In this episode we talk about the genius and wildly eccentric life of Potter / Artist George Ohr. We also explore the wondrous art and wild stories of Mississippi Art legend Walter Anderson. Both of these artists hailed from the Southern coastal part of our beautiful state.

"Strange Wanders" is a production of MWB Studios. Today's episode was hosted, produced and edited by COLE FURLOW, written and researched by Tim Mask, with sound design from COLE FURLOW. Please visit mwb.com for more information.

"Strange Wanders" wouldn't be possible with out the support of Mississippi's tourism partners. Please head to VisitMississippi.org to plan your wander across that state.

STRANGE WANDERS IS BACK! 

In season 1 episode 3, we wander across Mississippi to explore some of the "witchy" aspects of the state's history. The Bell Witch, a foundation of American folklore, has ties to North Mississippi. Just down the road along the Natchez Trace Parkway, there are patches of ground on which no grass grows. Why? Let's just say the location is known as "Witch Dance." A little farther down the state a creepy legend known as the "Witch of Yazoo" seeks vengeance on the town who presided over her demise.

"Strange Wanders" is a production of MWB Studios. Today's episode was hosted, produced and edited by COLE FURLOW, written and researched by Tim Mask, with sound design from COLE FURLOW. Please visit mwb.com for more information.

"Strange Wanders" wouldn't be possible with out the support of Mississippi's tourism partners. Please head to VisitMississippi.org to plan your wander across that state.

Featured destinations in this episode:

https://www.tupelo.net

https://www.scenictrace.com

https://visityazoo.org

we will be right back!

In the early days of the Great Depression, the police in Mississippi's capital city of Jackson picked up a man they didn't recognize walking down State Street, in the downtown heart of the city. The man didn't know who he was, how we came to be in Jackson, or have any memory of friends and family. He was eventually committed to the state mental institution where he would spend the next eight years of his life. 

Well mannered, well spoken, and being exceptionally adept at card games, the man was referred to the case file as "Mr. X." 

Over seven years into Mr. X's confinement at the hospital, a new public relations director was hired. She was a maverick for her time, and pitch the story of Mr. X to various media outlets. After an appearance on a national radio program, and old friend though he recognized Mr. X, and brought the man's plight to the attention of his family, living in Alabama. 

After some questionable treatment methods, Mr. X seemed to recognize his family members and left to live with them. But, as you'll find out, this story may not be as cut and dry as it would seem. 

To this day, we may not have a definitive answer to the question, "Who is Mr. X?"

This episode heavily sourced material from an article written by Laura Todd Carns titled "Searching for Mr. X," that appeared on The Atavist Magazine website. Give it a look...it is a fantastic read: https://magazine.atavist.com/searching-for-mr-x-amnesia-mississippi-radio-mystery/. 

Other links:

www.VisitJackson.com 

Stranger Wanders is sponsored by Visit Mississippi. Please visit their website at visitmississippi.org. Follow us on Instagram @Strange_Wanders.

Strange Wanders is produced and distributed by MWB Studios. Learn More at www.mwb.com. 

In this special Strange Wanders Halloween minisode we wander to Vicksburg to explore the history of McRaven House, reputedly the most haunted house in Mississippi.

From humble beginnings as a hideout for a highwayman to the abode of the last members of a reclusive family -- with a lot of death and tragedy thrown in between -- McRaven is said to be home to up to eight spirits who haven't quite decided to move on just yet.

For more information visit:

https://visitmississippi.org/go/haunted-mississippi/

https://www.mcraventourhome.com

https://www.visitvicksburg.com

Strange Wanders is a production of MWB Studios and is sponsored by Visit Mississippi. Visit mwb.com for more information. Follow us on Instagram @Strange_Wanders.

Don't look behind you.

In Episode 2 part 1: Strange Wanderers.

In this episode we visit the final resting place of royalty in a cemetery in Meridian Mississippi, and recount the murderous tale of what are believed to be the first recorded serial killers in American History, the Harpe brothers. 

Strange Wanders is sponsored by Visit Mississippi. visitmississippi.org.

For more information about locations in this episode, please point your browser to:

VisitMeridian.com

NatchezTraceTravel.com

For more information about the stories in the episode, visit:

http://www.mississippifolklife.org/articles/meridians-royal-past

https://murderpedia.org/male.H/h/harpe-brothers.htm

Strange Wanders is a production of MWB Studios. Visit MWB.com for more information.

Find us on Instagram at @Strange_Wanders. 

And watch out for those bandits. 

From demonic deals at a legendary crossroads, to Civil War spirits not quite ready to surrender, and notorious outlaws who finally ran afoul of justice, the state of Mississippi has many strange adventures, folktales, and history ready for each and every wanderer. 

In our first episode, we visit the tale of the legendary blues man Robert Johnson who made a deal with the devil in the Delta. We journey to the haunted hills of the Vicksburg National Military Park, and take a train over to Meridian to check in on a notorious outlaw turned phantom keeper of a long abandoned bridge. 

Strange Wanders is sponsored by Visit Mississsippi. visitmississippi.org. 

For information about the locations in this episode, please point your browsers to:

VisitClarksdale.com

VisitVicksburg.com

VisitMeridian.com

VisitMississippi.com

Strange Wanders is a production of MWB Studios. Visit MWB.com for more information. 

Follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @Strange_Wanders

And don’t linger too long at any crossroads.

Mississippi has been called the state for Wanderers. In fact, the state's official tourism slogan is "Wanderers Welcome." It's many sights and places, attractions and faces provide a memorable experience for visitors of all types. 

But we would say that as one wanders through Mississippi, don't think everything you encounter is exactly as it seems. 

Strange Wanderers is a podcast that explores the folklore, ghost stories, and surprisingly true tales of a place full of odd history, haunted graveyards, eccentric geniuses, and more.

You'll meet royalty buried in a cemetery in Meridian, Mississippi. You'll learn of spectral visions on Civil War Battlefields who aren't quite ready to give up the ghost...literally. And then, there's always that crossroads. 

Join us for the first season of Strange Wanderers, launching just in time for spooky season. A production of MWB Studios, and sponsored by Visit Mississippi.