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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Footnote – 1933: Bandit Steals Golden Smile

Published on March 4, 2022

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Footnotes to History

A robber was upset that he was only able to steal $5. Then he noticed that the service attendant had gold teeth...

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Mother Jailed for Cooking Woodpecker

Published on December 3, 2021

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Crime & Punishment, Law & Order, Tidbits

In 1914, a mother of two was arrested for cooking a woodpecker. Unable to pay the fine, she was sentenced to twenty days in jail.

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Tom McGee’s Back on the Chain Gang – Podcast #161

Published on November 30, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Holidays & Celebrations, Podcast

Tom McGee wanted nothing more for Christmas than to be able to spend time caring for his hogs. The only catch was that he needed to commit a crime and hope that a judge would sentence him to time on one of Georgia’s infamous chain gangs.

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The Forgotten Man – Archibald Herron – Podcast #159

Published on October 28, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Death and Murder, Law & Order, Podcast

A New Jersey man was caught in a Catch-22 situation: As long as he remained on death row, he could live. If he attempted to get off of death row by challenging his sentence in court, he would likely die. Can you guess which option he chose?

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16-Year-Old Girl Jailed for Cursing

Published on September 28, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Law & Order, Tidbits

On Friday, January 30, 1953, 16-year-old Yvonne D. Fonda was jailed for cursing while skating at the Flushing Park Skating Rink in Queens, NY.

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Footnote – 1957: Helicopter Melon Thief

Published on September 12, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Crime & Punishment, Footnotes to History

In June 1957, a helicopter landed in a Brawley, California watermelon patch and stole three melons before taking off again.

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Footnote – 1952: 200 Hog Calling Records Stolen

Published on September 7, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Crime & Punishment, Footnotes to History, Humor

Just what would anyone do with 200 stolen hog calling phonograph records?

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Mother Loans Her Son to a Stranger

Published on August 27, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Law & Order, Tidbits

Mrs. Florence Parker made the mistake of loaning her son Billy to a woman who had lost her son. Mrs. Parker would not see Billy for five months...

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Two Worlds Collide – Podcast #153

Published on July 29, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Hoaxes, Love & Marriage, Podcast, Schools & Education

In 1932, the office of Redondo Beach school superintendent Elliott B. Thomas was destroyed and he had mysteriously disappeared. Was he dead or alive? Or was something else going on?

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Bad Apples #2 – The Hitch-Hiker – Podcast #149

Published on May 19, 2021

Posted in: Bad Apples Movie Review, Crime & Punishment, Podcast

A review the classic movie "The Hitch-Hiker." Directed by Ida Lupino, this movie was inspired by the crimes of mass murderer Billy Cook, which was told in podcast #148 titled "Badman Billy Cook."

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Badman Billy Cook – Podcast #148

Published on April 28, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Death and Murder, Podcast

There's a killer on the road. His brain is squirmin' like a toad. The mostly forgotten true story of the manhunt for mass murderer Billy Cook in 1951. His crime spree was the inspiration for a verse in one of classic rock's most famous songs.

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The Price of a Kiss – Podcast #146

Published on March 2, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Forgotten History, Money & Financial, Podcast

In 1919, Dr. Justin L. Mitchell kissed nurse Mathilde Benkhardt without her consent. Her lawsuit may have ruined the rest of his life.

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The 34-Year Nightmare – #1 Most Downloaded Podcast Episode

Published on February 25, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Podcast

In 1925, Stephen Dennison was sent to prison for stealing some chocolate, Lifesavers, and cigarettes. He was still imprisoned for the crime 34 years later.

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The Sleep-Walking Murderer – Podcast #144

Published on January 23, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Death and Murder, Podcast

In 1930, Michael Filosa slashed his half-brother Salvatore De Hall to death while he was sleep-walking. Could he have really done such a thing?

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Legal to Fly Airplanes on Sunday

Published on November 20, 2020

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Tidbits

In 1919, Lieut. John C. Howard was cited for carrying passengers in his airplane on the Sabbath. Were the charges upheld or thrown out by the court?

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