The Stabbin Stylist

109: A Town Divided: Cleveland & Charleston During the Civil War

Before the Civil War divided the nation, it divided communities, neighbors, and even families right here in East Tennessee. In this episode, we’re digging into the Civil War history of Cleveland and Charleston, Tennessee, where Union sympathizers and Confederate supporters found themselves on opposite sides of a growing conflict. From the raising of the Confederate flag in downtown Cleveland to the daring East Tennessee bridge burnings, arrests, military occupation, and the people caught in between, we’re uncovering a side of our hometown's history that many have never heard. Join us as we revisit the streets, buildings, and historic sites where this turbulent chapter of Bradley County history unfolded.

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Bonus: The Sultan's Palace

Behind the beautiful iron balconies and historic buildings of New Orleans' French Quarter are some seriously disturbing legends, and the Sultan's Palace might be one of the bloodiest. This Halloween, we're diving into the mysterious story of a wealthy stranger, a lavish mansion on Dauphine Street, secret parties, and a gruesome massacre that supposedly left an entire household dead. Was the mysterious Sultan really murdered along with his companions, or is this one of New Orleans' most elaborate ghost stories? From the bloody legend to the spirits said to haunt the property today, we're exploring one of the French Quarter's most infamous tales, just in time for Halloween!

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Bonus: Vampires of New Orleans

New Orleans has a long history of dark legends, mysterious deaths, and stories that refuse to stay buried. In this special Halloween bonus episode, we're sinking our teeth into the city's infamous vampire lore, from the mysterious Carter brothers and their alleged blood-drinking rituals to the chilling legend of Jacques Saint Germain, the charming stranger who supposedly vanished without a trace. We'll explore the stories that have haunted the French Quarter for generations and the legends that helped earn New Orleans its reputation as one of America's most supernatural cities. So grab a drink, dim the lights, and join us for a little vampire history straight from the Big Easy!

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108: Cleveland Cemeteries

How much history is hiding in the cemeteries we drive past every day? This week we're exploring the fascinating and often forgotten stories buried in Cleveland and Bradley County, Tennessee. From the final resting place of Cleveland's first sheriff to Civil War soldiers, formerly enslaved men with remarkable stories, mysterious graves, and the history of Fort Hill Cemetery, we're uncovering the people and events that helped shape our hometown. We'll visit historic burial grounds, including Pleasant Hill and Clingan Cemetery, and dig into the stories behind the headstones, the lives that history nearly forgot, and the secrets these old cemeteries still hold. You may have driven past these places a thousand times, but you'll never look at them quite the same way again.

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WTF is going on in the state of TN? - Christa Pike Update

We're back with updates on Christa Pike, the woman convicted of the brutal 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer in Knoxville. With Pike's execution approaching, there's plenty to unpack, from the latest legal developments to the controversy surrounding her case. We're breaking down what's happening, what it means, and why this case continues to make headlines more than 30 years later. https://thestabbinstylist.com

107: Josh Walden

In December 2000, 10 year old Joshua Lee Walden disappeared from his Chattanooga, Tennessee, neighborhood. Two days later, his body was discovered in a wooded area near East Lake Park. More than 25 years later, Joshua’s murder remains unsolved, leaving his family and community searching for answers. In this episode of The Stabbin Stylist, Ashley and Randa revisit one of Chattanooga’s most heartbreaking cold cases, the investigation, and the unanswered questions surrounding Joshua’s death.

Cleveland, Tennessee Spooky Things

🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM CLEVELAND, TENNESSEE! 💀🍂 Cleveland and Bradley County, Tennessee, have no shortage of haunted history, eerie legends, and Southern Appalachian folklore. And if you grew up around here, chances are you've heard at least one of these stories! From the mysterious Phantom Monk of Charleston to the heartbreaking history and ghost stories surrounding Nina Craigmiles and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, we're exploring some of the most fascinating local legends that have been passed down through generations. And of course, we couldn't celebrate Halloween in Cleveland without mentioning our most famous hometown Halloween legend, Tall Betsy! 👻 Just remember, y'all better listen, or Tall Betsy might come looking for you and drop your bones down the Old Arnold Well! 🦴 Whether you're a lifelong Cleveland resident, new to Bradley County, or simply love Tennessee ghost stories, haunted places, Appalachian folklore, and local history, there's something here for you. 🎙️ Listen to The Stabbin Stylist Podcast as we uncover the true history, local legends, and spooky stories hiding in our own backyard. 🔗 https://thestabbinstylist.com 🍁 Looking for Halloween activities, fall festivals, and seasonal events around Cleveland and Bradley County? Check out the local events calendar from Visit Cleveland TN: https://visitclevelandtn.com/events/

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106: Melisha Gibson

In October 1976, the death of four-year-old Melisha Morganna Gibson shocked Cleveland, Tennessee, and drew national attention to a child welfare system that had already received warnings about the danger surrounding her. Melisha had been removed from her home as an infant following allegations of abuse and spent much of her young life in foster care. Just months after she was returned to her mother, Wanda Maddux, and stepfather, Ronald Maddux, Melisha was dead. Ronald and Wanda Maddux were later convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 99 years and one day in prison. But Melisha’s story did not end with a criminal trial. Her death forced Cleveland and Bradley County to confront difficult questions about how an abused child could have been returned to a dangerous home. The case received national coverage, including an extensive article by Calvin Trillin in The New Yorker, and became part of a larger conversation about child abuse, child protective services, and the responsibility of agencies charged with protecting vulnerable children. In Cleveland, the response was immediate. Approximately 1,000 people attended Melisha’s funeral. Local advocates pushed for greater cooperation between agencies handling child abuse cases, and the community’s child shelter was renamed the Melisha Gibson Child Shelter in her memory. Nearly fifty years later, Melisha’s name is still remembered in Cleveland. In this episode of The Stabbin Stylist, we look back at the short life of Melisha Gibson, the warning signs that came before her death, the investigation and trial that followed, and the lasting impact her case had on child protection in Tennessee and beyond.

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105: “Wickedest woman in Chattanooga” Alice Cooper

In nineteenth century Chattanooga, the booming railroad industry brought more than growth to the city. Saloons, gambling halls, brothels, political corruption, and violence flourished around Chattanooga’s early red-light district—and one woman became infamous enough that her name survived long after the streets she walked disappeared. Alice Cooper, a successful Chattanooga madam later remembered as the “wickedest woman in Chattanooga,” built her reputation inside the city’s notorious vice district during the late 1800s. But with few official records surviving, the line between the real Alice Cooper and the woman who became a Chattanooga legend has become increasingly difficult to separate. In this episode of The Stabbin Stylist, we explore what is known about Alice, Chattanooga’s forgotten red-light district, her mysterious death, and how the woman eventually buried as the “Lady of the Night” became part of Chattanooga history, Southern folklore, and local ghost stories.

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104: Sheriff Israel Smith

As spooky season creeps into East Tennessee, we’re heading up White Oak Mountain for one of the darkest stories in Bradley County history. On March 14, 1922, Bradley County Sheriff Israel L. Smith joined an early-morning Prohibition-era moonshine raid near Owl Hollow outside Cleveland, Tennessee. Before the sun came up, Smith was shot and killed in the mountains, becoming the only Bradley County sheriff ever killed in the line of duty. What followed was a massive manhunt through the rugged mountains of Bradley and Polk counties for brothers Luther and Jasper Borin. This week on The Stabbin Stylist, we’re digging into Cleveland, Tennessee in the 1920s, Appalachian moonshine culture, White Oak Mountain, Owl Hollow, Prohibition, and the murder that shocked Bradley County. It’s a story of hidden stills, mountain families, dangerous raids, a storm that helped erase the killers’ tracks, and a piece of local history that happened right here in our own backyard. Follow The Stabbin Stylist for more Cleveland and Bradley County history, East Tennessee true crime, Appalachian stories, local legends, and spooky thangs from around the South.

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103: Lotz House

Step inside two of the most haunted homes in Tennessee as we explore the chilling history of the Lotz House and the Carter House in Franklin, Tennessee. Standing at the heart of the Battle of Franklin, these historic homes witnessed one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War, leaving behind heartbreaking stories of death, tragedy, and unexplained paranormal activity. From ghost sightings, disembodied voices, and mysterious footsteps to the lingering spirits said to roam the halls, the Lotz House and Carter House have become legendary destinations for paranormal investigators and history lovers alike. Join us as we separate documented history from local legend while uncovering the eerie hauntings, Civil War history, and enduring mysteries that continue to make these Franklin, Tennessee landmarks some of the most haunted houses in the South.

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102: Warren Henderson

In this episode of The Stabbin Stylist, we travel back to Cleveland, Tennessee, in 1879 to uncover the forgotten murder of Warren Henderson in Anthony Town, one of Bradley County's earliest freedmen's communities. As we explore this true crime case, we also dive into the history of Reconstruction-era East Tennessee, the Trail of Tears, Fort Cass, the growth of the railroad, and the social tensions that shaped early Cleveland. Through newspaper accounts and historical records, we piece together the deadly confrontation, the hunt for fugitive Ben Tibbs, and a case that has largely faded from local memory. If you love Tennessee true crime, Appalachian history, Bradley County history, and forgotten Southern mysteries, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

101: Swannanoa Tunnel

Journey with us into the Blue Ridge Mountains as we uncover the tragic history of the Swannanoa Gap Tunnel near Old Fort, North Carolina. Built through solid rock using the forced labor of incarcerated workers, the tunnel became one of the deadliest railroad projects in Southern history. We explore the lives lost during its construction, the haunting folk song it inspired, and the ghost stories that continue to surround the mountain today. Is the Swannanoa Tunnel simply a piece of Appalachian history—or is something still lingering in the darkness? Don’t whistle in the woods at night.

Chattanooga Cold Case: Marty Davis

Marty Davis was a 35 year old Episcopalian priest in Chattanooga, TN. He was the first gay priest in the area and the youngest ordained priest in Tennessee at the time of his ordination. On the morning of July 16, 1997, Marty was found dead on his living room floor. Marty’s murder remains unsolved and there has been very little movement on his case. In 2022 we decided to make it our mission to get this case reopened. Join us as we discuss the Chattanooga cold case murder of Marty Davis. ••• This is a graphic and disturbing case. To skip scene and autopsy details skip from 14 minutes to 36 minutes. •••

100: Bradley County's Bloody Past: Fort Cass and The Trail of Tears

Episode 100! We honestly can’t believe we’re saying that. To everyone who has listened along with us over these last few years, thank you. We are so happy you’ve stuck it out with us through 100 episodes of true crime, dark history, spooky stories, rambling, laughing, and everything in between. We started The Stabbin Stylist because we wanted to tell people about the history, crimes, and spooky things here in the Southeast that they may not know much about. We’ve always loved the place we come from, and we’ve always believed some of the most fascinating (and sometimes darkest) stories are the ones that happened right here in our own backyard. For our 100th episode, we wanted to do something especially meaningful for our local listeners. We’re digging into one of the darkest chapters in Bradley County’s past: the Indian Removal Act, the forced removal of the Cherokee people, the Trail of Tears, and the role our own area played in it. From Fort Cass and the removal camps scattered across Bradley County to the thousands of Cherokee people who were held here before being forced west, this history happened on the land we drive past and live on every single day. This is a story about Bradley County’s dark past, but it is also a story we believe deserves to be remembered. Thank you for 100 episodes. Thank you for listening. And thank you for sticking it out with us all these years. We truly could not have made it this far without you.

99:  WTF Is Happening With the Murdaugh Murders?

In a major development in the Murdaugh case, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s 2023 murder convictions and ordered a new trial, citing improper jury influence by former Colleton County Clerk Becky Hill. Prosecutors have stated they intend to retry the case, while Murdaugh remains incarcerated on separate financial crime convictions. The legal battle continues as courts address ongoing appeals, retrial preparations, and related civil litigation stemming from one of the most closely followed true crime cases in recent history.

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98: Colonel Shy's Grave

On Christmas Eve 1977, a headless body dressed in what appeared to be a tuxedo was discovered sitting atop the grave of Confederate officer Colonel William Shy in Franklin, Tennessee. Investigators initially believed they were dealing with a recent homicide, but forensic anthropologist Dr. William Bass soon uncovered a startling truth. The bizarre case became one of Tennessee’s most famous forensic mysteries and is credited with helping inspire the creation of the University of Tennessee’s Body Farm. Local legend still claims Colonel Shy’s ghost can be seen watching over Shy’s Hill, where he fell in battle.

97: Cecil Caywood

In March 1964, Cleveland cab company owner Cecil Caywood left for work and never came home in Cleveland, Tennessee. Less than 24 hours later, his blood-stained taxi and brutally murdered body were discovered in rural Bradley County, launching a murder investigation that would shock the community and remain unsolved for more than a year. In this episode, we examine the life of Cecil Caywood, the crime that stunned Cleveland, Tennessee and the investigation that ultimately led authorities to four local men accused of one of Bradley County and Cleveland, Tennessee's most notorious murders.

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96: "Chief" Jack Walker

This week we’re diving into the controversial story of Chief Jack Walker — one of the most debated figures in early Southeast Tennessee history. Known for his complicated role during the growing tensions between Cherokee leaders and white settlers, Walker’s life and violent death left behind rumors, resentment, and questions that still linger around present day Cleveland, Tennessee. Inspired by Joe Guy’s book The Hidden History of Southeast Tennessee, this episode explores the politics, power struggles, and betrayals surrounding Walker’s murder and the uneasy time leading up to Cherokee removal in our region.

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95: George Owens

In this episode, we’re covering the strange disappearance of George Owens, a 79-year-old minister from Nolensville who vanished in July 1985 after failing to pick up his wife from the bus station. Later sightings described him as confused and disoriented, and his car was eventually found abandoned more than 100 miles away with odd details inside, including stacks of wood as if a fire had been planned. With no signs of a struggle and no trace of George ever found, his case remains one of Tennessee’s most unsettling unsolved mysteries. Fast forward about three minutes in if you want to skip our chatter.