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28/03/2025

West Virginia: The Vanishing of the Sodder Children

On Christmas Eve 1945, five children vanished from their family home in Fayetteville, West Virginia. When fire consumed the Sodder residence that night, George and Jennie Sodder expected to find their children's remains in the ashes. Instead, they found nothing—no bones, no trace, no explanation. The fire burned for less than an hour, yet investigators claimed it completely cremated five young bodies. The ladder that could have saved them had mysteriously disappeared. Both family trucks refused to start despite working perfectly the day before. The phone lines were cut. And in the months that followed, witnesses reported seeing the children alive, hundreds of miles away. For over seven decades, the Sodder family refused to believe their children died in that fire. The massive billboard George erected along Route 16, offering a $10,000 reward, stood for decades as a testament to a father's unshakable conviction: his children were taken, not killed. This is the story of America's most haunting Christmas mystery—a case where every answer leads to more questions, and the truth remains buried somewhere between tragedy and conspiracy. Subscribe to Hometown History for forgotten American history stories every week. New episodes release Tuesdays. Every hometown has a story—what's yours? In This Episode: Five children disappear during Christmas Eve house fire in 1945 FayettevilleFire experts confirm blaze wasn't hot enough to cremate bodiesEvery rescue attempt mysteriously fails—missing ladder, dead trucks, cut phone linesStrange threats preceded fire; bizarre sightings followed for decadesFamily's relentless search includes famous Route 16 billboard that stood for decadesMysterious 1968 photograph and bone fragments deepen the enigma Key Figures: George Sodder (Giorgio Soddu) - Italian immigrant, trucking business owner, vocal Mussolini criticJennie Cipriani Sodder - Mother who never stopped searchingFive missing children: Maurice (14), Martha (12), Louis (9), Jennie (8), Betty (5) Timeline: December 24, 1945, 12:30 AM: Jennie receives strange phone callDecember 25, 1945, 1:30 AM: Fire discovered, rescue attempts failDecember 25, 1945, 8:00 AM: Fire department arrives, home destroyed, no remains1949: Excavation uncovers bone fragments inconsistent with fire or children's ages1968: Jennie receives mysterious photograph resembling missing son Louis1969: George dies still believing children alive1989: Jennie dies; billboard stood for decades as family memorial Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/hometownhistory/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

28/03/2025

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13 min
05/08/2025

Wahpeton, North Dakota: When Lightning Struck the Circus in 1897

On June 10, 1897, the Ringling Brothers circus arrived in Wahpeton, North Dakota, transforming the small frontier town's ordinary morning into an extraordinary day of anticipation and wonder. As townspeople gathered to watch exotic animals unload from circus train cars, local children—including twelve-year-old Edward Williams—volunteered to help raise the massive circus tent in exchange for free show tickets. But beneath gathering storm clouds, what began as an exciting adventure turned into a nightmare when a direct lightning strike hit the main tent pole during setup. Two circus workers, Charles Smith and Charles Walters, were killed instantly. The tragedy stunned both the traveling circus crew and the local community, yet what followed revealed the profound bonds that could form between strangers in the face of sudden loss. This is the story of how a small Dakota Prairie town responded to tragedy with uncommon generosity, how a circus family honored its fallen members, and how a broken tent pole became an enduring monument to community resilience. Timeline of EventsJune 10, 1897, Dawn: Ringling Brothers circus train arrives at Wahpeton's Great Northern Depot. Local children gather to watch cages unload with white horses, hippopotamus, and exotic animals most had never seen before.Morning, 6:00-8:00 AM: Persistent rain begins falling. Despite stormy conditions, circus foreman pushes to raise the big top on schedule. Dozens of local boys, including Edward Williams, join adult roustabouts pulling ropes and driving stakes into muddy ground.Mid-Morning, ~9:00 AM: As crew struggles to lift water-soaked canvas and raise the center pole, dark thunderclouds build overhead. A burly circus worker nudges twelve-year-old Edward aside, saying "this is a man's work."The Lightning Strike: In a split second, blinding flash and simultaneous thunder. Direct lightning bolt strikes main tent pole, shattering the massive wooden beam. Two workers—Charles Smith and Charles Walters—are killed instantly. Others thrown to ground, stunned by the electrical discharge.Afternoon, June 10: Despite the tragedy, circus management decides to proceed with scheduled performances. Approximately 7,000 people attend, far outnumbering Wahpeton's total population. Shows go on as tribute to the fallen workers.June 11-12, 1897: Wahpeton community holds makeshift funeral for the two circus workers. Despite being itinerant laborers with no connection to the town, locals insist on burying them in the local cemetery with full honors.Shortly After 1897: Ringling Brothers circus management purchases a broken section of the lightning-struck tent pole, erects it as a monument in Wahpeton cemetery. Engraved marker identifies the two workers and commemorates the June 10, 1897 tragedy.The late 1890s marked the "Golden Age of the Circus" in America. Traveling shows like Ringling Brothers were the primary form of mass entertainment before movies and radio. These spectacular operations employed hundreds, moved by special circus trains, and drew crowds of thousands even to small frontier towns. Historical SignificanceThe Wahpeton circus lightning tragedy illuminates several important aspects of late 19th-century American life. First, it reveals the extraordinary cultural power of traveling circuses during this era—events so significant that 7,000 people would brave stormy weather to attend, even after witnessing a deadly accident that morning. Second, the community's response demonstrates how frontier towns navigated questions of social responsibility toward transient workers. In an era when itinerant laborers were often viewed with suspicion or indifference, Wahpeton's decision to bury the circus workers with honor and maintain their graves reflected evolving attitudes about human dignity transcending social class. Third, the Ringling Brothers' decision to erect a permanent monument shows how even profit-driven entertainment enterprises maintained codes of loyalty toward their workers—values that would later inform early labor movement discussions about employer responsibility. The monument itself, standing for over 125 years, represents one of America's most unusual historical markers: a broken circus tent pole transformed into lasting memorial. It continues to serve as a touchpoint for discussions about community resilience, the bonds formed through shared tragedy, and how small towns preserve their most extraordinary moments. The story resonates today in how communities respond to workplace accidents, honor workers from outside their immediate circle, and balance the tension between "carrying on" and creating space for mourning. Sources & Further ReadingPrimary Historical Sources: Great Northern Depot Records, Wahpeton Historical SocietyRingling Brothers Circus Route Books, 1897 SeasonLocal cemetery records and monument inscriptionsPeriod newspaper accounts from North Dakota territorial pressRecommended Resources: The Circus in America by Charles Philip Fox - comprehensive circus historyStep Right Up: The Story of Circus in America by Lavahn G. Hoh and William H. RoughWahpeton Cemetery Historical Markers and Monument DatabaseRichland County Historical Society archives on 1897 eventsOnline Resources: Circus Historical Society digital archives: https://www.circushistory.orgLibrary of Congress Ringling Brothers collectionNorth Dakota State Historical Society online collections Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/hometownhistory/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

05/08/2025

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35 min
05/09/2025

Ottawa, Illinois: The Radium Girls' Fight for Justice

In 1922, a dream factory opened in Ottawa, Illinois, offering young women exceptional wages to paint luminous watch dials with a miracle element called radium. The Radium Dial Company promised these "ghost girls" that the glowing paint coating their hands, faces, and clothes was not only safe but healthy—that it would give them a vibrant rosy complexion. They believed they were the luckiest women alive, working as artists with light itself. The factory's method was deceptively simple: "lip, dip, paint." To maintain a fine point on their camel hair brushes, the women were explicitly trained to use their lips and tongues to shape the bristles between each stroke. With every dial they painted, they ingested deadly doses of radium. Company executives and chemists knew the dangers—they worked behind protective screens and handled the material with tongs—but deliberately withheld this knowledge from the dial painters. Providing cleaning supplies would have wasted expensive radium paint. It was a calculated economic choice that sentenced hundreds of young women to slow, agonizing deaths. When the women began falling ill with mysterious bone fractures and a horrific condition called "radium jaw," the company blamed their symptoms on syphilis and other ailments—a cruel tactic to hide the truth and shame the victims into silence. Even after medical tests confirmed the women were poisoned with radium, the company concealed the results, telling employees they were in perfect health while secretly filing away proof of their poisoning. Led by Catherine Donahue and other dying workers who called themselves "The Society of the Living Dead," the radium girls refused to suffer in silence. Their lawsuit faced every imaginable obstacle: a hostile community that saw them as threats to the town's economy, a statute of limitations designed to make their claims impossible, and corporate lawyers determined to outlast them. Catherine testified from her deathbed, weighing less than 60 pounds, her dying body becoming the most powerful evidence against the company's greed. She died one day after the company filed yet another appeal, but not before winning her case—establishing one of the first legal precedents holding employers responsible for worker safety. Timeline of Events1922 - Radium Dial Company opens factory in Ottawa, Illinois, hiring hundreds of young women at triple typical factory wages to paint luminous watch dials using the "lip, dip, paint" method 1925 - Company secretly tests employees, confirming radium poisoning, but conceals results and tells women they are in perfect health 1928-1932 - Women begin experiencing mysterious illnesses including radium jaw (jawbone disintegration), spontaneous bone fractures, and chronic pain; company blames symptoms on syphilis and other diseases 1938 - Catherine Donahue dies on July 27, one day after company files another appeal; Supreme Court declines to hear case, validating workers' victory 1970 - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created, built on legal foundations established by radium girls' case 2011 - Bronze statue erected in Ottawa honoring the radium girls, transforming the factory site from place of shame into memorial of justice Historical SignificanceThe Ottawa radium girls' case represents one of the most important workers' rights battles in American history. Their lawsuit was among the first to establish that employers have a legal duty to provide safe working conditions and can be held responsible for occupational diseases—fundamental principles that later formed the foundation for OSHA's creation in 1970. The tragedy's scientific legacy is equally profound. The horrific data from the radium girls' poisoned bodies helped researchers understand the effects of internal radiation exposure, informing safety standards that protected workers on the Manhattan Project and shaped modern radiation safety protocols. Because radium has a half-life of 1,600 years, the bones of these women remain radioactive today, buried in coffins that will continue to glow faintly for centuries. Their story resonates in modern corporate negligence tragedies from Flint's poisoned water to ongoing fights for gig economy worker protections, forcing us to ask: what workplace protections do we now take for granted that were bought with someone else's pain? Sources & Further Reading"The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women" by Kate Moore (definitive account of both New Jersey and Ottawa cases)Illinois Industrial Commission records and legal precedents establishing employer liability for occupational diseaseOttawa Historical Society archives and memorial statue documentationOSHA historical records tracing regulatory origins to radium girls' legal victories Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/hometownhistory/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

05/09/2025

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17 min
09/02/2023 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Holiday Crossover Special: My Bloody Valentine, Part 1

…12 dates … …14 love gone wrong stories… …Will YOU be my Valentine? This Valentine’s Day, prepare for a unique podcast experience! Shane Waters will introduce 14 crime podcast hosts. Each host brings a new, love gone wrong true story to mix. It’s an extra special, two part, more than two-hour, Valentine event. Part 1 of 2. Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: In this Part 1 Episode: 1. Murder She Told 2. True Crime Island 3. Hillbilly Horror Stories 4. Tapes from the Darkside 5. Coffee and Cases 6. Gone Cold – Texas True Crime 7. Live, Laugh, Larceny In the next Part 2 Episode: 1. Sirens 2. The Trail Went Cold 3. Method and Madness 4. True Crime Cases with Lanie 5. Crimelines 6. Love Murder 7. Foul Play: Crime Series Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

09/02/2023 · Bonus

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1h 6m
26/11/2024 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

97: The Woolpit Mystery: Who Were the Green Children?

Zoinks, gang! We're headed back in time to the medieval English village of Woolpit, where a pair of mysterious green-skinned children appeared out of nowhere, speaking an unknown language and refusing anything but raw beans to eat. What’s the deal with their peculiar story? Are they lost travelers from another realm, survivors of an underground world, or something even more bizarre? Join us as Josh dives into this centuries-old legend full of twists, eerie tales, and mind-boggling theories that’ll have you scratching your head and wondering if the truth is stranger than fiction. Let’s solve this mystery together!

26/11/2024

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1h 14m
04/06/2025 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

125: Unmasked

Zoinks! The gang’s loose and hungry in this Unmasked episode! Kim, Shane, and Josh swap farmers market finds, share chaotic breakfast tales (hint: Nutella focaccia is involved), and unwrap a surprise gift exchange. In between bites and belly laughs, they break down the latest must-watch documentaries—everything from serial killers to mysterious cave art and endangered critters. It’s a whirlwind of waffles, weirdness, and weekend streaming recs… all with that classic Scooby-Doo chaos. Pull up a plate and hit play!

04/06/2025 · Bonus

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35 min
19/03/2024 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Unmasked: Robert's Cursed Companion & Leshy's Forest Fables

Join Shane, Josh, and Producer Kim on this Unmasked premium episode to hear more from them on this episode's topic - and other life topics! You will want to listen to the full episode first before enjoying this Unmasked episode.

19/03/2024

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41 min
01/08/2024 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

80&81: Unmasked

Join Shane, Josh, and Producer Kim on this Unmasked premium episode to hear more from them on this episode's topic - and other life topics! You will want to listen to the full episode first before enjoying this Unmasked episode.

01/08/2024 · Bonus

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1h 4m
10/02/2023 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Holiday Crossover Special: My Bloody Valentine, Part 2

…12 dates … …14 love gone wrong stories… …Will YOU be my Valentine? This Valentine’s Day, prepare for a unique podcast experience! Shane Waters will introduce 14 crime podcast hosts. Each host brings a new, love gone wrong true story to mix. It’s an extra special, two part, more than two-hour, Valentine event. Part 2 of 2. Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: In this Part 2 Episode: 1. Sirens 2. The Trail Went Cold 3. Method and Madness 4. True Crime Cases with Lanie 5. Crimelines 6. Love Murder 7. Foul Play: Crime Series In the Part 1 Episode: 1. Murder She Told 2. True Crime Island 3. Hillbilly Horror Stories 4. Tapes from the Darkside 5. Coffee and Cases 6. Gone Cold – Texas True Crime 7. Live, Laugh, Larceny Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

10/02/2023 · Bonus

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1h 8m
02/05/2024 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

54&55: Unmasked

Join Shane, Josh, and Producer Kim on this Unmasked premium episode to hear more from them on this episode's topic - and other life topics! You will want to listen to the full episode first before enjoying this Unmasked episode.

02/05/2024 · Bonus

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55 min

Discover forgotten stories from small-town America that never made it into history books. Hometown History is the podcast uncovering hidden American history—overlooked events, local mysteries, and untold tragedies from communities across the nation. Every week, meticulous research brings pre-2000 small-town stories to life in 20-minute episodes. From forgotten disasters to local legends, hidden chapters to pivotal moments, each episode explores a different town's overlooked history. Perfect for history enthusiasts seeking forgotten American stories, small-town history, and local history that shaped our nation. Respectful storytelling meets educational depth—history podcast content for curious minds who want to learn about America's hidden past without hour-long episodes.

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HISTORY
Welcome, my darlings, to the enchantingly sinister history podcast that weaves dark tales of humanity's most infamous characters and events. This award-winning podcast shall bewitch you with wickedly captivating stories of true crime and the shadowy corners of history, exploring the twisted desires that drive these rotten souls to the brink of infamy. Hosted by the delightfully devious queer queen, Joshua Waters.

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TRUE CRIME
Join Gemma Hoskins, the beloved advocate from Netflix's The Keepers, and veteran crime podcaster Shane Waters as they revisit the unsolved murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a young nun whose mysterious death in 1969 has haunted Baltimore for decades. Who Killed Sister Cathy? goes beyond the documentary, bringing you new interviews, fresh perspectives, and revelations that have never been heard before. Together, Gemma and Shane are relentless in their pursuit of the truth, unraveling secrets and untold stories that point to a conspiracy that shook a community to its core. This is not just a podcast—it's an ongoing investigation that seeks justice for Sister Cathy and comfort for those who loved her. Visit us online at itsfoulplay.com We also welcome you to Shane's main crime series podcast, with more than 34 series: Foul Play.

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TRUE CRIME
Embark on an unprecedented journey into the dark mind of America's most elusive serial killer. This definitive 24-episode series, complemented by 4 exclusive bonus episodes, offers the most exhaustive exploration of the Zodiac case ever created. We unravel every chilling detail—from cryptic ciphers and taunting letters to overlooked evidence and the profiles of potential suspects. All major theories are meticulously examined and presented in a captivating, easily digestible narrative. Stay with us as we continue to update future episodes with new discoveries, striving to shed light on a mystery that has baffled investigators for decades. If you're a true crime enthusiast seeking depth and clarity, this is the series you've been waiting for. If you have suggestions for this series contact me at Shane@blacklabelpodcasts.com

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TRUE CRIME
Welcome to Disaster, where the most bone-chilling monsters aren't of the two-legged variety. Hosted by Justin Drown, the mastermind behind Obscura, this podcast takes you on a gripping journey through the most horrifying disasters, each with a mind of its own.From natural calamities to man-made catastrophes, we unravel the terrifying tales that intertwine chaos and crime. Join us as we navigate through the ominous landscapes of disasters, revealing the eerie narratives that lurk within, waiting to be uncovered. Brace yourself for Disaster, where true crime meets the relentless force of calamity.

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TRUE CRIME
The Asian Madness Podcast: a place where we discuss true crime, superstition, urban legends, mysteries, and weird news from the Asian continent.

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TRUE CRIME