Southern Mysteries Podcast

Shannon Ballard

Exploring history and mysteries of the American South.

  • 37 minutes 38 seconds
    Episode 152 Cyrus Teed and the Koreshan Unity

    The Koreshan State Historic Site in Estero, Florida is one of the most peculiar historic sites in the American South. This state park showcases the life of Dr. Cyrus Teed, the founder of Koreshanity. Those who joined this religious and scientific movement sought immortality through celibacy and believed the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The Koreshan Unity has been dubbed “one of the most bizarre” communal utopian societies organized in the 19th century. They were forced to relocate several times until they found a permanent home in the swamplands of southwest Florida.

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    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

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    Website: southernmysteries.com
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    Recommended Reading

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

     

    23 September 2024, 9:00 am
  • 30 minutes 13 seconds
    Episode 151 The Mystery of the Witch of Yazoo City

    In May 1904, the residents of Yazoo City, Mississippi witnessed a devastating fire that destroyed half of their town. This fire was believed to be the result of a curse spoken by a woman known as the Witch of Yazoo, just before her death two decades earlier. Willie Morris, a writer and native of Mississippi, shared the legend in his book, "Good Old Boy." Following his passing in 1999, he was buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City, 13 paces due south of the Witch of Yazoo's grave. Many mysteries surround this tale: Was the witch a historical figure, a character inspired by a resident, or a legend passed down through generations? Who rests beneath the marker commemorating one of the South's most famous witches?

    Want more Southern Mysteries? 

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com
    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast
    Instagram: @southernmysteries
    Email: [email protected] 

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

    9 September 2024, 9:00 am
  • 41 minutes 9 seconds
    Episode 150 The Mystery of the Sensational Co-Ed Murder

    State Solicitor George Bailes described the murder of Faye New as the most heinous crime ever committed in Jefferson County, Alabama. Faye New's story is shrouded in mystery and sorrow. She was a lively young woman, renowned for her warm smile and compassionate nature. In 1934, tragedy struck when she disappeared after agreeing to accompany a young man for a car ride on a summer evening. Search parties were organized, and the next day, Faye's lifeless body was discovered in a ditch at the edge of a cornfield. For months, local newspapers extensively covered every aspect of this murder mystery. Was it a crime of passion committed by a young man who professed his love for her? Or did the man who offered her a ride bring an end to a promising young life?

    Want more Southern Mysteries? 

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com
    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast
    Instagram: @southernmysteries
    Email: [email protected] 

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

    26 August 2024, 9:00 am
  • 27 minutes 28 seconds
    Episode 149 The Mysterious Disappearance of David Glenn Lewis

    In this episode of Southern Mysteries, host Shannon Ballard delves into the perplexing case of David Glenn Lewis, a well-respected lawyer from Amarillo, Texas, who vanished under mysterious circumstances in January 1993. Despite being a beloved family man and community leader, David's disappearance left his family and law enforcement with more questions than answers.

    David's body was found 1,600 miles away in Washington State, identified only years later through the use of Google by a determined detective. The discovery solved one mystery but deepened another: how did David end up in Washington, and what led to his tragic death by a hit-and-run driver?

    Want more Southern Mysteries? 

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com
    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast
    Instagram: @southernmysteries
    Email: [email protected] 

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

    12 August 2024, 9:00 am
  • 28 minutes 9 seconds
    Episode 148 The Mysterious Death of Mary Ravenel

    The death of Mary Ravenel remains one of Charleston’s most baffling mysteries. The 64 year old widow was found slumped on the sidewalk near her home on November 1, 1933. People stopped to help and transported Mary to the hospital. She complained of unbearable pain but doctors were unable to determine the source of her injuries and Mary died. Investigators struggled to answer the question of how Mary Ravenel died? Was it accidental? Or cold blooded murder?

    Want more Southern Mysteries? 

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com
    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast
    Instagram: @explorethesouth
    Email: [email protected] 

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

    29 July 2024, 8:00 am
  • 29 minutes 5 seconds
    Episode 147 Helen Spence Arkansas Delta Folk Hero

    In 1931, 18 year old Helen Spence became a household name, and Arkansas folk hero, after she sought vengeance for the death of her father and stepmother. Over the next three years, the media followed Helen’s trial, imprisonment, second murder charge, prison escapes, and her murder at the age of 22. 

    Want more Southern Mysteries? 

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com
    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast
    Instagram: @explorethesouth
    Email: [email protected] 

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Impromptu, Traveler and Unanswered Questions by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

     

    27 May 2024, 9:00 am
  • 34 minutes
    Episode 146 Dr. Feist and Mrs. Mangrum

    Dr. Jacob Herman Feist was one of Nashville’s most eligible bachelors when he was accused of murder following the disappearance of his lover, Mrs. Mangrum. Was one of the city’s most prominent citizens one of its earliest known serial killers or a womanizer who was destroyed by accusations and gossip? 

    Want more Southern Mysteries? 

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com
    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast
    Instagram: @explorethesouth
    Email: [email protected] 

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Impromptu and Unanswered Questions by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    13 May 2024, 8:00 am
  • 30 minutes 2 seconds
    Episode 145 The Mystery of the Wagner Murders

    On May 4, 1931, William and Mamie Wagner were murdered at their home in northwest  Mississippi. The Jackson Clarion-Ledger called the murders of one of the most prominent couples in the area, “the most brutal tragedy that has ever happened in this section of Mississippi”.

    Want more Southern Mysteries? 

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com
    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast
    Instagram: @shannonballard_
    Email: [email protected] 

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Impromptu and Unanswered Questions by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    29 April 2024, 9:00 am
  • 32 minutes 26 seconds
    Episode 144 The Disappearance of the Nelms Sisters

    The Nelms Sisters Mystery is one of the most sensational mysteries of the early 20th century, that most people have never heard of. In the summer of 1914, Eloise Nelms was in love with an attorney she planned to marry. Her sister Beatrice questioned the attorney’s motives and wanted proof that he had her sister's best interest at heart. The sisters took a train from Atlanta, headed to Texas to meet the attorney. They were never seen alive again. 

    Want more Southern Mysteries? 

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com
    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast
    Instagram: @shannonballard_
    Email: [email protected] 

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Northern Lights by Chris Hauge.  Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

    Deep Haze by Kevin McLeod. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Source: http://incompetech.com

     

    15 April 2024, 9:00 am
  • 26 minutes 45 seconds
    Episode 143 Battle of Blair Mountain

    The Battle of Blair Mountain, in the summer of 1921, was one of the largest civil uprisings in American History. Violent attacks on Appalachian miners and their families, dangerous working conditions and a forced debt system in company towns contributed to the largest and bloodiest armed uprising since the Civil War.

    Want more Southern Mysteries? 

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com
    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast
    Instagram: @shannonballard_
    Email: [email protected] 

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Out of the Mines by Ross Gentry. Used with permission of artist.

    Resolution by Kevin McLeod. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Source: http://incompetech.com

    1 April 2024, 9:00 am
  • 27 minutes 59 seconds
    Episode 142 The Mysterious Disappearance of Ruth Dorsey

    The disappearance of 67 year old Ruth Dorsey has perplexed her family, friends and Lee County, Alabama law enforcement for half a century. In the summer of 1974 investigators launched what would become one of the most extensive searches to date in the east central part of the state. Ruth’s disappearance remains one of Alabama’s most baffling mysteries.

    Want more Southern Mysteries? 

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com
    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast
    Instagram: @shannonballard_
    Email: [email protected] 

    Episode Sources

    Episode Music

    Not Forgotten by Dan Lebowitz. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

    18 March 2024, 9:00 am
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