Buried Bones – “The Falls Field Tragedy”

Hosts: Kate Winkler Dawson & Paul Holes
Date: February 11, 2026
Podcast Network: Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

Overview: Main Theme and Purpose

In this episode of “Buried Bones,” Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes dissect the 1857 Falls Field case from Rochester, New York, where the seemingly accidental search for one deceased man uncovers a much more elaborate and brutal murder. Using 21st-century forensic understanding, the duo dives into the evidence, investigative tunnel vision, and the complex web of relationships surrounding the case, examining how guilt was determined and whether justice was ultimately served.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: Rochester, 1857 (& 1858)

• The case begins with searchers looking for Nathan, a prominent member of the Jewish community, swept over the Great Falls. Instead, they find another body in the river's eddy—setting off a murder investigation.
  [08:17–14:40]
• Paul and Kate detail the Genesee River’s treacherous geography—massive falls, calm eddies, and swirling currents—crucial for understanding body movement and potential body disposal tactics.

“This literally looks like Niagara Falls but has a town surrounding it… This is not just like a single waterfall. This is an entire river going over this cliff down into the basin…”
—Paul Holes [13:24]

Discovery of the Body & Initial Forensic Observations

• The victim (later IDed as Charles Littles) presents:
  • Fractured skull
  • Face badly beaten
  • Multiple deep, “regular” cuts (suspected brass knuckle injuries)
  • Three similar wounds on the back of the head
  • Skull fragments scattered
• The body is found among gravel in a pool of blood, with additional blood at different elevations suggesting the body hit outcroppings on the way down from the cliff.
  [16:41–21:52]

Forensic Considerations

• Paul weighs in on differentiating natural fall injuries versus intentional harm—deep, regular wounds not typically caused by random impacts.
• Discussion about historical weapons (brass knuckles, the “Apache” revolver).

“The deep, regular cuts…that’s probably the one thing where it’s like, oh, maybe he had some preexisting injuries as a result of homicidal violence…”
—Paul Holes [18:02]

Crime Scene & Staging Theories

• Victim is found with possessions (gold watch, money, dagger), ruling out robbery as a motive.
  [28:36–34:10]
• Observed signs:
  • Evidence of a struggle (blood at various elevations)
  • Other objects near the body—a woman’s hat ornament, bits of fur, broken jewelry, and an arm of a chair
  • Noted presence of “burdock burs” in both the environment and Sarah’s hair, linking the scene to suspects

“If this was a robbery homicide, you would think that his body would have been stripped of these valuables. And they’re not… That’s very informative.”
—Paul Holes [30:42]

Victimology and Suspect Pool

• Charles Littles is a young (25), prominent but troubled attorney—alcohol problems, multiple affairs, and recent marital discord.
• His wife, Sarah, is 19, has left Charles, and is seeing another man (“Mr. Patterson”), drawing Charles’ jealousy and stalking.
• Sarah’s brother, Ira Stout:
  • Has a criminal past (counterfeiting, forgery, burglary, arson)
  • Hates Charles and has just re-entered society after serving time
  • Only Charles and the Stout family knew Ira’s criminal history

The Stout Siblings: Central Suspects

• Both Sarah and Ira are injured post-crime (Sarah: broken wrist, bruises, black eyes, burdock burs in hair; Ira: broken arm, missing glasses).
• Their alibis hinge on each other; their injuries are unlikely from accidental falls as claimed.
• Glasses, jewelry, and clothing remnants from the scene directly match Sarah and Ira upon investigation.

“The extent of Sarah’s injuries—I don’t believe these are her falling down and she’s breaking her wrist and now she’s got two black eyes and all these abrasions all over her body… It looks like Charles was ambushed by Ira and Sarah at this location.”
—Paul Holes [55:10]

Motives and Family Dynamics

• Possible motives: revenge or protection for Sarah, fear about secrets (Ira/Sarah's relationship and Ira's past), or family solidarity.
• The episode discusses possible incestuous ties between Sarah and Ira, based on period rumors about their co-sleeping and closeness.
  [48:11–50:47]

“There’s a family dynamic here… He’s protecting his sister.”
—Paul Holes [77:04]

Forensic Evidence & Physical Linkages

• Crime scene debris (fur, hat decor, glasses) match items owned by Sarah and Ira.
• Their matching burdock burrs, fresh injuries, and covered-in-blood clothing prove hard for the defense to dismiss.
• No modern forensics, but a robust case by 19th-century standards.

“Based off what you told me… there is some strength to this case for sure…”
—Paul Holes [61:17]

The Trials & Their Aftermath

• Both are indicted; tried separately.
  [61:17 onward]
• Ira:
  • Admits guilt; claims manslaughter, not premeditation.
  • Mom (Margaret) testifies—both kids came home “covered in blood,” and Ira confessed to her.
  • Convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
  • Becomes a cause célèbre with abolitionists: Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony publicly campaign to commute his execution (unsuccessful).
  • Executed by hanging (jerk-up method, resulting in slow strangulation—a method discussed at length).

“You have Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony…these are some heavyweight, notable historical figures. But it has nothing to do with whether or not Ira received the proper sentence for the crime.”
—Paul Holes [70:18]

• Sarah:
  • Pleads guilty to manslaughter, claiming she didn’t know Ira would kill Charles.
  • Receives 7 years, serves less than 6, and disappears from records.
  • In her confession, claims Ira lured Charles to the falls on false pretenses and killed him with a hammer when the original plan (an “accidental” fall) didn’t work.

Modern Forensic & Social Reflections

• Paul discusses the challenges of separating accessory from primary assailant; admits difficulty in knowing Sarah’s true level of involvement.

“If Sarah is brandishing the brass knuckles and beating Charles to death, then she got away with murder. But I’m guessing …Ira being the primary offender… makes sense to me.”
—Paul Holes [84:35]

• Kate notes that Charles was likely an abusive “bad man,” but the law was clear in the outcome for the siblings. The case is framed as tragic but resolved according to social and legal norms of the era.

Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “I had no idea how this thing was going to play out… I thought it was a forgotten case.”
  —Paul Holes (on his unrelated current investigation) [03:36]

• “This is where injuries that are regular, almost geometric, suggest a human-made weapon.”
  —Paul Holes [18:02]

• On motives:
  “When men get killed, vast majority of the time it’s because the men have been involved with or have done something stupid that got them killed.”
  —Paul Holes [32:02]

• “Family sticks together, and Ira never implicates Sarah at all. He refuses to say anything.”
  —Kate Winkler Dawson [77:02]

• “He tries to take his own life several times before execution… the governor, who is John King, just finally says, you’re going to be executed.”
  —Kate Winkler Dawson [75:22–75:35]

Notable Timestamps

• Setting the Scene & The Search: [08:17–16:41]
• First Forensic Impressions: [16:40–22:10]
• Weapon Discussion (“Apache” revolver): [22:10–25:03]
• Victimology & Background: [34:10–35:44]
• Focus on Sarah & Ira, Injury Details: [51:44–55:56]
• Physical Evidence & Crime Scene Match: [59:27–61:17]
• Trial & Testimony: [63:46–68:38]
• Frederick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony’s involvement: [69:37–70:18]
• Sarah’s Confession: [80:22–82:33]
• Modern Forensic Summation: [84:18–87:24]

Summary & Epilogue

The Falls Field Tragedy stands as a classic example of how 19th-century investigative thinking, physical evidence (despite primitive tools), family dynamics, and evolving legal views on punishment and culpability converged in a single sensational case. Paul and Kate agree that while justice was served according to contemporary standards, questions about Sarah’s precise motives and involvement linger. The show concludes that both the investigation and the aftermath—complete with public outcry, reformist intervention, and the eventual fates of all involved—provide a vivid lens on true crime history.

For additional photos, diagrams, and evidence:
See Instagram @buriedbonespod.

Further Reading:

• “The Falls Field tragedy!” – Sarah Stout’s pamphlet
• “The Last Writing of Marian Ira Stout” – Ira’s pre-execution account