Tea Time Crimes

Gesche Gottfried was known as the “Angel of Bremen,” before it was discovered she had killed at least 16 people. How does such a heinous individual obtain such a lovely title? Charm, deception, and a whole lot of Mäusebutter. Gesche played on the prevalence of diseases, primitive medicine, and abundant sympathy to get away with murder. Jump into 19th century Germany with us and hear about the woman who was anything but an angel. 

Alana’s tea review starts at 7:30 

Tea of the Day: Golden Monkey Tea

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Sources:

• https://www.bremen.eu/tourism/sights/legends-and-monuments/spitting-stone
• https://www.executedtoday.com/2019/04/21/1831-gesche-margarethe-gottfried-the-angel-of-bremen/
• https://www.grunge.com/482731/things-you-didnt-know-about-serial-killer-gesche-gottfried/
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314264340_THE_BLACK_STONE_Memory_of_a_female_serial_killer_in_Bremen
• https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/spuckstein-gesche-gottfried
• https://bylinetimes.com/2019/03/05/stuchberys-strange-histories-the-sad-tale-of-gesche-gottfried/
• https://www.frumiousreads.com/post/gesche-gottfried-the-angel-of-bremen
• https://medium.com/crimebeat/the-german-woman-who-poisoned-and-killed-15-people-e737152e19a2
• https://glennfay.medium.com/the-heartbreaking-childhood-plagues-of-the-1700s-and-1800s-b2692d0594f5
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/05/07/poison-is-a-womans-weapon/
• https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/illness.html
• https://www.healthline.com/health/arsenic-poisoning#symptoms
• https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/medicine/cholera-victorian-london
• https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/btb/index.cfm/book_number/2867/fever
• https://www.britannica.com/place/Bremen-Germany
• https://www.bremen.eu/tourism/sights/bremen-town-musicians
• The Stirling Observer - 15 Nov 1866, Thu · Page 6 https://www.newspapers.com/image/807852340/
• Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette - 21 Sep 1871, Thu · Page 2 https://www.newspapers.com/image/86353938/
• https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/munchausen-by-proxy-syndrome

In 1960, 25-year-old second grade teacher, Irene Garza, vanished. Her family knew it was foul play, but no arrest was made. Irene became a cold case and the family’s hope dwindled, but they never gave up. Listen to the sad tale of Irene Garza and the family that fought for her through the decades. 

Tea of the Day: Butterfly Pea Tea 

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Sources:

• Cold Case Files: Season 2: Episode 6: The Devil in Disguise
• https://www.cbsnews.com/video/the-last-confession-1/
• The Monitor - 01 Feb 2004, Sun · Page A33 https://www.newspapers.com/image/670398429
• The Monitor - 28 May 1951, Mon · Page 5 https://www.newspapers.com/image/292559743/
• The Monitor - 27 Feb 1955, Sun · Page 18 https://www.newspapers.com/image/297195047/
• The Monitor - 21 Apr 1960, Thu · Page 2 https://www.newspapers.com/image/297589688/
• Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph - 21 Apr 1960, Thu · Page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/524696319/
• Valley Morning Star - 06 Aug 1960, Sat · Page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/61614977/
• Chicago Tribune - 06 Aug 1960, Sat · Page 54 https://www.newspapers.com/image/374718697/
• The Brownsville Herald - 21 Apr 1960, Thu · Page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/24049323/
• Lansing State Journal - 24 Apr 1960, Sun · Page 75 https://www.newspapers.com/image/204060377/
• The Monitor - 01 Jul 1960, Fri · Page 2 
  https://www.newspapers.com/image/300234201/
• The Monitor - 27 Apr 1960, Wed · Page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/297592897/
• The Shreveport Journal - 16 Aug 1960, Tue · Page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/600733842/
• The Monitor - 19 Apr 1960, Tue · Page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/297588687/
• The Brownsville Herald - 19 Apr 1960, Tue · Page 1 
  https://www.newspapers.com/image/24048947
• The Brownsville Herald - 18 Apr 1960, Mon · Page 1 
  https://www.newspapers.com/image/24048727/
• The Monitor - 05 Jan 2003, Sun · Page 1 
  https://www.newspapers.com/image/331531660/
• The Monitor - 15 Feb 2016, Mon · Page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/285801256/
• The Monitor - 01 Feb 2004, Sun · Page A33 https://www.newspapers.com/image/670398429/
• The Monitor - 09 Dec 2017, Sat · Page A1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/358959244/
• The Monitor- 05 Dec 2017, Tue · Page A10 https://www.newspapers.com/image/358956671/
• The Monitor - 15 Feb 2016, Mon · Page 6 https://www.newspapers.com/image/285801471/
• Valley Morning Star - 10 Dec 2017, Sun · Page A4 https://www.newspapers.com/image/358959655/

In the 1940’s, back before Tinder, or even Craigslist, there was The Lonely Hearts Club: a way for bachelors and bachelorettes to go from pen pal to spouse. However, it only takes one (or two) to ruin it all. Meet Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck: a couple who will take advantage of lonely women to reap rewards. But how far will they go?

Tea of the Day: Green Milk Tea with Boba

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Sources:

• The Lonely Hearts Club Killers: The Bloody Passions of Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez by Tobin T. Buhk
• https://youtu.be/7k8XfZphDd0
• https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-lonely-hearts-killers-are-executed
• https://allthatsinteresting.com/lonely-hearts-killers
• https://www.crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/partners/fernandez/10.html
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201407/partners-in-crime
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/261401108/?terms=martha%20beck&match=1
• https://www.express.co.uk/expressyourself/301806/History-of-the-lonely-hearts
• Press and Sun-Bulletin - 11 Feb 1951, Sun · Page 55
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/261401108
• Press and Sun-Bulletin - 18 Feb 1951, Sun · Page 28
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/260552463
• Newsday (Suffolk Edition)-09 Mar 1951, Fri · Page 3
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/710880531/

Meet Lizzie Halliday, otherwise known as the ‘Worst Woman on Earth.’ Lizzie came to New York in 1872 as a young girl and it wasn’t long before the people close to Lizzie started to die “unexpectedly.” Learn how this woman avoided capture for so long and earned such a heinous title in the process. 

Tea of the Day: Honeybush, Mandarin & Orange Tea

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Sources:

• Killing Time in the Catskills: The twisted tale of the Catskill Ripper Elizabeth "Lizzie" McNally Halliday by Kevin Owen 
• Murderer’s Gulch: Carnage in the Catskills by C.J. March
• https://www.grunge.com/606945/heres-how-many-victims-1890s-serial-killer-lizzie-halliday-actually-had/
• https://hvmag.com/life-style/history/lizzie-brown-halliday-serial-killer/
• https://allthatsinteresting.com/lizzie-halliday

The Reverend and the Reprobate join Tea Time Crimes today for a nerdy tea review and a chilling case. Join the four of us as we navigate through London to follow the life of hard-drinking, kleptomaniac Kate Webster. In January of 1879, Kate finds work as a live-in domestic servant for the wealthy widow Mrs. Julia Thomas. But Kate has no intention of turning her life around, instead she will go to disgusting and despicable lengths to continue her life of crime. 

Tea of the Day: Sacred Spring Tea

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Check out The Reverend and the Reprobate here.

Sources:

• https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/webster-kate-1849-1879
• https://youtu.be/8QE_U1Mfy_M
• https://www.bordersancestry.com/picks-from-the-past/the-mystery-of-john-webster
• https://www.irishpost.com/news/ten-facts-kate-webster-irish-maid-hanged-dismembering-employer-victorian-london-131185
• https://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/webster.html
• https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?div=t18790630-653
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/813005051/?terms=%22julia%20thomas%22%20obituary&match=1
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/257613460/?terms=kate%20webster&match=1
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/409579107/?terms=kate%20webster&match=1
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/392201605/?terms=julia%20thomas&match=1
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/813005051/?terms=%22julia%20thomas%22%20obituary&match=1
• https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/505155/barnes-mystery-twisted-tale-maids-murder-and-mistaken-identity

Today, we are covering three female assassins who span the centuries and cross the globe. First up, Charlotte Corday, a French revolutionist who wants to spare her country more bloodshed. Next, travel to China to meet Shi Jianqiao, a family loyalist who must avenge her father. Lastly, Margaretha Zelle, a charming, charismatic woman caught up in a world of men at war. Cheer, or boo, as these women do what they feel they must, according to their morals, judgment, and survival. This episode has the Alana stamp of approval!

Tea of the Day: Royal Treatmint

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Check out HannMadePottery, the shop that produced Alana’s adorable mug today!

Sources:

• https://youtu.be/5RIGXJhnW8M
• https://youtu.be/FBDGqk5E9vc
• https://youtu.be/HKDlvpnYTRA
• https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/french-revolutionaries-storm-bastille
• https://thechinaproject.com/2020/10/14/a-clash-of-tradition-and-modern-law-the-pardon-of-assassin-shi-jianqiao/
• https://content.ucpress.edu/pages/10541/10541.ch01.pdf
• https://youtu.be/Tu3Cb0nDr8g
• https://youtu.be/-WF3rA8ItmY

Reputation is everything; at least it was for Helen Potts and her family. So when the dutiful, obedient teenager eloped, she made the perilous decision to keep it a secret. After all, keeping this quiet was what her new husband, Carlyle Harris, wanted, and Helen was willing to do anything to keep him happy. Unfortunately for Helen, their marriage became a secret so big, Carlyle would do anything to keep it. Take the journey with us to find out how Helen succumbed to a fate that could have easily been avoided. 

Tea of the Day: Paris Tea 

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Check us out on The Reverend and Reprobate podcast!

Check out Fresh Hell Podcast, as promo'd at the start of this episode

Sources:

• Six Capsules: The Gilded Age Murder of Helen Potts by George R. Dekle Sr.
• https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/carlyle-harris-helen-potts-murder-poison
• https://www.newspapers.com/image/401402065/?terms=carlyle%20harris&match=1
• Chattanooga Daily Times - 04 Feb 1892, Thu · Page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/604717409/
• The Tribune - 28 Feb 1893, Tue · Page 2 https://www.newspapers.com/image/48291354/
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch - 08 May 1893, Mon · Page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/138992941
• https://www.history.com/news/the-criminalization-of-abortion-began-as-a-business-tactic
• https://victorian-era.org/victorian-era-courtship-rules-and-marriage.html

Claire and Dora Williamson were wealthy sisters who enjoyed traveling the world and exploring new techniques for health and wellness. In 1911, the women discover Dr. Linda Hazzard who claims to be able to heal anything from kidney disease to paralysis with her unique techniques. The sisters place themselves in the care of Dr. Hazzard, isolated from the outside world in order to fully immerse themselves in the method and achieve perfect health. Unfortunately, only one of the sisters will make it out alive.

Tea of the Day: Vahdam Turmeric Spiced Herbal Chai

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Check out Devilish Deeds, as promo'd at the beginning of this episode.

Sources:

• Starvation Heights by Gregg Olsen
• The Saint Paul Globe 10 Feb 1904, Wed · Page 3 https://www.newspapers.com/image/84107921/
• The Minneapolis Journal 20 Dec 1901, Fri · Page 23 https://www.newspapers.com/image/809996534/
• The Saint Paul Globe 20 Nov 1902, Thu · Page 3 https://www.newspapers.com/image/84116540/
• The Minneapolis Journal 19 Nov 1902, Wed · Page 6 https://www.newspapers.com/image/76293638/
• https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/01/20/463710330/what-happens-to-the-body-and-mind-when-starvation-sets-in
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/doctor-who-starved-her-patients-death-180953158/
• https://www.historylink.org/File/7955
• https://medium.com/the-story-in-history/the-doctor-who-starved-her-patients-to-death-e8ebf87ac4f4
• https://forgottenminnesota.com/forgotten-minnesota/2018/07/starvation-doctor-quack-healer-serial-killer

Join us in 1930s Japan where we find 30-year-old Sada Abe on the run. After a hard life of being thrown from one man to another, Sada finally finds a man she deems suitable and caring, despite the fact that he’s married. When she senses that he’s about to return to his wife, she makes a choice she will forever regret. 

Tea of the Day: New Years Tea

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Check out Ignorance Was Bliss, promo'd on today's episode

Sources:

• “Nickname Flower of Evil - The Abe Sada Story” by Kristine Ohkubo
• https://murderpedia.org/female.A/a/abe-sada.htm
• https://allthatsinteresting.com/sada-abe
• https://the-line-up.com/sada-abe
• Chicago Tribune - 18 Apr 1937, Sun · Page 129
  https://www.newspapers.com/image/354861270/

Meet Fredricka Mandelbaum, a German-born Jewish immigrant who came to New York in 1850, fleeing persecution. Living in New York during that time wasn’t easy: disease was rampant, money was hard to come by, and the city was full of corruption. But Fredricka wasn’t about to let that stop her from building an empire. Join us as we explore Fredricka’s impressive evolution into The Queen of Thieves.

Tea of the Day: Manglier Tea

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Sources:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM_AoD0GPZg
• https://forward.com/life/208460/new-yorks-first-female-crime-boss/
• https://globalfinancialdata.com
• https://finestknown.com/panic-1857
• https://www.nps.gov/people/fernando-wood.htm
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boss-Tweed
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-life-and-crimes-of-old-mother-mandelbaum-71693582/
• Queen of Thieves: The True Story of “Marm” Mandelbaum and Her Gangs of New York by J. North Conway