Curious Cousins OK Podcast

Curious Cousins OK

Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/curious-cousins-ok-podcast/subscribe All things Kooky and Spooky in the Sooner (or Cowboy) state! Native Oklahomans and cousins, Jess and Tiff, explore all the dark history, paranormal, and true crime in their home state. read less
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Episodes

Ep 85 The Constantine & Poncan Theatres
2d ago
Ep 85 The Constantine & Poncan Theatres
Two of Oklahoma’s most notable and earliest theaters are The Constantine Theater and The Poncan Theatre. Both were early halls for entertainment in Oklahoma. As we return from our 2 weeks off, Tiff dives right into the spooky tales of these historic theaters.   The Constantine is found in Pawhuska, and is the second oldest theater in Oklahoma. It traces its history to pre-statehood, as well as, participated in many events such as plays, movies, vaudeville, and even oil lease auctions. Touted as being the “finest opera house in the southwest”, Pawhuska built a facility it could be proud of. Yet, over the years, hard times befell it. Eventually, it became abandoned until the fine folks of Pawhuska decided it needed saving. Almost 40 years later, The Constantine is a venue that once again hosts an array of activities…including the spooky type. From turn of the century actors to former managers and a secret tunnel, The Constantine boasts not only the history, but perhaps, the talent, to make things go BUMP anytime! Just about 45 minutes west is a theater straight out of the roaring 20s! The Poncan Theatre, at its opening in 1927, boasted 1,200 seats! Acts from around the country could be seen there, including Will Rogers, Ethel Barrymore, and more recently, Blake Shelton! Like many theaters of its time, The Poncan experienced its ups and downs. But today, it continues as a working theater, one you can catch a movie on almost every day of the week. But beware, that might not be all that you catch…spirits are said to reach out and let you know that they are nearby. Maybe they just want to share the popcorn?   Sources: Only in Your State KTUL Tulsa’s News Channel 8 Wikipedia: Constantine Theater, Poncan Theatre TravelOK Ponca City Now Oklahoma Haunted Houses: Constantine Theater, Poncan Theatre Poncan Theatre The Constantine Theater Haunted Oklahoma by Jeff Provine
Ep 84 Battle of Honey Springs
May 10 2024
Ep 84 Battle of Honey Springs
The Battle of Honey Springs, fought on July 17, 1863, was a significant event during the American Civil War in Indian Territory, now present-day Oklahoma. Jess takes a look at this historic battle in this week’s history episode. The battle took place on a rural countryside near Checotah and was the largest and most decisive conflict in the region during the war. It marked a key moment in the conflict between Union and Confederate forces in the area. The engagement, lasting four hours, resulted in the Union forces, including Black soldiers from the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment, emerging victorious over the Confederates under Brigadier General Douglas H. Cooper. The aftermath of the Battle of Honey Springs saw significant impacts on the region. The engagement reflected the diverse composition of the soldiers involved, with Black, Native American, Hispanic troops, and enhanced the legacy of the significance of the fight in ending slavery for many. In more recent times, efforts to commemorate and preserve the historic battlefield have culminated in the establishment of the Honey Springs Battlefield Park, including a visitor center with state-of-the-art exhibits detailing the events of the battle. This significant site serves as a reminder of the pivotal role played by the region in the Civil War and its lasting impact on the communities involved. Honey Springs Battlefield Park is opened Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m and located 423159 E 1030 Road in Checotah. Check out their website for more info! Sources: Oklahoma Historical Society Honey Springs Oklahoma Historical Society Cabin Creek  American Battlefield Trust Oklahoma Living Magazine OKC Community College  Visiting Honey Springs Battlefield
Ep 83 Franklin Delano Floyd pt 2
May 3 2024
Ep 83 Franklin Delano Floyd pt 2
This week Tiff wraps up the gruesome and horrific life of crime of one Franklin Delano Floyd. Last week, we left off where Franklin was awaiting trial on a burglary and assault case out of OKC. But what Franklin does while released is the true stuff of nightmares. September 12, 1994 would be a day many students at Indian Meridian Elementary School in Choctaw remember to this day. That is the day that Floyd waltzed into the school and kidnapped, not only the school principal, James Davis, but also Floyd’s “son” Anthony Michael Hughes. Even though Principal Davis would be found alive, Michael would never be seen, dead or alive, again. You read that right…Michael has never been found.  But that is only the tip of this episode’s iceberg. When the truck Floyd stole from Principal Davis that day in September is auctioned off, authorities receive a very peculiar phone call…It seems Floyd abandoned the truck without cleaning out some pretty convincing evidence. Meanwhile, while unusual and disturbing photos are being investigated in Kansas and Oklahoma, the skeletal remains of Cheryl Ann Commesso were discovered on the side of a highway in Florida. What could these two stories possibly have in common, you ask? Commesso was a known coworker and friend of Floyd’s deceased wife and Michael’s mother, Tonya Hughes…aka Sharon Marshall…aka Suzanne Sevakis.  As this knot of lies, abuse, crime, and evasion from police starts to unravel so does the truth behind just who Tonya is, and how depraved Franklin was.  Listener Discretion is advised. This is part 2 of a 2 parter over Franklin Delano Floyd.  Sources: Wikipedia Murderpedia Official Website of the FBI Netflix’s “Girl in the Picture” The Ledger
Ep 79 Tracey Nielson
Apr 5 2024
Ep 79 Tracey Nielson
Most 21st birthdays are celebrated with fun filled evenings of pub crawls and fun times. At 21, most of us were more worried about where everyone was going Thursday night. No one plans for their 21st birthday to be their last birthday. But for one coed, that’s exactly what it was. Tracey Diane Neilson, born on January 5, 1960, was a woman known for her vibrant personality. She excelled in academics and sports, and exhibited a passion for life. She went on to join Pi Beta Phi Sorority at Oklahoma State University, where she met her future husband, Jeff Neilson, a pre-med student. They married in July 1980, and moved to Moore so Jeff could attend medical school; Tracey transferred to the University of Oklahoma. In the newlyweds’ apartment, on her 21st birthday, January 5, 1981, Tracey was found horrifically stabbed over 20 times. Despite extensive investigations by authorities, including a task force and technological advancements years later, her killer and motive remained elusive. Details emerged about YEARS LATER, but no conclusive leads were generated. Jeff Neilson and Tracey's family continued to seek closure, offering various rewards over the years for any information leading to the apprehension of her murderer.  Jess’ case this week is an unsolved, cold case. For any information regarding Tracey Neilson's murder, contact the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation at 800-522-8017 or email tips@osbi.ok.gov. Sources: https://oklahomacoldcases.org/tracey-neilson/ https://www.koco.com/article/sister-osbi-continue-to-have-hope-in-solving-40-year-cold-case-of-slain-woman/35172339 https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/cold-case-spotlight/could-missing-key-chain-be-key-solving-travey-neilsons-murder-n394676 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65142250/tracey-diane-neilson https://morbidology.com/who-killed-tracey-neilson/ https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/columns/2015/07/10/osbi-officials-release-evidence-in-34-year-old-moore-homicide/60735812007/ https://medium.com/@jennbaxter_69070/the-horrific-murder-of-tracey-neilson-46c2e27f0040
Ep 77 Lucille Mulhall
Mar 22 2024
Ep 77 Lucille Mulhall
It is a bold statement to say that one woman changed the course of rodeo history in Oklahoma, but if anyone fits that description, it is Lucille Mulhall. Lucille Mulhall, born in 1885, grew up on a ranch in Oklahoma, showing remarkable talent in riding horses and roping at a very young age. Despite her desire to focus on ranch work, her mother insisted she attend school. Lucille's skills with horses and roping led to her becoming a renowned cowgirl, excelling in competitions and eventually performing in Wild West shows alongside notable figures like Will Rogers and Tom Mix. She even gained national attention when Theodore Roosevelt invited her to his inaugural parade. As Lucille's career blossomed, she traveled extensively, winning competitions and gaining recognition as a skilled horsewoman. She faced challenges, including a decline in her career due to a controversial incident in a Chicago show. Despite setbacks, she continued to break barriers for women in rodeo, establishing herself as a pioneer in the sport and opening doors for future female competitors. So saddle up with Jess as she brings us the remarkable, glass-ceiling shattering COWGIRL Lucille Mulhall! Sources: “The 101 Ranch” by Ellsworth Collings and Alma Miller England “Along Came a Cowgirl” by Chris Enss “Oklahoma Originals” by Jonita Mullins “Oklahoma Rodeo Women” by Tracey Hanshew Oklahoma Historical Society  National Cowboy Museum  National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame  The Oklahoman: 1985 ; 1987
Ep 75 Spiro Mounds
Mar 8 2024
Ep 75 Spiro Mounds
This week, Jess take us to one of Oklahoma’s oldest Native American sites. Spiro Mounds is a significant prehistoric Native American site, evolved from a small village to a key center during the Mississippian Culture era. The site consisted of twelve mounds, ceremonial spaces, and a support city for Caddoan-speaking leaders. Notable for its wealth and artifacts, especially from the burial mound Craig Mound, Spiro Mounds attracted interest but faced looting in the 1930s. Efforts in the 1930s and later by the University of Oklahoma and Works Progress Administration involved excavations that revealed rich burials, artifacts, and the site's historical importance. But we are here for the kooky and spooky this week! The Spiro Mounds site, aligned with the equinox, showcased remarkable artifacts, including effigy pipes and treasures unearthed in the Great Mortuary Mound. While celebrated for its archaeological richness, the site also carried eerie legends of phantom wagons, mysterious occurrences, and a rumored curse akin to King Tut's tomb. Despite challenges like looting and destruction, ongoing efforts by various institutions aim to preserve and repatriate artifacts. So follow along, or go visit, if you dare… Sources: Haunted Oklahoma by Jeff Provine Myths and Mysteries of Oklahoma by Robert L. Dorman Weird Oklahoma by Wesley Treat Tulsa’s Haunted Memories by Teri French Oklahoma Historical Society https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=SP012 https://www.okhistory.org/sites/spiromounds  Travel Oklahoma OnlyInYourState  The Oklahoman  Cowboys & Indians Magazine
Ep 74 Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher
Mar 1 2024
Ep 74 Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher
As we close Black History Month, Tiff gives the story of Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, born in Chickasaw on Feb 8, 1924. Dr. Fisher was a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement in Oklahoma. Her parents, survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, played a significant role in the Black community. Despite Oklahoma's segregated laws, Ada aspired to become a lawyer and challenged the system by applying to the University of Oklahoma's law school in 1946. Represented by Thurgood Marshall, she fought a three-year legal battle that resulted in the landmark case Sipuel v Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma. This case led to the mandate that Oklahoma must provide Ada Fisher with the same educational opportunities as other citizens. After finally being admitted to the University of Oklahoma's College of Law in 1949, Ada faced continued discrimination but persevered. Her trailblazing efforts opened doors for future African American students at OU and across the nation. Despite the challenges she faced, Ada went on to graduate from OU Law in 1952 and later earned a master's degree in history. Throughout her career, she worked as a law practitioner, faculty member at Langston University, and ultimately retired as the assistant vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher's legacy of courage and determination in the face of adversity continues to inspire many, and she was posthumously inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 1996. Sources: The Oklahoman Oklahoma Historical Society Wikipedia
Ep 73 Disappearances of Charlotte Kinsey & Cinda Pallett
Feb 23 2024
Ep 73 Disappearances of Charlotte Kinsey & Cinda Pallett
Since 1907, the annual State Fair of Oklahoma has attracted visitors from near and far. But in 1981 two 13-year-old friends, Cinda Pallett and Charlotte Kinsey, went missing from the fairgrounds. They were last seen accepting a job offer to help a male carnival worker unload stuffed animals from a truck. Despite extensive search efforts, including eyewitness reports and suspect descriptions, the girls were never found. The prime suspect, a known predator with a history of violence, was charged but the case was eventually dismissed due to lack of physical evidence. The mystery of Charlotte and Cinda's disappearance remains unsolved, haunting their families and investigators to this day. Follow along as Jess details the accounts from witnesses, family members, and detectives, all who worked tirelessly to find closure on this case.  Since this is still an open case, those with information regarding the case are asked to contact the Oklahoma State Police at 405-231-2121 or the Oklahoma City Police Department at either 405-297-1129, 405-297-1290, 405-297-1288 or 405-297-1000. Tips can also be called into the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-522-8017 or 405-427-5421 and the FBI’s Oklahoma City office at 405-290-7770. Sources: The Disappearances of Charlotte Kinsey & Cinda Pallett https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2021/06/01/the-disappearances-of-charlotte-kinsey-cinda-pallett/  Decades-old Oklahoma State Fair-related disappearance case remains unsolved https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/crime/2022/09/21/case-of-missing-girls-from-1981-oklahoma-state-fair-remains-unsolved-cinda-pallett-charlotte-kinsey/69506580007/ Oklahoma Cold Cases https://oklahomacoldcases.org/charlotte-kinsey/ The Charley Project https://charleyproject.org/case/charlotte-june-kinsey,  https://charleyproject.org/case/cinda-leann-pallett  KOCO news article https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-fairground-kidnapping-charlotte-kinsey-cinda-pallett/45109287  The Oklahoman https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/crime/2022/09/21/case-of-missing-girls-from-1981-oklahoma-state-fair-remains-unsolved-cinda-pallett-charlotte-kinsey/69506580007/
Ep 72 OSU Spooks
Feb 16 2024
Ep 72 OSU Spooks
The Oklahoma State University System consists of six educational institutions in Oklahoma, including the flagship institute, Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. OSU, founded in 1890 under the Morrill Act, is a public land-grant research university. While known for its academic and athletic achievements, OSU is also known for its spooky tales and rumored hauntings. Various locations on campus, including fraternity and sorority houses, the Bartlett Center, Student Union, Edmon Low Library, Williams Hall, and Old Central, have reported paranormal activities. These sightings include apparitions, mysterious sounds, moving objects, and temperature fluctuations. Many of these stories involve tragic events or unexplained occurrences that have left a lasting imprint on the campus. But don’t take our word for it…just read the numerous articles OSU’s own library has collected on all the things going “bump in the night” around campus!  Sources: Images of America: Stillwater by Stan Tucker Haunted Oklahoma by Jeff Provine Tulsa’s Haunted Memories by Teri French Daily Oklahoman A Haunting at OK State Library "'Spooky' Sounds Plentiful in Old Central at Early Dawn Says Carrier" Jan. 13, 1926 by The O’Collegian “The Spooks of Williams Hall” by Jan Berry Feb. 2, 1969 for the Daily O’Collegian "Haunted House: Old Central, other ghost chronicles" May 1, 2003 by Bethany Knottinger for the Daily O’Collegian "Ghostly Sightings Keep Staff, Students on the Lookout" March 24, 2009 by Jordan Shinn for the Daily O’Collegian "Is Old Central haunted?" Oct. 20, 2012 by KChris Griffin for the Daily O’Collegian "Haunted buildings on OSU's campus" Oct. 29, 2017 by Nhan Doan for the Daily O’Collegian Edmon Low Library, Library Press Kit Oklahoma State University-Stillwater from Wikipedia