How Many People Did Mary McKnight Murder, and Why?



Episode 47: How Many People Did Mary McKnight Murder, and Why?

Accurately recognizing and treating many diseases, including mental illness, was not prevalent in the 19th or early 20th centuries. Rural farm communities were accustomed to injuries and illnesses that often resulted in death. Some deaths could not be explained that’s just the way it was.

 On Monday, April 20, 1903, Gertrude Murphy left her three-month-old baby, Ruth, in the care of her sister-in-law, Mary McKnight. Gertrude left the baby with Mary to help with work at a new house she and her husband, John Murphy, were building on a nearby piece of land. When Gertrude and John came back at lunch time, Mary told them that baby Ruth had died. Baby Ruth’s death was only the beginning of a cascading series of deaths that resulted in the exposure of a mass murderer living in a little town in northern Michigan.

John Murphy Death                        Certificate

Sources:

Buhk, Tobin T. Michigan’s Strychnine Saint: The Curious Case of Mrs. Mary McKnight. The History Press. Charleston, SC 2014

(When Nurses Kill by Katherine Ramsland Ph.D.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/201204/when-nurses-kill)

Lucy Letby: Inside the mind of a serial killer – the psychology behind healthcare murders by Gemma Peplow, culture reporter.

https://news.sky.com/story/lucy-letby-inside-the-mind-of-a-serial-killer-the-psychology-behind-healthcare-murderers-12941902

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Meet Valerie Winans, Your Host for Episode 47:

How Many People Did Mary McKnight Murder, and Why?

Valerie Winans is a graduate of Northwestern Michigan College, a retired state government manager, and a former campground host in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Valerie is the author of four books: Alaska’s Savage River: Inside Denali National Park and Preserve, Road Trip with Remington Beagle: Michigan to Alaska and Back, and A Hero’s Journey: Life Lessons From A Dog And His Friends, and The Extraordinary Life of Edwin B. Winans: From the Stampede for Gold in California to the Capitol of Michigan. A writer of both fiction and non-fiction, her books are written to inform and entertain readers of all ages. She currently resides with her husband in Traverse City, Michigan. More information can be found at www.valeriewinans.com.

 


The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death



Episode 46: The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death

Edgar Allan Poe, born January 19, 1809, was an American writer, poet, author, editor, and literary critic, who is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. Probably the best known–and least understood–mystery he authored was that of his own death on October 7, 1849. There have been many descriptions of his last days, the possible causes of his demise, and even debates in the present time. None of them have lasted the test of time. The enigmatic mystery has.

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The Charlemagne Murders

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Meet Carl Douglass, your host for episode 46: The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe’s Death

My pseudonym as an author is Carl Douglass, adopted as a means of telling stories with gripping realism—the truth of which would not bring trouble to my door. My writing of gripping, realistic fiction began after I was obligated to retire from the private practice of neurosurgery due to sudden blindness in my left eye from a retinal detachment, which caused loss of stereoscopic vision. I carried with me decades-long knowledge of doctors, hospitals, and institutions of higher learning, including some less than laudatory information. My military experience during the years of the recent unpleasantness in Vietnam also gave me considerable insight. Both of those lengthy experiences provided true grist for the mill of my writing, but neither of them need to connect the stories to the lives of the real people and places where the stories took place. In that sense, I know too much and have no wish to incriminate or to bring harm or embarrassment to real individuals or institutions. My rich and varied life has provided even more fodder to feed my mind and contribute realism to my written work. In my time, I have had to work due to lacking a sugar daddy. I have been a grease monkey, a lumber mill and forest worker, a lifeguard, a slaughterhouse worker, a diener in a morgue, a lab rat, an academic writer, a medical officer in a mental hospital, a naval officer and surgeon, a brig doctor, and a deep diving officer. I have been the husband of one fine wife, the father of four children—one deceased—eleven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. All of them have enriched the depth and breadth of my storytelling.


The Mystery of Space



Episode 45: The Mystery of Space

Space has always been filled with mystery. Strangely, the more astronomers and astrophysicists learn about the makeup of the Universe, the more mysterious space becomes.

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Meet Cil Gregoire, your host for Episode 45: The Mystery of Space

I was born to write. Fortunately, life provided me with plenty to write about. As a young woman, I moved from South Louisiana to Alaska, seeking the Alaska dream. And I found it. Or should I say, the Alaska dream found me? For decades, I was too busy living the adventure to write more than highly descriptive letters to folks back home. I did it all, from teaching school in the bush, to commercial fishing in Bristol Bay and Norton Sound, to building a log cabin in the woods. My novels reflect all these experiences and more.

 

 


What Killed Chris McCandless?



Episode 44: What Killed Chris McCandless?

On September 6, 1992, two young hikers from Anchorage arrived at the old Fairbanks city bus #142, a makeshift shelter located on the Stampede Trail, twenty-five miles west of Healy. They immediately noted a stench emanating from the bus. A red leg warmer swung from an alder branch near the vehicle’s rear door. A note taped to the door terrified the hikers. It read:

S.O.S. I NEED YOUR HELP. I AM INJURED, NEAR DEATH, AND TOO WEAK TO HIKE OUT OF HERE. I AM ALL ALONE. THIS IS NO JOKE. IN THE NAME OF GOD, PLEASE REMAIN TO SAVE ME. I AM OUT COLLECTING BERRIES CLOSE BY AND SHALL RETURN THIS EVENING. THANK YOU, CHRIS MCCANDLESS. AUGUST ?

Sources:

Holland, Eva. “Alaska Airlifts ‘Into the Wild’ Bus Out of the Wild.” June 28, 2020. Outside Magazine.

Holland, Eva. “Another ‘Into the Wild’ Pilgrimage Has Ended in Death.” July 29, 2019. Outside Magazine.

Krakauer, Jon. “How Chris McCandless Died.” September 12, 2013. The New Yorker

Krakauer, Jon. 1996. Into the Wild. 1996. New York. Anchor Books.

Saverin, Diana. “The Chris McCandless Obsession Problem.” December 18, 2013. Outside Magazine.

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JUST RELEASED!

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Meet Robin Barefield, Your Host for Episode 44: What Killed Chris McCandless?

Robin Barefield lives in the wilderness on Kodiak Island, where she and her husband own a remote lodge. She has a master’s degree in fish and wildlife biology and is a wildlife-viewing and fishing guide. Robin has published six novels: Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, The Fisherman’s Daughter, Karluk Bones, Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge, and The Ultimate Hunt. She has also published two non-fiction books: Kodiak Island Wildlife and Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. She draws on her love and appreciation of the Alaska wilderness as well as her scientific background when writing.

Robin invites you to join her at her website: https://robinbarefield.com, and while you are there, sign up for her free monthly newsletter about true crime in Alaska. Robin also narrates a podcast, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. You can find it at: https://murder-in-the-last-frontier.blubrry.net


What Really Happened to the SS Jessie



Episode 43: What REALLY Happened to the SS Jessie?

One of the oddest and most mysterious stories of the Alaska Gold Rush is the fate of the steamship Jessie.  Depending on who you choose to believe, it is either the largest massacre of whites by Indians in Alaska history or it is absolute historical garbage. Further, this being said, the entire saga of the steamship Jessie is odd, and it will take a knowledge of the Alaska Gold Rush to explain the intricacies.

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Read About the Alaska Gold Rush

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Meet Steve Levi, your host for Episode 43: What Really Happened to the SS Jessie?

Steve Levi is a 70-something writer in Alaska. He specializes in the impossible crime and the Alaska Gold Rush.  An impossible crime is one in which the detective must figure out HOW the crime was committed before he can go after the perpetrators.  As an example, in THE MATTER OF THE VANISHING GREYHOUND, the detective must figure out how a Greyhound bus with four bank robbers, a dozen hostages, and  $10 million can vanish off the Golden Gate Bridge. Steve’s books can be seen at www.authormasterminds.com/steve-levi and www.steverlevibooks.com. He also does two historical uploads a week.  Send Steve your email, and he will include it in the mailings.

 

 

 


Who Killed Frances Lacey?



Episode 42: Who Killed Frances Lacey?

Mackinac Island is perched aesthetically in the Straits of Mackinac. The island is unique, historic, and timeless. There is a sense when stepping from the dock into the town that a switch has been flipped, and you are plunged back in time to the 19th century. Cars were outlawed in 1898. The ferries drop visitors within steps of the main street but be careful where you step because wagons and carriages take the place of cars, and they are pulled by draft horses. There are horses to rent for a ride around the island, or bicycles if you prefer. The town is arranged for the tourist trade with hotels, gift shops, restaurants, bars, and the famous Mackinac Island Fudge. It’s such a beautiful setting that the movie Somewhere in Time was filmed there, and that’s what you feel when you step off the ferry and enter the town – you feel as though you have been transported in time to a simpler, peaceful era. Thoughts of violence or murder are the farthest thing from anyone’s mind, but murder did happen there on June 24, 1960.

Sources:

Herald-Palladium. Benton Harbor, Mi. Search For Suit Jacket of Widow. July 30, 1960.

Indianapolis Star. Suspects Freed in Strangling of Wealthy Widow. July 30, 1960.

Lansing State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. Mackinac Slaying Is Unsolved. July 30, 1960.

Petoskey News-Review. Police Admit Dead End, May Release Suspect. July 30, 1960.

Sadler, Rod. Grim Paradise: The Cold Case Search for the Mackinac Island Killer. Wild Blue Press. Denver, Colorado 2023

Sault Star. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Police Continue Nation-wide Hunt For Murderer of Mackinac Widow. July 21,1962.

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Check out the Author Masterminds Website

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Meet Valerie Winans, your host for Episode 42: Who Killed Frances Lacey?

Valerie Winans is a graduate of Northwestern Michigan College, a retired state government manager, and a former campground host in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Valerie is the author of four books: Alaska’s Savage River: Inside Denali National Park and Preserve, Road Trip with Remington Beagle: Michigan to Alaska and Back, and A Hero’s Journey: Life Lessons From A Dog And His Friends, and The Extraordinary Life of Edwin B. Winans: From the Stampede for Gold in California to the Capitol of Michigan. A writer of both fiction and non-fiction, her books are written to inform and entertain readers of all ages. She currently resides with her husband in Traverse City, Michigan. More information can be found at www.valeriewinans.com.

 

 

 

 


The Yogurt Shop Murders



Episode 41: The Yogurt Shop Murders

On Friday night, December 6, 1991, a heinous crime was committed in the I Can’t Believe Its Yogurt shop in Austin, Texas, located in a small strip mall near the Northcross Mall.

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Prince Ali had everything: talent, charisma, and a devoted best friend, Becky Howard. He won every time he set a hoof in a show ring. He garnered more fans from personal and TV appearances. Becky was with him every step of the way, even riding him in the Swallows Day Parade in their hometown, San Juan Capistrano. Disaster struck when two thugs put Becky in a coma, drugged him and dragged Prince Ali off to sell for diabolical purposes. When their buyer realized who Ali was, he nixed the deal. That landed the pampered show horse high in the mountains in late March. One night, a week later, he discovered the corral gate unlatched. Prince Ali mustered every ounce of strength, courage, and stamina he had to walk into the wilderness, searching for the best friend he couldn’t live without.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Meet Victoria Hardesty, Your Host for Episode 41: The Yogurt Shop Murders

Victoria Hardesty has owned, bred, and shown Arabian Horses for more than 30 years. She and her husband operated their own training facility, serving many young people who loved and showed their own horses. She is the author of numerous articles in horse magazines and was the editor of two Arabian Horse Club newsletters, one of which was given the Communications Award of the Year by the Arabian Horse Association at their national convention. An avid reader from childhood, she read every horse story she could get her hands on. Victoria and her writing partner, Nancy Perez, have written seven novels about Arabian horses. Check out their website at http://www.wonderhorsebooks.com/author-bio and see their books at Victoria Hardesty and Nancy Perez | Bookshelf (authormasterminds.com).


The Disappearance of British Spy Ian Mackintosh



Episode40: The Mysterious Disappearance of British Spy Ian Mackintosh

On the evening of July 7th, 1979, a plane disappeared near Kodiak Island in fair weather and moderate seas. News agencies in Alaska reported little about the missing plane and its occupants. Although reports of the apparent fatal crash made more of a splash in Great Britain, official sources offered no comment about the loss of a man who had done so much to protect Britain against the USSR during the Cold War. Even now, the disappearance of Ian Mackintosh is cloaked in secrecy, and many wonder if he died in the plane crash or if the accident was a cover story, allowing Mackintosh to disappear.

Sources:

Folsom, Robert G. The Life and Mysterious Death of Ian Mackintosh.2012. Washington, D.C. Potomac Books, Inc.

Mackintosh, Lawrie. “My brother, Ian Mackintosh.” OpsRoom.Org.

MacLeod, Calum. “Did spy writer’s disappearance mirror his fiction?” January 3, 2013. John O’Groat Journal and Caithness Courier.

Ian Mackintosh. Check-Six.Com.

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Read about Murder and Mystery in Alaska

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Get to know the authors at The Readers and Writers Book Club

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Meet Robin Barefield, your host for Episode 40:

The Mysterious Disappearance of British Spy Ian Mackintosh

Robin Barefield is the author of six Alaska wilderness mystery novels, Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, The Fisherman’s Daughter, Karluk Bones, Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge, and The Ultimate Hunt. She has written two nonfiction books, Kodiak Island Wildlife and Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. Sign up to subscribe to her free monthly newsletter on true murder and mystery in Alaska and check out her podcast: Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier.  Read more about Robin’s books at Author Masterminds.

 

 

 


Summer Solstice Mysteries



Episode 39: Summer Solstice Mysteries

The Summer Solstice, the day marking the longest period of daylight in the year, has been celebrated across the globe since time immemorial. The significance of this celestial event transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, weaving a tapestry of traditions, myths, and scientific observations. Here, we explore six captivating mysteries linked to the solstice. These mysteries include the solstice alignment at Stonehenge, the legend of the Phoenix, Midsummer’s Eve and its supernatural beliefs, the ancient Egyptian connection, Native American Sun Dances, and the secrets of the Nordic Midsummer Pole.

 

We’re Having a Summer Solstice Party!

Join Beach Blanket Books—a Facebook Event. It is happening now and lasts until the Summer Solstice on June 21st. Join in the games and win some prizes. Sign up now so you don’t miss a thing!

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Individual Event Times for June 21

The event begins at 10:00 a.m. EDT and ends at 9:00 p.m. EDT on June 21

Individual Event Times for June 21

  1. Magdel Roets 10:00 a.m. EDT
  2. Mary Flint  11:00 a.m.  EDT
  3. Mary Ann Poll 12:00 Noon EDT
  4. Valerie Winans   1:00 p.m. EDT
  5. Carl Douglass  2:00 p.m. EDT
  6. Victoria Hardesty  3:00 p.m. EDT
  7. Evan Swensen 4:00 p.m. EDT
  8. Rebecca Wetzler 5:00 p.m. EDT
  9. Cil Gregoire 6:00 p.m. EDT
  10. Steve Levi 7:00 p.m. EDT
  11. Robin Barefield 8:00 p.m. EDT

         

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Meet Evan Swensen, your host for Episode 39: Summer Solstice Mysteries

Evan Swensen, book publisher, editor, author, and Author Masterminds charter member along with his wife, Lois, publishes books by authors worldwide. He has been the publisher and editor of Alaska Outdoors magazine and producer of Alaska Outdoors television show and outdoor videos, and host of Alaska Outdoor Radio Magazine. He has been an Alaska resident since 1957.

As a pilot, he has logged more than 4,000 hours of flight time in Alaska, in both wheel and float planes.  He is a serious recreation hunter and fisherman, equally comfortable casting a flyrod or using bait, or lures.  Evan has been published in many national magazines and is the author of five books and publisher of more than 1,000 books by other authors.

Evan claims to have the best job in the world; he gets up in the morning, puts on his fishing vest, picks up his fly rod, kisses his wife goodbye, tells her he’s going to work—and she believes him.

Author Masterminds: https://authormasterminds.com/evan-swensen

Author Masterminds One Last Cast book: https://authormasterminds.com/details/XLxrX

One Last Cast on Amazon: https://bit.ly/3H0OzTo

One Last Cast short video: https://youtu.be/2wzwWmim-2g

Alaska Outdoors https://alaskaoutdoorsmagazine.com.

Alaska Outdoors Blog: https://alaskaoutdoorsmagazine.com/blog/

Alaska Outdoors Videos: https://bit.ly/37xjUzl

 


Mysterious Loss of Billions of Crab in Alaska



Episode 38: Mysterious Loss of Billions of Crab in Alaska

 

Since 1975, the surveilling authorities of Alaskan fisheries tallied snow crab in the billions. It was observed and confirmed over the years that animal populations rarely remain steady, owing to poor survey procedures, over-harvesting, movement of life based upon changes to the environment, and simple poor management of a resource. About ten years ago, scientists declared that they had “found the largest number of juvenile snow crab ever.” That was important because the juveniles produce the next generation of the crab.

However, in 2021 they found “the fewest juvenile snow crab” since population surveys began being recorded on crab species 46 years ago. That result forced the closure of the snow crab season, which is one of the most important one in Alaska’s economy and for the world’s crab lovers. The first question was what happened to create that mystery?

Join Beach Blanket Books—a Facebook Event. It is happening now and lasts until the Summer Solstice on June 21st. Join in the games and win some prizes. Sign up now so you don’t miss a thing!

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This podcast is sponsored by Author Masterminds and the Readers and Writers Book Club. 

Check out the Author Masterminds Website

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Meet Carl Douglas, the host for Episode 38: Mysterious Loss of Billions of Crab in Alaska

 

My pseudonym as an author is Carl Douglass, adopted as a means of telling stories with gripping realism—the truth of which would not bring trouble to my door. My writing of gripping, realistic fiction began after I was obligated to retire from the private practice of neurosurgery due to sudden blindness in my left eye from a retinal detachment which caused loss of stereoscopic vision. I carried with me decades-long knowledge of doctors, hospitals, and institutions of higher learning, including some less than laudatory information. My military experience during the years of the recent unpleasantness in Vietnam also gave me considerable insight. Both of those lengthy experiences provided true grist for the mill of my writing, but neither of them need to connect the stories to the lives of the real people and places where the stories took place. In that sense, I know too much and have no wish to incriminate or to bring harm or embarrassment to real individuals or institutions. My rich and varied life has provided even more fodder to feed my mind and contribute realism to my written work. In my time, I have had to work due to lacking a sugar daddy. I have been a grease monkey, a lumber mill and forest worker, a lifeguard, a slaughterhouse worker, a diener in a morgue, a lab rat, an academic writer, a medical officer in a mental hospital, a naval officer and surgeon, a brig doctor, and a deep diving officer. I have been the husband of one fine wife, the father of four children—one deceased—eleven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. All of them have enriched the depth and breadth of my storytelling