Digest

This episode of My Favorite Murder delves into two captivating historical true crime stories. The first story revolves around Bell and Charles Cora, a couple who rose to fame and fortune during the California Gold Rush. Bell, a former sex worker, and Charles, a skilled gambler, established a successful gambling parlor and brothel called "New World." Their lavish lifestyle and influence in San Francisco's upper crust eventually led to a fatal encounter with US Marshal William Richardson, resulting in Charles's arrest for murder. Despite Bell's efforts to secure his release, Charles was ultimately hanged by the Committee of Vigilance. The second story takes us to Bradford, England, in 1858, where a batch of tainted candy, laced with arsenic, tragically claimed the lives of 20 people, many of whom were children. The incident, known as the Bradford Sweets Poisoning, highlighted the lack of safety regulations in the food industry at the time and ultimately led to the passage of the Pharmacy Act of 1868, which mandated stricter regulations for the sale of poisons. Both stories serve as chilling reminders of the dangers and complexities of the past, while also highlighting the importance of safety regulations and social justice. The hosts then discuss listener feedback and a listener who works at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, who is currently working on an exhibit about forensic science. The listener shares their experience working on the exhibit and how it relates to the podcast's content. The hosts are impressed by the listener's work and the exhibit's relevance to their audience.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the podcast, Wicked Words, hosted by Kate Winchler Dawson, which features interviews with journalists, podcasters, and filmmakers about their true crime investigations.

00:00:40

My Favorite Murder Intro

This Chapter features the introduction to the My Favorite Murder podcast, with hosts Karen Kilgarif and Georgia Hardstark discussing the confusion surrounding their voices and names.

00:02:39

The World is a Joke

This Chapter explores the hosts' feelings about the current state of the world and media, finding it both frightening and humorous. They discuss the absurdity of political situations and the prevalence of misinformation.

00:04:28

Rewind with Karen and Georgia

This Chapter announces the launch of a new series on the My Favorite Murder podcast called "Rewind with Karen and Georgia," where the hosts revisit their early episodes with commentary and case updates.

00:05:26

Halifax Explosion Listener Feedback

This Chapter features listener feedback about the Halifax Explosion episode, including personal stories and additional information about the event.

00:10:06

Network Highlights

This Chapter highlights other podcasts within the Exactly Right Media network, including new episodes of "I Said No Gifts This Week" with Rachel Dratch, "Lady to Lady" with Jamie Loftus, and "Bananas" with Tess Barker.

00:12:42

Pretty Litter

This Chapter is a sponsored segment for Pretty Litter, a cat litter that traps odors, is ultra-absorbent, and changes color to indicate early signs of illness in cats.

00:13:51

Bell and Charles Cora

This Chapter begins the story of Bell and Charles Cora, a couple who rose to fame and fortune during the California Gold Rush. Bell, a former sex worker, and Charles, a skilled gambler, established a successful gambling parlor and brothel called "New World." Their lavish lifestyle and influence in San Francisco's upper crust eventually led to a fatal encounter with US Marshal William Richardson, resulting in Charles's arrest for murder.

00:50:11

Bradford Sweets Poisoning

This Chapter tells the story of the Bradford Sweets Poisoning, a tragic incident in 1858 where a batch of tainted candy, laced with arsenic, claimed the lives of 20 people, mostly children. The incident highlighted the lack of safety regulations in the food industry at the time and ultimately led to the passage of the Pharmacy Act of 1868, which mandated stricter regulations for the sale of poisons.

01:07:35

Listener Feedback

This Chapter features listener feedback about the podcast, including stories about what listeners are doing while listening to the podcast. The hosts discuss a listener who works at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and is currently working on an exhibit about forensic science.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the topics discussed in this episode of My Favorite Murder?

  This episode of My Favorite Murder covers two historical true crime stories: the story of Bell and Charles Cora, a couple who rose to fame and fortune during the California Gold Rush, and the Bradford Sweets Poisoning, a tragic incident in 1858 where a batch of tainted candy, laced with arsenic, claimed the lives of 20 people, mostly children. The hosts also discuss listener feedback and a listener who works at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, who is currently working on an exhibit about forensic science.

• What is the listener's job at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History?

  The listener is a Mount Maker, which means they design, fabricate, and install mounts, supports, and armatures for artifacts. They are currently working on an exhibit about forensic science.

• What is the exhibit about forensic science at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History?

  The exhibit explores historical case studies and displays objects related to forensic investigations of murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping. It includes objects and information related to some of the stories covered on My Favorite Murder.

• What is the significance of the listener's work on the forensic science exhibit?

  The listener's work on the exhibit is significant because it connects the podcast's content to a real-world museum exhibit. It also highlights the importance of forensic science in understanding and investigating crimes.

Show Notes