Podcast Summary
Exploring the Past: True Crime and Credit Cards: In the past, murder was easier to commit due to limited detection methods. Today, the Capital One Venture X Card turns everyday expenses into travel opportunities.
The Capital One Venture X Card offers unlimited 2X miles on every purchase and premium travel benefits, transforming everyday expenses into opportunities for travel. Meanwhile, delving into the world of true crime, the Veliska Axe Murder of 1912 is a brutal and lesser-known event in American history. Researching this crime led to an intriguing discovery: it was much easier to get away with murder in 1912 due to limited detection methods. For those fascinated by true crime, the expert on this case, Ed Epperley, has a dedicated site filled with extensive information.
A Tragic Intrusion in a House of Faith: In small towns, intruders can go unnoticed, using common household items as weapons to commit unspeakable acts, even in places of worship
On the night of June 9, 1912, in Veliska, Iowa, at 508 East Second Street, a man entered the Moore household, which was sleeping after attending a children's day mass at their Presbyterian church. The intruder, who likely got in without raising suspicion due to the small town's size, brought Joe Moore's own axe and used an oil lamp to navigate the house quietly. He passed the two Stylinger girls sleeping downstairs and then approached Joe and Sarah's room, where he set the lamp down and killed them both. This tragic event occurred in a house filled with people who had spent the day together at church, highlighting the unexpected and terrifying nature of the intrusion. The use of a common household item, an axe, as a weapon of convenience underscores the danger that could lurk even in seemingly ordinary situations.
A Family's Tragic End: The Leroy Coburn Case: In 1957, Leroy Coburn brutally murdered his entire family, leaving no signs of struggle and engaging in bizarre behaviors before disappearing.
The ax murderer, Leroy Robert "Leroy" Coburn, brutally killed his entire family, including six children under the age of 12, using the blunt end of an ax. After leaving no apparent signs of struggle or disturbance, he returned with the sharp side of the ax and systematically bashed in the heads of his victims, some of whom were struck multiple times. Coburn then engaged in strange behaviors, such as covering windows, mirrors, and victims' faces, washing himself off, and leaving bacon behind. He remained in the house for a while before leaving before 5 a.m. Neighbors noticed his absence and alerted authorities, leading to the grisly discovery of the crime scene. This gruesome series of events underscores the chilling and inexplicable nature of Coburn's actions, making it a significant part of American history.
Townspeople Interfered with Crime Scene Investigation: The curiosity of townspeople hindered the investigation into the Balesca massacre, preventing the collection of crucial evidence and leaving the community without leads on the murderer
The investigation into the Balesca massacre in 1912 was hindered by the actions of the townspeople. Despite the best efforts of the initial responders, including doctors and the local marshal, the crime scene was quickly overrun by curious townspeople. Doctors Jay Clark Cooper and Edgar Huff, along with Minister Jay Cooper, were among the first to enter the house and tried to preserve the scene as much as possible. However, their efforts were in vain as the townspeople disregarded their warnings and went in to view the bodies. Even the local drugist attempted to document the scene with photographs, but was met with resistance. The perpetrator had likely fled by train, but the search was hindered due to the townspeople's interference with the crime scene. The result was a lost opportunity to gather crucial evidence, leaving the small town of Balesca in terror with no leads on the murderer.
Suspected Killer's Business Rivalry and Rumors of Affair Fuel Suspicion: A local businessman, Frank Jones, was suspected of hiring someone to kill his business rival, Joe Moore, due to a long-standing business dispute and rumors of an affair with Jones's daughter-in-law. However, the main suspect, William Blackie Mansfield, had a solid alibi, leaving doubts about Jones's guilt.
The suspected killer in this case was a well-respected local businessman and Methodist named Frank Jones. The motive for suspicion against him included a long-standing business rivalry with Joe Moore, who had left Jones's employment to start a competing business and took a major client with him. Additionally, rumors of an affair between Moore and Jones's daughter-in-law fueled the suspicion. Despite detective James Wilkerson's theory that Jones had hired a man named William Blackie Mansfield to commit the crime, Mansfield had an airtight alibi, making it unlikely that he was the killer. However, many townspeople remained convinced of Jones's guilt due to the deep-rooted divisions between Methodists and Presbyterians and the scandalous nature of the rumors.
Suspicion Fell on Several Individuals in Mansfield Murders Investigation: Despite suspicion, no solid evidence led to the conviction of F.F. Jones and George Kelly in the Mansfield Murders case.
During the Mansfield Murders investigation in Iowa, suspicion fell on several individuals, including F.F. Jones and George Kelly. While Jones lost his re-election to the state Senate due to the suspicion, there was no solid evidence against him. George Kelly, a traveling English preacher with a known reputation as a sexual deviant, was also a suspect due to his presence in Voliska on the day of the murders and an alleged lewd letter he sent to a potential employee. However, no definitive evidence was found against him either, and a supposed witness's statement implicating him was later recanted. Ultimately, both men were exonerated.
A suspect's false confession complicates the Voliska children murders investigation: Despite extensive investigations, the true identity of the Voliska children murders remains unknown, but a false confession from a suspect and modern forensic techniques suggest a serial killer may have been involved.
The case of the Voliska children murders involved several suspects, including George Kelly, who was tried twice for the crimes but ultimately acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The evidence against him included some hay bales in the barn with depressions, suggesting someone had been lying on them, and the discovery of Lena Stillinger's body with her nightclothes hiked up and undergarments missing, leading investigators to suspect a sexual motive. However, it was later discovered that Kelly had returned to the scene of the crime posing as a Scotland Yard detective and confessed to the murders, only to retract his confession later. Despite extensive investigations, the true identity of the murderer remains unknown, but modern forensic techniques and historical research suggest that a serial killer may have been responsible.
Serial Killings in the Midwest: The similarities in five axe murders during 1911-1912 suggest a single serial killer, rather than isolated incidents, due to their distinct traits and specific timeframe.
The similarities between five axe murders in the Midwest during 1911 and 1912 suggest the work of a single serial killer, rather than isolated local incidents. This theory is supported by the fact that these crimes occurred within a specific timeframe and shared distinct traits. The idea of local vendettas or arguments over farming is considered unlikely, as these crimes reflect the actions of a psychopath. The case of Henry Lee Moore, who is often considered a suspect, is more likely a red herring due to his motive of obtaining family property deeds. The true identity of the serial killer remains a mystery.
Possible 'Train Going' Serial Killer in the Midwest: Despite Henry Lee Moore's absence as a suspect, similarities in oil lamp usage, undergarment removal, and train escapes suggest a calculated serial killer.
The absence of Henry Lee Moore as a suspect in a series of murders in the Midwest during the early 1900s does not rule out the possibility of a serial killer being involved. The similarities between the cases, such as the use of oil lamps with covered wicks, covered mirrors and windows, and the removal of undergarments, suggest a pattern. Additionally, the fact that all of the murders occurred in train towns and the killings were often followed by the perpetrator's escape via train, points to a potential "train going serial killer." The discovery of a man in the Longmar family's dining room in Paola, Kansas, who had just broken an oil lamp chimney and was about to attack them, is a chilling reminder of the danger that was lurking. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the identity of the killer, the similarities between the cases suggest a calculated and methodical murderer.
A listener's cousin finds relief from a mystery illness after discovering a hookworm diagnosis from a podcast: Listening to informative podcasts can lead to life-changing discoveries and sharing knowledge with others can positively impact their lives.
The power of knowledge and information can lead to life-changing discoveries. A listener named James from Florida shared his story about his cousin who was suffering from severe gastrointestinal issues for months, visiting numerous specialists but receiving no diagnosis. One day, while listening to the "Hookworm" episode of the podcast, James realized his cousin's symptoms matched those of hookworm infection. He suggested his cousin get tested and, sure enough, he was diagnosed and treated. James expressed his gratitude to the podcast hosts for their wide range of topics and the potential impact they had on his cousin's life. This story highlights the importance of being informed and the potential impact of sharing knowledge with others. For more information on various topics, listeners can visit the show's website or check out the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
