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All things Kooky and Spooky in the Sooner (or Cowboy) state! Native Oklahomans and cousins, Jess and Tiff, explore all the dark history, paranormal, and true crime in their home state.
Copyright: © Curious Cousins OK
Most of us cousins have read the American classic “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. But did you know that a real-life version of that story happened right here in Oklahoma?
North Tulsa today is seeing a revitalization of the area. In the past, it was known for its crime and poverty, but in recent years, the city has been making waves, trying to improve the area. But as far back as the 1950s, that area of Tulsa was looked down upon by the upper echelon of downtown and midtown Tulsa. When 11 year old Phyllis Jean Warren winds up missing and later murdered, residents thought it would be an open and shut case. However, not all things are what they seem. With hints of such famous cases as that which Author Harper Lee outlined in her novel, and real life cases, like the West Memphis Three, this case really highlights the prejudice of the times…and how in some cases, police don’t want to do the investigative work if they can find a fall guy.
Jess begins this 3 parter with background of the North Tulsa area and who both victims were; little Phyllis Warren and her “supposed” murderer Buck Youngwolfe. Strap in. This is going to be a bumpy ride!
Listener discretion is advised.
When
Sources:
“Oklahoma’s Atticus: An Innocent Man and the Lawyer Who Fought for Him”, by Hunter Howe Cates
“Oklahoma’s Atticus: One Lawyer’s Fight for Justice in New Book” by James D. Watts Jr. Nov 17, 2019, Tulsa World
“Family Ties: Oklahoma’s Atticus is a Tale of Two Tulsas” by Jezy J. Gray Nov 6, 2019 updated June 5, 2020.
Your favorite cousins are kicking off spooky season with two great locals! Tiff covers the history and spooks at Rogers State University in Claremore, and Jess explores the tea-spilling past of the Eskridge Hotel in Wynnewood…a hotel where many residents have either never checked out OR keep visiting ...even after death! With lots of shadowy spirits and strange sounds, we hope you get some chills!
Sources:
TravelOk.com
TravelTips.USAToday.com
Okpri.com (Oklahoma Paranormal Research and Investigation
Oklahoma’s National Register of Historic Places
Eskridge Hotel - waymarking.com
Ghostly Tales of Oklahoma 66 by Legends of America (https://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-okghosts/)
Rogers State University by Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_State_University)
Rogers State University by OK Haunted Houses (https://www.okhauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/rogers-state-university.html)
Want a little more outlaw action this week? Well, have we got a good story for you! In part two, of our season premier, Tiff covers the infamous, the scandalous, the often compared, but never duplicated, outlaw couple of BONNIE AND CLYDE!
The ups and downs this couple experienced….whew! From the couple’s very humble beginnings, to their meet cute, to the thrill of the chase, Bonnie and Clyde live in history as the dynamic duo of crime, love, and murder. Even though these two aren’t actual Oklahomans, some of their favorite stomping grounds were right here in the Sooner State.
So get ready. This story is what Hollywood movies are made of…literally…
Source Material:
100 OK Outlaws, gangsters and lawmen 1839-1939 by Daniel Anderson, Laurence Yadon, and Robert Barr Smith
Oklahoma Tall Tales Uncovered by Joe M Cummings
Oklahoma Scoundrels by Robert Barr Smith and Laurene J Yadon
We’re baaaaaaccccckkkkk!!
Hey cousins! After a month off, Jess and Tiff are ready to hit the trails running, bringing our favorite cousins the darkest of histories, kookiest of spooks, and thrillingest of true crimes…all from here, the Sooner State.
So strap into Season 2. We kick it off going back to where it all began…OUTLAWS!
In this two parter, Jess starts us out by diving into one of Oklahoma’s first law-breaking couples; Flora Quick, aka Flora Mundis, aka Tom King, and her very brief, but thrilling lover Earnest “Killer” Lewis. Being horse thieves at the end of the 19th century/beginning of the 20th century was a “hangin” offense in the Oklahoma and Indian Territories. But somehow, our lovely lady was able to escape prosecution SEVERAL times. One short stay in jail brought the star crossed lovers together, bonding over plans for future robberies. But all wasn’t meant to be, and a single failed train holdup signaled doom for the fast friends.
Source Material:
“Wild Women of the West: Flora Mundis” by Chris Enns from cowgirlmagazine.com, July 27, 2022
“Outlaw Tales of Oklahoma” by Robert Barr Smith
“100 Oklahoma Outlaws, Gangsters, and Lawmen” by Dan Anderson & Laurence Yadon
“Flora Quick aka Tom King” by Marshall Trimble from truewestmagazine.com, August 31, 2015
Part 4 of the Girl Scout Murders
Your favorite cousins have reached the end of their deep dive into the Girl Scout Murders of Camp Scott. Our emotions have literally reached the limit. This case pulls at heartstrings, it causes us to get irrationally upset, and in the end, it devastates us knowing these 3 young girls had their whole lives ahead of them…hopes…dreams…
This episode will cover everything AFTER the trial of Gene Leroy Hart. We will discuss a lot of opinions…please note…they are OUR opinions. We would love to hear your thoughts too!
Also, this is our season 1 finale! We are going to take off the rest of August and some of September. Please stay tuned to our socials (fb, ig, twitter/x?). We will stay active and let you know when season 2 will drop.
Thank you so much for supporting us in our Beginning Era! You all have simply been just the best! We hope to keep you all entertained, informed, and a part of our family. Bigger and better things are planned for season 2. We love you all! Thank you!!
Curious Cousins OK is written and produced by Jess Burnett and Tiff Murray
Cover Art is by Jess Burnett and Tiff Murray
Our intro/outro music is It Comes to This by Moments
Ad music is Skittles and Lobsters by Dresden, the Flamingo
All our source material is linked in each show’s show notes.
Sources: The Camp Scott Murders by CS Kelly; OK’s Most Notorious Cases by Kent Frates; Remembering Camp Scott by OSU; Abandoned OK.com; Campscottmurders.com; girlscoutmurders.com; The Horrifying Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders Remain Unsolved 45 Years Later by Cat McAuliffe for Ranker.com; Tulsa World; New York Times; Shattered Justice by JD Morrison
Part 3 of the Girl Scout Murders
This week, your favorite cousins split up part 3; Jess covers the 10 month long manhunt from prime suspect Gene Leroy Hart. Tiff covers the usual preliminary hearing and resulting weeks-long trial. Evidence mysteries, turncoats, and drama that would have been home in a Hollywood film plagued this case. It quickly became the “case of the century” for Oklahoma, even though it gripped the nation.
As always, please use listener discretion. This subject is tough.
Sources: The Camp Scott Murders by CS Kelly; OK’s Most Notorious Cases by Kent Frates; Remembering Camp Scott by OSU; Abandoned OK.com; Campscottmurders.com; girlscoutmurders.com; The Horrifying Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders Remain Unsolved 45 Years Later by Cat McAuliffe for Ranker.com; Tulsa World; New York Times; Shattered Justice by JD Morrison
Part 2 of the Girl Scout Murders
Jess focuses on suspect #1; Gene Leroy Hart. Hart was a petty thief when he started his criminal career. Then, one evening, Hart decided to k!dnap and assault two pregnant Tulsa women. Found guilty, he served time, yet was released, just to resume his life of crime. The similarities between Hart's first crime and the crime against the 3 Girl Scout victims was eerily spooky. Hart's vast knowledge of the Locus Grove area and his mother living within a mile of the camp put him immediately on law enforcement's list persons of interest.
As always, please use listener discretion. This subject is tough.
Sources: The Camp Scott Murders by CS Kelly; OK’s Most Notorious Cases by Kent Frates; Remembering Camp Scott by OSU; Abandoned OK.com; Campscottmurders.com; girlscoutmurders.com; The Horrifying Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders Remain Unsolved 45 Years Later by Cat McAuliffe for Ranker.com; Tulsa World; New York Times; Shattered Justice by JD Morrison
Well cousins, the time has come. We are doing a big one. The next couple of weeks, your favorite cousins will be covering one of Oklahoma’s biggest true crime cases to come out of the Sooner state. This case has been requested several times by various listeners (sorry, I won’t list them all). This week, Tiff introduces us to the Camp Scott Murders, better known as the Girl Scott Murders.
In Part 1, Tiff draws upon a glorious summer camp experience that was supposed to be. However, the nightmare that ensued really does bring the kooky and spooky camp ghost stories to life. This part follows the brutal murders of 3 young girls from the Tulsa area and the following days as law enforcement tries to gather evidence and look for any clues as to why and who.
Sources: The Camp Scott Murders by CS Kelly; OK’s Most Notorious Cases by Kent Frates; Remembering Camp Scott by OSU; Abandoned OK.com; Campscottmurders.com; girlscoutmurders.com; The Horrifying Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders Remain Unsolved 45 Years Later by Cat McAuliffe for Ranker.com; Tulsa World; New York Times
Rumor has it this week’s episodes will bring a little chill to our hot, humid weather!
Tiff explores the spooky history behind Ft. Reno. Starting as a fort in Indian Territory to help protect the native population in the area, many scuffles had to be squashed so everyone could live in SOMEWHAT harmony. The fort was quickly converted into a POW camp during World War 2, where hundreds of German and Italian soldiers were homed. The energy surrounding the land is just ripe for spirits!
Jess takes on the kooky legends, myths, and reports regarding the mysterious Labadie Mansion in Copan. This perplexing home rife with mystery and rumor…none adding up to truth. Was there an affair? Did Mr. Labadie murder a newborn? Was the family forced out of an upstairs window, only to plummet to their death? Or was the family just your typical, well-to-do folks who lived quietly in the country So quietly that neighbors had to fabricate stories…and are there spirits still lurking around protecting (or bolstering) the secrets? You be the judge!
You can schedule your own Ft. Reno ghost tour here: http://www.fortreno.org/ghost-tours/
Pick up a copy of one of our favorite spooky books!
Haunted Oklahoma by Jeff Provine: https://a.co/d/bWpub5f
Ghosts and Legends of Oklahoma by Mike Ricksecker: https://a.co/d/ajdcRAI
Tulsa’s Haunted Memories by Teri French: https://a.co/d/1Lvyubf
Haunted El Reno by Tanya McCoy and Whitney Wilson: https://a.co/d/b1LK5Rh
Oklahoma has its share of dark times throughout history. Oftentimes, this great state shares those dark times with the entire nation. This week, Jess explores the Krebs Mining Accident from 1892. Visiting Krebs today, one wouldn’t know it was the site of Oklahoma's worst mining accident. Gross disregard for miner’s safety and overall safety protocols, as was the case in many mining accidents across the United States, led to this horrific disaster which killed some 100 men and injured nearly 200 more.
With the ups and downs in Russia these days, Tiff delved into how our state contributed to the Cold War. From nuclear missile sites to fallout shelters to starting the nation’s civil defense classes, Oklahoma helped defend our country during the 40+ years of unrest between the two superpowers.
If you would like more info on Cold War Oklahoma, check out SWOSU Professor of History Landry Brewer’s book “Cold War Oklahoma” here.
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