Digest

This episode of Weird Darkness delves into the intriguing world of cryptids, mermaids, and true camping encounters. It begins with a humorous political ad for a cryptid party, featuring Bigfoot and Mothman as presidential candidates. The ad promotes the idea of cryptids staying hidden and minding their own business, contrasting with the promises of human politicians. The episode then explores the human fascination with hidden objects and its connection to the allure of cryptids like Bigfoot. It also promotes the book "Your Bigfoot Expedition," which features paintings with hidden Sasquatch figures. The episode continues with a discussion of the London Necropolis Railway, a railway built in the 19th century to transport bodies and mourners to a large cemetery outside of London. It explores the railway's origins, its operation, and its eventual closure due to the rise of motorized transport and wartime damage. The episode then delves into the history and lore of mermaids, examining their portrayal across cultures and throughout history. It discusses their origins in Assyrian mythology, their role in Greek legends, and their depiction in medieval art and literature. The episode also tells the story of country singer Johnny Horton, who had a premonition of his own death in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. It details his career, his premonition, and the tragic accident that fulfilled his prediction. The episode then recounts the story of a man who impersonated Johnny Horton's son and performed at a tavern in Spokane, Washington. It describes the encounter with Horton's widow, Billie Jean, who flew in to confront the imposter, and the eventual exposure of the fraud. Finally, the episode shares true stories of campers who encountered strange creatures and ghosts while camping in the wilderness. It includes accounts of a glowing white creature, a humanoid creature walking on water, and a silver-glowing apparition.

Outlines

00:00:00

Cryptid Party Presidential Campaign and Hidden Objects

This segment features a humorous political ad for a cryptid party with Bigfoot and Mothman as presidential candidates. It promotes the idea of cryptids staying hidden and minding their own business, contrasting with the promises of human politicians. It also discusses the human fascination with hidden objects and how it relates to the allure of cryptids like Bigfoot, promoting the book "Your Bigfoot Expedition."

00:03:23

Introduction, Episode Overview, and London Necropolis Railway

This segment introduces the Weird Darkness podcast and outlines the topics covered in the episode, including mermaids, the story of country singer Johnny Horton, and true stories of campers encountering strange creatures and ghosts. It then delves into the history of the London Necropolis Railway, a railway built in the 19th century to transport bodies and mourners to a large cemetery outside of London. It discusses the railway's origins, its operation, and its eventual closure due to the rise of motorized transport and wartime damage.

00:16:10

Mermaids, Johnny Horton's Premonition, and The Johnny Horton Impersonator

This segment explores the history and lore of mermaids, examining their portrayal across cultures and throughout history. It discusses their origins in Assyrian mythology, their role in Greek legends, and their depiction in medieval art and literature. It then tells the story of country singer Johnny Horton, who had a premonition of his own death in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. It details his career, his premonition, and the tragic accident that fulfilled his prediction. The segment concludes with the story of a man who impersonated Johnny Horton's son and performed at a tavern in Spokane, Washington, describing the encounter with Horton's widow and the exposure of the fraud.

00:40:59

True Camping Encounters

This segment shares true stories of campers who encountered strange creatures and ghosts while camping in the wilderness. It includes accounts of a glowing white creature, a humanoid creature walking on water, and a silver-glowing apparition.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the Cryptid Party and who are their presidential candidates?

  The Cryptid Party is a humorous political party with Bigfoot and Mothman as their presidential candidates. They advocate for cryptids staying hidden and minding their own business.

• What is the London Necropolis Railway and why was it built?

  The London Necropolis Railway was a railway built in the 19th century to transport bodies and mourners to a large cemetery outside of London. It was built to address overcrowding in London's existing graveyards and cemeteries.

• What are some common themes in mermaid folklore?

  Mermaids are often portrayed as beautiful women who either try to lure men to their death or fall in love with them. They are sometimes associated with magic and can walk on land, but there are usually caveats to this ability.

• What was Johnny Horton's premonition and how did it come true?

  Johnny Horton had a premonition that he would die in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. He even practiced scenarios to avoid such an accident, but tragically, his premonition came true when he was killed in a head-on collision with a drunk driver.

• What are some of the strange creatures and ghosts that campers have encountered?

  Campers have reported seeing a glowing white creature, a humanoid creature walking on water, a silver-glowing apparition, and a dark figure with a distorted face floating over a sleeping person.

Show Notes