The Big Story: More Tragic than Murder (EP5027)
episode
The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
34 min
5 speakers
4 chapters
transcribed 1 month ago
Transcript
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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THE END
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of The Big Story. First, though, I want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And I want to encourage you to check out our other podcasts. We are nearing the end of our... Columbo Killers, an old-time radio series. Please check that out at amazing.greatdetectives.net as part of our amazing world of radio. You'll enjoy it. There are so many episodes and different miniseries we've done. And again, you can check that at amazing.greatdetectives.net. But now, from... April 25th, 1951.
Here is more tragic than murder.
The Big Story
Well, Mrs. Stone. Mighty nice of you to come.
I wouldn't miss it for the world, Etta. Your ma's birthday and her being the oldest person in Seneca. How is she? I'll have to ask you not to come in. Not that she's sick, of course.
Just a little indisposed.
Oh, I'm sorry. Mrs. Layton sends regards and my daughter baked these muffins. She'll be delighted and so sorry she can't see you. And give her all our love. Ninety years old. The poor dear soul.
Well, that was nice of her. Especially to bring the muffins you like so much, Ma. You'll have them later with your dinner. It's too bad you can't enjoy them, Mother. They look mighty tasty. It's a shame you've been dead these two and a half years.
Hiawatha, Kansas. From the front pages of the Hiawatha, Kansas daily world comes the story of a small town reporter who proved there are things more tragic in this world than murder. Hiawatha, Kansas. The story as it actually happened. Virgil Hill's story as he lived it.
Your paper, Verge Hill, the Hiawatha Daily World, services a community of maybe 7,000. 2,000 in Hiawatha itself, 4,000 scattered in surrounding Brown County, and the rest scattered in Nemaha County adjacent. This is the Kansas Corn Belt, And you write everything that goes into the paper. From the lead, through the golden wedding announcements, through the classified ads. And all the big news there is or has been for the past two months is the weather. 102. Mine says 104. And bad jokes about the weather. And the corn crop. The humor of men in desperation. Well, we ought to make a hundred bushels this year. You're crazy. Corn? A hundred bushels this year? Oh, I didn't mean a hundred to the acre. I meant a hundred to the county.
And those two notes, the temperature and the bad corn joke, are page one until, like a sour hot wind, the rumor of the story from Seneca, Nemaha County begins coming in.
What is the premise of 'More Tragic than Murder' and when was it originally broadcast?
I hear tell the old lady was going on 90. And she had her laying there like that all the time? She kept her partly in the trunk. And the rest of her, I can't even talk about it.
And since what happens to anyone in a small town is known by everyone almost before it happens, this incredible rumor of hideous murder sends you, Verge Hill, in your jalopy 30 miles from Hiawatha to the beat-up Seneca Courthouse. and the tight-mouthed sheriff of Seneca, Kansas, George Barmer. Hi, Sheriff. I'm sorry, Hill. Now, I have nothing to say. Aw, come on, Sheriff. After all these years, you can give me a break, can't you? Now, Hill, the truth is I don't know my facts yet. That's the honest truth now. Some I got, some I ain't. Murder is a pretty serious accusation to make, and I ain't making it. And a murder charge against a woman going on 55... Name? Etta Herkimer. Well, now, that's something I ain't ready to put in words until I know.
Well, just could I talk to her, Sheriff? When I know, you can see her. Now, I'll make you a promise, Hill.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–5:12
2
What is the premise of 'More Tragic than Murder' and when was it originally broadcast?
5:12–18:24
3
How does Virgil Hill first hear about the Seneca rumor and why does he travel there?
18:24–19:07
4
What do townspeople allege about Etta Herkimer and her mother's fate?
19:07–34:30