The Bygone Society Show

“Such is the condition of humanity, and so uncertain is men’s judgment, that they cannot determine even death itself.” - Pliny the Elder In the 18th and 19th centuries, a specter haunted the minds of the living—it lingered in limbo, where darkness weighs heavy, and the air is thin.  If found in its confines, no course of action nor thrash of panic could save you. You were as good as dead.   How mo...

When you take a look at our longstanding history, mankind can point to endless examples of our march towards progress and daring endeavors.  We’ve risen from the ashes like a Phoenix, emerged from the depths of oppression, and brought in new dawns upon vast empires. The rise of great people and civilizations makes for an uplifting and even ego-affirming tale.  But what of their inevitable downfall...

In the misty, rolling hills and deep hollows of Appalachia, is a land steeped in rich tradition and enduring tales.  But make no mistake; these are not mere stories; they are the lifeblood of this place, a deep-rooted connection that transcends time, binding its people to the land and the secrets it holds. The significance of these age-old tales lies in their power to reflect the hopes, fears, and...

Picture this…  You’re in a dimly lit room. There’s a hushed gathering of mourners. The air is heavy with the scent of tears and smoldering incense, its tendrils of gray smoke curling like a restless spirit.  At the center of the room is a solitary figure, he’s cloaked in tattered garments and kneeling beside a crude wooden table.  On it, is a woman, recently deceased. She’s holding a plate of crus...

There are certain places that emerge as profound markers in history, anchoring the narratives of generations past and of those yet to come.  These places are more than just geographical coordinates on a map; they’re repositories of memory, vessels of experience, and a type of conduit for the stories of humanity.   Today’s profound marker in history lies in the heart of New York City; The Bowery is...

The sea is a captivating and unpredictable force. It offers abundant resources, sustenance, and trade routes to countless civilizations throughout history, fostering prosperity, cultural exchange and reprieve.  But it also demands respect. The sea’s duality serves as a reminder of nature’s power, and the delicate balance between human dependence on its bounty and the need to approach it with humil...

Women and water. What is it about “women and water” that holds such power over the whole of society?  There’s a mystique that has fascinated us…petrified us…drawn us in.  Water as a traditional symbol of femininity is an ancient theme that dominates literature and the arts in nearly every corner of the earth.  From the Japanese swan maidens to Disney’s lagoon-loving mermaids, tales of women and wa...

In part one of Radium Girls, we found out that U.S. Radium Corporation in New Jersey commissioned an independent study to test the effects of chronic radium exposure, only after hundreds of young women working as dial painters fell ill and died. The study’s results were clear: The workers were suffering and dying from radium poisoning. But U.S. Radium refused the findings, hiding the results from...

There was a time, exactly 100 years ago, when the naturally occurring radioactive metal — radium — was thought to be a medical marvel that promised restored health, the eradication of cancer and a youthful glow to boot.  Its safety was tested by scientists, its use cases vouched and recommended by doctors. And yet nothing could have been further from the truth.  Today’s story is a cautionary tale...

On May 8, 1902, Mont Pelée, an active volcano that formed the north end of the island of Martinique, erupted, engulfing the city of Saint-Pierre in superheated gas, ash and rock in just three minutes. The swift and sudden explosion would turn out to be the deadliest in the twentieth century. To quote Dr. Ian Malcolm (played by actor and certified genius Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park): "Life...

 A warning for listeners: This episode talks about explicit and disturbing material, including murder-suicide and sexual abuse. Please, take care while listening.  One Tuesday night in 2006, 28-year-old Zack Bowen, an Iraq War veteran, stuffed a hand-written note in his front pocket and nervously sipped his drink on the outside terrace of the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel before flinging himself from t...

At the end of part 1, Winnie Ruth Judd gave her first and only public confession about the murder of her two friends, Anne and Sammy, while awaiting her execution at the Arizona State Prison. The confession led to her lover, Jack Halloran’s indictment, but as you may recall, Ruth pleaded not guilty due to self defense. When the judge agreed with her, he indirectly nullified Jack’s involvement in t...

Today’s story takes place in Phoenix, Arizona, 1931 - two years deep into the Great Depression. Once considered a one-horse-town, the city had doubled in size as it neared 20 years of statehood and withstood economic hardships better than most.  On the surface, the Valley of the Sun was inhabited by tight-laced moralists and virtuous families.  But beneath the thin facade of all things prim and pr...