Ripley's Believe It Or Not - 1 Minute Episodes xx-xx-xx (330) Executed Four Times - Harold's Old Time Radio

Summary2 min read

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.

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Transcript3 lines

[00:01]
A
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[00:31]
B
Truth is stranger than fiction. This is the proof. This is Ripley's Believe it or Not. 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. In a moment I'll tell you about a man who was executed by a firing squad four successive times. Daniel McMichael in Scotland had been sentenced to death in absentia. He was sick in bed with fever when he heard that a detachment of soldiers was about to capture him. He fled, but was overtaken at the pass of Delvine. 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.
[01:36]
A
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