Two great stories from the old west!

1) THE LEGEND OF THE LOST SUBLETT MINE They thought Old Ben Sublett was crazy when he rolled into the town of Odessa Texas and persisted in saying that one day he would come back from his weeks of prospecting in the Guadalupes with a wagon full of gold. Those mountains were full of Apaches and rattlesnakes- but not gold. They had no idea that Old Ben had been a Texas Ranger and won medals fighting for the Confederacy.- and when he said he could do something he was more than talk.

2) THE BLACK SEMINOLE SCOUTS OF TEXAS- Their people had been driven out of Florida to a barren wasteland in the Midwest, then cheated out of what they were promised. Mexico offered them land and freedom if they would just fight Apaches and Comanches who were raiding across the US border- so they migrated to Mexico. But politics changed, and Mexico didn't keep their promises either.. Finally, the US Army offered more promises- join us as Indian scouts and you'll get property, pay, and your families will be fed. After four them won the Medal of Honor for valor they still found themselves fighting for what they had been promised, but no one would ever question their bravery.  

CALLING ALL FANS.. REVIEWS NEEDED

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Pictured: The Wright brothers celebrating the first SUSTAINED flight- the critical development that gave the world flight.

1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries AMERICA 250 Special Presentation "10 Uniquely American Inventions: Their Stories, and How They Benefited the World"

In this America 250 special episode, we take a deep dive into ten inventions that could only have come from the American spirit—innovations born from curiosity, grit, and a refusal to accept the limits of the age. These are the breakthroughs that reshaped daily life, transformed global industries, and in many cases, changed the course of human history.

This story was inspired by a simple truth: There is no shortage of voices—both inside and outside our borders—eager to tear America down. But before they do, they deserve a reminder of where the world would stand without the ideas, ingenuity, and courage that sprang from this country. These inventions aren't just American achievements—they're gifts to the world.

Across fifty‑five minutes, we explore the surprising origins, the colorful personalities behind the breakthroughs, and the global impact that followed. From lifesaving technologies to cultural game‑changers, each invention reveals something essential about who we are as a nation and why America's contributions matter.

This episode includes:

• In this America 250 special presentation, we explore ten inventions that could only have emerged from the American character — a blend of curiosity, boldness, practicality, and a belief that ordinary people can change the world. Each invention reflects a distinctly American mindset: If the world doesn't offer the solution, build one yourself.

  This episode includes:

  • Benjamin Franklin — The Lightning Rod & the Birth of Practical Science Franklin's experiments didn't just unlock the mysteries of electricity — they saved lives and protected cities. His work embodies the American belief that knowledge should serve the common good.

  • Eli Whitney — The Cotton Gin A simple machine that transformed agriculture and industry. Whitney's invention reflects America's early drive toward efficiency and mechanical problem‑solving, for better and for worse, reshaping the nation and the world.

  • Samuel Morse — The Telegraph & Morse Code Morse didn't just invent a device — he invented a language. His telegraph system collapsed distance, accelerated news, and laid the foundation for global communication networks. It's the American instinct to connect people faster and farther than ever before.

  The Light Bulb (Practical, Long‑Burning Version) — Many tinkered with electric light, but it was Thomas Edison's relentless trial‑and‑error and his creation of an entire electrical system that made illumination accessible to millions. It's the American belief in scaling an idea that changed the world.

In the weeks that followed the invasion and subsequent destruction of a large swath of the US Navy at Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, the western coastal states in the US were understandably suffering a case of nerves, not knowing if Japan was going to strike mainland US. Sightings were reported, and coastal batteries were placed on alert. A Japanese sub actually strafed a fuel depot at Elwood on the California coast, and the next evening something reported to be either a fleet of planes or balloons was spotted, and antiaircraft guns all up and down the coast of California started firing. For a tense few hours, most people thought that Los Angeles was under attack. This is the story. 

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🎙️ SHOW NOTES — Anne Bonny & Mary Read

PIRATES ANNE BONNEY AND MARY REED: THE LEGEND LIVES ON   at 1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast   www.bestof1001stories.com

In this episode, we explore the extraordinary, intertwined lives of Anne Bonny and Mary Read — two of the most fearless and unconventional figures to ever sail the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. Their stories are the stuff of legend: bold disguises, impossible escapes, and a defiance of 18th‑century expectations that still resonates today.

Anne Bonny

Born in Ireland and raised in the American colonies, Anne Bonny grew up with a fiery temper and a restless spirit. She rejected the quiet domestic life expected of her and instead gravitated toward the outlaw world of Nassau — the pirate republic where renegades, deserters, and dreamers carved out their own rough brand of freedom. There she met the flamboyant pirate Calico Jack Rackham, joined his crew, and proved herself in battle time and again. Anne fought openly, refusing to hide her identity, and quickly earned a reputation for courage, ferocity, and loyalty.

Mary Read

Mary Read's path to piracy was even more unusual. Born in England, she spent much of her early life disguised as a boy — first to secure an inheritance, later to serve in the British military. She fought as a soldier, lived as a man, and only revealed her identity when circumstances forced her hand. After a series of twists and misfortunes, Mary found herself aboard a pirate ship — and eventually alongside Anne Bonny. The two women recognized something in each other: a shared defiance of the roles society tried to force upon them.

A Legendary Partnership

When Anne and Mary sailed together under Calico Jack, they became one of the most formidable duos in pirate history. Witnesses described them fighting "like wildcats," often outmatching the men around them. Their partnership was built on mutual respect, shared danger, and a fierce commitment to living life on their own terms — even when that meant facing the gallows.

The Fall of Calico Jack

In 1720, their ship was attacked by a British sloop. Most of the crew, including Calico Jack, were drunk and unable to fight. Anne and Mary stood their ground, firing muskets and swinging cutlasses until they were overwhelmed. Their capture led to one of the most famous trials in pirate lore — and to the legendary moment when Anne told Rackham: "If you had fought like a man, you need not have been hanged like a dog."

Legacy

Anne Bonny and Mary Read remain icons of rebellion, independence, and courage. Their lives challenge the traditional narratives of piracy and illuminate the hidden stories of women who refused to be written out o

🎙️ MEET THE OHIO BIGFOOT CLAN

An America 250 Legends Special Presentation

1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast

This America 250 Legends Special Presentation takes listeners deep into one of the most active Bigfoot hotspots in the United States — Northeast Ohio, a region now ranked #4 in the nation for reported sightings. Recent investigations, including a widely circulated FOX 8 News report, have documented an unprecedented uptick in encounters, with multiple witnesses describing knocks, howls, massive footprints, and coordinated movement in the forests of Portage County and the surrounding counties of Summit, Stark, Mahoning, Trumbull, and Ashland.

In this episode, we follow our modeled BFRO‑affiliated search team into the remote interior of Portage County, where a cluster of sightings in 2026 triggered renewed interest in what some researchers now call "The Ohio Bigfoot Clan." Our embedded journalist provides a first‑person account of the expedition — from the rugged UTV ride into the woods, to the setting up of camp, to the eerie nighttime chorus of tree knocks, howls, and heavy bipedal movement that surrounded the team after midnight. We encourage our listeners to join a search team in the coming months and tell us about it at 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com. 

Listeners will meet the full field crew (modeeled after actual invetigative crews):

• Red Halpern, veteran investigator and team lead

• Dr. Lena Ortiz, wildlife biologist

• Hawk Jensen, audio specialist

• Sam & Rachel Whitaker, expert trackers

• Tyler Briggs, new volunteer and recent witness

• Cade Merriman, the local guide who knows the land better than anyone

Together, they document one of the most compelling nights of activity ever recorded in the region — a coordinated sequence of knocks and calls that suggests not a lone creature, but a family unit… a clan.

The following morning, the team gathers at a small pancake house to tackle the big questions:

• What exactly are Bigfoots?

• Why haven't we found a body or skeletal remains?

• How do they avoid humans so effectively?

• Are they a relict hominid, an undiscovered primate, or something else entirely?

Each team member offers a theory — from the idea of a surviving hominid species, to the possibility of burial behavior, to the notion that these creatures intentionally avoid human contact as a survival st

"Reincarnation and Karma: The Edgar Catce Interviews":  Two of mankind's greatest mysteries are discussed here- Reincarnation and Karma, as we sit down with noted author, hypnotherapist, and Cayce expert Peter Woodbury to discuss questions that include "is there life after death", "why do bad things happen to good people", and many others. Peter has dozens of great stories of past life cases and of Edgar Cayce and his sons to share, and you find a wealth of information here on Edgar Cayce's readings as well.  www.edgarcayce.org for all the info on A.R.E. 

Enjoy over 2,000 of my stories at www.bestof1001stories.com

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A collection of diverse stories including 1) The origin of the croissant, 2) The race for the atom bomb- it was closer than you think 3), Peter Francisco, teen hero of the revolution, 4,) Annie Oakley misses her chance,5) Brother Can You Spare A Dime, 6), The Legend of the Silver Madonna, 7) Steve Goodman and the City of New Orleans.

Link to "the City of New Orleans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF1lqEQFVUo 

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🎙️ SHOW NOTES — AMERICA 250 SPECIAL PRESENTATION

THE SWOOSE: The Plane That Refused to Die

Narrated by Jon Hagadorn

1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast

In this America 250 special presentation, host Jon Hagadorn brings listeners the extraordinary true story of The Swoose — the oldest surviving B‑17 Flying Fortress and the only B‑17D to serve from the opening days of World War II all the way to the end.

Told through the voice of an older veteran standing before the aircraft now located at the National Air Force Museum near Dayton Ohio, this immersive, five‑chapter narrative explores how a patched‑together, battle‑scarred bomber became one of the most remarkable survivors of the Pacific war. From the fiery skies over the Philippines to the desperate retreat to Australia, from makeshift repairs to high‑stakes missions, The Swoose emerges as a symbol of American ingenuity, grit, and determination.

Listeners will learn:

• How The Swoose escaped destruction during the Japanese attack on the Philippines

• Why she became known as the "patchwork fortress"

• How her resilience earned the respect of legendary aviator Colonel Frank Kurtz

• Why she is the last surviving B‑17D in the world

• What her story reveals about the young men who flew and maintained these iconic aircraft

This episode honors the legacy of the B‑17 crews — many of them barely out of high school — who faced staggering losses and unimaginable danger. It also reminds younger generations just how important these aircraft were, how many were sacrificed, and why the few that remain deserve to be remembered.

A powerful tribute to courage, survival, and the spirit of a nation at war, THE SWOOSE stands as a fitting story for America's 250th anniversary — a reminder that even in the darkest moments, some legends refuse to die. Freedom never comes cheap.

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THE STORY OF LEGENDARY AMERICAN PILOT BOB HOOVER- FOR AMERICA 250  The 20th century brought a tremendous amount of innovation but none so tremendous and awe-inspiring as flight. By the 1920's "barnstormers" were putting on death-defying airshows all across rural America, and by the 30's these shows, like the National Air Races in Cleveland, were moving to major cities, where they became a very risky venture for not only the flyers but the spectators as well. Many men and women fliers became international celebrities. Todays story surrounds the incredible career of early barnstormer turned test pilot, WWII hero, and stunt flyer Bob Hoover and is based in part on his autobiography "Forever Flying". 

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REVIEWS NEEDED . My email works as well for comments: 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com

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The incredible story of America's greatest magician Harry Houdini, who came over from Hungary with his family as a young boy, saw his share of poverty, and decided to make it on his own, using his brain and his God-given talents. He learned magic, married a woman named Bess who became his partner, and worked his way up through stage shows and vaudeville doing hand cuff escapes and card tricks- until an agent suggested that he do escape acts. By 1908 he had toured the US and Europe and was making the equivalent of $9,000 US per week. As a professional magician he railed against imposters, especially mediums who performed seances which promised to connect with lost relatives. He became good friends with author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, (who believed in Spiritualism- the ability to connect with the dead) until their differences became too great. We discuss his life and his legacy, and prepare you for next weeks episode on Spiritualism and the mysterious origins of the Ouija board.

Get all of our shows at one website: www.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM

REVIEWS NEEDED . My email works as well for comments: 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com

SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! www.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated).

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