Podcast Summary: MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

Episode Title: You Can't Leave That Way (Podcast Exclusive Episode)
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Host: Ballen Studios

Introduction

In this exclusive episode of the MrBallen Podcast titled "You Can't Leave That Way," Ballen Studios delves into the mysterious disappearance of Carrie Selvage from the Union State Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1900. This case, initially appearing to be a straightforward missing persons incident, unravels into a chilling story filled with twists and unresolved questions.

Carrie Selvage's Disappearance

On the morning of March 11, 1900, 43-year-old Carrie Selvage, a former schoolteacher, found herself institutionalized at Union State Hospital after being diagnosed with hysteria—a common misdiagnosis for women during that era. Carrie longed for freedom and resented the constant supervision by the hospital staff.

At approximately 6:00 PM, after being left alone briefly, Carrie made her attempt to escape. As Mr. Ballin narrates, "Carrie had stepped out of her room, her younger brother Joseph entered the lobby eight hours later, finding chaos and learning that she was missing" (07:45). Despite initial searches within the hospital, Carrie was nowhere to be found.

The Search Intensifies

Joseph Selvage, devastated by his sister’s disappearance, demanded that the police be involved. Detectives Chauncey Manning and Adolph Ash were assigned to the case. They conducted exhaustive searches of the hospital grounds, questioning staff and examining every possible hiding spot. Witnesses reported seeing a woman in a blue dress running down the street, matching Carrie's description, but these sightings led nowhere.

"Joseph felt a pang of fear. He asked the nurse sharply what she meant," Carrie narrates around the 02:56 mark, highlighting Joseph's desperation and concern for his sister's safety.

Detectives’ Investigation and Unsettling Discoveries

Weeks turned into months without any substantial leads. As the case went cold, the investigators considered the grim possibility that Carrie had fallen victim to the rampant crime in Indianapolis at the time, including pickpocketing, theft, and escalating violence against women.

Two years later, in September 1902, a pivotal discovery occurred. A medical student identified Carrie’s remains in an operating theater at a nearby hospital. The corpse bore striking similarities to Carrie, including a distinctive gold tooth. This revelation was met with skepticism due to inconsistencies in records and the decomposition of the body.

Detective Manning revealed a critical development: "the gold filling was the same kind he'd used for Carrie, and it was in the exact same spot in her mouth" (25:10). This evidence strongly suggested that the body was indeed Carrie’s, leading to the official declaration of her death.

The King of Ghouls and the Final Breakthrough

Suspicion fell on the notorious grave robber, Rufus Cantrell, known as the "King of Ghouls." Despite his intimidating reputation, Cantrell cooperated with the detectives, confessing that his gang had murdered Carrie to supply fresh bodies to medical institutions.

However, Joseph Selvage remained unconvinced. He doubted the veracity of Rufus's confession, believing that Carrie had not been foolish enough to wander alone. His skepticism persisted until April 26, 1920, when a startling discovery shattered his doubts.

Joseph received a call informing him that skeletal remains of a woman matching Carrie’s description had been found in what was formerly the Union State Hospital, now an orphanage being converted into an automobile repair shop. Confronted with undeniable evidence, Joseph mourned the realization that Carrie had never escaped but had died within the hospital premises all along.

Concluding Theories and Lingering Mysteries

The official report concluded that Carrie, disoriented by her poor eyesight, had become trapped in a hidden room above the attic, leading to her death by exposure. However, Joseph Selvage harbored doubts, suspecting foul play orchestrated by those within the hospital or involved in the black market for bodies.

Mr. Ballin leaves listeners with lingering questions about the true circumstances of Carrie’s death, emphasizing the possibility that Carrie may have known exactly where she was going and chose to remain hidden, seeking solitude rather than escape.

Notable Quotes

• Mr. Ballin at 02:56: "To someone walking by, this might have looked like two friends enjoying the view outside the window. But that's not what was happening here."

• Detective Manning at 25:10: "The gold filling was the same kind he'd used for Carrie, and it was in the exact same spot in her mouth."

• Mr. Ballin at 14:50: "And when night fell and she felt that bitter cold coming on, she chose to stay in that room, the only place she knew where she could be on her own."

Final Thoughts

"You Can't Leave That Way" is a compelling exploration of a historical mystery that intertwines personal tragedy with the darker elements of early 20th-century medical practices and criminal activities. Mr. Ballin masterfully presents the case of Carrie Selvage, leaving listeners to ponder the true nature of her disappearance and the extent of the unknown factors surrounding her untimely death.

For those intrigued by this haunting tale, Mr. Ballin continues to offer a plethora of strange, dark, and mysterious stories across various platforms, inviting audiences to delve deeper into the shadows of history's unsolved cases.

Listen to more chilling stories on the MrBallen Podcast, available on Amazon Music and other major podcast platforms.