In this episode, we dig into the chilling crimes of serial killer Mark Alan Smith, whose brutal acts of violence began in Mountain Home, Arkansas, and spanned multiple states and countries. Join us as we uncover the disturbing details of his murders and the lasting impact of his crimes.

#ozarks #arkansas #history #podcast #truecrime

In this episode, we uncover the captivating story of the "Eureka Baby," a fossilized human child discovered in 1880 by a well driller in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Initially celebrated as a groundbreaking scientific find, this discovery captivated audiences nationwide. However, nearly 70 years later, the tale took a dramatic turn. Join us as we explore the origins, the excitement, and the ultimate revelations surrounding this remarkable story.

Sources:
“Arkansas’ Famous ‘Petrified’ Baby.” Arkansas Democrat Sunday Magazine, February 15, 1948, p. 8.

Burnett, Abby. “The Eureka Baby—Human or Hoax?” Carroll County Historical Quarterly 55 (March 2010): 13–18.

Kalklosch, L. J. The Healing Fountain, Eureka Springs, Ark., a Complete History. Eureka Springs, AR: 1881.

Schaefer, Susan. The Bear Hunter, the Bareback Rider and the Governor…and Other Stories of Early Eureka Springs.Springfield, MO: Color Graphics, 2004.

"Eccentrics of Eureka Springs." Arkansas Online, October 31, 2021.

"Eureka Baby Exhibit Opens May 17 at ESHM." Eureka Springs Times-Echo, May 11, 2023.

"The Eureka Springs Baby." Encyclopedia of Arkansas, January 9, 2019.

In this episode, we share one of the strangest cases in Ozarks history – the mysterious murder (or was it?) of Connie Franklin. In 1929, a drifter named Connie Franklin arrived in Stone County, Arkansas, only to seemingly meet a violent end. But when a man claiming to be Connie reappeared, the case took a bizarre twist. Was Connie really murdered, or was the whole story a case of mistaken identity? With rumors of murder, deception, and a shocking trial, this tale is full of twists and turns you won’t believe. Tune in as we unravel the mystery of Connie Franklin. #ozarks #arkansas #history #podcast #truecrime #stonecounty #stonecountyarkansas #mountainview #saintjames #mystery #bizarre Sources Wikipedia Contributors. “Murder of Connie Franklin.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Connie_Franklin Fletcher, Chenout. "Four Cleared of Slaying Franklin," *Arkansas Gazette*, December 20, 1929 Allen, Deane. "Man at Batesville Identified as Franklin," *Arkansas Democrat*, December 8, 1929 Blevins, Brooks. Ghost of the Ozarks: Murder and Memory in the Upland South. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2012. Olsson, Carl. “Startling Franklin Case Development Predicted,” *Arkansas Democrat, December 15, 1929 “Connie Franklin Reported Living,” Arkansas Gazette, December 5, 1929 Teske, Steven. Unvarnished Arkansas: The Naked Truth about Nine Famous Arkansans. Little Rock: Butler Center Books, 2012. “Five Indicted as Climax to Murder Probe,” Arkansas Democrat, November 24, 1929 Lyon College Professor. "Lyon College Professor Researches Mysterious Stone County 'Murder'." Arkansas Democrat, March 3, 2008. “From Baxter Bulletin Files.” Baxter County History 7 (1981) “Connie Franklin: The Man who Testified at the Trial for His Own Murder” AKA The Arkansas Ghost Trial. Mystifyingly Missing, True Crime & Thought-provoking Events, Aug 21, 2023. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mystifyingly-missing-true-crime-thought-provoking-events/id1587173256?i=1000625222272. - Encyclopedia of Arkansas. "Connie Franklin." https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/connie-franklin-5929/. - Strange Company Blog. "The Arkansas Ghost Trial." http://strangeco.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-arkansas-ghost-trial.html. - Ancestry.com. - Findagrave.com.