Curious Cousins OK Podcast

The Murrell Home, located at 19479 E Murrell Rd, Park Hill, OK, is the only antebellum plantation house still standing in the state. Built in 1845 by George Michael Murrell, a wealthy white planter married to Minerva Ross, the home is one of the few surviving structures from the antebellum period in Cherokee lands. The Murrell family, allied with the influential Ross family, moved to Indian Territ...

Rodeos are BIG here in Oklahoma. We are the Horse Show Capital of the World, after all. When you mention rodeos in Oklahoma, two things come to mind; Garth Brooks’ famed song and Lane Frost. Lane Clyde Frost, born on October 12, 1963, in Lapoint, Utah, was raised in Kim, Colorado, before moving to Oklahoma, where he developed a passion for bull riding at a young age. The son of Clyde and Elsie Fro...

And now, the end has come... On February 18, 1936, during Day 7 of the trial, Phil Kennamer testified before a packed courtroom. Dr. Karl Menniger recalled his earlier testimony, stating he believed Phil was insane when he ended John Jr., citing a psychopathic personality. Dr. E.A. Werner, who examined Phil multiple times, concurred, noting Phil couldn't grasp right from wrong at the time of t...

Are you ready for the trail of the 1930s?? Buckle up, buttercups, because here it is!  In the investigation surrounding Phil Kennamer, a decoded note from Lee Krupnick to Preston Cochran, originally from Phil, raised questions about Pat's reliability and potential future murders. (whew, did you get all that?) Lee, working for both Phil and the TPD, is allowed to smuggle notes to gather more in...

This story just keeps getting twisted and thicker…Tiff left us at part 2 with Phil’s friend, and Virginia’s little brother, being the cause of the street lights being out…the streetlights on the street John Gorrell Jr was found, deceased with two gunshot wounds to the head… Phil's past behavior and childhood history raised concerns about possible mental health issues, with some suggesting sociopat...

Last week, we cousins learned of the tragic and mysterious death of John Gorrell Jr, Thanksgiving Night 1934. When we left off, Flyod Huff, of Kansas, had just finished telling KCPD Chief Higgins a story straight from movies…He knew who had killed this young man in Tulsa, OK… Philip Millholland Kennamer, born on July 26, 1915, in Madill, OK, grew up in Tulsa during the 1920s and 30s. The youngest...

Well, Tiff has done it again! Inadvertently, she has chosen a topic that led her down a rabbit hole, resulting in a multi-parter…so here’s part 1… This is a captivating account of a murder that took place in Tulsa in 1934, deeply entwined with the societal dynamics of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The story centers around the tragic death of 21-year-old John Gorrell Jr., who was discover...

Enjoy chasing sunsets at the lake? At Lake Jed Johnson, so may say that not the only thing being chased… Lake Jed Johnson, located in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, is named after Jed Johnson, a notable American attorney and politician. As the third largest of thirteen small reservoirs in the area, it spans 57.5 acres and was established by the Civilian Conservation Co...

We talked about the ghosts at the 101, now let’s talk about the history…The Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, located near Ponca City, spanned 110,000 acres at its peak and was primarily owned by the Miller family. Founded by George Washington Miller, a former Confederate colonel, the ranch became a significant agricultural enterprise after he transitioned from military life to ranching. Miller's ran...

It’s been a hot minute since your favorite cousins have brought you a story so horrible and gruesome we’ve had to attach a listener's discretion to it…so let’s dive in… Spade Cooley, born Donnell Clyde Cooley on December 17, 1910, in Grand, Oklahoma, was a prominent figure in Western Swing music, often referred to as "the King of Western Swing." Cooley's musical journey began at...

This week Tiff dives into one of Oklahoma’s most well known ranches…the 101 Ranch in Ponca City. The Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, a 110,000-acre cattle ranch, was founded in 1893 by Colonel George Washington Miller, and became a significant site for the Wild West Show and the oil rush. Miller, who established the 101 brand on his cattle, expanded the ranch operations despite various challenges, and...

In light of the recent airplane crashes, Jess decided to research incidents in Oklahoma. This turned up the tragic event from April 22, 1966. This date marks the worst plane crash in Oklahoma's history, involving American Flyers Airline Flight 280/D, which was transporting US soldiers from California to Georgia. The Lockheed L-188 Electra aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Ardmore Mu...

This week Tiff wraps up the 3 part deep dive into the Sapulpa Coach’s Tragedy.  On January 26, 1976, a significant funeral for Coach Jerry Bailey took place at the First Baptist Church in Sapulpa, attended by around 1,200 people, including students and current and former players who honored a man celebrated for his inclusive approach to coaching. Coach Bailey, who grew up during a time of segregat...

Picking up where we left off last week in Part 1, Tiff dives right into days, weeks, and months following the death of Sapulpa High School football coach Jerry Bailey.  The investigation into the tragic events surrounding Coaches Paul Reagor Jr and Jerry Bailey began after medics transported Reagor to the hospital, leaving police to piece together the scene. Coach Bailey's body was discovered in t...

The lasting influence of educators often shapes students' lives, a sentiment echoed by many. Coach Jerry Bailey, a beloved high school football coach and teacher, embodied this ideal, serving not only as a mentor but also as a friend and confidant to his students. His tragic murder in 1976 marked a dark chapter in the community of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. The true crime documentary series "Murder Under...

“Things that go ‘Bump’ in the night, Really shouldn’t give one a fright”. This famous quote from author Spike Milligan clearly was not familiar with the house in Eldorado, OK nicknamed the “Leave or Die House”.  Jess’s kooky and spooky tale takes us to the far southwest tip of Oklahoma. The account of the Solis Family's experience in their Eldorado Home begins with a disturbing message found o...

Being the height of cold and flu season here in Oklahoma, Tiff thought she’d bring a little history lesson on one of the world’s deadliest flu pandemics…The 1918 Flu Epidemic…aka The Spanish Flu. The 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, which spanned from 1918 to 1920, was one of the deadliest pandemics in history, infecting an estimated 500 million people or one-third of the global population. It was cause...

This week Jess starts a new series…Oklahoma’s Death Row Women. And boy does she start out strong…perhaps with the most controversial one of all… Wanda Jean Allen was born on August 17, 1959, in what is believed to be Oklahoma City, as the second of eight children in a troubled family. Her upbringing was marked by trauma, including severe injuries from a truck accident at age 12 and a stabbing at 1...

Happy New Year!! Let's start this new year out with some new spooks! What pops into your mind when you hear the city name of McAlester? Well, if you’re an Oklahomie, you instantly probably think of prison. Yes, McAlester is famously known to be the home of the Oklahoma State Penn. But one might not necessarily think about the kooky and spooky aspect of a city such as this one. It’s probably safe t...

Has Jess got a TALL TALE for you all today…literally! When one thinks of the Cherokee Strip, one doesn’t normally conjure up an image of Goliath or Tom Thumb or a full-blown circus for that matter, unless maybe you’re from the area and grew up listening to the tales. Lewis Wilkins, born in 1869 or 1870, was known as "The Oklahoma Giant" due to his extraordinary height of 8 feet 2 inches and weight...

This week, Tiff brings us one of the kookiest cases your favorite cousins have eve dived into…the unsolved case of Roberta “Bobby” Lynn Daniel. Born in 1952, in Kansas, but living virtually all of her life here in Oklahoma, Bobby is remembered as a happy and talented child, who not only thrived in the dance studio, but also on the back of a horse.  Bobby spent most of her childhood in Buffalo, mov...

Ready for a spin-tingling, spooky and kooky story? Jess has found the perfect place, right off of I-35 in southern Oklahoma… Brown Springs is a natural spring located near the Red River, just north of Thackerville, Oklahoma. Though easily accessible, the site has an eerie reputation, surrounded by thick woods and brush, creating an uninviting atmosphere. The spring's clear water is juxtaposed with...

With the wild weather this month, Tiff decided to take a look at another story day way back when… The weather in Oklahoma, particularly tornadoes, has long been a significant concern since the Land Run of 1889. Tornadoes are most prevalent in "tornado alley," which stretches from Texas through Oklahoma and into the Midwest. The unique geography of Oklahoma increases the likelihood of tornadoes, es...

Ep 104 is hot off the press! This week Jess tells us the harrowing tale of William Lewis Reece, born on July 1, 1959, in Oklahoma. Reece faced a troubled upbringing as one of thirteen children. After dropping out of school in the 9th grade due to financial constraints, he married,and had two children. However, his marriage was marred by Reece's heavy drinking and abusive behavior, leading to multi...

Tucked away in northwestern Oklahoma, The Cherokee Strip Museum, located in Alva, Oklahoma, is recognized as one of the state's most haunted locations. Established in 1961, the museum originated as a civic and social club and has since evolved into an educational space showcasing the history of Oklahoma's Cherokee Strip. Alva, a city with a rich history dating back to its establishment during the...