Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery

Latest Episodes:

89. MYSTERY: The Rise and Fall of Postmortem Photography Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

Back in the Victorian era, families took photos of their relatives after death as a way to honor and remember them. While this practice seems particularly morbid and creepy by today’s standard, it’s pretty fascinating to explore it in the context of the time. If you want to view authentic postmortem photography, check out the Thanatos Archive at https://thanatos.net/.

A listener sent us some of her handmade jewelry, and it’s beautiful. Please check out her work and keep her in mind for gifts for yourself or others, and support a fellow WMMM listener! You can see her work on instagram at @erinrebeccajewelry or look her up on Facebook, and she has a new web site launching in November.

Want more content? There’s bonus content and other perks on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witchesmagicmurdermystery

Looking for merchandise? Check out our store! https://witches-magic-murder-mystery-podcast-store.myshopify.com

If you’re watching us on YouTube, our channel is filled with the unedited video of our podcast recording process for each full episode, starting with episode 26. To hear a more polished presentation, look us up on your favorite podcast listening app!

Sources:

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/07/pictures-of-death/534060/

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36389581

https://allthatsinteresting.com/victorian-death-photos

https://www.thecollector.com/post-mortem-photography/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/victorian-post-mortem-photographs

All Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery episodes are a mix of Kara and Megan’s personal thoughts and opinions in response to the information that is publicly available at the time of recording, as well as, in some cases, personal accounts provided by listeners. In regard to these self-reported personal accounts, there can be no assurance that the information provided is 100% accurate.

If you love the Trash Witch art (see our Patreon or the Podcast store), Tiffini Scherbing of Scherbing Arts created her. Find her art page on Facebook! She can create anything you need.

Check out @witchesmagicmurdermystery on Instagram, or find our Facebook group by searching “Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery Podcast Discussion Group.”

Email your personal or local stories related to witches, magic, murder, or mystery to witchesmagicmurdermystery@gmail.com.

Get to know us better:

Kara: @atoakandmain

Megan: @megan_whitmer on instagram, @meganmakesjokes on tiktok

Theme music: Chloe’s Lullaby by Robert Austin. Available on Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Patreon!

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88. MURDER: Whitewater, Part Two (The Dark Stuff) Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

Part One of our Whitewater coverage was full of witchy magic and lore. This one is darker. In Part Two, we’re telling you about four different murder cases attached to Whitewater, Wisconsin. (Be sure to listen to Part One first!)

Want more content? There’s bonus content and other perks on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witchesmagicmurdermystery

Looking for merchandise? Check out our store! https://witches-magic-murder-mystery-podcast-store.myshopify.com

Sources:

https://royalpurplenews.com/11879/lifestyle/witches-of-whitewater-the-truth-behind-the-legend/

https://www.facebook.com/TheWitchesofWhitewater/photos/a.1497683177155795/2032188197038621/?type=3

https://www.insidemystery.com/the-cursed-story-of-nellie-horan

http://unknownmisandry.blogspot.com/2013/06/nettie-hoxan-wisconsin-serial-killer.html

http://unknownmisandry.blogspot.com/2011/08/she-served-only-five-years-mrs-myrtle.html

http://genealogytrails.com/minn/aitkin/news_crime.html

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/jefferson-county-living/2016/11/20/true-crime-book-covers-students-murder-1980/94174254/

http://mywalworthcounty.com/?p=17507

https://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=turn&entity=WI.CenturyStories.p0215&id=WI.CenturyStories&isize=text

http://www.truecrimediary.com/index.cfm?page=cases&id=29

https://news.wisc.edu/madison-police-ask-for-help-in-locating-missing-woman/

https://www.foxnews.com/story/body-is-missing-university-of-wisconsin-whitewater-senior-kelly-nolan-coroner-confirms

https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=3341397&page=1

https://www.channel3000.com/family-of-murdered-woman-makes-plea-for-info-on-10-year-anniversary-of-disappearance/

If you love the Trash Witch art (see our Patreon or the Podcast store), Tiffini Scherbing of Scherbing Arts created her. Find her art page on Facebook! She can create anything you need.

Check out @witchesmagicmurdermystery on Instagram, or find our Facebook group by searching “Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery Podcast Discussion Group.”

Email your personal or local stories related to witches, magic, murder, or mystery to witchesmagicmurdermystery@gmail.com.

Get to know us better:

Kara: @atoakandmain

Megan: @megan_whitmer on instagram, @meganmakesjokes on tiktok

Theme music: Chloe’s Lullaby by Robert Austin. Available on Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

87. MAGIC: Whitewater, Part One (The Fun Stuff) Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

Whitewater, Wisconsin a city sometimes called “Second Salem” due to its association with witchcraft and the paranormal. From a spiritualism school to a cursed witch’s book to spooky cemeteries, we’re covering all the magical, witchy lore we can find in Whitewater. This is part one in a two-part series, tune in tomorrow for more! (If you’re a Patreon subscriber, part two is available in your feed today.) This story was sent to us by Beth and Katie, and we are DELIGHTED to learn all about this place.

Want more content? There’s bonus content and other perks on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witchesmagicmurdermystery

Looking for merchandise? Check out our store! https://witches-magic-murder-mystery-podcast-store.myshopify.com

Sources:

https://www.wpr.org/worlds-first-spiritualist-school-founded-wisconsin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism

https://www.thecse.org/the-morris-pratt-institute.html

https://www.cultofweird.com/paranormal/morris-pratt-institute-of-spiritualism/

http://www.morrispratt.org/ https://royalpurplenews.com/11879/lifestyle/witches-of-whitewater-the-truth-behind-the-legend/

https://www.facebook.com/TheWitchesofWhitewater/photos/a.1497683177155795/2032188197038621/?type=3

https://whitewaterbanner.com/will-the-starin-park-water-tower-be-demolished-when-the-new-tower-goes-into-service/

https://www.travelwisconsin.com/native-culture/whitewater-effigy-mounds-preserve-194671

https://blogs.uww.edu/ucinfo/2016/10/28/whitewaterlegends/

If you love the Trash Witch art (see our Patreon or the Podcast store), Tiffini Scherbing of Scherbing Arts created her. Find her art page on Facebook! She can create anything you need.

Check out @witchesmagicmurdermystery on Instagram, or find our Facebook group by searching “Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery Podcast Discussion Group.”

Email your personal or local stories related to witches, magic, murder, or mystery to witchesmagicmurdermystery@gmail.com.

Get to know us better: Kara: @atoakandmain Megan: @megan_whitmer

Theme music: Chloe’s Lullaby by Robert Austin. Available on Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

86. MYSTERY: Who’s Watching the Wackers? Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

Everyone who knew Bill and Dorothy Wacker said they were a sweet, pleasant old couple living a completely normal life. There was no reason to suspect they had any enemies, until one day they came home to discover someone had clearly been inside their house. And so began a years-long harassment of the Wackers—who was behind it, and why?

Want more content? There’s bonus content and other perks on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witchesmagicmurdermystery

Looking for merchandise? Check out our store! https://witches-magic-murder-mystery-podcast-store.myshopify.com

Sources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/7l70w0/the_bizarre_unsolved_story_of_bill_and_dorothy/

https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2020/01/the-phantom-stalker-of-bill-and-dorothy-wacker/

https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Bill_and_Dorothy_Wacker

https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/2wd43h/the_wackers_an_elderly_couple_tormented_for_years/

If you love the Trash Witch art (see our Patreon or the Podcast store), Tiffini Scherbing of Scherbing Arts created her. Find her art page on Facebook! She can create anything you need.

Check out @witchesmagicmurdermystery on Instagram, or find our Facebook group by searching “Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery Podcast Discussion Group.”

Email your personal or local stories related to witches, magic, murder, or mystery to witchesmagicmurdermystery@gmail.com.

Get to know us better: Kara: @atoakandmain Megan: @megan_whitmer

Theme music: Chloe’s Lullaby by Robert Austin. Available on Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

85. MYSTERY: Resurrection Mary, Chicago’s Most Famous Ghost Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

Spooky season calls for spooky stories—meet Resurrection Mary, Chicago’s most famous ghost. This story was suggested by Toni, one of our listeners. Thanks so much for telling us about Mary!

Want more content? There’s bonus content and other perks on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witchesmagicmurdermystery

Looking for merchandise? Check out our store! https://witches-magic-murder-mystery-podcast-store.myshopify.com

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_Mary

https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/meet-resurrection-mary-the-ghost-of-archer-avenue/

https://chicagohauntings.com/2019/04/08/resurrection-mary-the-queen-of-haunted-archer-avenue/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willowbrook_Ballroom

If you love the Trash Witch art (see our Patreon or the Podcast store), Tiffini Scherbing of Scherbing Arts created her. Find her art page on Facebook! She can create anything you need.

Check out @witchesmagicmurdermystery on Instagram, or find our Facebook group by searching “Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery Podcast Discussion Group.”

Email your personal or local stories related to witches, magic, murder, or mystery to witchesmagicmurdermystery@gmail.com.

Get to know us better: Kara: @atoakandmain Megan: @megan_whitmer

Theme music: Chloe’s Lullaby by Robert Austin. Available on Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

84. MYSTERY: Medicinal Cannibalism. Why? Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

Ok, this one is more of an oddity than anything else, but we’re going to file it under Mystery because WHY WAS THIS EVER OKAY?! **The audio quality on this one is rough, we know. We've reworked it a million times and this is the best we can get it. Thanks for being patient with us!

Want more content? There’s bonus content and other perks on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witchesmagicmurdermystery

Looking for merchandise? Check out our store! https://witches-magic-murder-mystery-podcast-store.myshopify.com

Sources:

https://gizmodo.com/the-uncomfortably-common-practice-of-medicinal-cannibal-5971342

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_cannibalism

https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/brief-history-medical-cannibalism

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-gruesome-history-of-eating-corpses-as-medicine-82360284/

If you love the Trash Witch art (see our Patreon or the Podcast store), Tiffini Scherbing of Scherbing Arts created her. Find her art page on Facebook! She can create anything you need.

Check out @witchesmagicmurdermystery on Instagram, or find our Facebook group by searching “Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery Podcast Discussion Group.”

Email your personal or local stories related to witches, magic, murder, or mystery to witchesmagicmurdermystery@gmail.com.

Get to know us better:

Kara: @atoakandmain

Megan: @megan_whitmer

Theme music: Chloe’s Lullaby by Robert Austin. Available on Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

83. MURDER: The Glensheen Mansion Murders Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

Minnesota’s Glensheen Mansion is on the National Registry of Historic Places, due to the size and beauty of the home, as well as the notable contributions of the family that once called it home. Unfortunately, its also the site of a double murder that took place in 1977.

Want more content? There’s bonus content and other perks on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witchesmagicmurdermystery

Looking for merchandise? Check out our store! https://witches-magic-murder-mystery-podcast-store.myshopify.com

Sources:

https://myamericanodyssey.com/the-murders-at-glensheen-mansion/

https://www.twincities.com/2017/06/26/in-1977-murder-in-a-duluth-minn-mansion-it-still-resonates/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth_Congdon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glensheen_Historic_Estate

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/06/23/glensheen-mansion-murders-still-grip-duluth

If you love the Trash Witch art (see our Patreon or the Podcast store), Tiffini Scherbing of Scherbing Arts created her. Find her art page on Facebook! She can create anything you need.

Check out @witchesmagicmurdermystery on Instagram, or find our Facebook group by searching “Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery Podcast Discussion Group.”

Email your personal or local stories related to witches, magic, murder, or mystery to witchesmagicmurdermystery@gmail.com.

Get to know us better: Kara: @atoakandmain Megan: @megan_whitmer or www.meganwhitmer.com

Theme music: Chloe’s Lullaby by Robert Austin. Available on Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

82. MYSTERY: Who is the Boy in the Box? (TRIGGER WARNING) Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

TRIGGER WARNING: child abuse

This one is right up there with Sylvia Likens in terms of how much we hate it, but the fact that it’s been nearly 70 years since a young boy died in Philadelphia and people are still trying to do the right thing for him made us want to cover this one anyway.

Want more content? There’s bonus content and other perks on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witchesmagicmurdermystery

Looking for merchandise? Check out our store! https://witches-magic-murder-mystery-podcast-store.myshopify.com

If you’re watching us on YouTube, our channel is filled with the unedited video of our podcast recording process for each full episode. To hear a more polished presentation, look us up on your favorite podcast listening app!

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_in_the_Box_(Philadelphia)

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/11/11/memorial-services-held-for-boy-in-the-box-decades-after-murder-remains-unsolved-mystery/

https://allthatsinteresting.com/boy-in-the-box

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2021/04/30/the-boy-in-the-box-ivy-hill-cemetery-unsolved-murder-philadelphia/

https://medium.com/chameleon/the-tragic-story-of-the-unknown-boy-in-the-box-cda52729244a

https://medium.com/the-mystery-box/unsolved-mysteries-who-was-the-boy-in-the-box-172e19dbba85

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/cold-case-fox-chase-philadelphia-boy/80706/

If you love the Trash Witch art (see our Patreon or the Podcast store), Tiffini Scherbing of Scherbing Arts created her. Find her art page on Facebook! She can create anything you need.

Check out @witchesmagicmurdermystery on Instagram, or find our Facebook group by searching “Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery Podcast Discussion Group.”

Email your personal or local stories related to witches, magic, murder, or mystery to witchesmagicmurdermystery@gmail.com.

Get to know us better:

Kara: @atoakandmain

Megan: @megan_whitmer

Theme music: Chloe’s Lullaby by Robert Austin. Available on Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

81. WITCH: Meet Isobel Gowdie, aka Janet Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

Meet Isobel Gowdie, a Scottish woman who confessed to witchcraft in 1662, and possibly the most entertaining witch we've covered yet.

Want more content? There’s bonus content and other perks on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witchesmagicmurdermystery

Looking for merchandise? Check out our store! https://witches-magic-murder-mystery-podcast-store.myshopify.com

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-23898507

https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/gowdie-isobel-fl-seventeenth-century https://engole.info/isobel-gowdie/

https://bust.com/feminism/194684-isobel-gowdie-was-tried-as-a-witch-in-1662-and-her-testimony-is-fascinatingly-proto-feminist.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isobel_Gowdie

If you love the Trash Witch art (see our Patreon or the Podcast store), Tiffini Scherbing of Scherbing Arts created her. Find her art page on Facebook! She can create anything you need.

Check out @witchesmagicmurdermystery on Instagram, or find our Facebook group by searching “Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery Podcast Discussion Group.”

Email your personal or local stories related to witches, magic, murder, or mystery to witchesmagicmurdermystery@gmail.com.

Get to know us better: Kara: @atoakandmain Megan: @megan_whitmer

Theme music: Chloe’s Lullaby by Robert Austin. Available on Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

80. MYSTERY: Charles Domery's Appetite Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

Charles Domery was a very, very hungry man. You guys aren’t gonna believe the stuff he ate.

Want more content? There’s bonus content and other perks on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/witchesmagicmurdermystery

Looking for merchandise? Check out our store! https://witches-magic-murder-mystery-podcast-store.myshopify.com

Sources:

https://www.weirdhistorian.com/domery-the-man-who-ate-anything-and-a-whole-lot-of-it/

https://gizmodo.com/what-caused-these-men-to-eat-cats-and-candles-1685293458

https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/horrifying-appetite-of-a-man-who-ate-everything-224fc6b511dd

https://historycollection.com/legendary-appetite-charles-domery/link

If you love the Trash Witch art (see our Patreon or the Podcast store), Tiffini Scherbing of Scherbing Arts created her. Find her art page on Facebook! She can create anything you need.

Check out @witchesmagicmurdermystery on Instagram, or find our Facebook group by searching “Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery Podcast Discussion Group.”

Email your personal or local stories related to witches, magic, murder, or mystery to witchesmagicmurdermystery@gmail.com.

Get to know us better:

Kara: @atoakandmain

Megan: @megan_whitmer

Theme music: Chloe’s Lullaby by Robert Austin. Available on Spotify, Google Play, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Patreon!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices