ARKINSAW

Jess

Welcome to ARKINSAW where Jess brings stories of Arkansas to life. From true crime stories, unsolved mysteries, unbelievable true events, folklore and hidden places, every episode explores a different piece of history hidden deep within the Natural State. Whether it's a story you've never heard or one you are already familiar with, you will love the smooth story telling from Jess, the podcast creator and host. Jess moved from California to Arkansas at the age of 8 and resides in Arkansas to this day. If you love history, mystery, and incredible true stories, welcome to ARKINSAW.

  1. Aug 28

    The Arkansas Dragon: Legend of the Gowrow | Video Edition

    The Arkansas Dragon: The Legend of the Gowrow What if Arkansas once had its own dragon? In 1897, one of Arkansas’ largest newspapers published a story so strange that people are still talking about it more than a century later. According to the report, hunters in the Ozark Mountains tracked down a terrifying creature known as the Gowrow—a massive dragon-like beast said to have emerged from a nearby lake before disappearing into a cave littered with animal bones. The newspaper claimed the creature measured nearly twenty feet long, had tusks, horns running down its back, powerful claws, and a tail unlike anything anyone had ever seen. After a fierce hunt through the mountains, the men reportedly killed the beast… and the story only got stranger from there. The article even claimed the body was shipped to the Smithsonian Institution. But was any of it true? In this episode of ARKINSAW, we’re diving deep into one of the strangest legends Arkansas has ever produced. We’ll separate documented history from folklore, explore the original newspaper account, and ask the question that has lingered for more than 125 years… Was the Gowrow simply an elaborate newspaper hoax… or was it inspired by an older Ozark legend that people had been whispering about for generations? Whether you love Arkansas history, cryptids, folklore, or just a good mystery, this is one story you won’t forget. If you’ve ever heard a strange Arkansas legend—or have your own story to tell—I want to hear it. Leave a voicemail on the ARKINSAW Hotline at (479) 384-5867. Your story could be featured in a future episode. Welcome to ARKINSAW. Arkansas Stories. Arkansas Roots. #arkansas #legends #arkansasmyth #dragon #monster #podcast #lore

    The Arkansas Dragon: Legend of the Gowrow | Video Edition
  2. Aug 28

    The Arkansas Dragon: The Legend of the Gowrow.

    The Arkansas Dragon: The Legend of the Gowrow What if Arkansas once had its own dragon? In 1897, one of Arkansas’ largest newspapers published a story so strange that people are still talking about it more than a century later. According to the report, hunters in the Ozark Mountains tracked down a terrifying creature known as the Gowrow—a massive dragon-like beast said to have emerged from a nearby lake before disappearing into a cave littered with animal bones. The newspaper claimed the creature measured nearly twenty feet long, had tusks, horns running down its back, powerful claws, and a tail unlike anything anyone had ever seen. After a fierce hunt through the mountains, the men reportedly killed the beast… and the story only got stranger from there. The article even claimed the body was shipped to the Smithsonian Institution. But was any of it true? In this episode of ARKINSAW, we’re diving deep into one of the strangest legends Arkansas has ever produced. We’ll separate documented history from folklore, explore the original newspaper account, and ask the question that has lingered for more than 125 years… Was the Gowrow simply an elaborate newspaper hoax… or was it inspired by an older Ozark legend that people had been whispering about for generations? Whether you love Arkansas history, cryptids, folklore, or just a good mystery, this is one story you won’t forget. If you’ve ever heard a strange Arkansas legend—or have your own story to tell—I want to hear it. Leave a voicemail on the ARKINSAW Hotline at (479) 384-5867. Your story could be featured in a future episode. Welcome to ARKINSAW. Arkansas Stories. Arkansas Roots.

    The Arkansas Dragon: The Legend of the Gowrow.
  3. Aug 26

    Carlos Hathcock: A True American Sniper Hero. Video Edition

    Carlos Hathcock: A True American Sniper Hero (Video Edition) Before he became known around the world as White Feather, Carlos Hathcock was just a young Arkansas boy carrying a single-shot .22 rifle through the woods with one dream—to become a United States Marine. In this special Video Edition of ARKINSAW, you’ll experience the story with carefully selected photographs, historical images, and visuals that bring Carlos Hathcock’s incredible life to the screen. Follow his journey from rural Arkansas to the battlefields of Vietnam, where his unmatched patience, discipline, and determination made him one of the most respected Marine snipers in history. This episode features two of Hathcock’s most remarkable missions, including his unbelievable multi-day crawl through enemy territory to eliminate a North Vietnamese general and the legendary long-distance .50-caliber shot that became one of the most famous sniper shots of the Vietnam War. More than a story about war, this is the story of an Arkansas kid whose legacy continues to influence generations of military marksmen around the world. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to follow ARKINSAW, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who loves Arkansas history, military history, or unforgettable true stories. Have an Arkansas story you’d like to share? 📞 ARKINSAW Hotline: (479) 384-5867 Leave me a voicemail—your story could be featured in a future episode. ARKINSAW Arkansas Stories. Arkansas Roots. #CarlosHathcock #WhiteFeather #AmericanSniper #MarineCorps #USMC #VietnamWar #MilitaryHistory #Arkansas #ArkansasHistory #ARKINSAW #HistoryPodcast #VideoPodcast #TrueStory #Storytelling #Veterans

    Carlos Hathcock: A True American Sniper Hero. Video Edition
  4. Aug 26

    Carlos Hathcock: The True Story of an American Marine Scout Sniper "White Feather"

    Carlos Hathcock: The True Story of an American Sniper Before he became known around the world as White Feather, Carlos Hathcock was just a young Arkansas boy with a single-shot .22 rifle and a dream of becoming a United States Marine. In this episode of ARKINSAW, we trace the incredible life of one of the most respected snipers in military history—from hunting squirrels in the Arkansas woods to the battlefields of Vietnam, where his patience, skill, and courage became legendary. You’ll hear the stories behind his most famous missions, including the unbelievable crawl across an open field to eliminate a North Vietnamese general, the longest sniper kill shot, a life saving fire rescue and the battlefield moments that forever changed Marine Corps sniper training. But this episode isn’t just about incredible shots. It’s about discipline, perseverance, humility, and an Arkansas kid who quietly became one of the most influential marksmen of the modern era. Whether you’ve heard the name Carlos Hathcock before or this is your first introduction, this is a story you won’t soon forget. If you enjoy the episode, please follow ARKINSAW, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who loves Arkansas history, military history, or unforgettable true stories. Have an Arkansas story you’d like to share? 📞 ARKINSAW Hotline: (479) 384-5867 Leave me a voicemail—your story could be featured in a future episode. ARKINSAW Arkansas Stories. Arkansas Roots. #CarlosHathcock #WhiteFeather #AmericanSniper #MarineCorps #MarineScoutSniper #VietnamWar #MilitaryHistory #Arkansas #ArkansasHistory #ARKINSAW #HistoryPodcast #TrueStory #Storytelling #Veterans #USMC

    Carlos Hathcock: The True Story of an American Marine Scout Sniper "White Feather"
  5. Aug 26

    Johnny Cash: Before "The Man in Black" | A True Arkansas Legend

    This is the illustrated video version of the ARKINSAW podcast, featuring cinematic visuals to bring Johnny Cash’s incredible story to life while you listen. Before the world knew him as “The Man in Black,” Johnny Cash was a young Arkansas boy growing up in the small farming community of Dyess, Arkansas during the Great Depression. Long before the sold-out concerts, the prison performances, and the legendary career, he was picking cotton alongside his family, singing gospel hymns in a tiny country church, and dreaming of something bigger. In this episode, we go back to the beginning. Follow Johnny’s journey from the cotton fields of eastern Arkansas to the United States Air Force, where he spent his days listening to Russian radio transmissions during the Cold War. Then travel with him to Memphis, Tennessee, as a young husband carrying a guitar and a dream walks through the doors of Sun Records—never knowing he was about to change American music forever. This is the true story of the years that shaped one of the greatest musicians of all time. In this episode you’ll discover: • Johnny Cash’s childhood in Dyess, Arkansas • Life during the Great Depression • Working the Arkansas cotton fields • The heartbreaking loss of his brother Jack • The church hymns that influenced his voice • His military service in the U.S. Air Force • Monitoring Russian broadcasts during the Cold War • Moving to Memphis with a dream • Walking into Sun Records • The birth of Johnny Cash’s legendary career About ARKINSAW ARKINSAW is dedicated to telling the stories that make Arkansas unlike anywhere else. From true crime and legends to famous Arkansans, forgotten history, mysteries, folklore, military heroes, and outdoor adventures, every episode explores the people and places that helped shape The Natural State. Have an Arkansas story to share? Call the ARKINSAW Hotline and leave us a voicemail. Whether it’s a family legend, hometown mystery, ghost story, historical event, or an idea for a future episode, we’d love to hear it. ARKINSAW Hotline: (479) 384-5867 Be sure to follow ARKINSAW for more Arkansas stories, and if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and share it with someone who loves Arkansas history. #JohnnyCash #JohnnyCashPodcast #TheManInBlack #DyessArkansas #SunRecords #CountryMusic #CountryMusicHistory #Arkansas #ArkansasHistory #ArkansasPodcast #HistoryPodcast #AmericanHistory #Rockabilly #ARKINSAW #Legends #TrueStory #FamousArkansans #Memphis #GreatDepression #ColdWar

    Johnny Cash: Before "The Man in Black" | A True Arkansas Legend
  6. Aug 22

    Johnny Cash: Before The Man in Black | How an Arkansas Farm Boy Became a Music Legend

    Before the world knew him as The Man in Black, he was just a young boy growing up in the Arkansas Delta. Long before the sold-out concerts, the prison performances, and the legendary career that would change country music forever, Johnny Cash was picking cotton alongside his family in Dyess, Arkansas during the Great Depression. Those early years—filled with hardship, faith, loss, and determination—would shape the voice, the songs, and the man the world would eventually come to know. In this episode of ARKINSAW, we trace Johnny Cash’s journey from the fields of eastern Arkansas to the doorstep of Sun Records, where one chance meeting with Sam Phillips would change music history forever. Along the way, you’ll hear about the New Deal community that gave his family a fresh start, the heartbreaking tragedy that left a permanent mark on his life, his service in the U.S. Air Force, and the songs he was writing long before fame ever found him. This isn’t just the story of a music legend. It’s the story of an Arkansas boy who refused to give up on a dream. In this episode: • Johnny Cash’s childhood in Dyess, Arkansas • Life during the Great Depression • The Dyess Colony and Roosevelt’s New Deal program • The tragic death of Johnny’s brother, Jack • The music and gospel influences that shaped his sound • Johnny’s years in the U.S. Air Force • His earliest songwriting and musical ambitions • The road that led him to Sun Records and Sam Phillips If you enjoy Arkansas history, true stories, forgotten legends, Southern culture, and the people who shaped the Natural State, be sure to Follow ARKINSAW so you never miss a new episode. Have an Arkansas story to share? The ARKINSAW Hotline is your chance to be part of the show. If you know a local legend, a ghost story, an unsolved mystery, a strange encounter, a piece of forgotten Arkansas history, or just have an incredible story from your hometown, I’d love to hear it. Your voicemail could be featured in a future episode. 📞 ARKINSAW Hotline: (479) 384-5867 If you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a 5-star rating and review is one of the best ways to help ARKINSAW grow. Every follow, review, and share helps bring Arkansas stories to more people. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time… Right here on ARKINSAW. Arkansas Guy. Telling Arkansas Stories. #JohnnyCash #Arkansas #DyessArkansas #TheManInBlack #CountryMusic #MusicHistory #SunRecords #ArkansasHistory #ARKINSAW #TrueStories #Podcast

    Johnny Cash: Before The Man in Black | How an Arkansas Farm Boy Became a Music Legend

About

Welcome to ARKINSAW where Jess brings stories of Arkansas to life. From true crime stories, unsolved mysteries, unbelievable true events, folklore and hidden places, every episode explores a different piece of history hidden deep within the Natural State. Whether it's a story you've never heard or one you are already familiar with, you will love the smooth story telling from Jess, the podcast creator and host. Jess moved from California to Arkansas at the age of 8 and resides in Arkansas to this day. If you love history, mystery, and incredible true stories, welcome to ARKINSAW.

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