Polly Adler did not get the best start in life, but she managed to turn an odd situation into a thriving business opportunity that survived prohibition, police raids, and more. 

Charles Hatfield was known for his rainmaker, but he was no boxer. In the early 1900's, he made a name for himself by attracting rain. And then he made a bigger name for himself when it rained way too much.

Madam LaLaurie was so nice to her slaves that, publicly, she was known to raise a few eyebrows. Today, her estate is known as one of the most haunted locations in the south. And if the whole "slave owner" thing didn't give it away, it's not because she kindness'ed people to death.

From assault with a deadly animal, to bombing your coworkers as pranks, crimes are often as weird as they are stupid. This week, we look at a handful of very unusual run-ins with the law.

Those who have seen the movie Gladiator know that Emperor Commodus was a terrible man. What they may not realize, however, is that he was so bad that the movie actually makes him look better than he was, even if they made up the part about him killing his own father.

Lord Timothy Dexter couldn't understand why his high-society peers wouldn't accept him as their peer. But what he lacked in taste, education, personality, grooming, and manners, he more than made up for in sheer dumb luck.

After a string of sexual assaults and an eventual murder landed the troubled Jack Unterweger in jail, it looked like justice would prevail. But after writing a hit book, and serving out his 15 year sentence, Jack was released, and given a job as a crime reporter. But had Jack really changed?

George Boynton was a born explorer. At least, he thought he was. His journey around the world on foot may not have gone completely as planned, but it'd take more than a little setback to knock George off his feet.

Drugged teas, trapdoors, and spikes, or maybe just murderous thugs in the night. Either way, John and Lavinia Fisher would eventually pay for their crimes against those who stayed at their inn.

Margaretta Peter had a passion for the Bible. But when that passion became an obsession, things got a little weird for the would-be martyr and her sister-turned-disciple. 

Feat. Kelly Bristol

Since the historic twice-sinking of Kublai Kahn's fleets, the Devil's Triangle has been a place of mystery and lore. Storms, volcanoes, gas bubbles, or even dragons; what's sinking ships off Japan's coasts?

Like many parts of the world, Australia had its share of post WWI problems. Perhaps not the least of which was a destructive herd of ravenous Emu. As it turns out, these giant birds are no laughing matter, but losing the Great Emu War is.

Giuseppe Marco Fieschi was a man of honor, at least, when it suited him. Which, unfortunately for those around him, was not particularly often. He was also the mastermind behind his 25-barreled gun, The Infernal Machine. It didn't end well for anyone.

Barry Bremen loved being in the limelight, and was blessed to live out his dream in professional sporting events across the country. The only problem? He was not a professional athlete. For The Great Impostor, getting into the game was the game.

Canadian legends are full of mythological creatures, from the wendigo and a blonde big foot, to a sinister creature that may or may not collect heads in the Valley of the Headless Corpses. This week, Ben takes a look at a number of these myths.

In the mid 19th century, tensions were at a tipping point between the newly founded Mormon church, whose founder had been murdered by a lynch mob, and the US Government. As the Baker-Fancher party would discover, people can do terrible things in the name of fear.

In perhaps the most implausible witch-ghost tale we've covered to date, it's the legend of Tennessee's Bell Witch. Scratching, hair pulling, incessant religious debates; the only thing this ghost won't do is shut up.

In the 60's, the CIA made it their mission to kill the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Fortunately for him, the CIA was in no way qualified to assassinate a president. We examine some of the weirder (read: stupider) attempts on Fidel's life.

For 300 days, Verdun, France bore witness to some of the most intense shelling and chemical weapons attacks of World War I. Nearly 100 years later, much of the land remains uninhabitable.

In the mid 19th century, the Donnellys moved from Ireland to Biddulph, Ontario. For years, their fellow Biddulphians fell victim to the families famously short tempers and violent nature. Until one night, when the Peace Society decided enough was enough.