River City Mystery - Investigating mysteries in southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky Podcast Por Matt Deig arte de portada

River City Mystery - Investigating mysteries in southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky

River City Mystery - Investigating mysteries in southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky

De: Matt Deig
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Investigating the mysteries of southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky.

Copyright © River City Mystery 2026. All Rights Reserved. Biografías y Memorias Ciencias Sociales Crímenes Reales
Episodios
  • The Timber Lake Murder: Who Killed Arthur Denton?

    The Timber Lake Murder: Who Killed Arthur Denton?
    Jan 9 2026

    In the early morning hours of August 18, 1991, police are called to a quiet home on Middle Mount Vernon Road near Timber Lake in Posey County, Indiana. Inside, they find retired attorney Arthur Denton dead. His wife, Wilma "Doodle" Denton, claims she spent two hours bound to a chair in the basement, unable to help as her husband was murdered upstairs.

    But almost immediately, questions surface.

    In this episode, we dig into the Timber Lake murder; it's a case filled with contradictions, strange behavior, and a timeline that doesn’t quite add up. From Wilma Denton’s chilling account of that night to the physical evidence (or lack of it) found inside the home, investigators are left trying to determine whether this was a tragic home invasion… or something far more sinister.

    As the investigation unfolds, theories collide, relationships are scrutinized, and the line between victim and suspect begins to blur.

    More than three decades later, the murder of Arthur Denton still raises unsettling questions. Who killed him...and why?

    Episode Summary & Timestamps

    • [00:00:00] The Routine of Arthur Denton An introduction to Arthur Denton—a man of absolute habit, a former deputy prosecutor, and a fixture of the Evansville legal community for over 50 years.

    • [00:02:15] The Breaking of the Pattern The sudden passing of Arthur's first wife, Eunice, in 1990 and the swift, unexpected marriage to his housekeeper, Wilma "Doodles" Scales, just months later.

    • [00:05:45] The Move to Middle Mount Vernon Road Detailing the relocation to a secluded Posey County home and the significant change to Arthur's will, naming Wilma the sole heir to his $317,000 estate.

    • [00:09:12] The Night of August 18, 1991 A breakdown of the crime scene and Wilma's account: a man in a ski mask, two hours of being bound to a chair in the basement, and the discovery of Arthur's body.

    • [00:12:30] The Investigation’s Oddities The mystery of the silent guard dogs, the unconfirmed missing cash, and the missing murder weapon that complicated the Indiana State Police's efforts.

    • [00:15:00] The Glove Box Discovery The revelation of a $15,000 check found in Wilma's car, which handwriting experts later identified as a "simulated forgery."

    • [00:17:45] The Legal Stalemate The 1992 grand jury, the suicide of Wilma’s brother, and the successful legal battle to prevent Wilma from having to provide a handwriting sample.

    • [00:19:15] Closing: A Legacy Without Justice A final look at the cold trail, Arthur’s enduring memory among his peers, and a call for anyone with information to come forward.

    Join the River City Mystery Discord server to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
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    17 m
  • The Burrows Cave Mystery

    The Burrows Cave Mystery
    Dec 8 2025
    In this episode, Matt takes a closer look at one of southern Illinois’ most unusual stories: the mystery of Burrows Cave near Olney, Illinois. Retired Army officer and experienced caver Russell E. Burrows claimed he stumbled onto an underground chamber packed with carved stones, gold artifacts, and signs that ancient Old World travelers may have reached North America long before Columbus. Matt walks through Burrows’ impressive military background, the details of what he said he found, and why most archaeologists remain convinced the whole thing was a hoax. But not everyone is ready to dismiss it. Some researchers — including Book of Mormon Heartland investigator Brian Nettles — believe the artifacts deserve another look and might even be genuine. Is Burrows' Cave the ultimate secret history of the world, or one of the greatest hoaxes in American archaeology? This episode dives into the life of the man behind the story, the controversial evidence he brought out of the cave, and the enduring questions that keep this mystery unsolved. Episode Highlights & Timestamps [00:01] The Hook: The Man Who Fell into History [00:01] Introduction of Russell Burrows: a highly decorated Korean War veteran and experienced caver. [00:28] The moment he stepped on a flat slab of rock and the ground dropped out from under him. [00:41] How Burrows used his combat instinct to survive the collapse of the man-made trap. [01:03] The carvings and the massive, ancient-looking stone face that suggested he had found an "entryway into something far bigger." [02:16] Welcome & Update on Zachary Carey's case [02:16] Welcome to River City Mystery and invitation to the Discord server. [03:00] Case Update: The tragic conclusion to the Zachary Carey disappearance (disappeared May 2023). [03:32] Confirmation of Zachary's remains being found near Lynville, Indiana, and information on the GoFundMe link for final expenses. [03:58] The Man Behind the Story: Russell Burrows [04:06] Why understanding Russell Burrows' credibility is essential to the story. [04:30] His military background: Born 1935, enlisted in the Army, received a battlefield commission in the Korean War. [04:47] His awards: Two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, a Legion of Merit, and Two Purple Hearts. [04:55] His academic interest: He attended West Virginia University and majored in archaeology. [05:18] He resigned his commission as a full Colonel (O-6) in 1963. [05:39] Update on his health: Burrows suffered a stroke a few years ago that affects his memory. [06:09] His steadfast conviction: He has never, not once, backed down from his story. [06:39] The Discovery and Artifact Claims [06:45] A quick aside: Olney, Illinois is famous for its rare population of albino squirrels. [07:19] What he claimed to find: A vast, man-made chamber containing sarcophagi, gold, bronze, and copper weapons, and thousands of carved stone tablets. [07:37] The historical claim: Evidence of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern peoples in North America centuries before Columbus. [07:59] The book that launched the legend: The Mystery Cave of Many Faces by Burrows and Fred Rydholm. [08:37] The book is out of print, but a free version is linked in the show notes. [09:00] The Evidence: The Controversial Stones [09:00] The core problem: The cave location is unverified, making the artifacts the only tangible evidence. [09:18] The mix of scripts: The stones feature Egyptian-like hieroglyphs, ancient Greek characters, Phoenician symbols, and more. [09:50] The believers' argument: The "hodgepodge" makes sense if the group was a multicultural blend of travelers. [10:19] The skeptics' counter: The mix of styles suggests a confused forgery. [10:35] The supporters' response: The difference in quality is due to trained scribes vs. illiterate soldiers making the carvings. [11:15] The Controversy and Hoax Theory Problems [11:15] The dealbreaker for mainstream archaeology: Burrows never allowed independent experts to document or verify the location. [12:03] Problems with the hoax theory: No financial motive (he never made millions). [12:30] His consistency: Burrows stuck to the same story for 40 years. [12:50] The decorated veteran does not fit the profile of a typical con artist. [13:15] Artifact Patina: Some experts claim the aging and patina on certain artifacts are difficult to fake. [13:42] Interview with Russell Burrows [13:42] Introduction to Brian Nettles, who conducted the interview, and his work comparing Burrows' Cave artifacts to the Michigan artifacts (1910). [15:08] INTERVIEW CLIP BEGINS (Brian Nettles introduces himself and his research interests). [16:05] Russell Burrows introduces himself: "I had the misfortune of finding a cave back in 1982..." [16:47] Burrows confirms his recent stroke and the effect on his memory; he advises listeners to "go with the book." [17:41] Burrows confirms he found the cave and believes the artifacts are ancient (approx. 2,000 years old)...
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    22 m
  • Wildman Joe

    Wildman Joe
    Apr 21 2025

    The incredible true story of "Wildman Joe," an African American man whose life journey, from slavery through a steamboat disaster and years as a ragman, led to a controversial career in sideshows. This episode traces the lives of Joe Rettig and showman Jeremiah "Doc" Kahler, detailing their meeting in Evansville, Indiana, and the creation of the "Wildman Joe" act.

    Key Moments:

    • Introduction to Wildman Joe's Story: The episode begins by introducing the enigmatic figure of Wildman Joe and hinting at the untold stories from Evansville's past. (Approximate timestamp: 00:00:16)
    • Joe Rettig's Early Life in Slavery: Learn about Joe's birth into slavery in North Carolina and the harsh realities he faced before the Civil War brought the promise of freedom. (Approximate timestamp: 00:00:16)
    • The Steamboat Accident: Discover Joe's transition to working on steamboats after the war and the horrific boiler explosion that left him permanently scarred. (Approximate timestamp: 00:00:44)
    • Evansville's Ragman: Follow Joe's return to Evansville and his difficult life on the margins, sifting through the city's refuse. (Approximate timestamp: 00:01:03)
    • Enter Jeremiah "Ol' Doc" Kahler: The narrative shifts to the colorful life of "Ol' Doc" Kahler, a former St. Louis saloon keeper with a penchant for the peculiar, who would become a traveling showman. (Approximate timestamp: 00:02:44)
    • Ol' Doc Kahler's Famous Flea Circus: Hear the fascinating and almost unbelievable tale of Kahler's renowned trained flea circus. (Approximate timestamp: 00:03:46)
    • Legal Troubles and a Flea-Filled Courtroom: Learn about Kahler's brushes with the law, including a unique court appearance involving his performing fleas. (Approximate timestamp: 00:03:04)
    • The Demise of the Flea Circus: The episode recounts the sudden and tragic end of Doc Kahler's prize-winning flea troupe. (Approximate timestamp: 00:05:22)
    • Two Worlds Converge in Evansville: The two vastly different lives converge as Doc Kahler encounters Joe Rettig in Evansville and sees an opportunity for a new sideshow act. (Approximate timestamp: 00:08:07)
    • The Creation of "Wildman Joe": Explore the transformation of Joe Rettig into the sideshow persona of "Wildman Joe," and the fabricated narrative created around him. (Approximate timestamp: 00:09:08)
    • Life as a Sideshow Performer: Discover how joining the circus changed the course of Joe's life, providing him with a livelihood and the chance to travel. (Approximate timestamp: 00:11:00)
    • Performance and Exploitation: The episode details the nature of Wildman Joe's act, highlighting the elements of performance, fear, and the exploitation of Joe's physical appearance. (Approximate timestamp: 00:09:08)
    • Traveling with the Circus: Learn about Joe's travels with various circuses, including performances for large audiences and even internationally. (Approximate timestamp: 00:11:35)
    • A Story of Resilience: The episode concludes by reflecting on Joe Rettig's incredible resilience and his ability to endure immense hardship and find a way to survive against all odds. (Approximate timestamp: 00:12:11)

    Show notes: https://www.rivercitymystery.com/20

    Join the River City Mystery Discord server to meet others from the tri-state area who are into true crime and the paranormal. https://www.rivercitymystery.com/discord
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    14 m
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