Episode 158: The "Belle" of Rogers County – The Belvidere Mansion

In this episode, we travel to Claremore, Oklahoma, to explore the Belvidere Mansion, a three-story Victorian Gothic "castle" with a history as grand as its four turrets. Built at the turn of the 20th century by wealthy entrepreneur John Melville Bayless, this 9,000-square-foot masterpiece was meant to be a dream home—but it quickly became a site of tragedy and transition.

From its origins as a high-society residence to its stints as a specialized hospital for "blood diseases" and a 12-unit apartment complex, the Belvidere has seen it all. We dive into the life of the ambitious Bayless family, the eerie "Kooky Facts" surrounding the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair materials hidden in the walls, and the heartbreaking string of deaths that left the mansion filled with more than just memories.

The Highlights--

• The Visionary: The story of John Melville Bayless, the man who built Claremore's infrastructure but died just six months before his "dream home" was finished.

• Architectural Salvage: How pieces of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair ended up as permanent fixtures in an Oklahoma mansion.

• The Darker Years: The mansion’s transformation into the Cinnabar Hospital in 1919 and its eventual slide into disrepair as a "condemned hazard."

• The Residents Who Never Left: From the "friendly" ghost of John Bayless greeting guests on the porch to the tragic, lingering presence of his daughter Bland and the "distraught woman" of the 1940s.

• Modern Day: A look at the mansion's rebirth via the Rogers County Historical Society, featuring a tea room (The Pink House), a genealogical library, and a ballroom that still hosts weddings today.

Spook Scale--

We discuss the "hotspots" identified by paranormal investigators, including:

• The Basement: Disembodied footsteps and "ghost stick figures" captured on SLS cameras.

• The Second Floor: The most active area, where visitors report the sensation of a rope burn on their necks and whispers asking, "Who are you?"

• The Self-Flushing Toilets: Because even spirits appreciate indoor plumbing.

Plan Your Visit--

If you’re brave enough to visit the Belvidere in person, here is what’s on the 2026 calendar:

• Dine: Grab lunch at The Pink House (Mon–Sat, 11 AM – 2 PM).

• Events:

• • Stargazers Gathering: March 12, 2026.

  • Nightcap at the Belvidere (Tales of the Macabre): April 26, 2026.

  • Kentucky Derby Garden Party: May 3, 2026.

Sources:

• Rogers County Historical Society

• TravelOK

• Legends of America

• Claremore Museum of History

• Ghosts and Legends of Oklahoma by Mike Ricksecker

• Oklahoma's Haunted Route 66 by Tanya McCoy

• OHS - Claremore

Episode 157: OK Black Rodeo – The Dust, The Duty, and The Dynasty

In this episode, Tiff kicks up the red dirt of Oklahoma to uncover a history often "whitewashed" out of the Hollywood Western: the formidable legacy of the Black cowboy. From the "Soul Circuit" of all-Black towns to the modern-day "Super Bowls" of rodeo, we explore how Oklahoma became the epicenter of a movement where skill met defiance.

We dive into the linguistic origins of the word "cowboy"—originally a derogatory label that Black riders reclaimed as a badge of honor—and trace the 100-year history of the Boley Rodeo, a Memorial Day tradition born in one of America's wealthiest historic all-Black towns.

• The 1-in-4 Statistic: Despite mainstream narratives, roughly 25% of cowboys on the 19th-century trail were Black. Oklahoma’s unique status as Indian Territory made it a sanctuary for skilled Black, Native American, and Mexican riders.

• Boley & Okmulgee: We break down the differences between these two titans. Boley is the historical soul, while Okmulgee (home of the Roy LeBlanc Invitational) is the professional heart.

• The Legend of Bill Pickett: Meet the "Dusky Demon," the Oklahoman who revolutionized the sport by inventing bulldogging (steer wrestling)—a technique inspired by herding dogs.

• Modern Shifts: We discuss the major 2026 news: the Roy LeBlanc Invitational's historic move from Okmulgee to Shawnee to accommodate its massive, growing audience.

If you're ready to trade the headphones for the grandstands, we’ve got your 2026 roadmap. So listen in as we celebrate the "Soul Circuit"—a world where the DJ plays R&B, the BBQ is legendary, and the riders are some of the best in the world.

Sources:

• University of Illinois

• Oklahoma State University

• Tamron Hall Show

• Boley Rodeo

• Bill Pickett Rodeo

• MVSKOKE Media

Podcast Episode 156: The Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Tragedy

In this chilling episode, we travel back to the summer of 1992 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to revisit a crime that shattered the sense of safety in a tight-knit community. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken wasn't just a restaurant; it was a "fried chicken royalty" landmark with direct ties to Colonel Sanders himself. But on August 17, that legacy of hospitality was met with unthinkable violence.

We detail the harrowing "execution-style" robbery that left four young employees dead in a walk-in cooler—all for a sum of just $2,000. From the "inside man" who planned the heist to the rapid-fire investigation and the 14-year legal battle that followed, we examine how one night changed Tulsa forever.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• The Legend of Lee’s: The fascinating history of Lee Cummings, the nephew of Colonel Harland Sanders, and how his family built a 42-year legacy at the corner of 9th and Sheridan.

• The "Kooky" Connection: How the Tulsa franchise owners were actually part of the extended Sanders family and why the community viewed the staff and regular patrons as one big family.

• A Planned Betrayal: The role of Donnie Daniels, a former employee who used his knowledge of closing procedures and the store safe to lead three others into a deadly trap.

• The Crime & The Victims: A somber tribute to the four lives lost: Joey Gooch (17), Ted Kindley (19), Stephen Williams (24), and Sendy Lara (27).

• The Investigation: How a suspicious security guard and a blue Chevrolet led Tulsa PD to identify and arrest all four suspects within just 48 hours.

• Justice and Appeals: A breakdown of the trials, the "Felony Murder Rule," and the final, controversial words of triggerman Corey Hamilton before his 2007 execution.

Key Facts & "Kooky" Insights:

• The Take-Home Price: When Lee’s first opened in 1966, a full three-piece chicken box with all the fixings cost just $1.25.

• The Inside Knowledge: The killers didn't wear masks because two of them were certain the employees would recognize them regardless—a chilling detail that foreshadowed their intent.

• A Community Staple: Despite the horror of 1992, the restaurant reopened and thrived for another 20 years, finally closing its doors in 2012.

"These four beautiful people were put on their knees and executed like they were a piece of trash... He had no remorse. None at all." — Janice Ramsey, mother of victim Stephen Williams.

Sources:

• News on 6

• The Oklahoman

• Find Law.com

• The Oklahoman - Taped Confessions

• The Oklahoman

• The New York Times

• Wikipedia

• Murderpedia

• OCCA