
Ep. 32 Flypaper Lyda
In 1920, a Twin Falls ranch foreman died with nine times the lethal dose of arsenic in his body. His wife was already gone. What the sheriff uncovered would make her a national sensation, "Lady Bluebeard," then a prison escapee, then, in the final twist, a pardoned woman who married again. This is the story of Flypaper Lyda. Sources: William C. Anderson, Lady Bluebeard: The True Story of Love and Marriage, Death and Flypaper (Fred Pruett Books, 1994) "Flypaper Lyda," Time, Oct. 13, 1941 BoiseDev, "Marriage, murder and fly paper: The story of Lady Bluebeard, Idaho's first known serial killer" (Feb. 2025) Rick Just, "Lady Bluebeard," Idaho history blog (Oct. 16, 2024) "Mrs. Southard Gets Long Prison Term," New York Times, Nov. 8, 1921 "Charge Poisoning of Four Husbands," New York Times, May 13, 1921 Boise State Albertsons Library Special Collections, William C. Anderson papers (MSS 218) The Line-Up, "Black Widow: The Murders of Lyda Trueblood" Idaho Statesman coverage, including D. Ronayne, "Married 'Em And Buried 'Em" (July 9, 2002)
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