Buried Bones Podcast – "Paper Trail"

Hosts: Kate Winkler Dawson & Paul Holes
Date: May 21, 2025
Podcast: Exactly Right/iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this episode of Buried Bones, journalist Kate Winkler Dawson and retired investigator Paul Holes dissect the 1855 poisoning death of Arthur Reagan in Miami County, Ohio. Through their signature blend of historical research and modern forensic analysis, they unravel the tangled relationships, social circumstances, and limited investigative techniques of the era. The case centers on Arthur's death by arsenic poisoning, the suspicions cast on his young wife, Elizabeth, and the incriminating paper trail—specifically, a love letter and testimony that bring motives and 19th-century social expectations into sharp relief.

I. Exploring Generational True Crime Fascination (03:43–15:10)

• Kate and Paul reflect on the true crime cases that defined their own upbringings and how generational and technological shifts affect which cases haunt public memory.

  • Kate's touchstones: The Yogurt Shop murders (Austin, TX), Columbine, JonBenét Ramsey.
  • Paul's touchstones: The Trailside Killer (David Carpenter), Poly Klaas abduction, O.J. Simpson trial.

• Quote – On shifting perceptions of true crime:

  “There is a generational divide for sure... About the cases my students, who are somewhere between 18 and 22, think are the big ones, and then my generation’s.”
  — Kate (04:54)

• Paul notes today’s omnipresent social media coverage means “you can follow the trial online,” vastly changing emotional investment.

• They discuss the re-traumatization of victim families by ongoing media and true crime interest.

II. Setting the Scene: The Death of Arthur Reagan (15:10–28:08)

• Setting: April 3, 1855 – rural Miami County, Ohio.
  Arthur Reagan, a cooper (barrel-maker), experiences severe stomach illness.

• Initial Questions: Kate and Paul explore possible natural causes (pre-pasteurization food poisoning, occupational hazards, environmental exposure).

  • Discussion of 19th-century hygiene, milk safety, and the risks unique to farm communities.
  • Cream of tartar and potential sealant chemicals used in coopering are considered.

• Quote – Paul on causes of illness:

  “He could have, just from working on the farm... contaminated his fingers and then his mouth—let’s not be too graphic, but animal fecal matter or just the meats they’re eating.” (21:51)

III. Arsenic, Suspicion, and Forensics of the Era (28:08–39:54)

• Timeline: Arthur becomes ill on Friday, recovers somewhat after Dr. Brownell attends him on Sunday, then declines again by Monday before dying on Tuesday.

• Elizabeth (Arthur’s pregnant wife) suggests to the doctor that Arthur may have poisoned himself.

• Arthur (while still conscious) tells the doctor he believes he is being poisoned but does not name the culprit.

• Forensic Evidence:

  • Dr. Brownell collects vomit, and authorities gather soil tainted with vomit for testing in Columbus.
  • 1850s chemical tests confirm high levels of arsenic.

• Quote – On historical forensics:

  “It’s surprising... the depth of chemistry knowledge that toxicologists back in the day actually had.”
  — Paul (35:59)

• Elizabeth’s claim: Arthur ingested cream of tartar (used both for baking and medicine in the 1800s), possibly laced with arsenic.

IV. Motives and the “Paper Trail” (39:54–53:28)

• Suspicion mounts on Elizabeth, especially after Arthur’s last statement.

• Key Evidence: A misdelivered, then recovered, love letter—authored by Elizabeth to James Mowry (her lover and Arthur’s friend).

  • Letter is filled with lament and an explicit plot: give Arthur arsenic-laced oysters on a made-up trip, then feign grief and communicate his death by telegraph.

• Quote – Kate reading the letter:

  “You can procure your poison, administer it in his oysters, and he will never know the difference... When you have accomplished what I have told you, then you can telegraph to me that he is dead.” (46:13–50:56)

• Analysis: Both Paul and Kate focus on how detailed, premeditated, and manipulative Elizabeth’s plan was—challenging the later narrative that she was merely “victimized” or manipulated.

• James and Elizabeth’s affair is revealed, complicating motives and potential suspects.

V. Legal Proceedings and Testimonies (53:28–68:49)

• Grand Jury/Preliminary Hearing:

  • Elizabeth testifies to her affair with James; both admit rekindling a relationship after prior romantic involvement.
  • Elizabeth frames herself as manipulated, emotionally vulnerable after the death of her baby, and only pushed to action after Arthur allegedly became abusive.

• Detailed testimony includes:

  • Elizabeth says James forced the idea of poisoning and she resisted until Arthur’s aggression.
  • Admits to buying the arsenic, attempting first via coffee, then with chicken soup, ultimately causing Arthur’s death.

• Quote – Elizabeth’s confession:

  “I bought arsenic. He told me to. I mixed it into Arthur’s coffee. It made him sick, but didn’t kill him... I tried again after the doctor left... put it in his chicken soup and he said it tasted great. And then he died the next day.” (65:09)

• Discussion of the 1850s legal system:

  • Unlikely to convict a woman to death, especially a young mother.
  • Paul highlights the lack of direct evidence against James besides the letter.
  • Sympathetic press coverage notes the community’s reluctance to punish Elizabeth harshly.

VI. Verdict and Social Context (68:49–77:59)

• Outcome:

  • James is released—lack of direct evidence.
  • Elizabeth is not put on trial for murder; authorities and the courts are unwilling to sentence her to death due to sympathetic mitigating factors: her age (22), her status as a new mother, alleged abuse, and social perceptions of women as manipulable.

• Social Commentary:

  • The case is shaped by 19th-century gender norms—expressed in a newspaper quote:

    “We would gladly see her restored to innocence and happiness if it were possible... She is a self-convicted murderer and nothing can save her from death but the clemency of the governor.” (70:20)

  • Paul expresses frustration with the lack of accountability, even as he recognizes the potential mitigating circumstances.

• Quote – On outcome:

  “My primary problem is that you had somebody commit murder, admits to committing murder, and they’re not held responsible... mitigating circumstances could have been used to potentially reduce what Elizabeth was convicted of and how long her sentence would have been, but I still think she needs to be held responsible.”
  — Paul (74:16)

• Elizabeth moves to Indianapolis and reportedly starts a new life; James’s fate is unknown. Arthur’s death is formally unsolved despite Elizabeth’s confession.

VII. Notable Moments and Quotes

• Letter Mix-Up as Turning Point:
  The accidental delivery of the incriminating letter to the wrong man is “the only reason this whole thing comes to light.” (41:25–44:08)
• Paul on historical food safety:
  “Oysters in the middle of the country were probably a common source of food poisoning.” (47:44)
• Kate on Elizabeth’s manipulative strategy:
  “The detail and how well she thought out that plan—she really thought out every detail.” (64:23)
• Paul on confession and responsibility:
  “She is confessing to murdering Arthur on the stand... She is responsible for murder.” (66:02)

VIII. Key Timestamps

• Generational discussion of true crime: 03:43–15:10
• Story introduction and setting the scene: 15:10–28:08
• Arsenic discovery and forensic science: 35:59–39:54
• Discovery and reading of incriminating letter: 41:25–52:05
• Legal strategy and testimony breakdown: 53:28–68:49
• Aftermath, social context, and episode close: 68:49–77:59

IX. Closing Thoughts

Buried Bones: "Paper Trail" is a compelling exploration of the intersection of gender, justice, and forensic limitations in mid-19th-century America. Kate and Paul question prevailing narratives of victimhood versus agency, noting how detailed evidence—in this case, a literal paper trail—can subvert attempts to shift blame. Yet the episode’s lasting resonance lies in how societal empathy, legal discretion, and the lack of forensic rigor resulted in a confessed murderer walking free, her fate shaped as much by her confession as by her gender and her child.

Next Episode Teaser: After a break, word is they’ll return with a different era and a new historical mystery.