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Southern Mysteries Podcast

Southern Mysteries Podcast

By: Shannon Ballard
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Unearthing the forgotten, the mysterious, and the legendary—one Southern story at a time. Hosted by Shannon Ballard, Southern Mysteries explores the rich and often untold history of the American South through a captivating mix of folklore, legends, unexplained mysteries, and true crime. Each episode uncovers a compelling tale from a Southern state, blending history with intrigue to reveal the fascinating stories that time left behind. While some episodes delve into chilling crimes, others spotlight legendary figures, ghostly lore, or baffling events.Sometimes the mystery is: why haven’t you heard the story?Copyright 2017 . All rights reserved. Social Sciences True Crime World
Episodes
  • Episode 168 The Breckenridge-Pollard Scandal of 1894
    Jul 21 2025

    In spring 1894, a courtroom became the stage for a scandal that gripped the nation. Kentucky Congressman William Breckinridge faced a lawsuit from Madeline Pollard, who claimed he promised to marry her after nearly ten years together, then broke that promise. The trial exposed a hidden affair, secret meetings, and disputed truths between a rising politician and a woman left behind. The scandal captivated newspapers, packed courtrooms, and reshaped public opinion about one of the South’s most prominent figures.

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    Want more Southern Mysteries? You can 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

    🎧 Explore More Southern Mysteries

    Visit SouthernMysteries.com for more episodes and source lists.

    📱 Follow on Social Media:

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

    Episode Sources

    • “Sex, Scandal, and Suffrage in the Gilded Age.” The Historian: A Journal of History, vol. 42, no. 2, Feb. 1980, pp. 225-243. Lexington, Fayette. The Celebrated Case of Col. W. C. P. Breckinridge and Madeline Pollard. Chicago: Current Events Publishing, 1894.
    • Ross, Shelley. Fall from Grace: Sex, Scandal, and Corruption in American Politics from 1702 to the Present. New York: Ballantine Books, 1988.
    • “William Breckinridge Breach of Promise Trial, 1894.” Encyclopedia.com,
    • “Madeline Pollard and the Gilded Age’s #MeToo Moment.” Wednesdays Women,
    • “The Fall of Louise of Breckinridge.” StrangeCo, 13 Apr. 2017,

    Episode Music

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

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    24 mins
  • Episode 167 A Widow's Stand in Georgia - The Story of Amy and Robert Mallard
    Jul 7 2025
    In 1948, Robert Mallard, a Black World War II veteran, was murdered by a white mob in Toombs County, Georgia. His wife, Amy Mallard, witnessed the attack—and instead of arresting the killers, authorities charged her with his murder. Set in the heart of the Jim Crow South, this episode of Southern Mysteries explores the deeply rooted racism that allowed a lynching to go unpunished while a grieving widow was put on trial. Learn how Amy Mallard found the courage to speak out, and how the national outrage that followed became part of the growing civil rights movement. 💌 Join the Community on Patreon: Want more Southern Mysteries? You can 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 🎧 Explore More Southern Mysteries Visit SouthernMysteries.com for more episodes and source lists. 📱 Follow on Social Media: Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast TikTok @southernmysteries Instagram: @southernmysteries Email: southernmysteriespodcast@gmail.com Episode Sources The Mallard Murder Case – New Georgia EncyclopediaAmy Mallard Photo – New Georgia Encyclopedia“Just Another Killing” – TIME Archive (1948)Original TIME Magazine Report (1948)Strange Fruit and Spanish Moss – Blog post on Robert Mallard (2016)The Atlanta Constitution – Nov. 29, 1948The Macon News – Dec. 2, 1948The Atlanta Constitution – Dec. 10, 1948The Macon News – Dec. 11, 1948The Atlanta Journal – Dec. 11, 1948The Macon News – Dec. 13, 1948The Atlanta Constitution – Dec. 14, 1948The Macon News – Dec. 15, 1948The Atlanta Constitution – Jan. 12, 1949The Macon News – Jan. 12, 1949The Atlanta Constitution – Jan. 13, 1949The Atlanta Journal – Jan. 13, 1949The Atlanta Constitution – Jan. 14, 1949The Atlanta Constitution – Jan. 15, 1949The Atlanta Constitution – Jan. 15, 1949 (cont’d)The Atlanta Constitution – Jan. 16, 1949The Atlanta Constitution – Jan. 17, 1949The Atlanta Journal – Jan. 17, 1949The Atlanta Constitution – Jan. 18, 1949The Atlanta Constitution – Jan. 19, 1949 Episode Music Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.
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    25 mins
  • Episode 166 Lady Wonder The Psychic Horse
    Jun 23 2025

    In the 1920s, a Virginia horse named Lady Wonder stunned the public with her supposed psychic powers - spelling out answers, solving crimes, even picking presidents. Was she a telepathic marvel, as Dr. J.B. Rhine believed? Or a clever illusion, as magician John Scarne claimed? Discover the story behind the horse that made America believe.

    💌 Join the Community on Patreon:

    Want more Southern Mysteries? You can 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

    🎧 Explore More Southern Mysteries

    Visit SouthernMysteries.com for more episodes and source lists.

    📱 Follow on Social Media:

    Facebook: Southern Mysteries Podcast TikTok @southernmysteries

    Instagram: @southernmysteries Email: southernmysteriespodcast@gmail.com

    Episode Sources

    • “Meet Lady Wonder, the Psychic Horse Who Appeared Twice in LIFE.” LIFE Magazine retrospective. Life.com
    • “Lady Wonder: The Psychic Horse.” Strange Company Blog by Undine, May 2016. strangeco.blogspot.com
    • Newspaper Archives via Newspapers.com: Roanoke Times, March 1957 – Obituary and public reaction to Lady’s death; The Knoxville News-Sentinel, 1952 – Reports on Lady’s police involvement; Richmond Times-Dispatch, 1948 – Coverage on Lady’s election predictions; Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), feature on John Scarne’s skepticism.
    • Find a Grave Memorial – Claudia Fonda findagrave.com
    • The Story of Beautiful Jim Key by David Hoffman (public domain archive) Internet Archive
    • Jim Key Digital Archive – Missouri State Library Missouri Digital Heritage
    • State Symbols – Missouri Wonder Dog and Related Animal Curiosities sos.mo.gov

    Episode Music

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

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins

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