Missouri Mayhem - The Murder of Ken McElroy - Discover the dark history behind Skidmore, Missouri, where community fears and legendary vigilance led to an infamous unresolved murder. This episode explores how a town's attempt at justice spiraled into a centuries-long mystery filled with violence, silence, and unanswered questions.

📚 RESOURCES & FURTHER LISTENING

• Harry N. MacLean — In Broad Daylight
• FBI historical case summaries
• Missouri State Highway Patrol archives
• A&E City Confidential episode on Skidmore
• Newspaper archives from the Kansas City Star and St. Joseph News-Press
• The Breaking Point of a Town - Website - timeline

Missouri Mayhem - In this episode, we explore the fascinating myth surrounding Missouri politician David Rice Atchison, who allegedly served as U.S. President for a single day in 1849. We dive into the historical context of mid-19th century America, the political chaos of 1849, and the truth behind this intriguing legend—plus, what it reveals about history, myth, and power.

EXPANDED REFERENCES

• U.S. Senate Historical Office – No, David Rice Atchison Was Not President for a Day
• Snopes – Was David Rice Atchison President for One Day?
• Shapell Manuscript Foundation – Atchison correspondence
• Missouri Life Magazine – March 4, 1849
• Library of Congress – Presidential Inaugurations
• National Archives – Presidential Succession History
• University of Missouri Special Collections

Missouri Mayhem - Join us as we explore the extraordinary life of Wild Bill Hickok — from his early days in Illinois to legendary gunfights in Kansas and South Dakota. Discover the stories behind his rise to fame, his notorious duel, and the mysterious circumstances of his death.

Primary Sources & Historical Records

• Greene County Circuit Court Records: The original 1865 court proceedings for State of Missouri vs. William Hickok and the coroner's inquest report for Davis Tutt are preserved at the Greene County Archives. These documents include eyewitness testimonies and jury instructions.
• Harper’s New Monthly Magazine(1867): George Ward Nichols’ article, "Wild Bill," was the first major account of the duel. While highly sensationalized, it transformed Hickok into a national legend.
• Missouri Weekly Patriot(July 27, 1865): One of the first local newspaper reports published just six days after the shooting.
• History of Greene County, Missouri(1883): An early regional history by the Western Historical Company that details the killing of "David" Tutt.