Ep. 34: The Man from the Train: Piecing Together a Legacy of Unresolved Family Tragedies

Wicked Wanderings

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A quaint blunder sets the stage for our latest foray - not into the culinary world, but into the shadows of early 20th-century unsolved crimes that gripped the nation. With the wit and wisdom of our special guest, Junior Wanderer Kaylyn, we traverse the more sinister topic of axe murders that left a chilling mark on American history. Together, we swap tales of thrifty book hunts, the sense of intimacy found within the pages of our favorite reads, and our collective, grim fascination with true crime sagas, warming you up for the deep, dark dive that awaits.
As the conversation takes a turn, we invite you to peer into the spine-tingling narrative of "the man from the train." Kaylyn’s fresh perspectives amplify our exploration of Bill James and Rachel McCarthy James' compelling work, as we scrutinize a series of eerie, interconnected family massacres. The wrongful conviction of Ray Pfanschmidt serves as a haunting backdrop, exemplifying the era's tragic mishandling of justice. We journey alongside a shadowy figure whose murderous spree seemed to follow the iron tracks, dissecting the harrowing evidence and theories that may finally bring closure to these long-forgotten cases.
Our episode concludes with a poignant remembrance of the lives tragically cut short by these brutal crimes, from the Showman family in Kansas to the potential link with the notorious Lizzie Borden. We painstakingly piece together the complex puzzle that questions whether an itinerant killer, with a penchant for train travel and arson, could connect these disparate threads. Kaylyn’s contributions leave us with a rich tapestry of past and present, fear and fascination, as we ponder the chilling legacy of these unsolved mysteries. Join us for a gripping journey through the haunting annals of true crime history, where every detail might lead to a revelation, and every story echoes with the voices of the past.
Show Notes:
THE MAN FROM THE TRAIN
THE SOLVING OF A CENTURY-OLD SERIAL KILLER MYSTERY
BILL JAMES and RACHEL MCCARTHY JAMES

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Wicked Wanderings is hosted by Hannah Fitzpatrick and Jess Goonan. It is produced and edited by Rob Fitzpatrick. Music by Sascha Ende. Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Lic.