In the early morning hours of August 18, 1991, police are called to a quiet home on Middle Mount Vernon Road near Timber Lake in Posey County, Indiana. Inside, they find retired attorney Arthur Denton dead. His wife, Wilma "Doodle" Denton, claims she spent two hours bound to a chair in the basement, unable to help as her husband was murdered upstairs.

But almost immediately, questions surface.

In this episode, we dig into the Timber Lake murder; it's a case filled with contradictions, strange behavior, and a timeline that doesn’t quite add up. From Wilma Denton’s chilling account of that night to the physical evidence (or lack of it) found inside the home, investigators are left trying to determine whether this was a tragic home invasion… or something far more sinister.

As the investigation unfolds, theories collide, relationships are scrutinized, and the line between victim and suspect begins to blur.

More than three decades later, the murder of Arthur Denton still raises unsettling questions. Who killed him...and why?

[00:00:00] The Routine of Arthur Denton An introduction to Arthur Denton—a man of absolute habit, a former deputy prosecutor, and a fixture of the Evansville legal community for over 50 years.

[00:02:15] The Breaking of the Pattern The sudden passing of Arthur's first wife, Eunice, in 1990 and the swift, unexpected marriage to his housekeeper, Wilma "Doodles" Scales, just months later.

[00:05:45] The Move to Middle Mount Vernon Road Detailing the relocation to a secluded Posey County home and the significant change to Arthur's will, naming Wilma the sole heir to his $317,000 estate.

[00:09:12] The Night of August 18, 1991 A breakdown of the crime scene and Wilma's account: a man in a ski mask, two hours of being bound to a chair in the basement, and the discovery of Arthur's body.

[00:12:30] The Investigation’s Oddities The mystery of the silent guard dogs, the unconfirmed missing cash, and the missing murder weapon that complicated the Indiana State Police's efforts.

[00:15:00] The Glove Box Discovery The revelation of a $15,000 check found in Wilma's car, which handwriting experts later identified as a "simulated forgery."

[00:17:45] The Legal Stalemate The 1992 grand jury, the suicide of Wilma’s brother, and the successful legal battle to prevent Wilma from having to provide a handwriting sample.

[00:19:15] Closing: A Legacy Without Justice A final look at the cold trail, Arthur’s enduring memory among his peers, and a call for anyone with information to come forward.

Join the River City Mystery Discord server to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal.

In this episode, Matt takes a closer look at one of southern Illinois’ most unusual stories: the mystery of Burrows Cave near Olney, Illinois. Retired Army officer and experienced caver Russell E. Burrows claimed he stumbled onto an underground chamber packed with carved stones, gold artifacts, and signs that ancient Old World travelers may have reached North America long before Columbus.

Matt walks through Burrows’ impressive military background, the details of what he said he found, and why most archaeologists remain convinced the whole thing was a hoax. But not everyone is ready to dismiss it. Some researchers — including Book of Mormon Heartland investigator Brian Nettles — believe the artifacts deserve another look and might even be genuine.

Is Burrows' Cave the ultimate secret history of the world, or one of the greatest hoaxes in American archaeology? This episode dives into the life of the man behind the story, the controversial evidence he brought out of the cave, and the enduring questions that keep this mystery unsolved.

[00:01] The Hook: The Man Who Fell into History

[00:01] Introduction of Russell Burrows: a highly decorated Korean War veteran and experienced caver.

[00:28] The moment he stepped on a flat slab of rock and the ground dropped out from under him.

[00:41] How Burrows used his combat instinct to survive the collapse of the man-made trap.

[01:03] The carvings and the massive, ancient-looking stone face that suggested he had found an "entryway into something far bigger."

[02:16] Welcome & Update on Zachary Carey's case

[02:16] Welcome to River City Mystery and invitation to the Discord server.

[03:00] Case Update: The tragic conclusion to the Zachary Carey disappearance (disappeared May 2023).

[03:32] Confirmation of Zachary's remains being found near Lynville, Indiana, and information on the GoFundMe link for final expenses.

[03:58] The Man Behind the Story: Russell Burrows

[04:06] Why understanding Russell Burrows' credibility is essential to the story.

[04:30] His military background: Born 1935, enlisted in the Army, received a battlefield commission in the Korean War.

[04:47] His awards: Two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, a Legion of Merit, and Two Purple Hearts.

[04:55] His academic interest: He attended West Virginia University and majored in archaeology.

[05:18] He resigned his commission as a full Colonel (O-6) in 1963.

[05:39] Update on his health: Burrows suffered a stroke a few years ago that affects his memory.

[06:09] His steadfast conviction: He has never, not once, backed down from his story.

[06:39] The Discovery and Artifact Claims

[06:45] A quick aside: Olney, Illinois is famous for its rare population of albino squirrels.

[07:19] What he claimed to find: A vast, man-made chamber containing sarcophagi, gold, bronze, and copper weapons, and thousands of carved stone tablets.

[07:37] The historical claim: Evidence of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern peoples in North America centuries before Columbus.

[07:59] The book that launched the legend: The Mystery Cave of Many Faces by Burrows and Fred Rydholm.

[08:37] The book is out of print, but a free version is linked in the show notes.

[09:00] The Evidence: The Controversial Stones

[09:00] The core problem: The cave location is unverified, making the artifacts the only tangible evidence.

[09:18] The mix of scripts: The stones feature Egyptian-like hieroglyphs, ancient Greek characters, Phoenician symbols, and more.

[09:50] The believers' argument: The "hodgepodge" makes sense if the group was a multicultural blend of travelers.

[10:19] The skeptics' counter: The mix of styles suggests a confused forgery.

[10:35] The supporters' response: The difference in quality is due to trained scribes vs. illiterate soldiers making the carvings.

[11:15] The Controversy and Hoax Theory Problems

[11:15] The dealbreaker for mainstream archaeology: Burrows never allowed independent experts to document or verify the location.

[12:03] Problems with the hoax theory: No financial motive (he never made millions).

[12:30] His consistency: Burrows stuck to the same story for 40 years.

[12:50] The decorated veteran does not fit the profile of a typical con artist.

[13:15] Artifact Patina: Some experts claim the aging and patina on certain artifacts are difficult to fake.

[13:42] Interview with Russell Burrows

[13:42] Introduction to Brian Nettles, who conducted the interview, and his work comparing Burrows' Cave artifacts to the Michigan artifacts (1910).

[15:08] INTERVIEW CLIP BEGINS (Brian Nettles introduces himself and his research interests).

[16:05] Russell Burrows introduces himself: "I had the misfortune of finding a cave back in 1982..."

[16:47] Burrows confirms his recent stroke and the effect on his memory; he advises listeners to "go with the book."

[17:41] Burrows confirms he found the cave and believes the artifacts are ancient (approx. 2,000 years old).

[18:14] Burrows attests he never manufactured any of the artifacts.

[18:37] Burrows names "Harry Hard" as a person who manufactured some items but confirms his core artifacts are genuine.

[19:14] Burrows confirms a man who owned a foundry in St. Louis (Mr. Black) manufactured lead replicas coated with gold.

[20:13] Burrows confirms he took out about 4,000 artifacts, most of which had writings on them.

[20:46] Burrows attests he did not create the writing system.

[21:03] INTERVIEW CLIP ENDS (The hosts comments on why the rest of the visual comparison is better suited for video).

[21:23] Conclusion & Final Thoughts

[21:23] The final question: Are the stones ancient or modern? The mystery remains unsolved.

[21:48] Invitation to join the Discord server to share thoughts on the Tri-State Mystery.

Links referenced in the episode:

GoFundMe for Zachary Carey - https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-gina-with-zacharys-burial-costs?attribution_id=sl:20099a5c-2e12-4f18-9038-9efe044288df&lang=en_US&ts=1763859567&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp17_td&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=facebook

Brian Nettles' interview with Russell Burrows - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMj8VfDXG5w&t=232s

Brian Nettle's Book of Mormon Heartland website - https://bookofmormonheartland.com/

Photos of Burrows Cave stones - https://bookofmormonheartland.com/burrows-cave-stones/

The Mystery Cave of Many Faces - https://burrowscave.io/books/the-mystery-cave-of-many-faces/

Join the River City Mystery Discord server to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal.

The incredible true story of "Wildman Joe," an African American man whose life journey, from slavery through a steamboat disaster and years as a ragman, led to a controversial career in sideshows. This episode traces the lives of Joe Rettig and showman Jeremiah "Doc" Kahler, detailing their meeting in Evansville, Indiana, and the creation of the "Wildman Joe" act. 

Key Moments:

Show notes:  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/20

Join the River City Mystery Discord server to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal.

This episode delves into the tragic and unsolved murder of Georgia "Jean" Cook, a 56-year-old mother who was shot and killed on October 6th, 2005, while working at a gas station on 41 North in Evansville, Indiana.

Here's a summary of the key points covered:

Show notes:  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/19

Join the River City Mystery Discord server to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal.

Other links:

https://vanderburghsheriff.org/#send-a-tip-form

https://www.14news.com/story/9134480/unsolved-murder-jean-cook/

This episode features an interview with Crystal Folz, also known as Evansville's Forest Witch. Crystal has been practicing witchcraft since the 1990s, with a practice deeply rooted in animism and Kentucky folklore. She is also actively involved in the pagan and paranormal communities, serving as a co-chair for both the Three Corners Pagan Circle and the Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators.

Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode:

Show Notes:  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/18

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal.  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://kentuckyconjurer.me/

https://www.threecornerspagancircle.com/

Crystal's email:  [email protected]

In this episode, I join Savannah on her YouTube channel, "Don't Hate. CREATE", as we examine the unsolved murder of 18-year-old Elizabeth Bannister, who was found dead in her Evansville, Indiana, apartment around 1:00 AM on January 20, 2000. 

Here are the key points explored in the episode:

If you have any information that could help solve Elizabeth’s murder, please contact the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-7979.

Show Notes:  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/17

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal.  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

Links mentioned in this episode:

"Don't Hate.  CREATE" YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@donthate.create

Where The Bodies Are Buried - S1 E1 William "Clyde" Gibson - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VNbbx3u5qa0useqeRaENf?si=b118e30a4bea462e

Dealing Justice - Episode 8:  Queen of Diamonds:  Elizabeth Bannister, IN Deck - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6YfuNICxTf9nOmTpcLcO2x?si=168b6b2c199c4e31

UPDATE 11/3/2025:

14 WFIE NEWS:

WARRICK CO., Ind. (WFIE) - The Warrick County Sheriff says a the body of a missing man was discovered on Friday in the Lynnville area

He says a hunter discovered the remains and called authorities.

Detectives say the remains were taken to the morgue in Vanderburgh County and positively identified as 38-year-old Zachary Carey, of Evansville, who had been missing since May of 2023.

Carey had last been seen in the Lynnville area.

https://www.14news.com/2025/11/03/body-man-missing-since-2023-found-warrick-co/

***********

Here's a breakdown of the key information shared in this episode:

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/16

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal.  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

UPDATE 11/3/2025:

14 WFIE NEWS:

WARRICK CO., Ind. (WFIE) - The Warrick County Sheriff says a the body of a missing man was discovered on Friday in the Lynnville area

He says a hunter discovered the remains and called authorities.

Detectives say the remains were taken to the morgue in Vanderburgh County and positively identified as 38-year-old Zachary Carey, of Evansville, who had been missing since May of 2023.

Carey had last been seen in the Lynnville area.

https://www.14news.com/2025/11/03/body-man-missing-since-2023-found-warrick-co/

***********

This episode discusses the disappearance of 38-year-old Zac Carey, who was last seen on May 30, 2023.

Key points discussed in the episode include:

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/15

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal.  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

This episode delves into reported Bigfoot or Sasquatch encounters in the Southern Indiana region, focusing on the Hoosier National Forest area. The episode features firsthand accounts from individuals who claim to have experienced an encounter.

Here's a summary of the key encounters discussed:

Introduction to Southern Indiana Bigfoot Sightings: The episode begins by referencing reported sightings documented on the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) website, setting the stage for personal encounter stories. [01:11], [01:21]

Angela's Interstate 64 Encounter (June 2022):

Bill's Multiple Encounters (2017-2019):

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/14

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal.  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

Links mentioned in episode:

Bill's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@billthreet1022

Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization:  https://bfro.net/

Washington County BFRO report:  https://bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=65589

Martin County BFRO report:  https://bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=60871

Indiana Bigfoot Researchers Organization Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/IBROrganization/

Map of the Turkey Fork area of Interstate 64 (88 mile marker) where Angela had her encounter:  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TurkeyFork.jpg

This episode investigates the murder of 50-year-old Troy DeWayne Smith, who was found dead in his Evansville, Indiana, apartment on May 24, 2020.

Here's a summary of the key details discussed:

If you have any information that could help solve this case, please contact the Evansville Police Department at 812-436-4025, or leave an anonymous tip at 800-78-CRIME. A $5,000 reward is being offered by Troy’s mother for information leading to a successful prosecution.

Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/13

Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal.  https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord

Troy's obituary

Smith Family Offering Reward to Catch Killer

Reward being offered for info in Spring 2020 homicide case