the disappearances that first raised concerns to the growing list of indictments prosecutors have now filed against Jesse Lee Calhoun. What started as a handful of seemingly unrelated cases has evolved into one of the most significant homicide investigations Oregon has seen in years.

As always, it's important to remember that these are allegations. Calhoun has pleaded not guilty, and the case has not yet been decided in court.

A Story We Couldn’t Stop Thinking About

This case has been in the background of the podcast almost from the beginning.

When we first mentioned it, nobody knew whether the deaths were connected. Some people thought the serial killer theories were overblown. Others were convinced something bigger was happening.

Looking back now is fascinating because we get to see how the investigation unfolded in real time and how dramatically the public understanding of the case changed over the past few years.

From Wildfires to Murder Charges

One of the most surprising parts of the story has nothing to do with the investigation itself.

Years before his name became tied to these allegations, Jesse Lee Calhoun was one of the inmates who helped fight Oregon's devastating 2020 wildfires. His service earned him clemency and an early release from prison.

Today, prosecutors allege he is connected to the deaths of six women across the Portland metropolitan area, transforming what was once a local mystery into a case being followed throughout the Pacific Northwest.

What We Cover in This Episode

• How the story first landed on our radar
• The disappearances that started the investigation
• Why rumors of a serial killer spread so quickly
• The evidence timeline prosecutors have laid out so far
• The indictments announced between 2024 and 2026
• Why one alleged victim's body has never been recovered
• What happens next as the case moves toward trial

A Final Reminder

This is still an active criminal case.

The charges discussed in this episode are allegations made by prosecutors and have not been proven in court. Jesse Lee Calhoun has pleaded not guilty, and the outcome will ultimately be decided through the legal process.

If you've been following this case since we first covered it years ago, this episode brings everything together in one place and catches you up on where the investigation stands today.

Stay curious, and we'll see you down the next rabbit hole.

Want an ad-free version of this episode? Join our Patreon. Visit www.rainydayrabbitholes.com

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A backyard. Two countries. One unbelievable story.

Most people think of the U.S.-Canada border as quiet, friendly, and uneventful. But behind a quirky bed-and-breakfast in Blaine, Washington, one of the strangest border stories in modern North American history was unfolding.

This week, Shea sits down with author Reece Jones to discuss his new book Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America's Northern Border. What begins as the story of a roadside inn quickly turns into a tale involving smugglers, asylum seekers, Border Patrol agents, underground networks, and a Supreme Court case that continues to shape debates about federal law enforcement today.

At the center of it all is Bob Boulay, the owner of the Smuggler's Inn, whose backyard quite literally sat on the international border.

In This EpisodeThe Strangest Property in America

The Smuggler's Inn wasn't just near the border. It was on it.

Reece explains how Bob Boulay accidentally became a border innkeeper and found himself witnessing everything from drug trafficking operations to refugee crossings. What started as a simple real estate investment became one of the most important crossroads on the U.S.-Canada border.

Why Refugees Chose Canada

A major theme of the conversation is the little-known history of asylum seekers traveling through the United States to reach Canada.

Reece breaks down how changes to Canadian immigration policy unintentionally transformed the Smuggler's Inn into a destination for people fleeing persecution from places including Afghanistan and Turkey.

The Supreme Court Case That Changed Everything

The story eventually landed before the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark case Egbert v. Boule.

The discussion explores how one confrontation between a Border Patrol agent and Bob Boulay evolved into a legal battle with major implications for constitutional rights, federal accountability, and border enforcement.

About Our Guest

Reece Jones is a professor of geography and environment at the University of Hawaii and the author of multiple award-winning books on borders, migration, and immigration policy. His latest book, Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America's Northern Border, was co-written with attorney Greg Boos.

Learn more about Reece and his work: 🔗 https://www.reecejonesauthor.com/

More Rainy Day Rabbit Holes

Explore more strange true stories and hidden history: 🔗 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/

Related episodes:

🔗 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/convergence-true-crime-and-corruption-in-the-windy-city

🔗 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/when-tylenol-turned-deadly

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Jody's Back, Baby!

Good news, rabbit holers: Jody is officially back.

After taking time away to focus on family, travel, and life outside the studio, she's rejoining Shea behind the microphones. But this isn't just a welcome-back episode. It's a look at where Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is headed next and why the show is evolving.

After three years of producing episodes, meeting incredible listeners, and building a community neither host expected, Shea and Jody are making some changes designed to keep the podcast fun, sustainable, and full of the stories they love telling.

Why We're Changing Things

Weekly episodes have been rewarding, but they've also been demanding. Rather than rushing to produce content every week, Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is moving to a seasonal format.

Starting in 2027, listeners can expect:

• Three themed seasons per year
• Six episodes per season
• More research and deeper storytelling
• Guest interviews between seasons
• Special rabbit holes that don't fit into a larger theme

The goal is simple: better stories, less burnout, and more room for curiosity.

A Sneak Peek at 2027

The upcoming seasons are shaping up to be some of the most ambitious yet:

Season One: Villains

Con artists. Grifters. Outlaws. Criminal masterminds. Strange and forgotten villains you probably haven't heard much about.

Season Two: Heroes

Inventors, scientists, explorers, doctors, civil rights pioneers, and everyday people who accomplished extraordinary things.

Season Three: Folklore & Mysteries

Cryptids, hauntings, strange legends, unexplained events, local lore, and the kind of weird stories that make perfect rabbit holes.

Building a Bigger Community

One unexpected part of creating the podcast has been meeting listeners who became genuine friends.

In this episode, Shea and Jody reflect on:

• Live events in Tacoma
• Meeting listeners in person
• Growing the Patreon community
• Why fan connections have become one of the most rewarding parts of podcasting

They also share ideas for future live events, listener involvement, and expanded Patreon perks.

UFO Festivals, Men in Black, and Other Future Shenanigans

The hosts also discuss their growing involvement with the annual Men in Black Birthday Bash and plans being explored for the 80th anniversary of the Maury Island Incident in 2027.

Expect:

• UFO-themed events
• Community gatherings
• Independent films
• Local history
• Plenty of tongue-in-cheek mystery and folklore

No alien conversion required.

Just curiosity.

Visit www.rainydayrabbitholes.com for more or to learn how you can join the Patreon!

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Klondike Kate, The Woman History Forgot

Recorded live before a packed audience at McMenamins Elks Temple's Spanish Ballroom in Tacoma, Washington, this episode follows the remarkable life of Kathleen Eloisa Rockwell, better known as Klondike Kate, one of the most colorful and influential figures of the Klondike Gold Rush.

While history remembers theater magnate Alexander Pantages, few remember the woman whose talent, charisma, and financial support helped launch the beginnings of his empire. Tonight, we're fixing that.

From Spokane to New York, from Chilean convents to Yukon dance halls, Kate's life was a whirlwind of adventure, scandal, romance, reinvention, and larger-than-life storytelling.

Gold, Gambling, and the Queen of Dawson

When news of gold discoveries in the Yukon ignited one of history's greatest stampedes, thousands of prospectors poured north through Seattle in search of fortune. Most failed.

Klondike Kate, however, discovered there was often more money to be made entertaining miners than digging beside them.

In Dawson City, she became a sensation.

Known as the Rose of the North, the Darling of Dawson, and the Queen of the Yukon, Kate earned extraordinary sums as a performer while capturing the affection of an entire city. Unlike many of the boomtown celebrities of her era, Kate built a reputation for generosity, remembering names, helping struggling miners, and sharing her success with those around her.

But fame and fortune would also bring her face to face with the ambitious young entrepreneur who would change the course of her life: Alexander Pantages.

The Woman Behind the Pantages Empire

Long before the Pantages name became synonymous with legendary theaters across the West Coast, Alexander Pantages was a struggling newcomer chasing opportunity in the Yukon.

Kate believed they were building a future together.

She financed ventures, supported his ambitions, and helped fund the theater business that would eventually make him one of the wealthiest entertainment figures in America. While Kate toured and earned money, she continued investing in what she believed was their shared dream.

Then she discovered he had secretly married another woman.

The fallout led to a highly publicized breach-of-promise lawsuit, heartbreak, and one of the most dramatic chapters in Gold Rush history.

Reinvention, Resilience, and Aunt Kate

Many stories would end there.

Kate's didn't.

After the spotlight faded, she reinvented herself repeatedly. She tried ranching in Oregon, survived financial setbacks, weathered failed relationships, cared for friends and strangers in need, and eventually became a beloved local figure known simply as "Aunt Kate."

Far removed from the glamorous stages of Dawson City, she spent her later years feeding the hungry, helping neighbors, supporting firefighters, and turning kindness into her final act.

By the time she passed away in 1957, Klondike Kate had lived more lives than most people could imagine.

Showgirl. Homesteader. Philanthropist. Celebrity. Scandal. Legend.

And somehow, after all of that, she also became the inspiration for Glittering Goldie from DuckTales.

Not bad for a woman history almost forgot.

In This Episode

• The Klondike Gold Rush and the rise of Dawson City
• How Klondike Kate became the Queen of the Yukon
• The surprising origins of the Pantages theater empire
• Alexander Pantages and his complicated relationship with Kate
• Gold Rush entertainment and boomtown culture
• Kate's famous lawsuit against Pantages
• Homesteading in Central Oregon
• Aunt Kate's philanthropy and community work
• The Hollywood adaptation that never quite happened
• The DuckTales connection to Klondike Kate

Special Thanks

Recorded live September 16, 2026, at McMenamins Elks Temple Spanish Ballroom in Tacoma, Washington.

Special thanks to:

• McMenamins Elks Temple
• PACK (People for Animal Care and Kindness)
• Radio Tacoma
• Pretty Gritty Tours

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, share it with a friend, and subscribe for more strange and fascinating stories from the weird corners of history.

Related Episodes

If you enjoyed this journey into Gold Rush history, larger-than-life frontier personalities, and the strange world of the Yukon, check out these related Rainy Day Rabbit Holes episodes:

• Madame Mustache: The Wild West's Most Badass Gambler
• Another legendary woman of the Gold Rush era who built a reputation in boomtowns where few women could thrive.
• https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/madame-mustache-the-wild-wests-most-badass-gambler
• The Sourtoe Cocktail Club
• Klondike Kate spent much of her life in Dawson City, home of one of the world's strangest traditions: the Sourtoe Cocktail. Learn the bizarre history behind the infamous mummified toe.
• https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/sourtoe-cocktail-club
• Hugh Glass: The Man Who Refused to Die
• Survival, hardship, and determination on the North American frontier. If you enjoyed the grit and resilience in Kate's story, this one is for you.
• https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/hugh-glass-the-man-who-refused-to-die
• Lou Graham: Seattle's Powerful Madam & Secret Philanthropist
• Like Klondike Kate, Lou Graham became a legendary woman of the Pacific Northwest whose charitable legacy often gets overshadowed by her colorful reputation.
• https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/19-lou-graham-seattles-powerful-madam-secret-philanthropist

You Might Also Like This Episode Because...

Klondike Kate's story sits at the intersection of Gold Rush history, Pacific Northwest legends, forgotten women, frontier entrepreneurship, theater history, and larger-than-life personalities. If you're fascinated by boomtowns, colorful characters, and people who repeatedly reinvented themselves against impossible odds, these episodes make excellent companions to tonight's rabbit hole.

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A Murder Case Everyone Wanted to Abandon

What do you do when witnesses vanish, evidence disappears, and corruption reaches into the courtroom itself?

Former Cook County homicide prosecutor Gregg Owen faced exactly that challenge.

In this episode of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes, Gregg joins Shea to discuss his upcoming true crime book, Convergence, which chronicles an extraordinary double murder prosecution that unfolded during one of the most corrupt periods in Chicago's history.

But Gregg's story is anything but ordinary.

Before becoming a prosecutor, he spent years as a professional musician, sharing stages with legendary performers and living the life of a touring rock artist. Then one unexpected decision changed everything, launching him into a legal career that would place him at the center of murder trials, gang prosecutions, and one of the largest judicial corruption scandals ever uncovered in America.

From Rock Stages to Courtrooms

Gregg recounts his unlikely transition from musician to prosecutor, including:

• Opening for legendary acts including The Doors
• Touring during the late 1960s and early 1970s
• Attending law school while performing professionally
• The chance encounter that changed the course of his life
• Why courtroom advocacy felt unexpectedly similar to being on stage

You'll also hear incredible firsthand stories from Chicago's music scene and Gregg's unforgettable encounter with Jim Morrison.

Inside Chicago's Corruption Era

The conversation takes a darker turn as Gregg describes the realities of practicing law during one of Chicago's most infamous periods.

Topics include:

• Operation Greylord
• Judicial corruption in Cook County courts
• How bribery influenced criminal proceedings
• The undercover FBI operation that changed everything
• The challenges prosecutors faced when pursuing justice
• Why some cases seemed impossible to win

Gregg explains how prosecutors learned to expect missing evidence, compromised witnesses, and unexpected obstacles before every major trial.

The Story Behind Convergence

At its heart, Convergence is more than true crime.

It's a story about perseverance, character, and refusing to abandon victims when the system fails.

Gregg discusses:

• The double murder case that inspired the book
• Why victims remained central to the story
• How unlikely connections helped break the case
• The role integrity plays when doing the right thing comes at a personal cost
• The life lessons he hopes readers will take away

Gregg Owen Links

🌐 Website

https://www.greggowen26th.com/

📚 Books

https://www.greggowen26th.com/books/

📸 Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/greggowen26th/

🎧 Convergence is available through major booksellers, Audible, Apple Books, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Related Episodes

If you enjoyed this episode, check out:

📌 When Tylenol Turned Deadly

https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/when-tylenol-turned-deadly

📌 Mayhem and the Mob: Grit City's Dark Past

https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/29-mayhem-and-the-mob-grit-citys-dark-past

📌 Smooth Criminal: Roy Olmstead, Seattle's Good Bootlegger

https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/36-smooth-criminal-roy-olmstead-seattles-good-bootlegger

Key Takeaways

1. Gregg Owen transitioned from professional musician to homicide prosecutor through an unexpected twist of fate.
2. Convergence centers on a double murder case many believed was impossible to prosecute.
3. Chicago's judicial corruption crisis inspired the events chronicled in the book.
4. Operation Greylord became the largest judicial corruption investigation in American history.
5. Missing evidence and reluctant witnesses nearly derailed a major murder prosecution.
6. Gregg's music background unexpectedly helped him earn the trust of key witnesses.
7. Courtroom advocacy shares surprising similarities with live performance.
8. The book emphasizes perseverance when justice seems unattainable.
9. Victims remain the emotional core of the Convergence story.
10. Gregg believes a single decision can completely alter the course of a person's life.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content

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Did Nuclear Testing Change Every Piece of Steel on Earth?

What if one of humanity's biggest technological achievements accidentally altered the materials we use every day?

In this Rabbit Hole short, Shea welcomes back her brother Jason to uncover a bizarre scientific mystery involving nuclear bombs, radioactive contamination, sunken warships, and some of the most sensitive scientific instruments ever built.

The story begins with the first atomic bomb test in New Mexico in 1945. While the world focused on the dawn of the nuclear age, very few people were thinking about steel. Yet the radioactive particles released by atmospheric nuclear testing would eventually become a problem for physicists attempting to detect incredibly rare events deep within the universe.

Why Scientists Needed Old Warships

Modern radiation detectors are designed to identify signals so faint they can be overwhelmed by even the smallest amount of background radiation. As scientists improved these instruments, they discovered that steel produced after atmospheric nuclear testing contained tiny traces of radioactive contamination.

The solution seemed almost unbelievable.

Researchers began seeking out pre-1945 steel, material produced before the atomic age. Some of the largest supplies of this steel could be found in battleships, cruisers, and other vessels that had sunk during wartime.

Shea and Jason explore how old shipwrecks became valuable resources for scientific research and why these forgotten relics of history took on an unexpected second life helping researchers study the fundamental nature of the universe.

The Amazing Quest for Ultra-Clean Materials

The conversation goes even deeper into the world of low-background physics.

From underground laboratories to copper grown atom by atom in mines, scientists have developed remarkable methods to create materials with incredibly low levels of radiation. The lengths researchers go to eliminate contamination can sound like science fiction, but they're essential for experiments searching for dark matter, rare particle interactions, and phenomena that could redefine our understanding of physics.

Along the way, Shea and Jason discuss:

• The Trinity nuclear test and the beginning of the atomic age
• How atmospheric nuclear testing spread radioactive particles worldwide
• What "low-background steel" is and why it mattered
• The surprising value of pre-war shipwrecks
• The ethics of salvaging wartime gravesites
• Underground copper production for ultra-sensitive experiments
• How scientists eventually learned to manufacture cleaner materials
• Why the atomic age permanently changed precision measurement

Fact vs. Folklore

Fact: Atmospheric nuclear testing introduced measurable radioactive contamination into the environment.

Fact: Scientists used pre-1945 steel in certain low-background physics applications.

Fact: Modern techniques allow researchers to manufacture extremely low-radiation materials without relying on historic shipwrecks.

Folklore/Oversimplification: Every modern scientific instrument depends on steel recovered from sunken warships. While ship steel was used in some applications, modern science is not dependent on salvaging wrecks.

Key Takeaways

• Atmospheric nuclear testing left a detectable signature in many post-1945 industrial materials.
• Ultra-sensitive detectors must account for even minuscule sources of radiation.
• Pre-1945 steel became valuable because it predated atmospheric nuclear testing.
• Sunken warships provided large supplies of low-background steel.
• Some scientific experiments search for events so rare they may occur only a handful of times.
• Researchers have grown ultra-pure copper underground to reduce contamination.
• Modern manufacturing can now create materials comparable to historic low-background steel.
• Advances in physics often require solving unexpected engineering challenges.
• The atomic age altered how scientists think about background radiation.
• History can influence scientific measurements decades after an event occurs.

Related Episodes

If you enjoyed this episode, check out:

• The Travis Walton Incident: The Most Famous UFO Abduction in America
• https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/travis-walton-the-most-famous-ufo-abduction-in-america
• Japan's Oldest UFO Mystery (Utsuro-bune)
• https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/japans-oldest-ufo-mystery
• Hold My Sake: Japan Made Alcohol Out of Moth Poop
• https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/hold-my-sake-japan-made-alcohol-out-of-moth-poop-5-minute-friday

Connect With Rainy Day Rabbit Holes

🌧️ Website: https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com

🎟️ Live events, merch, episodes, and more: https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com

Stay curious, and we'll see you down the rabbit hole. 🐇🕳️

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content

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Snake Oil, Opium Eaters, and the Original Wellness Grifters

What do nineteenth-century snake oil salesmen, opium-laced medicines, and today's wellness trends have in common?

More than you might think.

In this special crossover episode, Shea from Rainy Day Rabbit Holes joins forces with historian Kenyon Payne, host of the Outcasts of the Earth Podcast, to explore the fascinating and often bizarre world of patent medicines, miracle cures, and the people who made fortunes selling hope in a bottle.

Shea uncovers the story of Clark Stanley, the legendary "Rattlesnake King" whose famous snake oil liniment helped turn the phrase snake oil salesman into a permanent part of the English language. Along the way, she reveals the surprising truth about real snake oil, why it actually worked, and how clever marketing transformed a legitimate remedy into one of history's most famous scams.

Then Kenyon zooms out to examine the rise of opium eating in the Victorian era. From laudanum and patent medicines to Civil War-era morphine addiction, she traces how nineteenth-century society wrestled with dependency, regulation, and the growing realization that not every miracle cure was as miraculous as advertised.

Together, they discuss:

• The real origins of snake oil medicine
• Why Chinese water snake oil actually had medicinal value
• Clark Stanley's rise from cowboy showman to national celebrity
• The role of advertising in selling miracle cures
• Opium eating and laudanum use in Victorian society
• How addiction was understood in the nineteenth century
• The Civil War's role in America's first opioid crisis
• The birth of drug regulation and the FDA
• Why human beings keep falling for miracle cures

Fact vs. Folklore

Fact: Traditional Chinese snake oil was rich in omega-3 fatty acids and may have provided legitimate pain relief.

Fact: Clark Stanley's famous snake oil preparation was eventually found to contain no snake oil at all.

Fact: Many nineteenth-century patent medicines contained opium, morphine, cocaine, or alcohol.

Folklore & Marketing: Cure-all tonics routinely claimed to treat everything from arthritis and sciatica to nervous disorders and general weakness.

Still Relevant Today: Many of the marketing tactics used by nineteenth-century patent medicine companies remain recognizable in modern supplement and wellness advertising.

About Our Special Guest

Kenyon Payne is the creator and host of the Outcasts of the Earth Podcast, a history podcast that explores people living on society's margins, forgotten stories, and overlooked corners of the past.

From witches and moonshiners to the history of alcohol and intoxicants, Kenyon brings deep historical research and engaging storytelling to every episode.

🎙️ Listen to Outcasts of the Earth Podcast:

https://www.ootepod.com/

Explore More from Rainy Day Rabbit Holes

If you love strange history, forgotten stories, weird science, folklore, mysteries, and the occasional ridiculous detour into humanity's stranger decisions, be sure to visit:

🌧️ https://rainydayrabbitholes.com

You'll find full episodes, show notes, source material, and plenty of additional rabbit holes to explore.

Support Both Shows

If you enjoyed this crossover episode:

✅ Subscribe to Rainy Day Rabbit Holes

✅ Subscribe to Outcasts of the Earth Podcast

✅ Leave a review wherever you listen

✅ Share the episode with a fellow history nerd

Because whether you're chasing snake oil salesmen, Victorian opium eaters, witches, moonshiners, or forgotten oddities from the past, there is always another rabbit hole waiting.

Rainy Day Rabbit Holes: https://rainydayrabbitholes.com

Outcasts of the Earth Podcast: https://www.ootepod.com/

See you down the next rabbit hole. 🐇🌧️

Related Episodes You Might Enjoy

If this episode has you fascinated by miracle cures, questionable health trends, and the long history of people selling hope in a bottle, check out these related episodes from Rainy Day Rabbit Holes:

☢️ Radithor: The Toxic Wellness Trend That Fooled America

Before influencers were selling detox teas, entrepreneurs were selling radioactive water. Explore the shocking story of Radithor, the "health tonic" that promised energy, vitality, and wellness while slowly poisoning its customers. It's a perfect companion to our discussion of patent medicines, false advertising, and the origins of modern drug regulation.

🔗 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/radithor-the-toxic-wellness-trend-that-fooled-america

☢️ The Deadly Glow: America's Radium Craze

Snake oil wasn't the only dangerous fad promoted as a miracle cure. Dive into the bizarre world of radioactive beauty products, health remedies, and consumer goods during America's radium obsession. If you enjoyed learning how marketing often outpaced science, this episode is for you.

🔗 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/the-deadly-glow-americas-radium-craze

🐍 Snake Oil Never Died, It Just Went Online (Featuring Dark History)

Think the age of snake oil salesmen ended with Clark Stanley? Think again. This episode explores how many of the same tactics used by nineteenth-century patent medicine peddlers are still thriving in the digital age. From miracle supplements to viral wellness claims, discover why snake oil never really disappeared, it just got better marketing.

🔗 https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/snake-oil-never-died-it-just-went-online-featuring-dark-history

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🐪 RERUN ALERT: One of Our Most-Downloaded Listener Favorites Returns!

Some episodes are simply too weird, too wonderful, and too delightfully Western to stay buried in the archives. This week we're bringing back one of our favorite listener-favorite episodes: The Red Ghost of Arizona.

What happens when a terrifying monster stalks the Arizona desert for nearly a decade, leaves giant hoofprints, carries a decaying corpse on its back, and inspires stories of demons, ghosts, and curses? The answer turns out to be even stranger than the legend.

In this unforgettable episode, we dive into one of the weirdest tales in Wild West history: the mystery of the Red Ghost of Arizona. Witnesses described a massive red-haired beast appearing out of the desert twilight, terrifying settlers, attacking camps, and vanishing without a trace. Some swore it was supernatural. Others believed it was a punishment sent from beyond.

The truth? It involves one of the most bizarre military experiments ever attempted in the United States.

The Legend of the Red Ghost

Beginning in the 1880s, reports spread across Arizona Territory of a towering red creature roaming the desert. Witnesses claimed it was enormous, impossibly fast, and unlike anything they had ever seen. Even stranger, many said there appeared to be a human figure strapped to its back.

As sightings multiplied, so did the stories.

Folklore

• The creature was said to be 30 feet tall.
• Some claimed it killed a grizzly bear.
• Others believed it was a ghost, demon, or desert curse.
• Reports described a mysterious rider that appeared fused to the beast itself.

Fact

Settlers, miners, ranchers, and travelers genuinely reported encounters with a strange red-haired animal leaving oversized hoofprints across Arizona Territory.

The mystery persisted for years.

The U.S. Army's Camel Experiment

The answer to the Red Ghost legend leads directly to one of the strangest chapters in American history: the U.S. Army Camel Corps.

Fact

In the 1850s, the U.S. Army imported camels from the Middle East and North Africa to help transport supplies across the deserts of the American Southwest.

The experiment was surprisingly successful.

Camels could:

• Carry far heavier loads than mules.
• Travel days without water.
• Navigate rough desert terrain with ease.
• Survive conditions that challenged horses and pack animals.

Military leaders believed camels might revolutionize transportation across the frontier.

Then history intervened.

The onset of the Civil War halted the program, and many camels were sold, abandoned, or released into the wild. For decades afterward, feral camels wandered the deserts of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.

The Mystery That Remains

When the legendary Red Ghost was finally killed, witnesses discovered the truth:

Fact

The monster was a camel.

Fact

A human corpse was still attached to its back.

And that's where the mystery deepens.

Speculation

No one knows with certainty who the rider was or how he became permanently strapped to the animal.

Theories include:

• A prospector attempting to survive in the desert.
• A camel handler who died during transport.
• A victim of frontier violence or punishment.
• Someone who intentionally tied themselves to the animal hoping it would lead them to water.

More than a century later, no definitive answer has emerged.

The ghost may be explained.

The corpse never was.

In This Episode

• The terrifying sightings that created the Red Ghost legend
• How a camel became one of the Wild West's most feared creatures
• The bizarre history of the U.S. Army Camel Corps
• Jefferson Davis and America's camel experiment
• The real-life camel driver known as Hi Jolly
• Why camels nearly transformed transportation in the Southwest
• The unsolved mystery of the mummified rider

If you love strange history, forgotten military experiments, Western folklore, and mysteries that remain unsolved, this episode delivers all four.

Key Takeaways

• The Red Ghost of Arizona was one of the most famous frontier legends of the American Southwest.
• Reports described a massive red-haired creature carrying a human figure across the desert.
• The legend originated from real sightings during the late 1800s.
• The creature was ultimately identified as a feral camel.
• The camel likely originated from the U.S. Army Camel Corps experiment.
• The Army imported camels in the 1850s to improve desert transportation.
• Camels consistently outperformed horses and mules in harsh desert conditions.
• The Civil War effectively ended America's camel program.
• Wild camels continued roaming the Southwest for decades afterward.
• The identity of the mysterious corpse remains one of the Wild West's enduring unsolved mysteries.

Keywords

Primary Keyword: Red Ghost of Arizona

Secondary Keywords: Arizona ghost story, Wild West mystery, U.S. Army Camel Corps, Hi Jolly, Arizona folklore, desert legend, American West history, camel corps experiment, Arizona Territory, unsolved frontier mystery

AEO Questions Answered

• What was the Red Ghost of Arizona?
• Was the Red Ghost real?
• Why were camels brought to Arizona?
• What was the U.S. Army Camel Corps?
• Who was Hi Jolly?
• Why was there a corpse on the camel?
• Are there still wild camels in the American West?
• What caused the Red Ghost legend?

Related Episodes

If you enjoyed this strange Arizona tale, you'll love these other Rainy Day Rabbit Holes adventures:

• Monsters of the Mogollon Rim – Venture deeper into Arizona folklore and explore reports of one of the state's most famous cryptids, the legendary Mogollon Monster.
• Listen here
• The Traveling Corpse of Elmer McCurdy – Since this episode features yet another mysterious corpse that refused to stay put, discover the bizarre true story of a mummified outlaw whose body became a carnival attraction for decades.
• Listen here
• Haunted Brothels of the Wild West – Love Wild West legends, ghost stories, and frontier history? This episode explores some of the most infamous allegedly haunted locations from the American frontier.
• Listen here

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The Vietnam War is usually remembered as a conflict fought half a world away. But for the Pacific Northwest, especially the communities surrounding Fort Lewis, the war wasn't something happening "over there." It was happening right at home.

In this episode, Shea is joined by historian, retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, former Lewis Army Museum Director, and current battlefield historian Erik Flint to explore how the Vietnam War transformed Washington State, the U.S. military, and the South Sound.

From counterinsurgency training exercises in Washington forests to anti-war movements inside the military itself, Erik reveals how Fort Lewis became one of the Army's most important Vietnam-era installations and how the conflict left a lasting mark on Tacoma, Seattle, and the surrounding communities.

Please check out tours with historian Erik Flint! (Psst, he's also now a fellow guide with Pretty Gritty Tours!)

https://stephenambrosetours.com/historian/erik-flint/

Fort Lewis Becomes a Gateway to Vietnam

Long before Joint Base Lewis-McChord became one of America's largest military installations, Fort Lewis was already a critical part of the nation's defense infrastructure. During Vietnam, its role expanded dramatically.

As the war escalated, Fort Lewis became a major training center and personnel processing hub for soldiers heading to and returning from Southeast Asia. Hundreds of thousands of service members passed through the South Sound during the conflict, making the region one of the most important military gateways on the West Coast.

Erik explains how Washington's geography, transportation networks, and established military presence made the area uniquely suited to support the war effort. He also discusses the Army's early counterinsurgency training programs, some of which took place on the Olympic Peninsula years before large-scale American involvement in Vietnam.

In this section:

• Why Fort Lewis became a major Vietnam-era training center
• Early Army counterinsurgency exercises in Washington State
• The difference between draftees and volunteers
• How soldiers moved through Fort Lewis on their way to and from Vietnam
• The South Sound's growing connection to the war effort

Protest, Resistance, and the GI Movement

One of the most surprising stories from the Vietnam era is that some of the strongest anti-war activism came from inside the military itself.

Erik explores the rise of the GI Movement at Fort Lewis, including underground newspapers, anti-war coffeehouses, legal aid organizations, and soldiers who openly challenged military policies and America's involvement in Vietnam.

The conversation dives into publications like Fed Up and the Lewis-McChord Free Press, as well as the broader cultural shifts of the late 1960s that fueled dissent both inside and outside military communities.

Shea and Erik also discuss:

• The Fort Lewis Six
• National Guard resistance efforts
• Anti-war organizing near military bases
• Jane Fonda's involvement in local activism
• The growing divide between military leadership and younger soldiers

These stories highlight a rarely discussed side of Vietnam-era history: the conflict between military discipline and a generation increasingly willing to question authority.

How Vietnam Changed the Military Forever

The Vietnam War exposed challenges the military could no longer ignore.

Drug abuse, racial tensions, morale issues, recruiting difficulties, and widespread dissatisfaction forced Army leaders to rethink how service members lived and worked. Many of the reforms that followed shaped the modern military Americans know today.

Erik explains how military leaders implemented new equal opportunity programs, improved quality of life initiatives, expanded educational opportunities, and ultimately helped guide the transition from the draft to an all-volunteer force. Fort Lewis once again found itself at the center of that transformation.

Topics include:

• Military desegregation and civil rights progress
• Equal Opportunity programs
• The transition to the all-volunteer Army
• Improvements to soldier quality of life
• Drug treatment programs for returning service members
• How Vietnam influenced modern military culture

The Economic Impact on Washington State

When the war wound down, the economic impact hit Washington hard.

Military employment declined, defense-related spending decreased, and major employers such as Boeing faced significant challenges. Communities throughout the Puget Sound region felt the effects as wartime demand disappeared and the state entered a difficult economic period.

The end of Vietnam wasn't simply a military story. It became an economic and social story as well, affecting everything from jobs and housing to local politics and community identity.

Fact, Folklore & DebateFact

Fort Lewis served as a major Vietnam-era training and personnel processing center, connecting Washington State directly to the war effort.

Fact

Anti-war newspapers, coffeehouses, and GI activism existed within the Fort Lewis military community during the Vietnam War.

Fact

The military implemented reforms related to equal opportunity, quality of life, and recruitment during and after the Vietnam era.

Folklore & Ongoing Historical Debate

Stories about returning Vietnam veterans being routinely mistreated remain heavily debated among historians. While documented examples exist, the prevalence and scope of those incidents continue to be discussed.

Key Takeaways

• Fort Lewis became one of the Army's most important Vietnam-era installations.
• Washington State played a larger role in the Vietnam War than many people realize.
• Anti-war activism existed both outside and inside the military.
• Underground GI newspapers flourished at Fort Lewis during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
• Vietnam accelerated changes in military policies related to race and equal opportunity.
• The Army's transition to an all-volunteer force was shaped by lessons learned during Vietnam.
• Returning veterans often experienced little transition time between combat and civilian life.
• Military reforms introduced after Vietnam still influence service members today.
• Washington's economy felt the effects of both the war's expansion and its end.
• The legacy of Vietnam remains visible throughout the South Sound.

Related Episodes

🐕 Sergeant Stubby: A Very Good Boy Goes to War

https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/sergeant-stubby-a-very-good-boy-goes-to-war

⚓ Arizona Navy (1934): When a Desert State Went to War

https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/arizona-navy-1934-when-a-desert-state-went-to-war

🌙 That Time We Almost Nuked the Moon

https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/that-time-we-almost-nuked-the-moon

If you enjoy surprising military history, unexpected wartime stories, and the strange ways national events shape local communities, these are great rabbit holes to explore next.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content

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What If We've Been Counting Farts Wrong Our Entire Lives?

For years, scientists believed the average person passes gas about 14 times per day. It turns out that number may have been dramatically underestimated.

In this bonus episode, Shea dives into a wonderfully bizarre study where researchers developed wearable "smart underwear" capable of detecting intestinal gas. The device allowed scientists to measure real-world gas production more accurately than ever before, and the findings were both surprising and hilarious.

But that's only half the story.

Once we're done discussing wearable fart technology, we head to the ocean where a whale's gas reportedly created sounds that were mistaken for a possible underwater security threat. Because apparently even military intelligence isn't immune to the power of a well-timed toot.

In This Episode

• The surprising reason the "14 farts per day" estimate may be wrong
• How researchers built wearable gas-detecting underwear
• Why self-reporting isn't always reliable science
• The Human Flatus Atlas project and what researchers hope to learn
• The medical importance of understanding normal gas production
• The whale fart that allegedly sounded suspiciously like a military threat
• Why some of the funniest scientific studies can still produce valuable discoveries

Fact, Folklore, or Speculation?

Fact: Researchers developed wearable technology to measure intestinal gas production in real-world settings and found people may pass gas far more often than previously estimated.

Fact: Scientists are using this data to better understand digestion, microbiomes, and gastrointestinal health.

Reported Incident: Unusual underwater sounds investigated as a potential security concern were later attributed to a whale.

Universal Truth: Farts have apparently been funny for thousands of years.

Coming Soon: Klondike Kate Live!

🎙️ Join us for our upcoming Klondike Kate live show!

Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is heading to the stage to explore the fascinating history, colorful characters, and larger-than-life legends surrounding the iconic Klondike Kate. Expect laughs, fascinating stories, audience interaction, and plenty of unexpected rabbit holes along the way.

For show details, updates, tickets, and upcoming events, visit:

https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com

Related Episodes

If bizarre science, strange human behavior, and wonderfully weird discoveries are your thing, check out:

• Hold My Sake: Japan Made Alcohol Out of Moth Poop
• https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/hold-my-sake-japan-made-alcohol-out-of-moth-poop-5-minute-friday
• Why Are People Putting Coffee There?
• https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/why-are-people-putting-coffee-there
• Rectum? Damn Near Evacuated 'Em
• https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/5-minute-friday-rectum-damn-near-evacuated-em

Explore the full archive at:

https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com

Listen, Laugh, and Keep Digging

Got a strange article we should cover in a future bonus episode? We'd love to hear it.

Visit us at:

https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy