Curious Cousins OK Podcast

This week, Tiff dives into the story of a true Oklahoma legend.

Quannah Parker was the last great Comanche Chief, ruling over a vast territory that was originally Comanche land long before settlers arrived. The Comanche people thrived as skilled horsemen, becoming a powerful tribe after the introduction of horses by the Spanish. Quanah, born around 1845, was the son of Cynthia Ann Parker, a captive who was adopted by the Comanche af...

This week, Jess will wrap up the bonkers ride that was the Roger Wheeler case!

The investigation into the murder of Roger Wheeler highlighted significant corruption within the Boston FBI and the involvement of the Winter Hill Gang, including notorious mobsters like Johnny Martorano, Whitey Bulger, and Stevie Flemmi. In 1994, sealed indictments for racketeering were issued against several gang members, leading to Martorano's ...

In the complex landscape of organized crime, the murder of Roger Wheeler was orchestrated primarily by Johnny Martorano and involved significant players from the Winter Hill Gang, including Whitey Bulger. Martorano, known for his violent reputation and loyalty to the gang, ultimately accepted the contract. The motivations for his murders were often rooted in loyalty rather than financial gain; betrayal was met with lethal consequen...

Last week, Jess started us down the rabbit hole that was Roger Wheeler’s unalving…The investigation into his death identified three potential motives: armed robbery, kidnapping/extortion, and the most likely scenario of a contract killing. The police quickly dismissed robbery since Wheeler had significant cash and credit cards still on him. The detectives at the scene, including Michael Huff, arrived amid heavy traffic to find Whee...

This week Jess dips her toes into the world of organized crime…or does she? 

Roger Wheeler, a prominent businessman in Tulsa, was unexpectedly murdered in 1981, sending shockwaves through the community. The assassination occurred in the parking lot of Southern Hills Country Club, with no clear motive or suspects at the time. It wasn't until 1997 that the truth emerged: the 16-year-old murderer linked to the notorious Winter ...

The Murrell Home, located at 19479 E Murrell Rd, Park Hill, OK, is the only antebellum plantation house still standing in the state. Built in 1845 by George Michael Murrell, a wealthy white planter married to Minerva Ross, the home is one of the few surviving structures from the antebellum period in Cherokee lands. The Murrell family, allied with the influential Ross family, moved to Indian Territory around 1839. The plantation, or...

Rodeos are BIG here in Oklahoma. We are the Horse Show Capital of the World, after all. When you mention rodeos in Oklahoma, two things come to mind; Garth Brooks’ famed song and Lane Frost.

Lane Clyde Frost, born on October 12, 1963, in Lapoint, Utah, was raised in Kim, Colorado, before moving to Oklahoma, where he developed a passion for bull riding at a young age. The son of Clyde and Elsie Frost, he began riding calves at five a...

And now, the end has come...

On February 18, 1936, during Day 7 of the trial, Phil Kennamer testified before a packed courtroom. Dr. Karl Menniger recalled his earlier testimony, stating he believed Phil was insane when he ended John Jr., citing a psychopathic personality. Dr. E.A. Werner, who examined Phil multiple times, concurred, noting Phil couldn't grasp right from wrong at the time of the murder. When Phil took the stand,...

Are you ready for the trail of the 1930s?? Buckle up, buttercups, because here it is! 

In the investigation surrounding Phil Kennamer, a decoded note from Lee Krupnick to Preston Cochran, originally from Phil, raised questions about Pat's reliability and potential future murders. (whew, did you get all that?) Lee, working for both Phil and the TPD, is allowed to smuggle notes to gather more information. The correspondence re...

This story just keeps getting twisted and thicker…Tiff left us at part 2 with Phil’s friend, and Virginia’s little brother, being the cause of the street lights being out…the streetlights on the street John Gorrell Jr was found, deceased with two gunshot wounds to the head…

Phil's past behavior and childhood history raised concerns about possible mental health issues, with some suggesting sociopathic tendencies or neurodivergent thi...

Last week, we cousins learned of the tragic and mysterious death of John Gorrell Jr, Thanksgiving Night 1934. When we left off, Flyod Huff, of Kansas, had just finished telling KCPD Chief Higgins a story straight from movies…He knew who had killed this young man in Tulsa, OK…

Philip Millholland Kennamer, born on July 26, 1915, in Madill, OK, grew up in Tulsa during the 1920s and 30s. The youngest son of District Judge Franklin E...

Well, Tiff has done it again! Inadvertently, she has chosen a topic that led her down a rabbit hole, resulting in a multi-parter…so here’s part 1…

This is a captivating account of a murder that took place in Tulsa in 1934, deeply entwined with the societal dynamics of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The story centers around the tragic death of 21-year-old John Gorrell Jr., who was discovered shot in his car shortly after...

Enjoy chasing sunsets at the lake? At Lake Jed Johnson, so may say that not the only thing being chased…

Lake Jed Johnson, located in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, is named after Jed Johnson, a notable American attorney and politician. As the third largest of thirteen small reservoirs in the area, it spans 57.5 acres and was established by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the late 1930s. The...

We talked about the ghosts at the 101, now let’s talk about the history…The Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, located near Ponca City, spanned 110,000 acres at its peak and was primarily owned by the Miller family. Founded by George Washington Miller, a former Confederate colonel, the ranch became a significant agricultural enterprise after he transitioned from military life to ranching. Miller's ranching career began in 1871, and he ...

It’s been a hot minute since your favorite cousins have brought you a story so horrible and gruesome we’ve had to attach a listener's discretion to it…so let’s dive in…

Spade Cooley, born Donnell Clyde Cooley on December 17, 1910, in Grand, Oklahoma, was a prominent figure in Western Swing music, often referred to as "the King of Western Swing." Cooley's musical journey began at a young age, mastering the fiddle wh...

This week Tiff dives into one of Oklahoma’s most well known ranches…the 101 Ranch in Ponca City.

The Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, a 110,000-acre cattle ranch, was founded in 1893 by Colonel George Washington Miller, and became a significant site for the Wild West Show and the oil rush. Miller, who established the 101 brand on his cattle, expanded the ranch operations despite various challenges, and after his death in 1903, it thrived ...

In light of the recent airplane crashes, Jess decided to research incidents in Oklahoma. This turned up the tragic event from April 22, 1966. This date marks the worst plane crash in Oklahoma's history, involving American Flyers Airline Flight 280/D, which was transporting US soldiers from California to Georgia. The Lockheed L-188 Electra aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Ardmore Municipal Airport, leading to the dea...

This week Tiff wraps up the 3 part deep dive into the Sapulpa Coach’s Tragedy. 

On January 26, 1976, a significant funeral for Coach Jerry Bailey took place at the First Baptist Church in Sapulpa, attended by around 1,200 people, including students and current and former players who honored a man celebrated for his inclusive approach to coaching. Coach Bailey, who grew up during a time of segregation, was known for treating all ...

Picking up where we left off last week in Part 1, Tiff dives right into days, weeks, and months following the death of Sapulpa High School football coach Jerry Bailey. 

The investigation into the tragic events surrounding Coaches Paul Reagor Jr and Jerry Bailey began after medics transported Reagor to the hospital, leaving police to piece together the scene. Coach Bailey's body was discovered in the trunk of Reagor's car with sign...