A woman’s death. A city's fear. A mystery that refused to be forgotten.

This May, join me for Southern Mysteries Serial: Mystery on Montford Avenue — a four-part exploration of a mystery that gripped Asheville nearly a century ago.

All episodes drop May 12th.

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The American circus promised wonder and spectacle—but behind the big top was a hidden world of danger, tragedy, and loss. In this episode, we explore the dark history of the circus, from deadly train wrecks and animal attacks to the mysterious death of aerialist Eva Clark. Discover the true stories of Clyde Beatty’s near-fatal encounter with lions and tigers, the public executions of elephants Mary and Black Diamond, and how their legacies changed the circus forever.

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Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

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Website: southernmysteries.com Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast Instagram: @southernmysteries Email: southernmysteriespodcast@gmail.com

Episode Sources

• "Elephant Parade Erwin 2018." Elephant Parade. https://www.elephantparade.com/parades/erwin-2018
• "From the Circus Train Wreck to the Man o’ War: History of the Railroad in Columbus (Part 3 of 3)." Historic Columbus. https://www.historiccolumbus.com/post/from-the-circus-train-wreck-to-the-man-o-war-history-of-the-railroad-in-columbus-part-3-of-3
• "Mary the Elephant Hanging: 100 Years Later." WBIR-TV Knoxville. https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/mary-the-elephant-hanging-100-years-later/51-ee92f081-718d-4da6-bb6d-8be8dbe2b8b6
• The Tennessean, via Newspapers.com. Image of article on Black Diamond the elephant. https://www.newspapers.com/image/385756327/?match=1&terms=black%20diamond%20elephant
• The Daily Times (Maryville, Tennessee), via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/898209095/
• "Clyde Beatty." Circuses and Sideshows. https://www.circusesandsideshows.com/owners/clydebeatty.html
• "Elephant Hotel Historical Marker." Explore PA History. https://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-1DB
• Wikipedia contributors. Various entries on Mary the Elephant, Black Diamond, and circus history. Wikipedia. https://www.wikipedia.org
• "Execution of Mary the Elephant." WHSV-TV. https://www.whsv.com
• Aine Norris. Circus history articles. AineNorris.info. https://www.ainenorris.info

Episode Music

Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina

In 1942, the state of Louisiana executed a woman in the electric chair for the first and only time in its history. She was young, beautiful, and utterly devoted to the man she loved, a Texas outlaw. Toni Jo Henry was willing to do anything to free him from prison which led her down a dark path…the cold-blooded killing of an innocent man. Toni Jo claimed her accomplice pulled the trigger. He said she did. Was Toni Jo Henry a ruthless killer, or a woman trapped by her tragic past and her devotion to the wrong man?

Want more Southern Mysteries?

Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries

Connect

Website: southernmysteries.com Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast Instagram: @southernmysteries Email: southernmysteriespodcast@gmail.com

Episode Sources

• The Times: Former Shreveport Girl to Face jury for Lake Charles Slaying, March 24, 1940
• The News Star: Toni Jo Henry is denied new trial, May 25, 1942
• The Atlanta Journal: Woman Slayer, Awaiting death in chair, wisecracks over fate, August 4, 1942
• The Town Talk: High Court denies stay of execution for Toni Jo Henry, November 4, 1942
• Shreveport Journal: Toni Jo Henry Executed, November 28, 1942
• Del Rio News Herald: Kin of Toni Jo Henry Claim body for burial, November 30, 1942
• The DeQuincy News: Burks to follow Toni Jo to chair, High Court rules, December 4, 1942
• Greenville News: Trip of Death Ends as Burks electrocuted, March 24, 1943
• State v. Henry, 196 La. 217, 198 So. 910 (La. 1940)
• M. Watt Espy Papers: Documentation for the execution of Harold Burks, Toni Henry, 1943-03-23
• Harold Burks executed on 1943-03-23 in Louisiana (LA); Toni Henry executed on 1942-11-28 in Louisiana (LA)
• Find A Grave: Joseph Prince “Joe” Calloway
• Find A Grave: Claude David “Cowboy” Henry
• Find A Grave: Toni Jo Henry/Annie Beatrice McQuiston
• Nola Mae Ross: Crimes of the Past in South Louisiana, 2004

Episode Music

Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.