William T Boerum or is He?
In this episode Gavin discusses William T Boerum who ran the Oshkosh Asylum until he was found out to not be who everyone thought he was
Jun 14, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Fox Cities Murder & Mayhem
Wisconsin has had it's fair share of notorious criminals that have been in the spotlight over the years, but what about bizarre crimes and mayhem that have vanished over time? Join author Gavin Schmitt and Eric Wulterkens as they take you through stories of crimes that were once front page news. Gavin will share crimes from his book "Fox Cities Murder & Mayhem" as well as those that have never been shared by him before.
If you're a fan of true crime who is tired of hearing about the same murders over and over, then you'll definitely like this podcast. And as listeners from the Wisconsin Fox Cities have said, some of these stories (such as the Appleton Butcher episode) have brought back memories of when they first heard about the cases as children. Not from Wisconsin? Don't worry, no knowledge of Wisconsin is necessary to enjoy these episodes.
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Episodes
Robert Toombs and his many Wives
Hear the story of Robert Toombs who lived in Kaukauna and traveled the country marrying a different wife as he traveled
May 31, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Florence Kilsdonk
Florence Kilsdonk is left stabbed to death in her kitchen, while her infant boy (unharmed) sits for hours on a tabletop. Who would randomly kill a rural housewife and steal nothing?
May 17, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Andrew Young
This time... how does a 1920s murder in Sheboygan connect to a notorious 1950s crime of the Milwaukee Mafia?
May 03, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Little Boy Finds Dead Bodies, Poses for the Camera
A serious issue approached lightheartedly. In the not too distant past, human remains were treated with far less reverence than today... at least when the remains weren't of European origin. At least one Fox Cities institution still refuses to turn over their bones.
Apr 19, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Child Trafficking and the Mafia
In a rare serious episode, Eric and Gavin talk about how the Milwaukee Mafia (specifically Louis Fazio) supplied brothels in Appleton, Sheboygan and elsewhere. The truth may be darker than you think.
Apr 05, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Mark Leroux -Convicted of Killing his Parents
When 18-year-old Mark Leroux is blamed for killing his parents near Stevens Point, he does what any accused murderer would do: he blames his sister. Is Mark the killer, or is it his sister? Additional information can be found at https://gavinschmitt.com/mark-leroux/ On November 8, 1967, at 3:50 am, the Sheriff’s Office received a call that the Eugene and Mary Leroux residence was burning, and that the couple had likely died in the fire. Sheriff Check called the coroner, Joseph Bodzislaw, and the...
Mar 22, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Ronald Huff - Maria Silva Murder
We last left Ron Huff in a Wisconsin prison for the murder of Ronald Burnham. Years later, he has moved to Minnesota. On June 22, 1996, Maria Silva was found dead in her Duluth apartment she shared with Ronald Huff. A neighbor noticed a bad smell and decided to check on the apartment. Inside he found Silva’s badly decomposed corpse. The doors of the third-floor unit were deadbolted – whoever killed Silva had locked the door on leaving. Police had two possible suspects: Ron Huff, the man with who...
Mar 08, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Great Lakes Pirate - Dan Seavey
Gavin discusses his book "Great Lakes Pirate: The Adventures of Roaring Dan Seavey" - the tale of the only man ever arrested for piracy on the Great Lakes. Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia...
Mar 01, 2022•17 min
Ronald Huff: A Man of Rage
In 1968, three teenagers are accused of murdering a man in a Seymour barn after he makes sexual advances on them. But is there more to the story? More information can be found at https://gavinschmitt.com/ronald-huff/ Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia...
Feb 22, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Martin Jensen Murdered, 1968
In 1968, a young husband and father (Martin Jansen) is killed by Robert Mitchell, who the police call a "real maniac." In this episode, we cover the murder of Martin Jansen as well as a streak of connected bank robberies. For more information: gavinschmitt.com/martin-jansen-1968-murder/ Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia...
Feb 08, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Stroebe Island and the Horsefeather Tavern
Following the Frank Frye episode, we wondered: how bad was Stroebe Island and that stretch of Prospect in the 1960s-70s? This time we look a little bit closer at the island and its history. For more information: gavinschmitt.com/stroebe-island/ Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia...
Jan 25, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Justice for Frank Frye (Murdered 1969, Appleton)
Frank Frye was a retired police officer and motel night watchman. One night, he is not only killed but brought several miles away and dumped. Who wanted Frank dead and why? More information can be found at gavinschmitt.com/frank-frye-murdered-1969/ Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia...
Jan 11, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Banker Henry Mead Murdered, Waupaca 1882
Waupaca is the seat of government for a county of the same name. Even today, the county is largely composed of farms, forests and lakes, with a noticeable absence of big city crime. Despite this, the City of Waupaca once hosted one of the regions more notorious murders, the murder of Henry Mead – one that probably has yet to be surpassed, 140 years later. Henry Mead’s skull, with its face smashed in, was on display at the Waupaca County courthouse for 97 years – from 1893 to June 1990, when Judg...
Dec 28, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Hilda Lingle: Tragic Accident or Murder?
Hilda Lingle, 27, was shot on April 19, 1943 as she assembled lunch in the kitchen of her Kaukauna, Wisconsin home. A bullet from a small caliber rifle struck her in the back of the neck and ranged upward into the head. John Lingle, 28, found his wife on the floor and immediately called their doctor, who rushed over. Upon arriving, the doctor quickly realized there was nothing he could do. Lingle said the shot was fired while 4-year old Marjorie, at his request, was taking his rifle to its upsta...
Dec 14, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Appleton UFO Education Center
Throughout its history, many strange things have happened in Appleton. This week, there's no murder and only a hint of mayhem... but a story you may never have heard before. In the 1970s, Appleton was home to a world famous "UFO Education Center." Some say it was a cult, some say it was collecting valuable data. Whatever the truth, it was run by an interesting character: Charlotte Blob. For more information: https://gavinschmitt.com/appleton-ufo-education-center-charlotte-blob/ Links Murder &...
Nov 30, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Attorney Charles McCarty Murdered 1907, Florida
The first bullet struck Charles McCarty's back, knocking him to the ground. The metal lodged in flesh under his right shoulder blade. McCarty took a second bullet in the back of the head not far from his right ear. WC Rawlinson stood above him emptying his pistol, but missing every time, except for a shot through the calf of McCarty’s left leg. Seven witnesses saw it all. McCarty died from his injuries that afternoon. (Charles McCarty was raised in Kaukauna, WI.) For more information: https://ga...
Nov 16, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Michael McCarty, Murdered in 1906 (Kaukauna)
Kaukauna has had many notorious murders, but the 1906 murder of Michael McCarty continues to be talked about today. The motive? Greed. Fraudster Wenzel Kabat is determined to have have McCarty's farm - even if that means murdering him. For more information: https://gavinschmitt.com/michael-mccarty-murdered/ Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia...
Nov 02, 2021•19 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Body Parts Found on Playground in Appleton, 1967
On Monday, September 25, 1967, four children - in first and second grade at St. Joseph Catholic School - found an unusual package on their playground. It was a brown paper sack, which the children were kicking around the alley and throwing at each other. The principal, Sister Illuminata, confiscated the bag and looked inside. When opened, the principal found five dismembered toes and part of a foot. This episode is based on chapter 9 of Gavin Schmitt's book: Fox Cities Murder & Mayhem More i...
Oct 26, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Wayne Pratt Murdered in 1963, Unsolved
On June 13, 1963, Wayne Pratt, 24, was the victim of a vicious attack in which he was stabbed 53 times. 12 of the stabs punctured his lungs, and both collapsed. Some of the stabs were four inches deep. The autopsy suggested instead that Pratt may have been hit in the head with a snow shovel. He was found face-down on the floor and partially covered with a blanket in the storage room of the gas station he owned and operated. For more information: https://gavinschmitt.com/wayne-pratt-murder-1963/ ...
Oct 12, 2021•19 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Orson Avery's Lucky Shot
Ozzy Osbourne wasn't the first to experience a "shot in the dark." Green Bay's Orson Avery found himself on the receiving end of a burglary gang and wasn't about to let his migraines stop him from fighting back. Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia...
Sep 28, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 5
A German Lynching
The title says it all. Or does it? In this episode, learn about the Turners and why Wisconsin doesn't have the death penalty. Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia
Sep 14, 2021•17 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Capital Murder
Politics are stressful. Arguments get heated. But rarely does blood actually get spilled in the capitol! Technically a Madison story, our key figures hail from northeast Wisconsin, so we'll let it slide. Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia...
Aug 31, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Chief Oshkosh
You probably know that Oshkosh is named after Chief Oshkosh. But you might not know who Oshkosh was. Among many other things, he was once a defendant in a murder trial! Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia...
Aug 17, 2021•19 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Porter Ross Eats Bedsprings
Kaukauna has had some strange killers in its history. One of the strangest (and there's competition) is Porter Ross. Prostitution, murder and spiritualism make for quite a story. Links Murder & Mayhem Podcast website Gavin's Books (Amazon) Gavin and Eric's other podcast: Milwaukee Mafia...
Aug 03, 2021•15 min•Ep. 1
Introduction to Murder & Mayhem
Wisconsin has had it's fair share of notorious criminals that have been in the spotlight over the years, but what about bizarre crimes and mayhem that have vanished over time? Join author Gavin Schmitt and Eric Wulterkens as they take you through stories of crimes that were once front page news. Gavin will share crimes from his book "Fox Cities Murder & Mayhem" as well as those that have never been shared by him before. If you're a fan of true crime who is tired of hearing about the same mur...
Aug 01, 2021•2 min
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