The Felon File

The Buncombe Co. Lynching of 1897 (E-12-9)

August 8, 1897, around 11:30, Kittie Henderson waswalking home by herself from church when a man attacked her. Knocking her down, he forced her into the wooded area next to the road.  He threatened and assaulted her. Leaving her to die beside the road. But she did not. What happened next becomes an ugly part of Buncombe History.

Some people are just hard to kill. (12-8)

A homeless Irishman from County Donegal who lived in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s. A former firefighter and stationary engineer. He was murdered by a group of five whom he thought were friends. In a fraud scheme, they attempted many times to kill off the man, but he just kept returning.

North Carolina John & Jane Doe Homicides (12-7)In the grim landscape of crime, some cases stand out not for their lurid details but for their profound tragedy: the unsolved homicides of John and Jane Does. These are the victims whose names are unknown, their stories silenced, their identities lost to the mists of time. While headline-grabbing cases often monopolize public attention, we must recognize the importance of dedicating resources and expertise to investigating these unidentified victims. They represent not just unsolved crimes but also the potential for healing for families that may not even know their loved one has been taken.

The story of the Pizza Gate Man.(Episode 12-6)

Who was he? What did he do then, before and after the media circus of Pizza Gate?  Hero or Villain?

Actor John Goodman may have said it best.

“People just do the strangest things when they believe they’re entitled. But they do even stranger things when they just plain believe.”

— John Goodman

The Murder of Karen Styles (12-5)

Karen Styles was a gifted and kind individual. Graduated High School in 1990. Continuing to college, where she helped create a program for disabled youth & kept 3 jobs while staying on the Dean's List

Styles' college years were marked by exceptional commitment and accomplishments. 1994, she received her Bachelor of Science in therapeutic recreation from Western Carolina University. She completed a 12-week internship at a Montana wilderness camp and then part-time work at Asheville Mall. Styles' passion for wilderness programming led her to a job at a South Carolina state-run wilderness camp. Taking a role in the program's development.

Twenty-two-year-old Karen Styles had a 2 p.m. shift at the mall on October 31, 1994. Before her shift, she planned to run.  That  Halloween morning, Styles disappeared into the National Forest.   When she did not return home, A search was initiated.  She would not be located alive.

Every story needs a beginning or a starting place.

Nellie Ellis Green was born on Halloween day, 31st of October 1905, in York, South Carolina.

At 19 Nellie married 23-year-old Alton Reid Freeman on 19 December 1925, in Charlotte, North Carolina,

After five months of marriage, Alton was done. He was leaving.  Packing up some of his stuff, He told Nellie he was leaving. Six days before Christmas. That's when it all went bad.

Assault by Banjo

A 63-year-old man who played in a bluegrass band was charged with murder after beating his wife to death with two banjos. A Hungarian tourist killed an Auckland man by shoving a banjo in his mouth.  In 1880, a Banjo player finds his lady in the company of another man.  A physical altercation ensued between them.  The banjo man tried to leave.  In a fit of rage, she lunged at the musician, who struck her in the face with the rim of his heavy, brass-bound banjo.  Assault by Banjo? Listen and make up your mind.  

The Asheville Monkey (12-1)

106 years ago, on July 16, 1916, a flood changed the City of Asheville's landscape. The rising waters of the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers went to heights never been recorded. Soon after the flood, a monkey was bequeathed by the late Cornelius Vanderbilt to a friend in Asheville. Many thought this was to establish a zoo for the city. The 1916 City Council of the day took up the discussion of the monkey business. It is very similar to the council's handling of business at present. But, as in the best-laid plans of monkey and man, the enterprise went sideways. Was this the beginning of the mysterious Asheville Monkey?

Fall in the Mountains. Though the views can be riveting, the world still revolves, and the stories of good and evil, right and wrong, continue. The fall of 1963 may be a good example. 

"History repeats itself."  This quote is attributed to both Marx and Churchill.  Both are correct to a point.  Marx stated that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, the second time as farce. Church Hill pointed out that if we don't learn from history, we will repeat it." Both men were correct to a point. An incident in the fall of 1963 in Madison County, NC, showed this may be true.

 In 1851, a Yancey County Mountain politician and businessman acting as his own attorney used a bullwhip on opposing counsel outside the McDowell County court in Marion. Listen to find out the outcome of the court case.

When the grave is closed and the flowers are placed on it, many think the story is over, though sometimes this is not the case. Here are two stories of two excitations that took place—or did they?

A replay of an episode from season 4-episode #20, Killer Robots, Courthouse Killings, and workplace violence. Originally aired on January 9th. 2021, we are replaying it because of one of the stories in that particular podcast. A story of a shooting in 1994 at the Yancey County Courthouse involving a magistrate and several first responders. One of those individuals involved was Mike Boone. Mike survived the night and later testified against the shooter.

Mike Boone recently retired. Less than two weeks ago, I was police chief of Marshall, NC, a small town in western North Carolina. Mike had over 30 years of service as a law enforcement officer. On August 2nd, 20,24, Chief Boone was killed in an auto accident by a wanted fugitive in a stolen car traveling at a high rate of speed in the wrong lane of the Interstate. A suspect who was wanted for several outstanding felony warrants and suspected in the death of his girlfriend. He struck Chief Boone head-on. Killing him at exit 11 on I-26.

Bonaparte's Retreat or Groom's Tune?

As Henry Grooms played his fiddle, perhaps for the final time, the strains of Bonaparte's Retreat resonated through the trees. One man smiled, another prayed, and a third cursed those who had brought them to this moment. Is it a tale of fiction or a piece of history? Listen and make your judgment.

FelonFile.com.

The killing of Sheriff Noland in Haywood County in 1862. A notable event. Historically, county sheriffs had numerous duties and responsibilities. During the Civil War in North Carolina, one such duty was to locate outliers and deserters. It was in the course of such an investigation that Sheriff John Noland tragically lost his life on a mountain pass, an incident involving a hymn and a young woman.

Felonfile.com

In 1928, a murder shook Madison, NC. A son discovered his father dead in the living room while his grandfather lay unconscious on the path leading from the house. Nearby, a pistol was found. Was it the father who killed his son? John Frisby faced murder charges. Despite three trials in Mountain County involving two different defendants, no one was convicted. The reasons remain unclear. Who was the actual perpetrator? Delve into the story and form your own conclusion.

The felonfile.com

11-1 Rum Runners and the Black Duck

The Nobel Experiment or Probation created a new type of criminal. The mountain back roads had the Moon Shiners and Bootleggers. The Coastal Communities had alcohol made legally in another country and smuggled into the states by the run-runners. These are just a few of their stories.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/felonfile/episodes/6-1-Rum-Runners-and-the-Black-Duck-e2kels7

Looking for Candidates for that "Special" Place in Hell

Episode 10-11

"Abusing or taking advantage of children, It said if you do you're going to burn in a very special level of Hell. One reserved for Child Molesters and People who talk at the theater." (modified quote by Shepard D. Book)

1937 The Murder Year in NC?

Episode 10-23.

Felon File episode # 10-22

Unfortunate incident or Murder? A Courtroom disturbance leads to several subjects' deaths and many more injuries. Was it murder in the courtroom or something else?

On line 4-20-2024 @ 7:00 pm.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/felonfile/episodes/Unfortunate-incident-or-Murder-e2aob6b

Episode 10-21-. England's Killers, Fred and Rosemary West

Fred West and his future wife, Rose, become two of the most evil serial killers in U.K. History.  Responsible for the dismemberment and murder of women and young girls, including two members of their own family. Evil? Listen and decide for yourself.

The  Murder of Stringbean the Banjo Man

Episode 10-20

The Felon File. In 1973, a member of the Grand Ole Opera and his wife were murdered in their rural home and farm. Why was the quiet couple killed? Who were the killers? How did their deaths impact the Country Music World at the time?  On line 3-23-24 @ 7:00 pm on your favorite podcast platform.

Ian Brady & Myra Hindley. The English Moor Murders

Episode 10-17

A review of the United Kingdom serial Killers, Ian Brady & Myra Hindley. The 1960s English Moor Murders

1875 Murder of the Farmer's Daughter

Episode 10-17

Monroe Co Tenn. 1875. Was it love or murder? 21-year-old Jack Hunt came from a good background. Dad was a prosperous Farmer and businessman in Monroe County.

Jack was the youngest of several brothers and sisters. Growing up, he had been allowed to do as he pleased most of his life, leading to becoming wild and reckless.  Having his way most of the time, well-off and good-looking. , As he got older, He spent a lot of time drinking and carousing. He was known as a troublemaker. Then he met the farmer’s daughter.

Her headstone reads "MARY MAGDALENE PITTS”, “Cruelly Murdered”.

Episode 10-16. Was he the worst dad in history? Listen and decide.

The 1913 Murdering Man of the Cloth

Episode 10-15

A shade of blue story about a man of the cloth: by his very position, a man who is supposed to radiate trust and reliability. The tale resembles a horror movie script more than a historical chapter of actual events. Unfortunately, it's true. 

1903 payroll robbery and murder by IED

Episode 10-14

This shade of blue story is one of my favorite types. A detective Story. This one is about Detective Thomas A. McQuaide. Pittsburg Pennsylvania Chief of Detectives 1903. It's a story that would probably make a good movie, except you can't get John Wayne today to play Detective McQuade. John Wayne would have done the Superintendent justice by playing him in a film. Listen to the story and see what you think.

Cars and Crimes

Episodes 10-13

When committing a crime, the perpetrator doesn't usually want to wait for the good guys to ride up. He or she wants to get ghost as quickly as possible.  This is Today's topic for our collection of shade-of-blue stories: criminals and the cars and vehicles involved with them.

1936 and 1950 Family Murders

Episodes 10-12

A small southern town in the 1950s, a hot August day. A local man brought violence to a Walhalla, South Carolina family. The man Destroying half of a family. Asheville 1936, a family dispute on the street ends in death. What were the outcomes of these two incident? Listen and discover.

Thanksgiving Holiday Crimes

A look at a few crimes that occurred on the day of Giving Thanks.

Robbery, Murders and Assaults.

The N.Y. Car Hook Murder

episode 10-10

In New York City, a murder overwhelms the city’s attention and establishes fear, outrage, and discussion about the randomness of urban crime and its punishment. The “Car-Hook Tragedy” of 1871 was one of those murders.

England’s Doctor Death

Episodes 10-9. There's something especially frightening about a doctor who murders his patients. Someone who spends years learning how to heal and save lives. Then, he starts to kill the people he is supposed to help. It messes with our perception of good guys and bad guys. This is a shade of blue story about England’s Doctor Death. He was the only British Doctor to date convicted of murdering his patients.

The 1903 Concert Mass shooting Episode 10-8

August 13, 1903, Gilbert Twigg opened fire during a concert in Winfield, Kansas, killing nine and injuring dozens. There was no motive, and no one had seen anything like it before or for decades after. Yet it's the archetype for the tragedies we frequently see now.

Was he a Murdering Methodist Minister?

Episodes 10-7

On a cold winter morning, December 21, 1832, A farmer made a horrifying discovery on his father's Tiverton, Rhode Island Farm. Hanging by the neck from a cord lashed to a five-foot haystack post used to dry hay was the frozen body of 30-year-old Sarah Cornell. Was it suicide or Murder? What did her letters say? What did her Minister say? Listen to discover what happened.

The Mad Bomber of Mayberry

Episode 10-6

Mount Airy, the model for the mythical town of Mayberry, maybe a location where you would not expect to find a bombing attack and a Shade of Blue Story, But the small southern town has had not one but two separate bombings. Both incidents were years apart and stemmed from broken hearts.   Listen to two tales of Lovelorn bombers.

The Devil made me do it.

Episode 10-5. The 1887 Bank Robbery, Murder, fleeing to another country. Did he do it? He said he did. Why did he do it? Was it a deal with the devil, made 11 years previously? Or was it just insanity? Listen and decide for yourself.

1886 Memphis Murder, or was it justified?

Episode 10-4. In police work, unusual is usually the norm. Take the day in 1886 when a man ran into the Memphis, TN, Police station, telling Police Captain Hackett. "I have just killed a man and want to give myself up." Listen and discover what happened. Truth or lie. You decide.

On line 8-12-2023 @ 7 pm

Moonshine 101.

Episode 10-3.

Moonshine earned its name because it was often produced in the moonlit shroud of night to avoid detection by law enforcement. “Nearly everyone” then made whiskey, brandy, and beer. Most were produced for personal use. However, some made a serious business of it. The story of moonshining is closely tied to American history.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/felonfile/episodes/MoonShine-101-e24tpnb

1871 Murder of the Silas Weston Family

Episode 10-3

Murder or Lynching.? Who escaped and how? The entitled suspects were caught, but one escaped which caused a legacy of lies to grow with the assistance of a local writer for a New York City News Paper years later. What is the truth? Listen and decide for yourself.

The 1869 murder of a Congressman. Since the United States Congress was established in 1789, fifteen members have been killed while in office, and fourteen have suffered severe injuries from attacks. The felon files look at some of those incidents, including the story of the 1869 murder of The Honorable Cornelius S. Hamilton. Hamilton was murdered, his killer known, but no charges were ever filed. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/felonfile/episodes/1869-murder-of-a-congressman-e247epv

9-25. Did the Lt. Governor get away with murder? In the middle of the day, the S.C. Lt. Gov. shot and killed his loudest opponent on a capital street. He had just lost the election for Governor. Was it murder or self-defense?

9-24. Criminal or Hero? What's your perspective?

1860s USA. Brother against brother. Neighbor against neighbor. It's hard to tell who is the hero vs. the criminal. As the old saying goes, "You can't tell the good guys from the bad guys without a program." And that depends on who wrote the program—the Story of Keith Blalock and his Family.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/felonfile/episodes/9-24--Criminal-or-Hero--Whats-your-perspective-e241td8

9-22 The murdering wife of Georgia 1876

Robert Southern was the most eligible bachelor in Pickens County, Georgia. He probably wasn't the most suitable, but the media of the day said he was. Described as tall and handsome, from a locally prominent family, known to be a little wild and reckless occasionally. He had been dating two local girls and married one. Listen to the felon file to find out how that went.

felonfile.com

9-21. The 1894 Sixteen-Year-Old Murderess

Was it Love, honor, or, as one Newspaper said, "she was just a Holy Terror."

Bonus Dept of Justice release info

9-19. 1927 Goldsboro NC Murder of a 15-year-old girl. The body of a 15-year-old girl was found by her father one evening, Thursday, 8 December 1927, lying beside a path, thirty-five or forty yards from his home in Wayne County, N.C. Who did it and why. Were they caught and punished? Listen to discover.

on line 4-1-23 @ 7pm. (EST)

Bonus 9-30-23. Assistant U.S. Attorney GUILTY! A felon file bonus. Info from the Department of Justice

On  Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Assistant U.S. Attorney Pleads Guilty to Conflict-of-Interest Violation

9-18. Did Man make the whisky? Or did whiskey make the man?