The Stabbin Stylist

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.

94: Kentucky Meat Showers

On March 3, 1876, in Olympia Springs, Kentucky, a quiet afternoon turned bizarre when chunks of raw meat suddenly fell from the sky, covering a large area around a local farm. Witnesses watched in shock as pieces of flesh—some small, others fist-sized—rained down, and curious locals even tasted it, comparing it to venison or beef. Scientists later analyzed samples but couldn’t agree on what it was, with theories ranging from animal lung tissue to cartilage. The most widely accepted explanation is that a flock of vultures regurgitated their stomach contents mid-flight, though the true cause remains uncertain, making the “Kentucky Meat Shower” one of America’s strangest unexplained events.

93: Gage Daniel & Chloe Leverette

On September 23, 2012, a fire destroyed a home in rural Bedford County, Tennessee, where Leon and Molly McClaran lived with their grandchildren, 9-year-old Chloie Leverette and 7-year-old Gage Daniel. The grandparents were found inside but the children were not. With no trace of them in the debris and investigators later stating they don’t believe the kids were in the fire, an Amber Alert was issued that remains active to this day. In this episode, we break down the timeline and the details that turned a house fire into an ongoing mystery.

92: Scopes Trial

In this episode of we head to Dayton to explore the infamous Scopes Trial—a courtroom battle that turned a small Tennessee town into the center of a national debate. When teacher John T. Scopes was charged with violating the Butler Act by teaching evolution, the case quickly exploded into a media spectacle featuring legendary attorneys Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan. We break down how the trial started, what really happened inside the courtroom, and how this famous “Monkey Trial” forever changed the conversation about science, religion, and education in America.

91: The Hopkinsville Encounter

In this episode, we’re covering the infamous Hopkinsville Encounter, a bizarre 1955 case in rural Kentucky where a farm family claimed their home was surrounded by small, glowing creatures late at night. After firing at the figures and watching them seemingly disappear into the darkness, the terrified group fled to police, sparking one of the most famous and debated alien encounter stories in American history. We break down what the family reported, the investigation that followed, and why the mystery still hasn’t been fully explained.

90: Good Ol Boy Round Up

In this episode, we’re covering the disturbing history of the Good Ol’ Boy Roundup, an annual off duty gathering of law enforcement officers held along the Ocoee River in Tennessee from 1980 through the mid-1990s. What began as a simple rafting and cookout retreat grew into a large, alcohol fueled event that later drew national attention after reports surfaced of racist skits, offensive displays, and a hostile environment for minority officers and women. A federal investigation ultimately uncovered a culture of extreme misconduct and permissive behavior, raising serious questions about accountability, ethics, and how off duty conduct can impact public trust in law enforcement.

89: The Phantom Barber of Pascagoula

This week, we’re covering the bizarre true crime case of the Phantom Barber of Pascagoula, an unidentified intruder who broke into homes in 1942 and cut chunks of hair from sleeping victims, mostly young girls, without ever physically harming them. As fear spread through the small Mississippi town, families locked down their homes and police scrambled for answers. A local man was arrested and convicted on circumstantial evidence, but many still question whether the real culprit was ever caught. Strange, unsettling, and completely real... this one’s a Southern mystery that feels almost too weird to believe.

88: Robert Brashers

Robert Brasher didn’t look like a monster. He blended in. He lived quietly. And for years, no one suspected the violence hiding beneath the surface. In this episode, we dive into the disturbing case of Robert Brasher, a man whose escalating rage and obsession led to murder. From the warning signs that were missed to the devastating consequences for his victims and their families, this is a case that forces us to ask how well we ever truly know the people around us. We break down the timeline, the psychology, and the aftermath — and explore how control, entitlement, and unchecked anger can turn deadly. Listener discretion advised. This episode contains discussion of violence and murder.

87: Interstate 75 Fog Disaster

On the morning of December 11, 1990, an ordinary commute on Interstate 75 between Athens and Cleveland, Tennessee turned into a nightmare. As drivers crossed the Hiwassee River bridge, they were suddenly swallowed by a blinding wall of fog—so thick survivors said it felt like driving into milk. Within minutes, a single crash involving a tractor-trailer hauling hazardous chemicals triggered a massive chain reaction, leaving 99 vehicles mangled across the interstate as fires burned inside the haze. In Episode 87, we unravel how this deadly fog formed, why no one saw it coming, and what first responders faced as crash after crash echoed through the mist. From haunting survivor accounts to the lawsuits that followed, this episode dives into one of Tennessee’s most chilling and lesser-known disasters—where visibility vanished, and lives were changed forever.

86: The Mermaid Riots

This episode dives into one of the strangest chapters of Southern folklore and human hysteria. When rumors spread that a captured mermaid had arrived in Charleston, curiosity quickly twisted into obsession, drawing massive crowds desperate to see the mysterious creature. What began as fascination spiraled into chaos, tension, and violence as fear, spectacle, and deception collided in the streets. In this episode, we unravel how the legend began, why people became consumed by it, and whether there was ever truly a mermaid at all or just a powerful tale that exposed the darker, wilder side of human behavior.