Prepare for battle – a cookie battle, that is! Back in the early 1900s, two brothers invented a game changing cookie. It consisted of two crisp chocolate wafers, stuck together with a vanilla cream filling. It was delicious! It was fancy! They called it… Hydrox.

Years later, Nabisco created their own knockoff version of Hydrox. They called it the Oreo. For decades, Hydrox was the undisputed king of chocolate sandwich cookies. But in time, the tables turned.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Norm pulled from:

Business 2.0. “Oreos to Hydrox: Resistance Is Futile.” February 20, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020220054213/http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/0,1640,4537,FF.html.

Cahn, William. Out of the Cracker Barrel: The Nabisco Story From Animal Crackers to Zuzus. Simon & Schuster, 1969.

CBC Radio. “The Best-Selling Cookie in the World Is a Copycat Brand.” January 11, 2024. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/the-best-selling-cookie-in-the-world-is-a-copycat-brand-1.7080582.

CBS, dir. Hydrox Cookies Turn 100. 2008. 03:16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbFiS-1fhiM.

Chenab Gourmet. “Crackers Through the Ages.” November 18, 2024. https://www.chenabgourmet.com/crackers-through-the-ages-discover-the-gourmet-secrets-that-will-transform-your-snack-game/.

Elmwood Cemetery. “Jacob Loose.” https://elmwoodcemeterykc.org/resident/jacob-loose/.

Jewish Action. “Paving the Way for Women’s Leadership: The OU Women’s Branch.” June 12, 2018. https://jewishaction.com/religion/women/paving-way-womens-leadership-ou-womens-branch/.

Kansas City Journal. “JL Loose Dies in Summer Home.” September 19, 1923.

Kansas City Journal. “Loose-Wiles New Brands Now Ready For Delivery.” November 9, 1902.

Kansas City Star. “Death of Joseph S. Loose.” n.d.

Kansas City Star. “The Cracker Trust Buys Another Kansas City Plant - An Independent Combine?” May 20, 1902.

Kansas City Star. “Who’s Who in Kansas City.” December 24, 1922.

Kansas City Times. “Lock Horns With a Trust.” May 1, 1902.

Loose Mansion. “History of Loose Mansion.” https://loosemansion.com/history/.

Los Angeles Times. “Granny Goose Parent Thinks Chips Go Well With Sunshine Biscuits.” February 10, 1988. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-10-fi-28222-story.html.

Martin, Mackenzie. “Remember Hydrox? Kansas City Created the Original Oreo Cookie.” KCUR - Kansas City News and NPR, March 6, 2024. https://www.kcur.org/history/2024-03-06/remember-hydrox-kansas-city-created-the-original-oreo-cookie.

News-Press NOW. “Soggy Cracker House Needs Some Help.” April 15, 2008. https://www.newspressnow.com/news/soggy-cracker-house-needs-some-help/article_df129ed7-c42d-5179-b43b-7de4822332b6.html.

NPR. “Episode 652: The Hydrox Resurrection.” September 18, 2015. https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/09/18/441546748/episode-652-the-hydrox-resurrection.

NYC EATS. “Adolphus Green.” https://www.newyorkcity-eats.com/adolphus-green.

Serious Eats. “How Oreos Got Their Name: The Rise of an American Icon.” https://www.seriouseats.com/history-of-oreos-bravetart-cookbook.

The Pendergast Years. “Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose.” https://pendergastkc.org/articles/jacob-l-and-ella-c-loose.

The Springfield Daily News (The Republican). “Hydrox Advertisement.” February 2, 1926.

The Topeka Daily Capital. “Home of Sunshine Biscuit All That Name Suggests.” October 24, 1917.

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Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

As his trial drew closer, Charles Guiteau became more delusional. He wrote demanding letters to the new president, Chester A. Arthur. He announced plans to run for president himself. He got the word out that he was looking for love — the love of a wealthy, Christian woman under 30, that is!

He wasn’t worried about what the future held. He was certain that, if he did go on trial for murder, he’d be surrounded by the country’s best criminal defense attorneys.

That didn’t happen. Instead, his long-suffering brother-in-law, Charles Scoville, stepped in. Charles Scoville was a patent attorney from Illinois. He knew he might not be able to stop the government from giving an insane man the death penalty, but he’d sure as hell try.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The book, “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President,” by Candice Millard
The book, “Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield,” by Kenneth D. Ackerman
“Murder of a President” documentary and additional resources from PBS.org
“‘As a Matter of Fact, I Presume I Shall Live to be President’”: A Brief Biographical Sketch of Garfield’s Assassin” from the National Park Service
The Federal Judicial Center document, “United States v. Guiteau: Assassination and Insanity in Gilded Age America,” by Winston Bowman for the Federal Judicial Center
The article, “The Trial of Charles Guiteau,” by Douglas O. Linder for Famous-trials.com

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

Mere minutes after the shooting, a doctor arrived on the scene. Using his ungloved, unwashed fingers, he dug into President James Garfield’s bullet wound. The doctor hoped to retrieve the bullet. That would prove a common theme in the president’s medical care. As James Garfield struggled to survive, doctors obsessed over retrieving the bullet. They subjected him to daily examinations — always with unsanitized tools and unwashed hands. Those examinations caused him tremendous suffering. They ultimately killed him.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The book, “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President,” by Candice Millard
The book, “Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield,” by Kenneth D. Ackerman
“Murder of a President” documentary and additional resources from PBS.org
“‘As a Matter of Fact, I Presume I Shall Live to be President’”: A Brief Biographical Sketch of Garfield’s Assassin” from the National Park Service
“Assassination and Insanity in Gilded Age America,” by Winston Bowman

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

Charles Guiteau was seething. He’d convinced himself that he deserved a political appointment. When he didn’t get one, he placed the blame squarely on President James Garfield’s shoulders.

James Garfield was a liar. A cheat. The country would be better off without him!

Over time, Charles convinced himself that God wanted him to assassinate the president. So? He bought a gun. He tracked the president’s movements. He shot the President in cold blood.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The book, “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President,” by Candice Millard
The book, “Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield,” by Kenneth D. Ackerman
“Murder of a President” documentary and additional resources from PBS.org
“‘As a Matter of Fact, I Presume I Shall Live to be President’”: A Brief Biographical Sketch of Garfield’s Assassin” from the National Park Service
“Assassination and Insanity in Gilded Age America,” by Winston Bowman

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

When James Garfield won the presidential election, Charles Guiteau was ecstatic. He was certain that he’d played a major role in Garfield’s victory. So, fueled by delusion, Charles Guiteau began hounding James Garfield for a political appointment.

Meanwhile, New York Senator and political boss Roscoe Conkling threw a temper tantrum. James Garfield had the tenacity to fill his cabinet with members of his *own* choosing. That made Roscoe mad. So? He hatched a plan. A very stupid plan.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The book, “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President,” by Candice Millard
The book, “Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield,” by Kenneth D. Ackerman
“Murder of a President” documentary and additional resources from PBS.org
“‘As a Matter of Fact, I Presume I Shall Live to be President’”: A Brief Biographical Sketch of Garfield’s Assassin” from the National Park Service
“Secret Service fast facts,” CNN Editorial Research

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

It was the summer of 1880, and Charles Guiteau didn’t have much going for him. He was unemployed. He had very little money. He had no relationships. His family members feared he was insane.

But Charles didn’t see himself that way. He thought he was destined for greatness. He’d convinced himself that he was an excellent public speaker with an eye for politics. So? He dedicated himself to James Garfield’s presidential campaign.

In less than a year, he’d assassinate the president of the United States.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The book, “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President,” by Candice Millard
The book, “Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield,” by Kenneth D. Ackerman
“Murder of a President” documentary and additional resources from PBS.org
“‘As a Matter of Fact, I Presume I Shall Live to be President’”: A Brief Biographical Sketch of Garfield’s Assassin” from the National Park Service
“The Oneida Community,” by John H. Martin for the Crooked Lake Review
“John Humphrey Noyes,” for Britannica

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

As James Garfield’s surprise presidential campaign got underway, he knew he didn’t have it in the bag. The Republican party was divided. The Democratic party was united. And there was some weirdo third-party candidate campaigning for an 8-hour workday. *I guess people don’t wanna work anymore!?*

The fact that many members of his party — including his own vice president — were, at best, mildly enthusiastic about his candidacy made his road to victory even less likely. And yet? A strange little man named Charles Guiteau campaigned hard for Garfield. He was convinced that he’d be rewarded for his efforts.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The book, “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President,” by Candice Millard
The book, “Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield,” by Kenneth D. Ackerman
“Murder of a President” documentary and additional resources from PBS.org

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

James A. Garfield was a remarkable man. He was an academic. A Union war hero. A family man. And in 1880? He *accidentally* became the Republican nominee for president. In this episode, you’ll get a boatload of context about 1880s politics (omg, are you still reading?), and you’ll learn how a man oops-fudge-striped his way into the presidency.

In the weeks to come, we’ll cover his presidency, his assassination, and the legacy he left behind.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The book, “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President,” by Candice Millard
The book, “Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield,” by Kenneth D. Ackerman
“Murder of a President” documentary and additional resources from PBS.org

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

John Colt never denied killing Samuel Adams. As the murder trial wrapped up, the defense argued that John Colt never planned to kill Samuel Adams. He’d acted in self defense. In the finale of this series, the jury returns their verdict. John Colt faces the aftermath.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Norm pulled from:
Dunphy, Thomas. Remarkable Trials of All Countries. Diossy & Company, 1870.
Edwards, William. The Story of Colt’s Revolver. Stackpole Co, 1953.
Phelps, M. Devil’’s Right Hand: The Tragic Story of the Colt Family Curse. Lyons Press, 2013.
Schechter, Harold. Killer Colt: Murder, Disgrace, and the Making of an American Legend. 1st ed. Open Road Integrated Media, Inc, 2010.

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

When John Colt went on trial for the murder of Samuel Adams, it felt like all of New York was watching. The media shared inflammatory, and often inaccurate stories about the defendant. The public clamored for more. Courtroom antics ranged from theatrical to downright gross. John Colt sat at the center of it all, shielded by a defense team that argued he hadn’t murdered Samuel Adams. He’d simply been defending himself.

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Norm pulled from:
Dunphy, Thomas. Remarkable Trials of All Countries. Diossy & Company, 1870.
Edwards, William. The Story of Colt’s Revolver. Stackpole Co, 1953.
Phelps, M. Devil’’s Right Hand: The Tragic Story of the Colt Family Curse. Lyons Press, 2013.
Schechter, Harold. Killer Colt: Murder, Disgrace, and the Making of an American Legend. 1st ed. Open Road Integrated Media, Inc, 2010.

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

Samuel Adams (no, not *that* Samuel Adams) was nowhere to be found. His friends and family were alarmed. They feared that the respected small business owner had met a violent end.

Meanwhile, across town, John Caldwell Colt was up to no good. He tried to cover his tracks, but the man in the office next door was onto him. 

Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Norm pulled from:
Crain, Caleb. “What Was the (New) York Shilling?” Steamboats Are Ruining Everything, February 11, 2020.https://steamthing.com/2020/02/what-was-the-new-york-shilling.html.
Dunphy, Thomas. Remarkable Trials of All Countries. Diossy & Company, 1870.
Edwards, William. The Story of Colt’s Revolver. Stackpole Co, 1953.
Phelps, M. Devil’’s Right Hand: The Tragic Story of the Colt Family Curse. Lyons Press, 2013.
Schechter, Harold. Killer Colt: Murder, Disgrace, and the Making of an American Legend. 1st ed. Open Road Integrated Media, Inc, 2010.
Vangermeersch, Richard. “The Life and Writings of John C. Colt (1810-1842).” University of Rhode Island, 2010.

Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.