The Story You Never Heard
By Harry Thomason
The Story You Never HeardOct 22, 2020
Our Christmas Special - Being Different
Tonight's episode has sort of become our very own Christmas Special. A happy Christmas Eve to you all! Tonight's story, Being Different, is our Christmas tale told by the incomparable Gloria Gaither. It's a story of hope, overcoming adversity, and the creation of one of the most loved and iconic holiday characters in history outside of Santa Claus himself. We're posting this early today in hopes that you can share it with your family and loved ones. Merry Christmas, everyone!
The Interview
Well well well. . . Look who I tracked down! The man behind this show has resurfaced and today we talk about where he went and what he did while he was gone. With enough encouragement I think we can get him to stay here this time!
Got feedback? A story suggestion? Just want to congratulate Harry for adding one more thing to his resume? Send us a message in the Anchor app or email us at thestoryyouneverheard@gmail.com.
Anniversaries
Always take the time to acknowledge and celebrate them, from the little ones to the huge ones.
The Update
Our shortest story to date! And it's not even finished. Just a brief catch up; we'll see you in a week!
Sergeant Stubby (Rebroadcast)
I'll defer to the late William Shakespeare for this one. . .
Cry 'Havoc!,' and let slip the dog of war.
The Count (Rebroadcast)
If you've ever been to Key West, Florida, you know that it's a place filled with wonder and weirdness. Here is a tale of just that. Love, found and lost, fueled the madness of the self-proclaimed Count. Listen on to hear how one eccentric man fought off the pain of loss by holding on to the love of his life.
The Machine (Rebroadcast)
We have, as a society, become thoroughly dependant on technology to accomplish so many of our daily tasks. Back in the 80's, Harry's job was made a lot easier by employing some brand new technology that was, surprisingly, 140 years old at the time.
The Battle Cry (Rebroadcast)
We're still on our summer break and airing previous episodes. Enjoy this episode from March 26, 2020 - The Battle Cry.
An act of vandalism—bewildering to a small town school until the rain washes it away, its meaning left unknown—comes back to haunt those who first stumbled upon it and the entire nation.
That Singer From Detroit (Rebroadcast)
I dug for something to say about this particular story and came up empty handed. I would do well to leave it to the subject of tonight's tale to drop some words here."Old? I'm not old. I'm ancient. Old? Stick around long enough it might just happen to you. Aged? Age? Age. There's only one age. You're either alive or you're not. I'm not getting old, I'm getting dead. I'm gonna live till I die."
The Ghost Subway
You think you know the first subway in New York opened in 1904. Meet the man who started digging, and succeeded, 34 years earlier.
The Mean, Horrible Outlaw
I’ve labored long and hard for bread,
For honor, and for riches,
But on my corns too long you’ve tread,
You fine-haired sons of bitches.
The Turtle
Somebody always has to be first. Innovation can only be built on a solid—well, maybe not so solid—foundation.
George Washington's Hard Decision
Well before he was president, General Washington had a tough decision to make. One upon which, many would say, the success of the war for independence rested.
I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke
Sometimes one of the world's most successful companies makes the world's most successful ad. . .even if it is the second time around.
Galveston (#68 rebroadcast)
Tonight's story is the tale of the most deadly natural disaster in United States history. And that title still stands to this day.
The Little Girl Who Wanted to Help
Despite everything that happened to her as a child, her humanitarian spirit would not be broken.
Ronald Wayne
You may not recognize his name, but Ronald Wayne has worked with some of the top names in the tech sector. Even if it was for only 12 days.
America's First Supermodel
Whether you call her Miss Manhattan, the Exposition Girl, or American Venus, she truly was America's First Supermodel.
Tesla, the Man
Beyond the car, meet the man, the legend, the father of electricity.
A Little Bit of Luck
Sometimes bad things happen. Sometimes good things happen. Twice. All you need is a little bit of luck.
An Osage Indian Story
Displaced people, tremendous and almost instant wealth, an intricate murder plot, and the birth of a federal agency. All where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain.
William James Sidis - Genius
Tonight's story is inspired by an old Richard Snow article from the April/May 1979 edition (Volume 30, Issue 3) of American Heritage. Though no longer in print, you can still enjoy this historical treasure online at www.ahsociety.org.
Henry Box Brown
The fascinating story of a man who couldn't take the underground railroad, so he took the regular one instead. And it led him to some amazing places in his life.
The Captain is a Woman
In a time when doing a man's job was unheard of, she was expected to fail yet succeeded beyond measure.
A different Kind of Soldier
Sometimes the title says it all. The first conscientious objector to win a Congressional Medal of Honor. The kind of man whose life is the basis for books, a documentary, and an Oscar-winning film.
Taco Bell Takes Over Liberty
When the world can so easily spread misinformation thanks to social media, it's nice to see that it could also happen when Mark Zuckerberg was just 11 years old.
The Generals and Arabella
In a time of war, when love, honor, and respect conquer all.
The American Girl
A woman who was called "the bravest woman in the country" tackles a nigh impossible task, almost loses her life in the process, and survives what was dubbed "a glorious failure".
The Incident in Nashville
A series of errors in perfect harmony leads to what remains, even after over 100 years, the deadliest rail disaster in US history.
Poor Wilhelm
One man's agonizing scream becomes a fixture in film and television. Learn about this hidden gem, who it actually is, and how many times you've probably missed it.
Far From Home
Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.
-Aristotle
Paddy
Tonight we have another short story from Harry's book Brother Dog. A heartwarming tale about two young boys and what it means to make a small change in someone's life.
Canned Laughter
Laugh, and the world laughs with you. And if you don't laugh, well, someone will make it sound like you did.
The Storm That Built a Highway
Tonight's tale is one of a man whose dream was brought to life, and then destroyed, paving the way—quite literally—for the dreams of millions of people to come each year.
The Invasion of Kern County
Down the street the Piper walked, always playing. Down the street the rats ran after him; but when he stopped on the bank of the River Weser, every one of the rats went on into the river, one after another, and all were drowned.
Special thanks to Roadside America for help with this story. You can visit them at www.RoadsideAmerica.com
A Woman Named Dolley
One cannot speak of the father of the constitution without recognizing the strong and supportive woman beside him.
Galveston
Tonight's story is the tale of the most deadly natural disaster in United States history. And that title still stands to this day.
The Ugly Woman in the Park
Harry! You got some 'splainin to do! Our thanks to RoadsideAmerica.com for providing some of the details for this story.
Being Different
A happy Christmas Eve to you all! Tonight's story, Being Different, is our Christmas tale told by the incomparable Gloria Gaither. It's a story of hope, overcoming adversity, and the creation of one of the most loved and iconic holiday characters in history outside of Santa Claus himself. We're posting this early today in hopes that you can share it with your family and loved ones. Merry Christmas, everyone!
The Banker and the Dreamers
I think Harry said it best in this story. . . "This is America. This is what Americans do! We unite! We solve whatever problems we have and do whatever it takes to keep together and be America!"
Titanic Thompson
A professional golfer, a notorious gangster, and the Funny Girl herself, are all attached to this character, a grifter I suppose, by a fine thread that weaves this wonderful tale together.
The Sky is On Fire (re-upload)
This is one of our lesser known stories from the past year. Since we've a new crop of listeners we figured it would be good to dust off this story of the worst fire you probably never heard of.
A History of Thanksgiving
As you gather with friends, family, and loved ones today, take a some time and gather 'round the radio in the parlor and listen to a tale of Thanksgiving, where it came from, and what it means. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
The Dictionary
Have you ever thought about what would be involved in the task of cataloging, defining, and printing every single English word in existence? It's enough to drive a man insane. And, well, it did.
This episode contains mentions of some mature themes and part of it may not be suitable for younger audiences.
The Foxhole
Let's go back. Back to a simpler time. When children could dig a foxhole in a vacant lot and play war with their friends.
The Coincidence
Sometimes events line up like dominoes. And sometimes someone does something to tip over the first domino, and the rest is history.
A Halloween Story
For all our new listeners (welcome!) we're bringing back our Hallowe'en tale from last year. Everyone has a spooky story to tell, right? Gather ’round the campfire, kiddies, as we listen to an experience that Telly Savalas had many, many years ago that spooked him pretty deeply. Who scares ya, baby?
The Mickey
When bar patrons became intolerable or disrespectful, Mickey had a solution that ensured what he considered the fair distribution of wealth. His idea was simple - Don't get mad, get even. Slip 'em the Mickey.
There Are People in the River (re-upload)
As we take a week off to fill the narrative coffers, let's go back over a year to our third episode. How do you prioritize tragedy? When two terrible things happen around the same time, do you mourn the loss of one person or 1,547? A sad tale of tragedy being buried below the fold, with a 3 line mention in the New York Times. This is the tale of the Sultana, the worst US maritime tragedy in history.
The Kid on the Horse
Everyone knows of Paul Revere's famous 20 mile ride to sound the alarm that the British were coming. But have you heard of the other rider that night? The one that covered twice as much ground as Revere delivering the same message? 40 miles through winding, muddy roads. In the rain. In a dress. Meet Sybil Ludington.