Forgotten American Folklore

A story told in constellations from the northern Micmac people. We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com   If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution.  You can use: Venmo or Cashapp

So many Western folk heroes were involved in stagecoach robberies, let's take a few minutes and plan one of our own! We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com   If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution.  You can use: Venmo or Cashapp

Sadly, the display of human oddities was part of entertainment in the nineteenth century.  This week we meet some of the few who made successuful lives in the sideshow tent. We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com   If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution.  You can use: Venmo or Cashapp  

One last highlight in Barnum's career before he starts his famous circus. We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com   If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution.  You can use: Venmo or Cashapp    

Barnum continues exhibiting in his American Museum and brings Grizzly Adams from the West. We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com   If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution.  You can use: Venmo or Cashapp  

Barnum brings the worlds most popular singer to a record breaking tour of America.   Questions of comments:  Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com

This week we start a series of episodes on one of the most iconic figures in Americana- P.T. Barnum.

Two hoaxes from New York State- a giant man from pre-Biblical times is uncovered in Cardiff New York and a family is chased from their Long Island home by.... ghosts?   Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com

One day I casually googled 'American End of the World Prophets' and discovered the Millerites and the several religious movements that came of them.  Today a dive down the end of the world rabbit hole.   Questions of comments?  Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com

The Lakota chief who would lead his people through Little Big Horn and the end of their freedom on the plains.

The story of a boy drawn into a family of witches- and how simple pranks can go wrong fast.   Feedback?  Fafolklore@gmail.com

The story of an early American criminal gang- the gang that wrote the book on how to rob a train.   Questions?  Comments?  Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com

Jefferson Randolph 'Soapy' Smith was a colorful character, a grifter. a confidence man, and the king of the town of Skagway, Alaska during the gold rush.  This guy lived an intersting life.   Comments or questions?  Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com

The story behind a folk ballad sung every year in Pennsylvania, commemorating the executiuon of twenty four year old Susanna Cox.

A strange creature appears in West Virginia- is it a warning of disaster to come, or does it cause disaster?   Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com

The stories of two Americans whose preserved bodies lived more interesting lives than they did.  Also one British philosopher who preserved himself so he could finally get the respect he deserved.   Questions or comments?  fafolklore@gmail.com

Solve all your health problems with the oil from a snake, or implant a goat's organs, or take these pills... 

The folklore of snakes, including a Cherokee story from Georgia about the Uktena.   Questions or comments?  fafolklore@gmail.com

For the Masters next week, let's talk a little golf.

The Bermuda Triangle is a modern product of folklore- and the fact that nobody has a better suggestion than aliens doesn't help.

Today we close this series with the Battle of the Alamo, then a short discussion of how Davy Crockett's death fits into the ideals and beliefs that were growing as Americans moved West and the Civil War began to loom.   Questions, comments?  fafolklore@gmail.com (Email me and I'll tell you where the basement is in the Alamo)

Two figures that will meet Davy Crockett at the Alamo.   Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com

The legendary life of Davy Crockett from his early days in Tennessee to his departure for Texas.   Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com

The story behind the song you may know as 'Stagger Lee'.

A New York newspaper publishes a story about the inhabitants of the Moon, and a radio broadcast brings invaders from Mars to New Jersey.   Contact us at fafolklore@gmail.com