Forgotten Darkness

113 - The Ghost Grove Killings

In 1928 and 1929, two men named Sterling T. Dunn and Van Skelton were shot and killed in the course of “lover's lane” robberies in Memphis, Tennessee. After a series of false leads and rather unlikely coincidences, the murders were finally solved after several months.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDarkness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agable_fd/
Forgotten Darkness Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1NsgqAha9Z3bMhBxg8FuM2tRLqwjH5-_F&usp=sharing
Part of the Straight Up Strange Network: https://www.straightupstrange.com/
Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Closing music by Soma.
SOURCES
Memphis Commercial Appeal, March 11, 1928.
“Identify Floater as Murdered Fireman.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, February 22, 1929.
“McCaslin 'Soldiered' While Family Mourned Him as Dead.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, May 13, 1929.
“Murder List Growing.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, February 26, 1929.
“Mystery Note Now Enters Dunn Slaying.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, January 10, 1928.
“Mystery Surrounds Murder on Parkway.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, January 7, 1928.
“Negroes' Confessions Clear Roadside Deaths.” Chattanooga Daily Times, October 12, 1929.
“Police Closing in on Murder Witness.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, January 8, 1928.
“Police to Renew Quiz of Skelton Suspect.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, October 11, 1929.
“Sheriff's Force Idle in Probe of Murder.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, February 5, 1929.
“Two Admit Slaying of Skelton and Dunn.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, October 12, 1929.
“Woman is Held in Murder of Fireman.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, January 23, 1929.
“Woman Named Hazel Still Evades Capture.” Memphis Commercial Appeal, January 9, 1928.
Maddox, Myrtle. “My Escape from the Ghost Grove Terror.” True Detective Mysteries, September, 1930.
 

112 - The Death of Sadanori Shimoyama

The president of the post-WWII Japanese railway system dies under mysterious circumstances, and in the following weeks, two incidents of railway sabotage occur.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDarkness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agable_fd/
Forgotten Darkness Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1NsgqAha9Z3bMhBxg8FuM2tRLqwjH5-_F&usp=sharing
Part of the Straight Up Strange Network: https://www.straightupstrange.com/
Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Closing music by Soma.
SOURCES
“Added Violence Marks Japan Labor Crisis.” Baltimore Evening Sun, July 7, 1949.
Occupation of Japan - Wikipedia
Japan's Red Purge: Lessons from a Saga of Suppression of Free Speech and Thought | The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus (apjjf.org)
Red Purge - Wikipedia
FOCUS: Mysterious 1949 disaster draws attention again. - Free Online Library (thefreelibrary.com)
Shimoyama National Railways Governor's Memorial Monument (fc2.com)
70 yrs on, struggle for exoneration in Mitaka case continues (kyodonews.net)
Hosei University Ohara Institute of Crime Case [Japan Labor Yearbook Vol. 24 674] (archive.org)

The Real Stories of L.A. Noire, Part Two

These five stories comprise the homicide cases in L.A. Noire. These are the murders of former aviator Jeanne French (“The Red Lipstick Murder”), teetotaller Dorothy Montgomery (“The Golden Butterfly”), soon-to-be-divorcee Rosenda Mondragon (“The Silk Stocking Murder”), housewife Laura Trelstad (“The White Shoe Slaying”) and the homeless Evelyn Winters (“The Studio Secretary Murder”).
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDarkness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agable_fd/
Forgotten Darkness Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1NsgqAha9Z3bMhBxg8FuM2tRLqwjH5-_F&usp=sharing
Part of the Straight Up Strange Network: https://www.straightupstrange.com/
Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Closing music by Soma.
SOURCES
“Another Woman Slain, Victim of Mutilation Killer.” Los Angeles Times, February 11, 1947.
“Bus Driver's Story Clouds L.B. Murder.” Long Beach Independent, May 18, 1947.
“Cab Driver Believes He Saw Mrs. Trelstad.” Long Beach Independent, May 30, 1947.
“Church Friends of Slain Woman Checked as Baffled L.A. Policemen Open Probe.” Visalia Times-Delta, May 5, 1947.
“Clothes of L.A. Victim Found.” San Francisco Examiner, July 10, 1947.
“Clues Lacking at Montgomery Murder Inquest.” Los Angeles Times, May 8, 1947.
“Colorful Life of Jeanne French Ends in Death by Mystery Killer.” Los Angeles Times, July 16, 1961.
“Companion of Nurse During Supper Sought.” Los Angeles Daily News, February 12, 1947.
“Dark Man Who Had Late Date With Slain Woman Hunted.” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, February 13, 1947.
“Fiend's Victim Called Good Wife and Mother.” Long Beach Press-Telegram, May 13, 1947.
“Horror Victim Last Seen With Sailor.” Los Angeles Daily News, May 13, 1947.
“Husband Held in L.A. Slaying.” Ventura County Star, February 11, 1947.
“Husband of Slain Woman Arrested.” Venice Evening Vanguard, July 1, 1948.
“Inquest Leaves Evelyn Winters Murder Mystery.” Valley Times, March 18, 1947.
“L.A. Man is Freed in Death of Wife.” Visalia Time-Delta, July 12, 1947.
“L.B. Woman Attacked, Slain.” San Pedro News-Pilot, May 12, 1947.
“Lead Sought to Killer of L.B. Mother.” Long Beach Independent, May 13, 1947.
“Lie Test Fails to Link Husband in Nurse Killing.” Los Angeles Times, February 12, 1947.
“Man in Jail Questioned in Housewife's Murder.” Los Angeles Times, May 7, 1947.
“Missing Mother Found Murdered; Battered Body Left in Vacant Lot.” Los Angeles Times, May 4, 1947.
“Montgomery Freed in Wife's Death.” Los Angeles Daily News, August 1, 1947.
“Montgomery Linked to Wife's Killing.” Los Angeles Daily News, July 25, 1947.
“Mother of Three Choked to Death; Body Flung in Signal Hill Oil Field.” Los Angeles Times, May 13, 1947.
“Murder of Wife Finally Charged to Montgomery.” Los Angeles Times, May 15, 1947.
“New French Murder Lead Uncovered.” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, February 25, 1947.
“New Sex Murders Shock Los Angeles.” Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, March 12, 1947.
“Pawnshops May Answer Latest Dahlia Slaying.” Metropolitan Pasadena News, May 6, 1947.
“Police Eliminate Sail as Suspect in Sex Slaying.” Sacramento Bee, May 14, 1947.
“Police Question Husband in Brutal Slaying of Wife.” Minneapolis Morning Tribune, February 11, 1947.
“Police Seek Attempted Attacker As Suspect in French Murder.” Venice Evening Vanguard, February 26, 1947.
“Quiz Confessed Murderer on Other Slayings.” Wilmington Daily Press Journal, February 18, 1947.
“Reports on Molesters May Give Clue.” Los Angeles Times, May 6, 1947.
“Robbery, Attack Suspect Located.” Venice Evening Vanguard, June 27, 1947.
“Sailor Cleared as Suspect in Murder.” Long Beach Independent, May 14, 1947.
“Screams in Montgomery Home Heard by Witness.” Los Angeles Times, May 21, 1947.
“Seek to Link Suspect With Lipstick Case.” Los Angeles Daily News, March 10, 1947.
“Sixth Victim in Murder Cycle Found Mutilated in Southland.” Santa Maria Daily Times, July 8, 1947.
“Slain Woman's Stripped Body Found in Gutter.” Los Angeles Times, July 9, 1947.
“Slayer Known, Police Declare.” Wilmington Daily Press-Journal, May 16, 1947.
“Trio Questioned in Winters Case.” Los Angeles Times, March 14, 1947.
“Two Fiend Murders Stymie L.A. Police.” Valley Times. February 12, 1947.
“Two More Women Slain; One Beaten, One Strangled.” Los Angeles Times, March 12, 1947.
“Warrant Issued for Culver Gas Station Attendant.” Venice Evening Vanguard, May 10, 1947.
“Winters Murder Case Centers on Drinking Friend.” Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1947.
“Woman Slain in New L.A. Dahlia Murder.” Los Angeles Daily News, February 10, 1947.
“Woman Slain in New L.A. Murder.” Oakland Tribune, May 12, 1947.
1947project: Slain Woman's Stripped Body Found in Gutter (archive.org)
1947project: Mother of Three Choked to Death; Body Flung in Signal Hill Oil Field

110 - The Real Stories of L.A. Noire, Part One

These are three of the stories that inspired cases in the 2011 video game L.A. Noire. Here are the stories of overstressed engineer Eugene White ("The Driver's Seat"), the accidental death of Jay Dee Chitwood and his wife's drunken confession ("A Marriage Made in Heaven"), and the avoidable disaster of O'Connor Electroplating ("Nicholson Electroplating").
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDarkness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agable_fd/
Forgotten Darkness Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1NsgqAha9Z3bMhBxg8FuM2tRLqwjH5-_F&usp=sharing
Part of the Straight Up Strange Network: https://www.straightupstrange.com/
Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Closing music by Soma.
SOURCES
“15 Identified Dead in Blast; One Missing.” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, February 21, 1947.
“Alleged Murder Victim Admits Burning House.” Hanford Morning Journal, August 5, 1947.
“Chemist Cited Blast Peril, Inquest Hears.” Salt Lake Tribune, March 12, 1947.
“Chitwood to Be Sentenced to Death.” Hope (Arkansas) Star, February 20, 1946.
“Dead Chemist's Premonition of L.A. Blast Told At Hearing.” Los Angeles Daily News, March 11, 1947.
“Driver Absolved in Pedestrian Death.” San Pedro News-Pilot, August 15, 1944.
“Engineer Arrested in Arson.” Valley Times, August 4, 1947.
“Executive Feared Slaying Victim in St. Valentine's Day Car Mystery.” Los Angeles Times, February 16, 1947.
“It Mushroomed Like Atom Blast.” Los Angeles Daily News, February 21, 1947.
“Missing Businessman Confesses It Was Fake.” Los Angeles Times, February 27, 1947.
“Murdered One Mate Just to Scare Present One, Wife Says.” Los Angeles Daily News, January 22, 1947.
“Obituaries – White, Eugene Hamilton.” Los Angeles Times, June 13, 1995.
“Only Kidding, Woman Says of Confession.” Metropolitan Pasadena News, January 23, 1947.
“Pedestrian Death Inquest Set.” San Pedro News-Pilot, August 11, 1944.
“Plant Cleared of Negligence in Faital Blast.” Wilmington Daily Press Journal, March 13, 1947.
“Police Discount Murder Story.” San Pedro News-Pilot, January 22, 1947.
“Prosecutor Seeks Blast Facts Prior to Inquest.” Los Angeles Times, February 25, 1947.
“Psychiatrist to Examine Woodland Hills Arsonist.” Topanga Journal, August 29, 1947.
“Reasons For Flight Told By Missing Angeleno.” Los Angeles Times, March 3, 1947.
“Secret War Work Blast Cause Denied.” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, February 21, 1947.
“Some Compare Blast to Quake, A-Bombing.” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, February 21, 1947.
“Television Used at Blast Scene First for Coast.” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, February 21, 1947.
“Tool Plant Executive's Arson Case Arraignment Set Aug. 25.” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, August 9, 1947.
“Torrance Orders Sidewalk Built.” San Pedro News-Pilot, August 25, 1944.
“Traffic Death Turns Into Murder Mystery.” Los Angeles Times, January 22, 1947.
“Woman Admits Spouse Murder Two Years Ago.” Pomona Progress Bulletin, January 22, 1947.
“Woman Released After Confession Discounted.” Long Beach Independent, January 24, 1947.
“Woman's Murder Story Proves False.” San Pedro News-Pilot, January 24, 1947.
“Woodland Hills Arsonist Sane; Held For Trial.” Topanga Journal, September 5, 1947.
“Woodland Hills Man Charged With Arson.” Topanga Journal, August 8, 1947.
Newsreel footage of aftermath of O'Connor Electroplating: (230) Deadly explosion, 1947, O'Connor Electroplating Co. Los Angeles - YouTube

109 - The Champion Jail-Breaker

John Frankford was a notorious thief of pretty much anything that wasn't nailed down.  His 30 year career in Pennsylvania and elsewhere is a series of crimes, arrests, and jailbreaks, punctuated with the occasional jail sentence that's actually served.  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDarkness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agable_fd/
Forgotten Darkness Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1NsgqAha9Z3bMhBxg8FuM2tRLqwjH5-_F&usp=sharing
Part of the Straight Up Strange Network: https://www.straightupstrange.com/
Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Closing music by Soma.
SOURCES
Lancaster Saturday Express, June 14, 1856, p. 4.
“A Plucky Escape.” The Landmark (White River Junction, Vermont), July 14, 1883.
“All Asked to Give Evidence.” Philadelphia Times, June 12, 1897.
“Arrest of an Accomplished Horse-Thief.” Baltimore County Union (Towsontown, Maryland), May 26, 1883.
“Arrest of a Noted Burglar.” Lancaster Intelligencer, May 25, 1874.
“Arrest of a Noted Horse Thief.” Lancaster Intelligencer, June 19, 1877.
“Arrested.” Lancaster Intelligencer, December 20, 1869.
“At His Old Tricks.” Lancaster Examiner, May 19, 1880.
“Attempted Escape from Prison.” Lancaster Examiner, March 15, 1854.
“August Term of Quarter Sessions.” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, August 25, 1877.
“Caged Again.” Lancaster Intelligencer, September 8, 1880.
“Catching One of the Escaped Convicts.” Philadelphia Times, May 26, 1882.
“Caught Again.” Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette, September 7, 1878.
“Caught in the Act.” Lancaster Intelligencer, May 14, 1880.
“City and County Affairs – Court of Quarter Sessions – August Term.” Lancaster Intelligencer, August 25, 1857.
“City and County Items – John Frankford.” Lancaster Intelligencer, April 25, 1854.
“Committee Probes Frankford's Case.” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 12, 1897.
“Court of Quarter Sessions.” Lancaster Daily Evening Express, August 18, 1874.
―. Lancaster Intelligencer, August 23, 1877.
―. Lancaster Intelligencer, August 24, 1877.
“Court Proceedings.” Lancaster Examiner, November 27, 1861.
“Crime and Casualty.” Carlisle Valley Sentinel, December 9, 1881.
“Death Ends His Term in Prison.” Philadelphia Times, January 22, 1896.
“Divorced.” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, September 8, 1883.
“Escape from Prison.” Lancaster Examiner, September 30, 1863.
“Escape of Prisoners from Lancaster Jail.” Baltimore Sun, May 25, 1882.
“Escape of Two Noted Criminals.” Lancaster Intelligencer, July 25, 1878.
“Escaped Convicts.” Lancaster Intelligencer, October 17, 1883.
“Escaped from Prison.” Lancaster Intelligencer, July 14, 1879.
“Frankford's Case.” Lancaster Intelligencer, May 28, 1874.
“Frankford in Limbo.” Lancaster Weekly Intelligencer, May 16, 1883.
“Frankford the Jail Breaker, Burglar and Horse Thief.” Lancaster Intelligencer, June 25, 1877.
“Frankford's Return.” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, November 24, 1885.
“Frankford's Whereabouts.” Lancaster Intelligencer, October 31, 1883.
“Frankfort and Hambright in the Allegheny Court of Quarter Sessions.” Lancaster Daily Evening Express, June 15, 1870.
“Frankfort, the Jail Breaker.” Lancaster Intelligencer, May 9, 1870.
“G.C. Kennedy Disbarred.” Lancaster Examiner, June 26, 1895.
“General Jail Delivery.” Lancaster Examiner, May 31, 1882.
“Gordon Still Wants His Way.” Philadelphia Times, June 11, 1897.
“Is It Frankford?” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, March 12, 1884.
“Jail Breakers.” Lancaster Intelligencer, August 8, 1881.
“John Frankford – Back Again In His Old Quarters.” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, September 1, 1883.
“John Frankford – His Daughter Reaffirms His Death.” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, January 10, 1885.
“John Frankford – Judge Futhey of Chester County Orders His Return to Lancaster County.” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, August 25, 1883.
“John Frankford – Sixteen Indictments Against Him In Chester County.” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, August 18, 1883.
“John Frankford Dead.” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, January 3, 1885.
“John Frankford Taken.” Lancaster Intelligencer, November 25, 1885.
“John Frankford's Death.” Lancaster Examiner, January 25, 1896.
“Judge Gordon and Committee.” Chambersburg Valley Spirit, June 16, 1897,
“Kennedy Leaves the Asylum.” Philadelphia Times, February 11, 1896.
“Kennedy Wants Reinatatement.” Philadelphia Times, June 21, 1896.
“Lancaster County Thieves Arrested.” Harrisburg Telegraph, August 7, 1879.
“Local Department – Court Proceedings.” Lancaster Intelligencer, November 26, 1861.
“Local Intelligence.” Lancaster Daily Evening Express, August 28, 1857.
“Local Intelligence – A Slippery Fellow.” Lancaster Daily Evening Express, March 5, 1870.
“Local Intelligence – Bold Jail Breaker.” Lancaster Intelligencer, November 28, 1881.
“Local Intelligence – Court of Quarter Sessions.” Lancaster Intelligencer, November 23, 1876.
“Local Intelligence – Court Proceedings.” Lancaster Daily Evening Express, January 17, 1860.
“Local Intelligence – Frankford.” Lancaster Intelligencer, April 18, 1880.
“Local Intelligence – Proceedings of Court.” Lancaster Daily Evening Express, August 18, 1857.
―. Lancaster Daily Evening Express, January 21, 1862.
“Local Intelligence – The Railroad Robbery; Further Particulars.” Lancaster Daily Evening Express, December 23, 1869.
“Looking at Lancaster – John Frankford Complains Bitterly of His Sentence.” Lancaster Examiner, May 10, 1880.
“Lost an Eye.” Lancaster Intelligencer, November 30, 1881.
“No More Jail Breaks.” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, December 12, 1885.
“Not Frankford.” Lancaster Intelligencer, March 19, 1884.
“On the Trail.” Lancaster Daily Evening Express, August 25, 1876.
“Over the Wall.” Lancaster Intelligencer, January 4, 1882.
“Owner Wanted.” Lancaster Intelligencer, July 16, 1861.
“Personal and Literary.” Lancaster Daily Evening Express, November 23, 1876.
“Prisoners Escaped.” Lancaster Intelligencer, September 24, 1869.
“Proceedings of Court.” Lancaster Examiner, August 19, 1857.
―. Lancaster Examiner, January 18, 1860.
“Quarter Sessions – Judge Collier.” Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, June 14, 1870.
“Recapture of Frankford, the Jail-Breaker.” Lancaster Daily Evening Express, May 6, 1870.
“Soft Iron-Clads.” Lancaster Semi-Weekly New Era, December 3, 1881.
“Stolen Horse Recovered.” Lancaster Intelligencer, September 1, 1876.
“The Champion Jail Breaker.” Lancaster Examiner, August 30, 1876.
“The Convicts Still at Large.” Lancaster Intelligencer, May 27, 1882.
“The Horse Thieves.” Lancaster Intelligencer, August 25, 1876.
“The New Jail Tested.” Pittsburgh Daily Commercial, March 21, 1870.
“The True Version.” Lancaster Intelligencer, December 20, 1869.
“Thieves Caged.” Lancaster Examiner, August 6, 1879.
“Things in New York – An Assault in Court.” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 20, 1870.
Bodysnatching and the curious case of One-Eyed Joe - WHYY
Jack Sheppard - Wikipedia
Lamont, Daniel S., Maj. George B. Davis, Leslie J. Perry, and Joseph W. Kirkley. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (volume 42). Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1893.
Wilmer, L. Allison, J.H. Jarrett, and George W.F. Vernon. History and Roster of Maryland Volunteers, War of 1861-5 (volume 1). Baltimore: Guggenheimer, Weil & Co., 1898.

108 - The Morner Family Murders

On December 12, 1911, a missed milk delivery led to the discovery of four dead bodies on a farm near Albany, New York.  The possible murderer can't be found.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDarkness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agable_fd/
Forgotten Darkness Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1NsgqAha9Z3bMhBxg8FuM2tRLqwjH5-_F&usp=sharing
Part of the Straight Up Strange Network: https://www.straightupstrange.com/
Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Closing music by Soma.
SOURCES
“$1000 Reward For Murderer.” Rutland Daily Herald, December 16, 1911.
“1911 Shocking Defreestville Murders Still Unsolved.” Albany Times-Union, April 10, 1966.
“Another Morner Tragedy Reported.” Buffalo Enquirer, February 2, 1912.
“Arrest Man at Williamstown.” Boston Globe, December 18, 1911.
“Bloodhounds on Murderer's Trail.” Warren Times-Mirror, December 15, 1911.
“Bloodhounds Trail Slayer of Family.” New York Times, December 15, 1911.
“Caught As Slayer of Whole Family on Morner Farm.” New York Evening World, March 1, 1912.
“Detectives Assert Murder Suspect is Guilty of Lesser Crime.” Meriden Record-Journal, August 29, 1912.
“Dogs Lose Trail of Suspected Man.” Buffalo News, December 15, 1911.
“Donato Has Not Been Caught.” Rutland Daily Herald, December 20, 1911.
“Edward Donato a Man of Mystery.” Albany Evening Journal, December 22, 1911.
“Funeral Resembles a Picnic.” Rutland Daily Herald, December 18, 1911.
“Governor May Offer Reward For Murderer.” Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, December 17, 1911.
“Family of Four Brutally Slain.” Buffalo Commercial, December 14, 1911.
“Foully Slays Whole Family; Find Bodies in Manure Pit.” Elmira Star-Gazette, December 14, 1911.
“Held For Morner Murders.” New York Times, December 16, 1911.
“Jesse Morner Has Narrow Escape.” Glens Falls Post Star, August 21, 1912.
“Link Morner Case With Dorp Suicide.” Glens Falls Post-Star, November 11, 1912.
“Massena Italian May Be Donato.” Ogdensburg Journal, May 17, 1912.
“Morgan Williams Back Home.” Scranton Times, December 22, 1911.
“Morner Estates.” Berkshire Eagle, October 24, 1914.
“Morner Murder Suspect Freed.” Albany Argus, May 19, 1912.
“Morner Suspect is Released.” Buffalo News, December 20, 1911.
“Mrs. Williams Says Her Son is Innocent.” Scranton Tribune-Republican, December 20, 1911.
“Murder Suspect Held, Albany Police Notified.” Buffalo News, December 15, 1911.
“Police File Still Remains Open in Morner Murders, 35-Year-Old Mystery.” Albany Times-Union, December 29, 1946.
“Police Think They Have Slayer of Morner Family.” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 1, 1912.
“Sheriff Says Donato is Man.” Rutland Daily Herald, December 19, 1911.
“Sleuthing Isn't Profitable.” Rutland Daily Herald, February 10, 1912.
“Spurned Love Caused Hatchet-Fiend to Murder Entire Morner Family.” Pittsburgh Press, December 16, 1911.
“State May Offer Reward For Slayer.” New York Times, December 17, 1911.
“State Offers $2000 Reward.” Rutland Daily Herald, December 19, 1911.
“Still in Doubt as to Suspect.” Ogdensburg Journal, May 18, 1912.
“Suspect Denies Bomb Threat in Extortion Case.” New York Daily News, July 2, 1933.
“Suspect Released on Word of a Girl.” Buffalo Commercial, December 16, 1911.
“Tatasciore Released By Authorities.” Meriden Record-Journal, September 7, 1912.
“Think Morner Family Slayer is in Custody.” Elmira Star-Gazette, May 17, 1912.
“Three Women and Man Murdered; Hunt Farmhand as Insane Slayer.” Syracuse Herald, December 14, 1911.
“Tony Tash Agrees to Settle With Henry Wyman.” Bennington Banner, December 5, 1913.
“Verdict For $900 Was Given To Tony Tash.” Bennington Evening Banner, June 14, 1913.
New York, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999 - Ancestry.com
Horatio D Mould - Facts (ancestry.com)

107 - The Unaccountable Troublers of Gloucester

In the summer of 1692 Gloucester, Massachusetts was under siege by a mysterious group of men even as the infamous witch trials occurred only a few miles away in Salem. The besiegers of Gloucester were never captured or even located, if they really existed at all...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDarkness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agable_fd/
Forgotten Darkness Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1NsgqAha9Z3bMhBxg8FuM2tRLqwjH5-_F&usp=sharing
Part of the Straight Up Strange Network: https://www.straightupstrange.com/
Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Closing music by Soma.
SOURCES
Mather, Cotton. Magnalia Christi Americana: or, the Ecclesiastical History of New-England, from Its First Planting in the Year 1620, unto the Year of our LORD, 1698. London: Thomas Parkhurst, 1698.
Ebenezer Babson (1667-1696) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree
Case files referencing Ebenezer Babson - New Salem - Pelican (virginia.edu)

106 - Philadelphia’s Phantom Strangler

For three years in the 1920s, the women of northwest Philadelphia were terrorized by a madman who entered homes and attacked or even killed whoever was within.  Were these killings work of serial killer Earle Leonard Nelson?  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDarkness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agable_fd/
Forgotten Darkness Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1NsgqAha9Z3bMhBxg8FuM2tRLqwjH5-_F&usp=sharing
Part of the Straight Up Strange Network: https://www.straightupstrange.com/
Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Closing music by Soma.
SOURCES
“2 More Women Are Attacked By Stranglers.” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 16, 1925.
“Boxer Suspect in Stranglings Held By Police.” Philadelphia Inquirer, December 19, 1926.
“Dragnet Out For Strangler of Philadelphia Woman.” Scranton Times-Tribune, April 28, 1927.
“Fiend Suspect Tries to Enter W. Phila. Home.” Philadelphia Inquirer, April 29, 1927.
“Girl's Bravery As Strangler Decoy Brings Capture.” Camden Morning Post, November 24, 1925.
“Man in Camden Seized At Bank as Strangler.” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 15, 1925.
“New Attack Fans Strangler Terror.” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 13, 1925.
“Policeman Killed in Family Quarrel.” Philadelphia Inquirer, January 19, 1957.
“Pugilist Goes Insane After Hard Grilling.” Camden Morning Post, December 20, 1926.
“Pugilist is Held By Phila. Police As Strangler.” Camden Morning Post, December 18, 1926.
“Rooming House Woman Strangled, Lodger Held.” Pittston Gazette, November 7, 1925.
“Strangler Clues Lead Searchers to Digger of Subway.” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 25, 1925.
“Strangler Suspect Believed a Maniac Frightens 2 Women.” Philadelphia Inquirer, August 3, 1926.
“Strangler Suspect Is Held for Probe.” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 4, 1926.
“Strangler Suspect Raving Maniac as Alibi is Confirmed.” Philadelphia Inquirer, December 19, 1926.
“Strangler Thought Captured At Last in W. Philadelphia Home.” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 14, 1925.
“Strangler Tries to Attack Widow.” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 21, 1925.
“Strangler's Attack Baffled By Woman.” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 3, 1926.
“Suspect Identified.” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 30, 1927.
“Third Philadelphia Woman Falls Victim of Strangler.” Hanover Evening Sun, November 11, 1925.
“Woman Slain By Strangler in Her Home.” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 11, 1925.
“Woman Strangled As Her Baby Sleeps.” Harrisburg Telegraph, October 16, 1925.
“Woman Thwarts Attempted Attack.” Philadelphia Inquirer, April 20, 1927.
“Women in Fear As Strangler Eludes Police.” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 12, 1925.
“Young Girl Seized By Phila. Strangler.” Camden Courier-Post, April 29, 1927.
“'Young Joe Wolcott' Dies of Rheumatism.” Salt Lake Tribune, December 27, 1933.
“Young Woman Found Strangled.” Indiana Gazette, Nov. 7, 1925.

105 - Martin Wilkes and the Polish Church War

In 1889, tensions between the Polish and Lithuanian congregants of St. Mary's in Plymouth, PA were fanned to a fever pitch by a violent troublemaker, a Polish man named Martin Wilkes.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDarkness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agable_fd/
Forgotten Darkness Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1NsgqAha9Z3bMhBxg8FuM2tRLqwjH5-_F&usp=sharing
Part of the Straight Up Strange Network: https://www.straightupstrange.com/
Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Closing music by Soma.
 
SOURCES
Plymouth Weekly Star, March 22, 1888.
Plymouth Weekly Star, April 26, 1888.
Plymouth Weekly Star, May 3, 1888.
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, April 5, 1886.
Wilkes-Barre Union Leader, November 22, 1889.
Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, March 5, 1890.
Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, May 8, 1890.
Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, March 25, 1892.
“A Plymouth Riot.” Wilkes-Barre Sunday News, October 27, 1889.
“And Yet There is No Peace.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, February 14, 1890.
“Another Riot.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, January 21, 1890.
“Burial Refused.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, January 28, 1890.
“Court Proceedings.” Wilkes-Barre Record, June 19, 1891.
“District Attorney Lenahan Makes a Point.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, January 27, 1886.
“Graves Invaded.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, January 23, 1890.
“Guns in the Parsonage.” Wilkes-Barre Sunday Leader, October 27, 1889.
“Holding the Fort.” Wilkes-Barre Sunday News, October 27, 1889.
“How Wilkes Gets Even.” Wilkes Barre Dollar Weekly News, March 1, 1890.
“In Common Pleas Court.” Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer,
“Law Defying Poles.” Wilkes-Barre Record, January 21, 1890.
“License Decisions.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, February 24, 1890.
“Martin Wilkes Acquitted.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, June 22, 1891,
“Martin Wilkes Convicted.” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, March 5, 1888.
“Martin Wilkes Leaves.” Wilkes-Barre Sunday News, March 27, 1892.
“Martin Wilkes on Trial.” Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, June 19, 1891.
“Martin Wilkes Wins One Case.” Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, April 30, 1890.
“More Trouble Imminent.” Wilkes-Barre Union Leader, November 1, 1889.
“Plymouth.” Wilkes-Barre Record, August 31, 1889.
“Plymouth.” Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, January 20, 1890.
“Plymouth.” Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, June 24, 1891.
“Plymouth – Martin Wilkes Sat Upon.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, February 11, 1890.
“Plymouth – Martin Wilkes' Latest Movement.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, February 12, 1890.
“Plymouth Polanders.” Wilkes-Barre Sunday News, April 6, 1890.
“Plymouth Tidings.” Wilkes-Barre Sunday Leader, February 23, 1890.
“Polish Church Troubles.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, February 8, 1891.
“Rioting Poles.” Hazelton Plain Speaker, January 22, 1890.
“Sad Saloonmen.” Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, March 1, 1892.
“Sentenced Monday Morning.” Wilkes-Barre Union Leader, March 16, 1888.
“Sentences Imposed.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, March 13, 1888.
“Some Resolutions.” Wilkes Barre Sunday News, January 5, 1890.
“Sterner Measures Needed.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, January 24, 1890.
“Still Hold the Fort.” Philadelphia Inquirer, October 24, 1889.
“The Martin Wilkes Faction Making Trouble in the Church Again.” Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, January 27, 1891.
“The Plymouth Injunction Case.” Wilkes-Barre Record, January 28, 1890.
“The Poles Defiant.” Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, October 29, 1889.
“The Poles Surrender.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, October 23, 1889.
“The Priest Got a Gun.” Philadelphia Inquirer, February 21, 1890.
“The Priests Arrested.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, November 2, 1889.
“The Wilkes Faction Again.” Wilkes-Barre Sunday News, June 19, 1891.
“They Still Hold the Fort.” Wilkes-Barre Union Leader, October 25, 1889.
“Two Plymouth Assault Cases.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, October 23, 1885.
“Wilkes Convicted.” Wilkes-Barre Sunday News, April 27, 1890.
“Wilkes in Jail.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, January 22, 1890.
“Wilkes in the Toils.” Wilkes-Barre News Leader, January 24, 1890.
“Wilkes on Trial.” Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, April 26, 1890.
“Wilkes Sentenced.” Wilkes-Barre News-Dealer, May 14, 1890.
“Wilkes Still Holds the Keys.” Wilkes-Barre Sunday News, April 6, 1890.
“Would Not Allow Burial.” Wilkes-Barre Sunday Leader, January 19, 1890.
“Work of Polish Hyenas.” Wilkes-Barre Evening Leader, January 23, 1890.
U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 - Ancestry.com
Plymouth, Pennsylvania - History of Plymouth (1753-1972) - Years of Industrial Growth (1861-1900) - Martin Wilkes and The Polish-Lithuanian Church War | Martin Wilkes Polish-Lithuanian Church War (liquisearch.com)
History - All Saints Parish - Plymouth, PA (allsaintsplymouth.com)

104 - The Thames Torso Murders

The annals of late Victorian era crime are usually dominated by one name, but another series of murders, ones lesser-known but more grisly, took place from 1886-1889 with some outlying cases that may or may not have been connected. Were these murders all the work of the same offender? In some cases, were they even murders at all?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodcastDarkness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agable_fd/
Forgotten Darkness Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1NsgqAha9Z3bMhBxg8FuM2tRLqwjH5-_F&usp=sharing
Part of the Straight Up Strange Network: https://www.straightupstrange.com/
Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Closing music by Soma.
 
SOURCES
Hull Daily Mail, June 12, 1902.
“A London Mystery.” Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, November 2, 1884.
“A Thames Mystery.” The Daily Telegraph, May 13, 1887.
―. East Kent Gazette, September 15, 1888.
“Another Murder and Mutilation in Whitechapel.” The Times, September 11, 1889.
“Another Thames Mystery.” Staffordshire Daily Sentinel, September 11, 1874.
“Atrocious Crime in London.” Birmingham Daily Mail, June 9, 1902.
“Discovery of Human Remains.” Pall Mall Gazette, October 24, 1884.
“Dreadful Discovery.” Christchurch Star (NZ), August 1, 1902.
“Further Discovery of Human Remains in London.” Pall Mall Gazette, October 30, 1884.
“Horrible Discovery at Rainham.” Essex Weekly Herald, May 23, 1887.
“Lambeth Mystery.” The Weekly Dispatch, June 15, 1902.
“Le Crime de Montrouge.” Le Radical (Paris), December 3, 1886.
“Le Mystère de Montrouge.” Le Figaro (Paris), August 5, 1886.
―. Le Figaro (Paris), August 7, 1886.
―. La Lanterne (Paris), August 7, 1886.
―. Le Figaro (Paris), August 20, 1886.
―. Le Figaro (Paris), August 22, 1886.
―. Le Figaro (Paris), August 29, 1886.
―. La Lanterne (Paris), September 16, 1886.
―. La Lanterne (Paris), November 26, 1886.
“Murder & Mutilation,” Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, October 11, 1887.
“Murdered and Hacked to Pieces.” Atherstone Herald, August 13, 1886.
“Suspicious Discovery in the Thames.” Acton Gazette, June 13, 1874.
“The Chelsea Victim.” The Western Daily Press, July 26, 1889.
“The Discovery of Human Remains.” The Times, October 31, 1884.
―. Central Somerset Gazette, June 11, 1887.
“The Discovery of Human Remains in Lambeth.” The Evening Standard, June 18, 1902.
“The Latest London Horror.” The People, June 30, 1889.
“The London Mystery.” Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, November 16, 1884.
“The Murder in Whitechapel.” The Times, September 12, 1889.
―. The Times, September 25, 1889.
“The Mysterious Murder and Mutilation.” London Daily News, September 16, 1873.
“The Pimlico Discovery.” The Echo, September 12, 1888.
“The Pimlico Mystery. - Another Discovery.” The Pall Mall Gazette, September 28, 1888.
“The Rainham Mystery.” The People, June 12, 1887.
“The Shocking Discovery at Dalston.” The Evening Standard, January 25, 1898.
“The Supposed Murder and Mutilation.” London Daily News, November 4, 1884.
“The Supposed Murder and Mutilation in London.” The People, November 16, 1884.
“The Supposed Murder of a Woman.” The Morning Post, September 9, 1873.
“The Thames Mystery.” The Morning Post, May 16, 1887.
―. Birmingham Weekly Mercury, June 15, 1889.
“The Whitechapel Mystery.” The Times, September 13, 1889.
―. The Times, September 14, 1889.
“The Whitehall Discovery.” Birmingham Daily Post, October 6, 1888.
Gordon, R. Michael. The Thames Torso Murders of Victorian London. London: McFarland & Company, 2002.
Trow, M.J. The Thames Torso Murders. Barnsley: Wharncliffe Books, 2011.
Shelley House Stables - Casebook: Jack the Ripper Forums