TO DIE IN THE OLD WEST: Quick Triggers and Quicker Deaths

The Wild West wasn’t all shootouts and saloons – but when danger came, it carved legends in blood, bullets, and bone.

Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version of #WeirdDarkness: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicate

DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.
IN THIS EPISODE: The Wild West, where no matter how tough and rugged you might be, you can never defeat Old Man Death. And he was creative in how he dispensed his touch. (To Die In The Old West) *** Charles Howard Schmid Jr. charmed and befriended the teenagers of Tucson, Arizona in the 1960s — all while brutally murdering three young girls. (The Pied Piper of Tuscon) *** One of the lesser-known crytpids is something called the Hidebehind, a mysterious creature that stalked 19th-century lumberjacks, preying on those who let their guard down in the forest. (The Hidebehind) *** Brianna Maitland left her dishwashing job and was never seen alive again. Despite various theories and sightings, Brianna's disappearance continues to baffle investigators and haunt her family, who still hold out hope for answers and her safe return. (The Vanishing of Brianna Maitland) *** In 1906, explorer Robert Peary claimed to have discovered a mysterious island he named Crocker Land, but was it a genuine find, a calculated deception, or something even more bizarre? (The Myth of Crocker Island) *** Lyndia Morel's quiet drive home took a chilling turn when she encountered a mysterious craft and experienced a baffling episode of missing time. Was it a case of alien abduction? (The Lyndia Morel Incident) *** In May of 1963, a bizarre creature terrorized Centreville, Illinois, prompting over 50 calls to the police from alarmed residents. Descriptions ranged from a "half man, half woman" to a "half man, half horse." (The Centerville Monster)

CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00.00.000 = Lead-In
00:01:31.179 = Show Open
00:04:10.280 = To Die In The Old West
00:18:52.437 = The Hidebehind
00:21:49.129 = The Pied Piper of Tuscon
00:26:57.373 = The Lyndia Morel Incident
00:40:52.320 = The Vanishing of Brianna Maitland
00:48:47.321 = The Myth of Crocker Island
00:56:39.194 = The Centerville Monster
00:58:37.502 = Show Close, Verse, and Final Thought

SOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…
BOOK: “Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth” by Carol Rose: https://amzn.to/3VpnkKk
“To Die In The Old West” source: Quinn Armstrong, Weird History: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p884ck2
“The Hidebehind” source: Astonishing Legends: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4nj3h5en
“The Pied Piper of Tuscon” source: Bernadette Giocamazzo, All That’s Interesting: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4dzvmspf
“The Lyndia Morel Incident” source: Marcus Lowth, UFO Insight: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4v8yewbr
“The Vanishing of Brianna Maitland” by Troy Taylor (used with permission): https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2d6fbz5h
“The Myth of Crocker Island” source: Kaushik Patowary: Amusing Planet: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bdz38sce
“The Centerville Monster” by Troy Taylor (used with permission): https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4h8wpeee
=====
(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)
= = = = =
"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46
= = = = =
WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.
=====
Originally aired: May 29, 2024

EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/ToDieInTheOldWest