The Grattan Incident

Send us a textIn 1854, violence broke out in what today is a corn field in Eastern Wyoming. A dead cow, a new West Point Lieutenant, a drunken translator, and an entire village of Lakota Sioux came together in the greatest defeat of US Soldiers to a native force west of the Mississippi to that date. Today we visit the site of the battle and learn about the odd and unusual elements that kicked off years of violence in this part of the American West.Left or Right, Jaeger Held & CJ Young in front of Fort Laramie's Officers' Quarters "Old Bedlam." Photo Courtesy of CJ Young.Support the show

Send us a textHave you ever wanted to quit you job and just go someplace where you can listen to the waves crashing on a tropical beach? On this episode we hear the story of two cousins and what happened to them when they did. Support the show

Send us a textSalt Lake City's Avenues District is the oldest neighborhood in one of the oldest cities in The Mountain West. From polygamists, to golf promotors, a house that was used as the set of a horror movie, to a rumored rental of Ted Bundy, this old neighborhood played host to some of the strangest and most quirky stories in SLC. On this episode we hear Cevan LeSieur, author of two books about the avenues, tell us some of the more interesting stories from this small neighborhood with a big history.PHOTO: This is Governor William Spry's home shortly after it was moved to I street. Photographer's name wasn't given.Buy Cevan's Books:Images of AmericaThe Avenues of Salt Lake CitySources:A Bit about The LDS Church in DenmarkOtto Branning the Chili KingMore about The Grabeteria The Death of Mrs Moormeister and some more on thatJeremy Pugh's Article about Mrs Moormeister's Murder "Utah's Black Dahlia" A Bit About Joe Hill The Executed Labor ActivistBomb Found at Governor Spry's ResidenceBomb Meant for Governor Spry Explodes in a BoxcarSupport the show

Send us a textFrom Mark Twain to Saddam Hussein, Curt Cobain to John Wayne, Presidents, Dictators, Outlaws, and Artists have kept pets and on this episode we talk about some of the weirder ones. Sources:The Presidential Pet Museum Drunkard and Satan  Presidential CowJefferson's Ram killed a little boy Tiger cubs The Coolidge PetsPresidential Alligators? The Yuki Johnson Duets The Carter ElephantReagan’s fish The Prince's Fish Biden’s dog MajorBiden's Dog Commander Hemingway  Hunter S ThompsonHitler and Blondie Stalin and HIs Bear Mao’s cricket Hitchcock dogsKubrick Cats Cobain Cats Sid Vicious Billy Joe’s Dog EscobarUSMC Dogs Mayor Max III Support the show

Send us a textDo you remember a house that you were warned to stay away from? On this episode we explore the truths of a legend that turned one unfortunate woman into a "witch" in the minds of her neighbors at the mouth of Parley's Canyon in Utah.Please check out Jennifer Jones' Blog: The Dead HistoryIf you'd like to visit Parley's Hollow Nature Park here's their website: https://www.slc.gov/parks/parks-division/parleys-historic-nature-park/Sources:Deseret News Article: https://www.deseret.com/1992/7/31/18997457/sugar-house-memories-br/Susan Dudler's Death Certificate https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2018/166/105839865_f9631c0a-8883-4570-9215-2f3b4a02af39.jpegSusan Dudler's Obituary  https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2013/56/105839865_136190971385.jpgAmelia's Overdose: https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2013/56/105860220_136191426427.jpgJoseph Dudler's Obituary https://www.newspapers.com/search/results/?date=1897&keyword=dudler&region=us-utSupport the show

Send us a textIn 1972 Mike Shay hitchhiked from Texas To Berkley, CA. He shares the odd, funny, and frightening things that happened to him on his trip and what he learned about being an American. NOTE: I do not condone hitchhiking, but I think this is a good story.Support the show

Send us a textPutting the same amount of energy and passion that most artists reserve for marble or metal, Catherine Morris sculpts what she sees in her mind's eye into sand. If that wasn't hard enough, she lives thousands of miles from the nearest ocean. To find out how this Wyomingite who'd never even taken an art class got so good at sculpting sand in one of America's windiest states, check out this episode.Visit Catherine's Facebook PageSee a video of Catherine Sculpting the fish from this episodeSupport the show

Send us a textIn the early 1960's when it was believed that "only crazy people saw UFO's,"  psychologist Leo Sprinkle began to interview alleged UFO witnesses, but when he started to share his findings, many of his fellow scientists proved to be anything but inquiring or open minded. Find out what happened to a man who tried to use what he had learned about examining the world around him to get answers that many people still weren't ready for.Support the show

Send us a textWhat's it like living 30 minutes from a nuclear missile site? What's it like working in one? On this episode we explore working 60 feet underground waiting for Armageddon along with the dark humor and odd conditions that coincide with being able to turn keys and send nuclear firepower over the north pole in thirty minutes or less. Visit the Quebec 01 Missile Alert FacilityWhy Dominoes Stopped "Thirty Minutes or Less"NOTE: This episode's photo was taken at a missile alert facility in South Dakota not Wyoming and features Missileer Tony Gatlin who does not appear on this episode.Support the show

Send us a textWhile Laramie, Wyoming doesn't seem like a hot spot for ska or punk, a handful of Wyomingites came together in the 90's to form a blistering, crisp ensemble of fast and hard ska that rivaled what was being played by bands from much bigger places. Here is the story of Charlie Pathetic...Please check out their websiteYou can also listen to their album hereSupport the show