The Odon Fire Poltergeist
05/01/22 • 18 min
This episode explores the strange and unexplained events surrounding the Odon fire Poltergeist in Odon, Indiana, which occurred in the summer of 1940.
Here's a breakdown of the eerie occurrences discussed:
- The Land's History: The episode begins by delving into the history of the property where the mysterious fires took place, starting with Marshall Ketchum, who built a house on the land in the 1860s. [03:32]
- The Unexplained Fires: Learn about the series of spontaneous fires that plagued the home of William Hackler in the summer of 1940. These fires were not isolated incidents and were witnessed and verified by multiple neighbors. [07:10], [08:15]
- Official Investigation: The podcast details the investigation carried out by authorities to determine the cause of the fires. Despite their efforts, the source of the flames remained a baffling mystery. The State Fire Marshall also became involved in the investigation. [08:32], [12:39]
- Local Theories: Explore the various theories that emerged to explain the strange events, including the belief by some that the Hackler home was haunted or under a curse. [11:57]
- Current Unknowns: The episode notes that the precise location of the Heckler farm is currently unknown, and the Hackler family appears to have left the county, adding to the enigma of the story. [15:58]
- Insurance Ad Connection: Discover the interesting connection between the Odon fire story and the Traveler Insurance Company, which used the tale in an advertisement in 1941. [13:13]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/4
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
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Check out Don Cosby’s books on Amazon:
My Scrap Book: A Living History of The Town of Washington in Daviess County, Indiana
Travelers Insurance Company ad that was printed in the Collier’s Weekly Magazine
Sources:
This episode explores the strange and unexplained events surrounding the Odon fire Poltergeist in Odon, Indiana, which occurred in the summer of 1940.
Here's a breakdown of the eerie occurrences discussed:
- The Land's History: The episode begins by delving into the history of the property where the mysterious fires took place, starting with Marshall Ketchum, who built a house on the land in the 1860s. [03:32]
- The Unexplained Fires: Learn about the series of spontaneous fires that plagued the home of William Hackler in the summer of 1940. These fires were not isolated incidents and were witnessed and verified by multiple neighbors. [07:10], [08:15]
- Official Investigation: The podcast details the investigation carried out by authorities to determine the cause of the fires. Despite their efforts, the source of the flames remained a baffling mystery. The State Fire Marshall also became involved in the investigation. [08:32], [12:39]
- Local Theories: Explore the various theories that emerged to explain the strange events, including the belief by some that the Hackler home was haunted or under a curse. [11:57]
- Current Unknowns: The episode notes that the precise location of the Heckler farm is currently unknown, and the Hackler family appears to have left the county, adding to the enigma of the story. [15:58]
- Insurance Ad Connection: Discover the interesting connection between the Odon fire story and the Traveler Insurance Company, which used the tale in an advertisement in 1941. [13:13]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/4
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
----more----
Check out Don Cosby’s books on Amazon:
My Scrap Book: A Living History of The Town of Washington in Daviess County, Indiana
Travelers Insurance Company ad that was printed in the Collier’s Weekly Magazine
Sources:
Previous Episode
The Disappearance of Theresa Rideout
This episode explores the cold case of Theresa Rideout, who disappeared from Chandler, Indiana, in 1994 at the age of 36.
Here's a summary of the key details discussed:
- The Unsolved Mystery: The episode introduces Theresa Rideout, fiancée of Jack Barnett, who vanished on September 2, 1994. [00:51]
- Limited Information: The podcast highlights the scarcity of information available regarding Theresa's disappearance, noting the lack of details and even a misspelled name on the Indiana State Police website. [01:22], [02:04]
- Theresa's Life: Learn about Theresa's family life, including the early deaths of her parents and the fact that she had a son named Matt from a previous marriage. [04:19], [04:41]
- The Day She Vanished: The episode reconstructs Theresa's last known movements, including her job at Burger King in Evansville and being seen with Jack Barnett earlier that day. She was last seen leaving work in Jack's red pickup truck after making a night deposit. [08:06], [08:22], [10:52]
- Possible Scenarios: The podcast delves into the leading theories surrounding Theresa's disappearance. The primary theory suggests that Jack Barnett murdered her and hid her body before taking his own life a week later. Another theory explores the possibility of Theresa and Jack being involved in the drug trade, leading to foul play. [18:38], [19:17]
- A Lingering Cold Case: The episode emphasizes that Theresa Rideout's disappearance remains an unsolved mystery to this day. [22:52]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/3
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
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ISP: Teresa Rideout 09/11/1994 (in.gov)
These are the only 2 photos I could find of Theresa. The black and white image is a high school yearbook photo. The image on the left was posted on one of her relative’s Ancestry.com accounts.
Next Episode
The Murder of Blake Crews
This episode examines the tragic and unsolved murder of 20-year-old Blake Crews in Henderson, Kentucky, on January 16, 2015.
Here's a summary of the key aspects discussed:
- The Crime: Learn about the circumstances surrounding Blake's death, where he was found shot multiple times in the face at a house he was watching. [02:28]
- Remembering Blake: The episode emphasizes Blake's positive character, highlighting that he was not involved in drugs or criminal activities. He was a talented musician, actively engaged in his community, and had a promising future ahead of him. [04:30]
- Community Loss: Understand the profound impact of Blake's death on his family, friends, and the wider community, with the episode aiming to encourage anyone with information to come forward. [03:34]
- Personal Accounts: Hear from Blake's mother, Donna, his sister, Amanda, and his friends, Brandon and Kyle, as they share cherished memories and discuss the lasting impact of his untimely death. [03:06]
- Call for Justice: We encourage anyone with knowledge of this case to contact Kentucky State Police Post 16 at 270.826.3312 or anonymously 800-222-5555. [42:18]
- Developments in the Case: Eight of Blake's acquaintances were charged with offenses unrelated to his murder. [07:08]
Show Notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/5
Join the River City Mystery Discord channel to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
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