Chasing History Radio

Ryan talks about a  World War 1 Battle that involved gas attacks that made soldiers look like walking dead. The Battle of Osowiec , was a horrendous attack but an even more amazing resistance by a hugely outnumbered and poisoned group of men. These "dead men"  held out for 12 days!

The Tennessee  Bell Witch legend is well known. But how much is real? We delve into some of the research problems of the legend and what is needed to help keep it real.

During the reign of King Charles II, Thomas Blood attempted to steal the Crown Jewels. It was going well, with one man putting the Royal Orb in his pants, but then they had to run for it. Would they get away or caught and put to death?

For the anniversary of the Addams  Family premiere, we look into a little of the history of the show. Where did their names come from? And a house with pink walls are some of the "things" we are talking about today

Invented in 1897 and first sold in 1898, Grape-Nuts has a crazy history. From the time the inventor spent in a  famous sanitarium through course cases and into a p[op culture  phenomenon, Grape-Nuts has been through it all. It was used in war, exploration, and health crazes, and still in our cereal bowls.

The Battle of Château-Thierry in July 1918 is where American forces helped halt a German offensive. Facing a German advancement, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) launched a counterattack with French allies, achieving the first American victory of the war. This battle was a key turning point in the Second Battle of the Marne, significantly impacting German plans.

During World War 22, America had to ration some items for the war  effort. Using ration books and tokens , Americans could get a fair share of those items. But it was a lot more involved than that

A shiny 17 pound yellow rock found a 12 year old boy leads to the first  Gold Rush  in the US. Find out where and when in this podcast.  Even the past of the landowner is interesting.

Chase returns after his summer of digging fossils and finding history. You won't believe what he go this summer. Items from a top secret area to fossils, and they will all be in the store soon.

Initially Martha Tabram was listed as a victim of Jack the Ripper and then removed from the list of victims due to the way she was killed. We  discuss how she may have Benn a fledgling kill by Jack the Ripper as he was honing his craft. Forensics now would see her killing as him learning and progressing his  mode operandi, what do you think?

A frozen Charlotte doll was a one piece porcelain or bisque doll that sold for a penny in the late 1800s. But hoe did it become known as a frozen Charlotte, the story is attached to the death of a real girl named  Charlotte. Learn more about these little creepy dolls.

July 17th is national Wrong Way Corrigan day, and we dive into the history of this phase and person. Douglas Corrigan "accidentally flew to Ireland in a plane that should have been grounded. He claimed he went the wrong way because his compass was broke, but did he do it on purpose. Well he said, "That is my story and I am sticking to it, listen to the story and you decide.

After the famous gunfight at the OK corral, there was another shooting that brought Tombstone into the news. Buckskin Frank Leslie shot "Blonde Molle" and then concocted a great story to show he was innocent. But he was caught in his lie, want to know how? Just give a listen.

When did Americans first use fireworks to celebrate Independence Day, you may be wondering? Today's podcast answers that question and the delves into a little 4th of July history. Additionally, we talk about a founding father who thought we are celebrating the wrong day.

On June 26, 1721, Dr Zabdiel Boylston began  inoculations in Boston with a Puritan ministers blessing. With his success known, George Washington enacted the first medical mandate in American history. The life saving procedure helped strengthen the continental army and helped win the war.

Fossilized dinosaur poop is know as coprolite and it holds information about the dinosaurs that we can not find out from their bones. Telling about their diets, habitats and lifestyles.  Ichnology, the study of coprolite has added many fascinating insights into an time  before man.e

We know who Anne Frank is and what happens in her diary, but what about before and after the diary. We delve into what preceded her writing and into the question of why didn't they try to leave Europe. The we talk about what happens to each one of the eight that were in the annex after they were discovered and arrested.

Notre-Dame de Reims was the sight of continuous fighting during World War I. Despite pleas from the French people;e and even the Pope, this cathedral was continually damaged. The cathedral even became a site of propaganda of both sides.

Today as we look at the wonderful penny, with a long history starting with the establishment of the US Mint  in 1792. Pennies have been with us a long time and have become part of our culture and vernacular. So a penny for your thoughts and let's see what we know.

A table set for the service members who cannot be with us today. Every item set on the table has a very poignant  meaning. The makings and history are what we discuss this time.

Eugene Veal was in a small launch craft, in the harbor when the attack happened. Unable to get to their destroyer , they chose to go back into the fighting , unarmed , and rescue men out of the burning oil coated water. Giving him a new outlook, Eugene Veal would serve for 22 years including the Pacific Theatre, and Korea.

Today we talk about dogs that served in the United States  Army that had dog tags. Sheba served as a sentry dog during the Korean War. What she did and what happens to the dogs after the war is what our podcast is all about.

Chase drops in to give us a rundown on what is new in the Relic Room. How we give back a voice to people from the past. And how you can become a caretaker of the artifacts and share the history.

Vivianite is a unique crystal  that just so happens to grow on dead things. Vivianite has been found growing on organic materials such as fossil shells, animal waste deposits, peat bogs, sediments, and even on or within decomposing human corpses.  So what's going on here? Why does vivianite form on dead bodies?

Gunners Mate First Class Osmond Kelly Ingram was the first enlisted man  killed in WW I. As a torpedo approach the ship he was on , Ingram tried to throw all the depth charges overboard. He was killed preforming the act and won the Medal of Honor, since he saved the ship and all the men aboard. He was the only fatality, and this is his story