The Starving Time | Cannibalism in Jamestown

The Starving Time | Cannibalism in Jamestown

In 1609, the first permanent English settlement in America faced a nightmare no one could have predicted. During the brutal winter known as Jamestown’s Starving Time, disease, famine, conflict, and isolation pushed the colony to the edge of collapse. For centuries, historians debated the stories that emerged from Jamestown — stories of settlers resorting to cannibalism to survive. Were these accounts exaggerated, or was there evidence behind them? More than 400 years later, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a teenage girl inside the original Jamestown fort. They named her Jane. Through forensic investigation, the markings on her bones revealed a heartbreaking story of survival, desperation, and one of the darkest moments in early American history. But this is more than a story about cannibalism. It is a story about what happens when people are pushed beyond their limits — and how, centuries later, a handful of bones can bring a forgotten life back into the light. This is the story of Jane. Content warning: This episode discusses starvation, death, and survival cannibalism. Sources & Further Reading * PBS — Secrets of the Dead: Jamestown’s Dark Winter * Howard A. Snyder Jesus and Pocahontas: Gospel, Mission, and National Myth. Chapter Four. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1cg4mj0 * National Park Service — “A Short History of Jamestown” https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/a-short-history-of-jamestown.htm [https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/a-short-history-of-jamestown.htm] * Colonial Williamsburg Foundation — “Jamestown Side” https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/journal/Winter07/jamestownSide.cfm [https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/journal/Winter07/jamestownSide.cfm] * Historic Jamestowne Archaeology — “Jane” https://historicjamestowne.org/archaeology/jane/ [https://historicjamestowne.org/archaeology/jane/] * Smithsonian Magazine — “Starving Settlers in Jamestown Colony Resorted to Cannibalism” https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/starving-settlers-in-jamestown-colony-resorted-to-cannibalism-46000815/ [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/starving-settlers-in-jamestown-colony-resorted-to-cannibalism-46000815/] * History.com — “Evidence of Cannibalism Found at Jamestown” https://www.history.com/articles/evidence-of-cannibalism-found-at-jamestown [https://www.history.com/articles/evidence-of-cannibalism-found-at-jamestown]

The Tragic Life of Mary Todd Lincoln

Mary Todd Lincoln: The Untold Story of Abraham Lincoln’s Wife Most people know the story of Abraham Lincoln — the president who led America through the Civil War, preserved the Union, and ended slavery. But behind one of America’s most famous leaders was a woman whose own life was filled with ambition, tragedy, controversy, and unimaginable loss. In this episode,  we explore the fascinating and often misunderstood life of Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of Abraham Lincoln and one of the most controversial First Ladies in American history. as Mary Todd Lincoln misunderstood by the public? Was she a complicated woman shaped by extraordinary circumstances? Or was there more behind the rumors and scandals that followed her? This episode explores the true story of Mary Todd Lincoln — her marriage to Abraham Lincoln, her role as First Lady during the Civil War, her struggles after Lincoln’s death, and the legacy she left behind. Topics covered: *  Mary Todd Lincoln biography  *  Abraham Lincoln’s wife and family life  *  First Ladies of the United States  *  The Civil War era  *  Abraham Lincoln assassination *  Historical women *  Untold stories from American history * 19th century mental health Sources & Further Reading This episode was created using the following historical sources and research materials: *  Friends of the Lincoln Collection — “Robert Lincoln Writes About the End of His Mother’s Estrangement” https://www.friendsofthelincolncollection.org/lincoln-lore/robert-lincoln-writes-about-the-end-of-his-mothers-estrangement/ [https://www.friendsofthelincolncollection.org/lincoln-lore/robert-lincoln-writes-about-the-end-of-his-mothers-estrangement/] *  Feather Foster Schwartz — “Mary Lincoln’s Old Clothes” https://featherschwartzfoster.blog/2016/01/05/mary-lincolns-old-clothes/ [https://featherschwartzfoster.blog/2016/01/05/mary-lincolns-old-clothes/] *  The White House Historical Association — “Mary Lincoln” https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/mary-lincoln [https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/mary-lincoln] *  CivilWarTalk — “A Tuesday Tea: Goes Shopping With Mary Todd Lincoln” https://civilwartalk.com/threads/a-tuesday-tea-goes-shopping-with-mary-todd-lincoln.204742/ [https://civilwartalk.com/threads/a-tuesday-tea-goes-shopping-with-mary-todd-lincoln.204742/] *  Mary Todd Lincoln House — “Widowhood & Insanity Trial” https://www.mtlhouse.org/widowhood-insanity-trial [https://www.mtlhouse.org/widowhood-insanity-trial] *  Mary Todd Lincoln House — “The White House Years” https://www.mtlhouse.org/the-white-house-years [https://www.mtlhouse.org/the-white-house-years] * “True Womanhood” and Perfect Madness: The Sanity Trial of Mary Todd Lincoln In The Crimes of Womanhood: Defining Femininity in a Court of Law (2009), pp. 69–84 JSTOR https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/j.ctt1xcq1z.8?seq=1 [https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/j.ctt1xcq1z.8?seq=1]

Typhoid Mary | The Woman Behind the Nickname

Who was Typhoid Mary? Most people know the nickname, but few know the woman behind it. Mary Mallon, better known as Typhoid Mary, was an Irish immigrant and cook living in New York City in the early 1900s. Without ever becoming sick herself, she unknowingly spread typhoid fever to dozens of people, making her the first widely identified asymptomatic carrier of the disease in the United States. Public health officials eventually tracked her down, forcibly quarantined her on North Brother Island, and confined her for nearly three decades without ever convicting her of a crime. But was Mary Mallon a reckless danger to society, or was she a victim of fear, prejudice, and an emerging public health system that hadn't yet learned how to balance individual liberty with public safety? In this episode, we separate the myths from the facts and explore one of the most controversial medical and legal cases in American history. From the science of typhoid fever to Mary's life before she became "Typhoid Mary," this is the complete story behind one of history's most misunderstood women. In this episode you'll learn: • Who Mary Mallon really was  • How typhoid fever spreads  • What an asymptomatic carrier is  • Why Mary was quarantined on North Brother Island  • Whether her confinement was legally justified If you enjoy history, true crime, medical history, or forgotten stories, or fascinating history, follow the podcast for new episodes every week. Sources: Typhoid Mary by Anthony Bourdain National Museum of Health and Medicine – “Typhoid Mary / Mary Mallon: An Asymptomatic Carrier of Salmonella typhi” https://medicalmuseum.health.mil/micrograph/index.cfm/posts/2020/typhoid_mary_mary_mallon_salmonella [https://medicalmuseum.health.mil/micrograph/index.cfm/posts/2020/typhoid_mary_mary_mallon_salmonella] BBC News – “Typhoid Mary: The woman who became a symbol of disease and stigma”  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52291327 [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52291327] PubMed Central (PMC) – “Mary Mallon (1869–1938) and the history of typhoid fever”  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3959940/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3959940/] Cleveland Clinic – “Typhoid Fever: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment”  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17730-typhoid-fever [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17730-typhoid-fever] New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) – “Typhoid Fever”  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra020201 [https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra020201?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

[Listener Suggestion] The Escape from Alcatraz (1962)

American criminal history began on a cold June night in 1962. Three inmates disappeared from the most secure prison in America, leaving behind lifelike dummy heads and a mystery that continues to fascinate investigators, historians, and true crime enthusiasts decades later. In this episode, we explore the incredible story behind the 1962 Alcatraz escape, the meticulous planning that allowed the prisoners to break free, and the unanswered question that still sparks debate today: Did the Alcatraz escapees survive? Topics Covered: ✔️ 1962 Alcatraz escape story  ✔️ Alcatraz prison break explained  ✔️ Frank Morris escape plan  ✔️ Alcatraz escape evidence and theories  ✔️ FBI Alcatraz investigation For more than sixty years, the disappearance of Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers has remained one of America’s greatest mysteries. Whether they drowned in the frigid waters or successfully escaped to freedom, their story continues to captivate audiences around the world. 🎙️ If you enjoy true crime, historical mysteries, unsolved cases, and remarkable stories from American history, this episode is for you. Sources & Further Reading • Federal Bureau of Prisons. "Alcatraz." Bureau of Prisons History. https://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsp [https://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsp] • Federal Bureau of Investigation. "Alcatraz Escape." https://www.fbi.gov/history/cases-and-criminals/alcatraz-escape [https://www.fbi.gov/history/cases-and-criminals/alcatraz-escape] • National Parks Conservation Association. "A Genius, Two Brothers, and Fake Heads: The Escape from Alcatraz." https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/genius-two-brothers-and-fake-heads [https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/genius-two-brothers-and-fake-heads] • BBC Culture. "The Men Who Broke Out of Alcatraz with a Spoon." https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240607-it-was-the-cleverest-escape-in-the-prisons-30-years-the-men-who-broke-out-of-alcatraz-with-a-spoon [https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240607-it-was-the-cleverest-escape-in-the-prisons-30-years-the-men-who-broke-out-of-alcatraz-with-a-spoon] • CBS News. "Scientists Offer New Theory Behind the 1962 Alcatraz Prison Break." https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scientists-new-theory-behind-1962-alcatraz-prison-break/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scientists-new-theory-behind-1962-alcatraz-prison-break/] • BBC News. "Alcatraz Escape: FBI Letter Renews Mystery." https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42826582 [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42826582] • SFGATE. "Does This Photo Prove the Most Famous Alcatraz Escapees Survived?" https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Does-this-photo-prove-the-most-famous-Alcatraz-6568415.php [https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Does-this-photo-prove-the-most-famous-Alcatraz-6568415.php]

St. Mary’s Orphanage and the Great Storm

What Happened to St. Mary’s Orphanage? In this episode, we tell the heartbreaking true story of St. Mary’s Orphanage during the 1900 Galveston Hurricane, the deadliest natural disaster in American history. As a powerful hurricane approached the Texas coast on September 8, 1900, few residents understood the scale of the catastrophe that was about to unfold. By the time the storm reached Galveston Island, thousands of lives would be lost and an entire city would be devastated. Among the most tragic stories was that of St. Mary’s Orphanage, where the Sisters of Charity and dozens of children faced impossible circumstances as floodwaters rose around them. What Was the 1900 Galveston Hurricane? The 1900 Galveston Hurricane remains the deadliest hurricane in United States history. With storm surge flooding, destructive winds, and little warning, the storm destroyed much of Galveston and killed an estimated 6,000 to 12,000 people. This Episode Covers * The 1900 Galveston Hurricane * The deadliest hurricane in U.S. history * St. Mary’s Orphanage * The children of the orphanage * Acts of courage during the storm * The aftermath of the disaster * The legacy of the Great Galveston Hurricane Key Takeaways * The 1900 Galveston Hurricane was the deadliest natural disaster in American history. * Thousands of people lost their lives during the storm. * St. Mary’s Orphanage became the site of one of the disaster’s most tragic stories. * The Sisters fought to protect the children in their care. * Storm surge flooding caused widespread destruction across Galveston Island. * The hurricane transformed disaster preparedness in the United States. * The tragedy remains one of the most remembered events in Texas history. * The story highlights extraordinary courage during a natural disaster Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of a mass casualty event, including the deaths of children. Sources: * NOAA National Weather Service Heritage. Isaac Monroe Cline: The Cyclone Pioneer https://vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heritage/-/isaac-monroe-cline-the-cyclone-pioneer [https://vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heritage/-/isaac-monroe-cline-the-cyclone-pioneer] *  History.com Editors. 1900 Galveston Hurricane https://www.history.com/articles/1900-galveston-hurricane [https://www.history.com/articles/1900-galveston-hurricane] *  Galveston Historical Foundation. Storm FAQs https://www.galvestonhistorycenter.org/research/storm-faqs [https://www.galvestonhistorycenter.org/research/storm-faqs] *  Gilder Lehrman Institute. One of Those Monstrosities of Nature: The Galveston Storm of 1900 https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/essays/one-those-monstrosities-nature-galveston-storm-1900 [https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/essays/one-those-monstrosities-nature-galveston-storm-1900] *  1900Storm.com. The Orphanage Story https://www.1900storm.com/orphanage.html [https://www.1900storm.com/orphanage.html] *  Medium. 90 Orphans Sang This Catholic Hymn… https://musettedc.medium.com/90-orphans-sang-this-catholic-mariners-hymn-before-drowning-in-america-s-worst-natural-disaster-c97ac6308327 [https://musettedc.medium.com/90-orphans-sang-this-catholic-mariners-hymn-before-drowning-in-america-s-worst-natural-disaster-c97ac6308327] *  Tampa Bay Times Archive. Without Warning https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/05/28/without-warning/ [https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/05/28/without-warning/]