History is Criminal

We are still in 1935 Oklahoma, this time for a gun wielding co-ed and a questionable plot to extort money from a Dust Bowl farm family. Was it self defense, a gang looked to kidnap or kill a young woman, or was it all a hoax. And what the hell do Japanese spies have to do with anything. Famous Crimes the World Forgot by John Lucky Morrow was an important resource for this episode.

In this episode we jump back to Dust Bowl Oklahoma and the story of 2 brothers who, more than a decade apart, go on killing sprees. And that might not be the most disturbing part of the story. It is the sick and twisted tail of Chester Comer.

We jump back to the early years of the 1800 and all over the young United States for a story of politics that makes today's rivalries seem downright reasonable. It is the wild story of Aaron Burr, with a guest shot (pun intended) by Alexander Hamilton. The duel is just part of the story. Even so I don't see a hip-hop musical in Aaron's future.

Join us as we jump back to the 1790s and a revolt over whiskey and taxes. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton have a plan to pay off the national debt with a tax on whiskey. Only problem the farmers distilling whiskey aren't about to pay. Tar, feathers and a test of the Constitution, it's the Whiskey Rebellion.

Imagine if the most famous painting in the world vanished and nobody noticed. Jump back with us to 1911 France and ridiculously simple plan walk away with the Mona Lisa. But when you still something priceless, you might find it had to sell.

We are 24 hours late, but we still jump back to 1590s Scotland to look at a king obsessed with witches. By the time James VI/James I is done 70 people will have been executed and many more tortured. But why would he do it.

Legends must start somewhere. The legend of the gentleman bandit starts with Claude Du Vall. Born to a peasant family in Normandy, France he would charm his way into the hearts of noblewomen and to the top of the most wanted list in his adopted homeland of England. Join us as we jump back to 1660s England and the story of the OG gentleman bandit, Claude Du Vall.

In this video we jump back to late 40s Sicily and the story of the Sicilian Robin Hood. He was a murderer, kidnapper, patriot and hero. In the complicated world of occupied Sicily, he blurred lines between outlaw and folk hero.

How could a smiling, giggling grandma be frightening serial killing. That was the question everyone asked when Nannie Doss was brought in after the death of her 5th husband. But as the story unfolded, they would learn that she was a bunch of evil wrapped in the guise of a sweet 1950s grandma.

In this longer episode, we jump back to WWII United States to look into the insane story of Joseph D Medley. Conman, and murder who would make to prisons systems look like keystone cops, while leaving a trail of dead red heads in his path.

What happens when a 49-year-old, king with a possible traumatic brain injury marries a 17-year-old girl with poor decision-making skills, hint it isn't good. Join us as we again jump back to Tudor England to take a look at the second of Henry VIII wives to get her head chopped off. While it might be good to be the king, it sucks to be the queen.

Join us as we jump back to 1871 LA, a dusty little frontier town, and the largest public lynching in American History. What started as a conflict between to rival Chinese factions, over a young woman, turned into a night of horror for a whole community. Largely erased from history the 1871 Chinese Massacre would scare the Chinese American citizens for generations.

What happens when you combine anti-Italian hatred, a little organized crime, and the assassination of a much-beloved police chief? It is murder on a grand scale, societal supported, and government sanctioned mass murder. Join us as we jump back to the 1891 New Orleans and the assassination of David Hennessey and its bloody aftermath.

Henri Landru was a skilled conman. Lacking good looks, he was able to charm nearly 300 women out of their life savings in WWI era France. But eleven of his victims would pay the ultimate price. Just how this slimy little man pulled this off still remains a mystery.

High society meets down right insanity as we jump back to 1906 New York and a tale of lust, sex, and murder between multiple millionaires. It all centers around a beautiful young actress/model and three men that each wanted her for themself. Join us for the murder of Stanford White.

Joseph Vacher terrorized France in the 1890s. His brutal killings stand alongside Jack the Ripper and HH Holmes for their gore. But then why is Vacher almost forgotten to history, outside of France. Join us as we jump back to 1890s France and the story of one of the sickest people you've likely never heard of, the killer of little shepherds.

1884 Austin Texas, someone is committing unspeakable acts of violence against young African-American servant girls. A city will become frozen with horror and police seem unable to catch a break in the case. Before HH Holmes, before Jack the Ripper there was the Austin Servant Girl Annihilator.

We jump back to 1884 South Atlantic for a nasty story about what happens when you get lost at sea and run out of food. Really the name gives it away. But what about the age-old doctrine of necessity, that is "what is necessary is legal"? How far would we all go to save our lives, of the lives of others?

I didn't have time this week, so I rerecorded a "classic". What happens when society tells at an insane man with serious depression and paranoia to drink away his troubles. Well, just what you think is what happens. Join us in 1715 Rhode Island for the crazy story of James Meechem.

We jump back to 1912 France and the first case ever solved with trace evidence. A beautiful young woman is killed. Police suspected her jealous boyfriend. The only problem is his airtight alibi supported by numerous eyewitnesses. It will take a new type of detective to solve this mystery.

This week we jump back to 1892 Argentina and 1905 London to see how fingerprints were first used to convict murderers. Two horrible crimes will rely on "new" science in order to gain justice for the victims. The suspects will be betrayed by their own unique set of digits.

Join us as we jump way, way back to 399 BC Athens Greece and a man is tried for, among other things, teaching people to think for themselves. Socrates (not so crates) might be the father of modern thought, but that would stop him from being accused of indoctrination of the youth. Wow, are we sure this is 399 BC Greece?

Jump back to 1914 Colorado and the Coalfield War. What happens when the wealthiest family in the world wants to place profit above worker? What happens when those workers decide they won't take any more. Join us for the Ludlow Massacre.

You've likely heard of John Davison Rockefeller who controlled much of the US economy in his lifetime. But what about the man that raised him, Devil Bill. Did growing up with a criminal con man father give John D the tools he needed to become one of the richest men to every live?

This week, in a shortened episode, we jump back to 1849 London and the tale of a murder that would shock Victorian society and show us the Victorian's love of crime and punishment. A vixen, who seem able to attract men like, well honestly an outgoing woman in Victorian England has a tough decision to man. But Marie Manning will try to have her cake and eat it too. If just she and her husband F...