Podcast Summary:

Harold's Old Time Radio — Ripley's Believe It Or Not – 1 Minute Episodes (407): "Ruled by an Empty Chair"
Date: January 10, 2026
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio features a brief yet gripping installment of Ripley's Believe It Or Not, focusing on two unusual historical anecdotes. The main story highlights how a war council was ruled for years by "an empty chair" — the symbolic seat of Alexander the Great. The episode captures the curious and the bizarre, staying true to Ripley's tradition of sharing stories that make listeners question reality.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Prophetic Death of Jane Guerin (00:31–00:52)

• The episode opens with the remarkable story of Jane Guerin from Rothwell, England.
  • As a child, Jane was warned she would die on her birthday.
  • Out of fear or superstition, she spent each birthday in bed.
  • True to the prediction, she passed away on her 100th birthday.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Jane Guerin of Rothwell, England was warned in childhood she would die on her birthday. So she spent each anniversary of her birth in bed, where she died on her 100th birthday. Believe it or not.” (B, 00:33)

2. The War Council Ruled by an Empty Chair (00:53–01:31)

• The main segment delves into a peculiar chapter of ancient history following the death of Alexander the Great.
  • General Eumenes, Alexander’s former secretary, persuaded other generals that Alexander had visited him in a dream, instructing that meetings should be held in the presence of his throne, crown, and scepter.
  • The generals complied, essentially letting the memory (and authority) of Alexander continue to rule via the empty throne.
  • Eumenes acted as the spokesperson for the “royal ghost” and maintained control until his own death.
  • The war council continued to operate this way, ruled by the empty chair, for eight years.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The War Council was ruled for eight years by an empty chair. The Believe it or not.” (B, 01:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jane Guerin’s Fate:
  • “She spent each anniversary of her birth in bed, where she died on her 100th birthday. Believe it or not.” (B, 00:39)
• On the Council’s Strange Rule:
  • “Eumenes was obeyed as spokesman for the royal ghost until he himself was slain. The War Council was ruled for eight years by an empty chair.” (B, 01:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:30–00:52 — The story of Jane Guerin’s lifelong fear and prophetic death.
• 00:53–01:31 — The tale of Eumenes, Alexander the Great’s war council, and the rule by an empty chair.

Style & Tone

• The narration retains an old-time radio delivery: clipped, dramatic, and suspenseful.
• The episode is concise and direct, delivering astonishing facts without embellishment, maintaining the classic Ripley's style of matter-of-fact wonder.

This episode is a succinct slice of radio history, revealing the strangeness of both personal superstitions and political power, served in the classic Ripley's Believe It Or Not format — an engaging listen for fans of remarkable tales from the past.