Episode Overview

Episode Title: Strange But True: Seattle Fire
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Air Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Main Theme:
This episode features a segment of "Strange But True," a classic radio show presenting odd and fascinating true stories from history. The episode’s highlight is the mysterious series of arson fires in Seattle between 1931 and 1935—one of several captivating accounts told in a dramatic, vintage radio style. Other unusual but true tales round out the segment, all drawn from the era’s original radio broadcasts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origin of "Blue Monday"

• The name "Blue Monday" originally referred to the Monday before Lent when churches were decorated with blue hangings, signifying a festive occasion, not a somber one.
  • Host’s Insight:

    "On this particular day, moreover, it wasn't a gloomy and depressing occasion, but a gay, festive holiday. In fact, in 16th century Europe, it became so festive that it turned into a regular orgy and was abolished by law."
    [00:25]

2. The Seattle Arson Mystery (1931–1935)

• A Series of Fires:

  • Seattle experienced a prolonged series of mysterious fires, typically igniting between dawn and dusk, always in large buildings, most frequently factories.

• Suspicion and Patterns:

  • Investigators quickly determined arson was at play, launching a citywide manhunt for the “flame-crazy madman.”

    "It wasn't long before the telltale pattern spelled out just one thing to trained investigators. Arson and a city wide hunt for a flame. Crazy Madman was on."
    [00:55]

• Tension and Investigation:

  • Fire and police personnel often blended with onlookers in hopes of spotting suspicious behavior.
  • Despite relentless effort, they repeatedly failed to catch the culprit:

    "Time and again they returned to their desks to file the same discouraging report. No suspects."
    [01:18]

• Break in the Case:

  • A major lead emerged when a lunchroom owner, awakened by a fire across the street, noticed a lone figure watching the blaze with glee—a tramp.

• Arrest & Confession:

  • Police apprehended the man, who confessed after questioning to starting 130 fires and causing $6.5 million in damage simply for the thrill of it:

    "One man who, just for the fun of it, had set fire to 130 factories and large buildings to the tune of $6,500,000 in property damage before he was captured."
    [02:15]

3. The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Miniature Railway

• Known as “one of the world’s busiest public railways”—despite its tiny scale.
• Established in 1926, measuring just 14 miles in length, but equipped with:
  • 10 locomotives
  • 50 coaches and 50 flat cars—about one-quarter the size of standard trains, on 50-inch wide tracks
• Impressive Operations:
  • Handles significant loads, such as 5,000 passengers in a single day and individual freight deliveries of up to 100 tons.

  "Though the road is scarcely more than a toy, it has carried 5,000 passengers in one day and moved single loads of freight weighing 100 tons."
  [02:50]

4. Legendary Sword Swallower Savalier Clico

• Achieved fame in 1890s Europe as possibly the greatest sword swallower.
• Notably, his esophagus was twice the normal size, enabling him to swallow up to 14 swords at once.

  "The passage from Kliko's mouth to his stomach or his esophagus was twice the normal size, which enabled him to swallow up to the hilt as many as 14 swords at one time."
  [03:14]

5. The Fate of Rigid Airships (Zeppelins)

• Only 151 rigid airships were ever built (1899–1939), all now destroyed or dismantled:
  • 131 in Germany
  • 16 in England
  • 4 in the USA
• Technology based on Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin’s principles; Zeppelin’s interest in airships began after a balloon ascent over St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1863.

  "They were produced between 1899 and 1939 in three countries... All were built from the principles of the great German authority on lighter than aircraft, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, who incidentally became interested in aeronautics while being taken on a balloon ascent in 1863 over St. Paul, Minnesota."
  [03:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Giddy Festivities of Blue Monday:

  "...it became so festive that it turned into a regular orgy and was abolished by law."
  [00:30]

• On Dogged Arson Detective Work:

  "Detectives and members of the arson squad mingled with the crowd, studying each face in the glare of the flames for some sign that would give away the fire bug."
  [01:05]

• On the Power and Peculiarity of Miniature Transportation:

  "...the road is scarcely more than a toy, it has carried 5,000 passengers in one day and moved single loads of freight weighing 100 tons."
  [02:50]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:00–00:50: Blue Monday’s origin and reputation
• 00:51–02:20: The Seattle firebug and his eventual capture
• 02:21–03:13: The miniature but mighty Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
• 03:14–03:39: Savalier Clico, legendary sword swallower
• 03:40–End: The history and fate of rigid airships/zeppelins

Tone & Style

The narration captures a classic, dramatically suspenseful “strange but true” tone, combining factual exposition with mystery and surprise—true to the golden age of radio storytelling. Each vignette is swiftly paced but vivid, inviting listeners into the peculiar wonders and oddities of the past.

Summary Takeaway

This episode immerses listeners in a collection of unusual but true stories, headlined by the saga of the Seattle firebug—a lone arsonist who terrorized a city for years. It exemplifies the vintage radio approach: brisk, colorful storytelling, a taste for the dramatic, and a flair for the mysterious and remarkable.