Southern Mysteries Podcast

By: Shannon Ballard
  • Summary

  • Exploring Southern history and true crime. Hosted by Shannon Ballard.
    Copyright 2017 . All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Episode 152 Cyrus Teed and the Koreshan Unity
    Sep 23 2024

    The Koreshan State Historic Site in Estero, Florida is one of the most peculiar historic sites in the American South. This state park showcases the life of Dr. Cyrus Teed, the founder of Koreshanity. Those who joined this religious and scientific movement sought immortality through celibacy and believed the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The Koreshan Unity has been dubbed “one of the most bizarre” communal utopian societies organized in the 19th century. They were forced to relocate several times until they found a permanent home in the swamplands of southwest Florida.

    Want more Southern Mysteries?

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast Instagram: @southernmysteries Email: southernmysteriespodcast@gmail.com

    Recommended Reading
    • The Allure of Immortality: An American Cult, a Florida Swamp, and a Renegade Prophet by Lyn Millner
    • Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and A Legacy of Rage by Jeff Guinn

    Episode Sources

    • WGCU Gulf Coast Life: The connection between Cyrus Teed and the Koreshans and David Koresh and the Branch Davidians. March 14, 2023.
    • The Koreshnans: Archives of former holdings of the Koreshan State Historic Site.
    • Florida State Parks: Koreshan State Historic Site
    • World Religious and Spirituality Project: Koreshans by Lyn Millner
    • WGCU: Florida History: Koreshan Unity: A Quest for Utopia | Untold Stories | Florida History
    • US Department of the Interior: Preserving America’s Utopian Dream, 2001. “Dr. Cyrus Teed and the Koreshan Unity Movement” by Catherine Anthony Ohnemus.
    • Florida Rambler: Koreshan State Park is Florida’s strangest historic site. August 3, 2024.

    Episode Music

    Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

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    38 mins
  • Episode 151 The Mystery of the Witch of Yazoo City
    Sep 9 2024

    In May 1904, the residents of Yazoo City, Mississippi witnessed a devastating fire that destroyed half of their town. This fire was believed to be the result of a curse spoken by a woman known as the Witch of Yazoo, just before her death two decades earlier. Willie Morris, a writer and native of Mississippi, shared the legend in his book, "Good Old Boy." Following his passing in 1999, he was buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City, 13 paces due south of the Witch of Yazoo's grave. Many mysteries surround this tale: Was the witch a historical figure, a character inspired by a resident, or a legend passed down through generations? Who rests beneath the marker commemorating one of the South's most famous witches?

    Want more Southern Mysteries?

    Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

    Connect

    Website: southernmysteries.com Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast Instagram: @southernmysteries Email: southernmysteriespodcast@gmail.com

    Episode Sources

    • The Times-Democrat: Mississippi Matters, Yazoo City Fire. May 27, 1904
    • Jackson Daily-News: Committees are active today for the Yazoo City Fire Sufferers. May 27, 1904.
    • The Yazoo Herald: Chained Grave Holds Jealous Wife, Says Longtime Yazoo City Resident. July 5, 1978.
    • Yazoo Herald: Letters to The Editor, Vay McGraw. November 23, 1991.
    • Yazoo Herald: It’s Time To Bury The Witch of Yazoo for Good. April 4, 1998
    • Yazoo Herald: Letters to the Editor, Willie Morris, April 11, 1998.
    • The Clarion-Ledger: Willie Morris to be buried near witches grave. August 5, 1999.
    • The Delta Statement: Into the Fire, March 2, 2022.
    • Yazoo County Convention and Visitors Bureau: Witch of Yazoo
    • Clarion Ledger: The Witch of Yazoo still haunts the town she burned. October 28, 2014.
    • National Park Service: Nehemiah “Skip” James, October 2017.
    • McElreath, Leisa & Lindsley, Ashley. (2018). 1904 DESTRUCTION OF YAZOO CITY: A CASE STUDY OF COMMUNITY RESILANCE. 10.13140/RG.2.2.13079.68002.
    • City of Yazoo: The History of Yazoo City,
    • Visit Yazoo: 10 Can’t Miss Spots
    • Independent Order of Oddfellows: History of American Odd Fellows
    • Yazoo Herald: Vay Gregory McGraw. May 9, 2023.
    • The ParaInvestigator YouTube: According to Local Legend: The Mystery of the Yazoo Witch. January 5, 2024

    Episode Music

    Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

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    30 mins
  • Episode 150 The Mystery of the Sensational Co-Ed Murder
    Aug 26 2024
    State Solicitor George Bailes described the murder of Faye New as the most heinous crime ever committed in Jefferson County, Alabama. Faye New's story is shrouded in mystery and sorrow. She was a lively young woman, renowned for her warm smile and compassionate nature. In 1934, tragedy struck when she disappeared after agreeing to accompany a young man for a car ride on a summer evening. Search parties were organized, and the next day, Faye's lifeless body was discovered in a ditch at the edge of a cornfield. For months, local newspapers extensively covered every aspect of this murder mystery. Was it a crime of passion committed by a young man who professed his love for her? Or did the man who offered her a ride bring an end to a promising young life? Want more Southern Mysteries? Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries Connect Website: southernmysteries.com Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast Instagram: @southernmysteries Email: southernmysteriespodcast@gmail.com Episode Sources Encyclopedia Alabama: Irondale, AlabamaBhamWiki: WoodlawnFindagrave: Faye NewsFindagrave: Ashley CainFindagrave: Dorsie NewFindagrave: Lonnie NewThe Birmingham News: Woodlawn High Senior Faye New. February 9, 1930The Birmingham Post-Herald: Co Ed Missing; 2 Men Quizzed. August 22, 1934. The Birmingham News: Girl Found Dead. August 22, 1934.The Birmingham Age-Herald: Taylor is Jailed in Co-ed Death. August 23, 1934The Birmingham News: Police, Solicitor, Increase Activity in Taylor’s Case. August 25, 1934.The Birmingham News: Special Jury Probes Murder of Faye New. August 27, 1934.The Birmingham Post-Herald: Co Ed Death Jury Indicts Taylor. August 28, 1934.The Birmingham News: 34 to be Called in Taylor Trial. August 28, 1934.The Birmingham News: Jury is selected with hearing of witnesses next. September 4, 1934The Birmingham News: Cain is calm as lawyer charges him with killing. September 6, 1934The Birmingham News: Harold Taylor Gives His Version of Fatal Ride with Faye New. September 7, 1934.The Birmingham News: Taylor Repeats Denial of Guilt. September 7, 1934.The Birmingham News: Taylor’s Fate Now in Jury’s Hands.September 8, 1934The Birmingham News: Faye New’s Death is still a baffling puzzle to police. September 10, 1934The Birmingham News: Mother of Slain Faye New Weeps. September 10, 1934.The Atlanta Constitution: Taylor is Cleared of Attack Charge. September 11, 1934The Birmingham Post: Detectives Back on Co-Ed Murder. September 12, 1934The Birmingham Post-Herald: Taylor, Freed, Is Happy at Home. September 10, 1934.The Birmingham Post: Harold Taylor Fined as Drunk. June 12, 1935The Birmingham Post: Father and Son Will Face Peace Warrants. October 23, 1935.The Birmingham Post: Charges dropped against father and son. November 2, 1935The Birmingham News: Faye New’s Diary Is Buried with Slain Co-ed. August 25, 1936.The Birmingham Post: Faye New Father Succombs. December 31, 1936.The Birmingham Post: Faye New Slaying, Six Years Old, Still Unsolved. August 19, 1940. Episode Music Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.
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    41 mins

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A fun gem, and thank you Audible!

What a gem to find. A staff of one, Shannon Ballard, does an incredible job of researching, presenting, recording and producing this great podcast. She’s a wonderful storyteller!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Stories as they should be told

Ms. Ballard tells the story with such eloquence. No drama, no giggles, no irrelevant jabber, no foul language here. Stories are told with class and respect. Well done.

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best podcast ever

excellent and interesting... I look forward to each of them... when I found this podcast.. I binge listened to them.. even my kids found them cool

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Great Podcast

Love the host, love the stories. The pacing is cozy, there are just enough details and backstory.

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Great Stories

enjoy every moment of this podcast brings to account mysteries of the South and crimes that have been around us for years and those that live here in the south, we don't realize the things that happened around us.

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My new favorite

I love this podcast! Enjoyable and captivating Southern stories. Great narrative & well researched. Hard to believe one person does it all.

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Interesting way things happen

The narrator is always a joy to listen to. She draws you inside to the stories.

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stereotypes

full of stereotypes. not worth listening to. poorly researched. poorly edited. poor execution. just a piss poor podcast!

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