Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Ripley's Believe It Or Not - 1 Minute Episodes (330) "Executed Four Times"
Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This brief “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” episode, aired as part of Harold’s Old Time Radio series, delivers a rapid-fire dose of historical curiosity. In classic Golden Age fashion, the episode aims to astonish listeners with two vignettes: a preserved artifact from a pivotal moment in American history, and the remarkable story of a Scottish man's unusual execution.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Boston Tea Party Artifact

• The Massachusetts Historical Society possesses a bottle with tea recovered from Boston Harbor after the legendary Boston Tea Party of December 16, 1773.
• This artifact directly connects listeners to a turning point in U.S. history.
• Quote (00:30, Speaker B):

  "The Massachusetts Historical Society has preserved a bottle containing some tea salvaged from Boston harbor during the famous Boston tea party on December 16, 1773. Believe it or not."

2. The Four-Time Execution of Daniel McMichael

• Telling the incredible true story of Daniel McMichael, a Scot sentenced to death in absentia.
• He was suffering from a fever when soldiers came to arrest him; upon capture, a firing squad was ordered to execute him.
• In a stunning twist, out of compassion, the firing squad intentionally missed during the first three executions—a rare show of mercy.
• It was only on the fourth attempt, pressured by their commanding officer, that the soldiers carried out the order.
• This tale is presented to highlight human empathy, even during grim circumstances, and the strange fates of history.
• Quote (00:54, Speaker B):

  "A firing squad was ordered to execute him. But the soldiers, moved by compassion at the shaky fever racked man, missed him deliberately three times. The commander ordered a fourth try. This time the bullets found their mark, ending Daniel McMichael's charmed life. Believe it or not."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On historical preservation:

  "The Massachusetts Historical Society has preserved a bottle containing some tea salvaged from Boston harbor during the famous Boston tea party on December 16, 1773. Believe it or not."
  (00:30, Speaker B)

• On compassion in adversity:

  "But the soldiers, moved by compassion at the shaky fever racked man, missed him deliberately three times."
  (01:07, Speaker B)

• On fate’s final say:

  "The commander ordered a fourth try. This time the bullets found their mark, ending Daniel McMichael's charmed life. Believe it or not."
  (01:22, Speaker B)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:30 – Introduction to Ripley’s and historical tea artifact
• 00:54 – The story of Daniel McMichael: sentenced, captured, and the compassion of his executioners
• 01:22 – The tragic conclusion of McMichael’s fourth execution attempt

Tone and Style

The episode keeps the measured, dramatic narration characteristic of old-time radio and “Believe It Or Not” segments—concise yet deeply evocative, blending history with a touch of wonder and morbid curiosity.

Note: This summary excludes all promotional segments and focuses solely on the two featured historical stories.