Following the trail of my Great Great Grandfather, Robert Harrison Cook, through his first tour with the 8th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry has brought the raw energy of the Civil War’s opening chapter to life. From the bustling muster at Camp Curtin to the gritty marches through Chambersburg, Williamsport, and Martinsburg, Robert and his Scranton Union Volunteers faced the mud, the drills, and the looming threat of Rebel forces with grit and determination. Their 90-day sprint, though short, helped set the stage for the Union’s long fight, fueled by brotherhood and a fierce love for country. Born on the same day as Robert, over a century apart, I feel his spirit urging me to keep these tales of valor and sacrifice alive, honoring the men who marched for freedom and left their mark on our nation’s story.

In 1915, a quiet farmhouse in Chinchilla, PA, hid a dangerous secret: a Black Hand counterfeiting ring cranking out thousands of fake half-dollar coins. Led by Scranton detective John Cartusciello, a daring raid took them down before a bloodbath could erupt. Guns, dynamite, and old-world mob ties — it’s a forgotten slice of American crime history. Listen now to True Crime NEPA on Spotify! 🔥🎧 #TrueCrime #HistoryPodcast #BlackHand #SpotifyPodcasts

This episode is a discussion of Marco Pasco's life and violent death in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1928. It details his immigration from Italy, his marriage, and the turbulent events leading up to his murder, including several arrests and violent encounters with others in the community. The source describes the investigation into Pasco's death, noting the police's suspicion of organized crime and highlighting the lack of resolution in the case. Ultimately, Marco Pasco's murder remains unsolved, leaving questions about the motive and identity of his assailants.

This episode chronicles the case of Dominick Delfino, an Italian immigrant accused of murdering Dometrio Morabito in Archbald, Pennsylvania, in 1916. Despite his initial conviction and death sentence, Delfino maintains his innocence and asserts the killing was in self-defense against a member of the Black Hand Society. The discussion outlines his dramatic escape from jail, his life as a fugitive using various aliases in Canada and the United States, and his eventual recapture seven years later. Throughout his time on the run and after his re-imprisonment, new evidence and conflicting testimonies emerge, including a deathbed confession from another individual, although these ultimately fail to prevent his execution by electric chair in 1924.