My Victorian Nightmare

Episode 48: A Corpse Sent to a Candy Maker Release Date: June 23, 2025
Host: Genevieve Manion

Introduction and Personal Reflections

Genevieve Manion opens the episode with her characteristic blend of humor and personal anecdotes, setting the tone for a journey through the macabre facets of the Victorian era. She shares updates about her recent interactions within the podcasting community, expressing gratitude towards fellow podcasters like Brandon Shecksnader of Southern Gothic and collaborators from Sightings. Genevieve also discusses her ongoing efforts to establish the "Fan Coven" and seeks assistance with Patreon, reflecting her dedication to growing her show and engaging more deeply with her audience.

Weekly Segment: With Their Own Eyes

[04:33]
Genevieve introduces the segment with a chilling personal account extracted from the Illustrated Police News, Law Courts and Record. The story recounts a family's repeated encounters with a mysterious apparition, emphasizing the pervasive fear and eventual resignation the family experiences over two years. The narrative states:

“The first night I slept in the house, I was awakened in a remarkable manner and I saw a figure standing not far from the bed, looking very calm but sad.”—[04:45]

This ghostly sighting serves as a catalyst for Genevieve to delve into the phenomenon of why ghostly activities are predominantly reported at night.

Theories on Ghosts Appearing at Night

Genevieve explores both scientific and supernatural explanations for nighttime hauntings:

1. Scientific Theories:

   • Sleep Paralysis: Genevieve shares her personal experiences, highlighting how REM sleep's paralysis can lead to hallucinations of men’s voices and physical sensations like hands running down her legs.
   • Mold-Induced Hallucinations: She references a study from Clarkson University that found a correlation between black mold presence and ghost sightings, suggesting that mold can cause dark, floating shapes and heightened anxiety.
   • Sensory Sensitivity: At night, reduced distractions heighten our focus on internal thoughts, making us more susceptible to perceiving anomalies.

2. Supernatural Theories:

   • Ambient Energy Consumption: Spirits may find it easier to manifest at night due to the lower human energy in the environment.
   • Sunlight as a Deterrent: Some believe that daylight impedes spirits' ability to appear.
   • Fear Amplification: The natural human fear of the dark could make individuals more vulnerable to malevolent entities.

Featured Articles from Illustrated Police News

1. A Very Unfortunate Family

[06:15]
Genevieve narrates the tragic series of accidents that befell the Bowen family, where each male member suffered severe injuries from operating dangerous machinery. The article details:

“Last week, Lewis, the youngest brother, had his hand drawn in and terribly mangled.”—[06:30]

She muses humorously yet sympathetically about the family's plight, suggesting that perhaps a safer business venture could have spared them such misfortune.

2. Absurdities of Mesmerism at Brackett Hall

[10:45]
This article critiques Professor Cadwell's mesmerism demonstrations, portraying them as mere entertainment rather than genuine spiritual or medical practices. Genevieve connects this to the broader history of mesmerism, discussing Franz Mesmer's theories and the public's skepticism. She highlights the blurred lines between legitimate hypnosis and stage trickery, noting:

“Mesmerism was often included in spiritualist events like public seances and lectures, like a sort of sideshow.”—[12:20]

3. A Horrible Death

[14:00]
Genevieve recounts the gruesome death of a woman whose hair was infested with worms, leading to her demise. She provides context about Victorian beauty practices, explaining that the use of jute hair switches inadvertently caused this tragic outcome. She also offers a brief aside on Victorian hairpiece facts, clarifying the purpose and design of "switches."

4. Man Frozen to the Cross Trees of a Chicago Vessel

[16:10]
The narrative describes a harrowing incident where a sailor named Edmund Sweeney becomes partially frozen during an ice storm while aboard a vessel. Genevieve discusses outdated Victorian treatments for frostbite, correcting historical misconceptions about cold therapy.

5. Ineffectual Attempt of a Discarded Lover to Shoot Himself

[20:00]
Genevieve shares a tragic yet darkly humorous story about Frank McNally, a young man whose botched suicide attempt with a revolver leads to a painful but non-fatal injury. She critiques the Victorian tendency to add levity to sorrowful events, reflecting on societal attitudes towards mental health and tragedy.

6. Spiritualist Lecture and Demonstration Gone Wrong

[22:30]
An account of a chaotic spiritualist lecture where Dr. B.F. Hatch's mesmerism act incites the crowd to riot and dismantle the performance setup. Genevieve compares the Thorp brothers’ performance to the infamous Davenport brothers, highlighting the recurring theme of fraudulent spirit performances and the public's volatile reactions.

7. Murder of a Wife and Child by a German Woman in Ann Arbor, Michigan

[25:45]
Genevieve narrates the grim story of E. Wagner, who murdered his wife and child following marital disputes. She provides historical context about Michigan's shifting death penalty laws, noting that Wagner was likely incarcerated without facing execution due to legal changes.

8. A Corpse Sent to a Cincinnati Candy Maker

[28:10]
Highlighting the grim reality of body snatching in the Victorian era, Genevieve discusses an article about a corpse mistakenly sent to a candy manufacturer. She elaborates on the illicit trade of cadavers, particularly those of marginalized individuals, and the lengths the wealthy went to protect their deceased.

9. Edmund Sweeney Falls Dead While Lifting the Coffin Lid

[30:50]
A tragic twist of fate where Edmund Sweeney dies while handling his father's coffin. Genevieve reflects on the emotional and familial impact of such accidents, referencing a previous iconic illustration from episode 19.

10. Chambermaid Turns Somersault Out of a Second Story Window

[32:30]
Concluding with a more lighthearted account, Genevieve recounts how a chambermaid in Bangor survives a fall from a second-story window unscathed. She marvels at the resilience of Victorian working women, even in the face of accidents.

Conclusion and Community Engagement

Genevieve wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to rate and comment on the podcast platforms, emphasizing her appreciation for their support. She reiterates her Patreon call-to-action, inviting listeners to join for an ad-free experience and exclusive content once the Fan Coven is established.

“Be kind to yourselves and I will see you in your nightmares.”—[33:50]

Notable Quotes

• Genevieve Manion at [04:45]:

  “The first night I slept in the house, I was awakened in a remarkable manner and I saw a figure standing not far from the bed, looking very calm but sad.”

• Genevieve Manion at [06:30]:

  “Last week, Lewis, the youngest brother, had his hand drawn in and terribly mangled.”

• Genevieve Manion at [12:20]:

  “Mesmerism was often included in spiritualist events like public seances and lectures, like a sort of sideshow.”

• Genevieve Manion at [20:48]:

  “Stay tuned for even more gruesome tales that history forgot.”

Key Takeaways

• Victorian Era’s Dark Side: The episode delves deep into the macabre incidents of the 19th century, showcasing a range of tragedies from accidents caused by unsafe machinery to the sinister practices of body snatching.

• Intersection of Science and Superstition: Genevieve examines the blurred lines between emerging scientific practices like mesmerism and the entrenched spiritualist beliefs of the time, highlighting public skepticism and the quest for understanding the supernatural.

• Social Commentary: Through the tragic and sometimes absurd stories, the podcast offers a critique of Victorian societal norms, mental health perceptions, and the class disparities that influenced the fate of the deceased.

• Educational Insights: The episode not only recounts historical events but also provides context and corrections to modern misconceptions about Victorian practices, such as frostbite treatment and hypnotism.

Join the Community

Stay connected with Genevieve Manion and fellow enthusiasts of Victorian horrors by following the community on Instagram @myvictoriannightmare. Support the podcast on Patreon for exclusive content and an ad-free listening experience once the Fan Coven is launched.

Disclaimer: All stories and accounts discussed are based on historical records and reports from the Victorian era, intended for educational and entertainment purposes.