My Victorian Nightmare
Episode 58: One Dead, The Other Dying
Host: Genevieve Manion
Release Date: September 1, 2025
Episode Overview
In this chilling and atmospheric episode, Genevieve Manion continues her exploration of the Victorian era’s fascination with death, mysteries, and social taboos, blending true stories of tragedy, macabre humor, and her own musings on the era's culture. The main theme centers on mysterious and gory deaths, spiritualist shenanigans, and the emotional complexity surrounding loss and societal expectations in the 19th century. This episode is particularly rich in truly bizarre incidents, unsolved crimes, and poignant personal narratives, balancing the gruesome with the oddly endearing.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Personal Anecdotes & Show Updates
[03:00–07:30]
- Genevieve shares a comedic personal story about awkward solo “dates” and the perils of looking too deep in thought in public, setting the relatable and self-deprecating tone.
- Updates on the podcast release schedule and fan perks (“fan coven” and early, ad-free content), plus announcements of new creepy extras for subscribers.
“I really wear my brain on my face and I'm not always aware that I'm doing it… What an apparition in public I am.”
—Genevieve Manion [04:30]
With Their Own Eyes: Victorian Ghost Encounters
[07:45–13:15]
- A segment featuring a touching and unsettling first-person account from the St. Louis Globe Democrat (1879) about a child who sees the apparition of their dead mother.
- Discussion of contemporary ghost-hunting with spirit boxes, the blurred edges between belief, prankster ghosts, and spiritualist gullibility.
“Maybe some just never want to let go. So we don’t.” —Genevieve Manion [12:30]
The Seance Room: Victorian Spiritualist Follies
[13:16–17:40]
- Retelling an episode from the Spiritualist newspaper (1869) where medium Mrs. Emma Hardinge confronts a supposed spirit claiming to be “Solomon, King of Israel,” only to expose the fraud with deadpan wit.
- Satirical commentary on how fame-obsessed people (and possibly ghosts) will claim to be “great names” just to get attention.
“Tell Solomon I’m not leaving this bowl of spaghetti and my girls for a horse and pony show.”
—Genevieve Manion [17:05]
Main Feature: "One Dead, The Other Dying"
[21:30–29:55]
- The titular story recounts the dramatically conflicting reports and underlying scandal of the deadly gunfight between C.F. Stevens and Frank Wilkerson in Floyd County, 1892, unraveling a tale of suspected adultery, betrayal, gunfire, and sensational court cases.
- Stevens suspects Wilkerson is having an affair with his wife Jessie; after confronting them, Stevens is killed, Wilkerson is wounded, Jessie flees justice, and the community is left scandalized.
“Jesse did admit that she didn’t love her husband, though, and that she did love Mr. Wilkerson in the end… She fled the city though, before the police could take her into custody. And she was never seen again.”
—Genevieve Manion [29:25]
Victorian Horrors: Rapid-Fire Cases
[30:00–45:00]
Suicide of Louisa Gibbons
[30:10–34:00]
- A tragic case of a sensitive young Kentucky girl, just 16, who cuts her own throat for reasons no one could comprehend. Genevieve speculates on possible causes, highlights underreporting of suicides due to stigma, and relates the lack of societal resources for troubled youth.
“Those who knew her best fail utterly in their attempts to ascribe any cause for her rash act.”
—Genevieve quoting 19th c. reporter [33:05]
Exploding Pipe Prank (Cincinnati)
[34:01–36:27]
- A malevolent prank involving packing a tobacco pipe with gunpowder leaves a man badly burned; culprit never found. Genevieve injects dark humor by pondering if the incident deterred him from smoking forever.
“Maybe he never smoked again and the would-be killer in a twist of fate saved that man’s life. That sits right with me.”
—Genevieve Manion [36:15]
Kansas Buffalo Hunters Frozen to Death
[36:28–40:20]
- Story of buffalo hunters caught in a blizzard, resulting in death and amputation, sparks a sidebar on Victorian-era weather prediction quirks and the host’s family connection to weather graphics.
“Having arthritis as a ship captain was actually a very useful thing to have… my dad invented the visual representation of weather forecasts that we still all use today.”
—Genevieve Manion [39:45]
"A Spaniard at Terre Haute, Indiana"
[40:21–42:38]
- A comedic piece: A Spanish immigrant, startled by a brass band, mistakes the ruckus for an earthquake and leaps from a window, clad only in a sash. Genevieve explains the Spanish expletives and marvels at the wild illustration.
“Within a moment, there came a volley of carajos and carambas from a window, followed immediately by a disheveled Spaniard…”
—Genevieve quoting the article [41:45]
Cow Catcher Corpse (Camden & Amboy Railroad)
[42:39–44:30]
- A grisly account of an unidentified man’s mangled remains discovered on a train’s cow catcher. Speculation about a possible drunken quarrel and push, but the victim remains nameless.
“There were far too many cow catcher deaths in 1872. Without any names at all…”
—Genevieve Manion [43:50]
Mini-Case: "A Bloody Mystery in Cincinnati"
[44:31–49:27]
- Fascinating case of Anton Bond, a melancholy young Bavarian clerk found missing after leaving a blood-soaked room. After intense speculation and police investigation (with Poe and Rue Morgue references), Genevieve reveals the resolution: Bond’s body is found months later, river-logged, apparently a suicide.
“He locked the door behind him. That’s such a sad detail to me, for some reason.”
—Genevieve Manion [49:05]
Whimsical Epilogue: The Brooklyn "What Is It?"
[49:28–52:10]
- Brief, lighthearted closing story of an androgynous transit passenger dressed in men’s clothing, stirring gender confusion and fascination in 19th-century Brooklyn. Genevieve affirms the longstanding existence of non-binary and gender non-conforming people, delighting in their challenge to social norms.
“Yes, folks, nonbinary transgender people existed in the 1800s and always everywhere. This is nothing new.”
—Genevieve Manion [50:30]
Memorable Quotes
- “God, being dead sounds either hilarious, terrifying, or like the waiting room in Beetlejuice was an accurate interpretation…”
—Genevieve Manion [18:10] - “Okay, I gotta get my head out of these black clouds for a bit.”
—Genevieve Manion [18:50] - “Women not adhering to social dress codes in this time would cause a nuclear bomb to go off in some people’s minds.”
—Genevieve Manion [51:19]
Episode Flow and Listener Takeaways
- The episode weaves together firsthand accounts, news summaries, social commentary, and dry wit, painting a vivid tableau of both the beauty and brutality of Victorian life.
- Listeners gain insight into the complexities of Victorian society: its relationship to death and mental health, how technology and misinformation colored experiences, the era’s fascination with the supernatural, and that the eccentricities and struggles of people in the past often echo today.
- Fans of dark history, true crime, and gothic storytelling will be entertained—and, surprisingly, often comforted—by Genevieve’s sensitive yet irreverent approach.
Key Timestamps
03:00 – Personal anecdote + podcast updates
07:45 – “With Their Own Eyes”: ghostly child’s vision
13:16 – Spiritualist seance story (Mrs. Emma Hardinge & “Solomon”)
21:30 – "One Dead, The Other Dying": the Stevens/Wilkerson shooting
30:10 – Suicide of Louisa Gibbons
34:01 – Pipe exploding prank
36:28 – Buffalo hunters’ blizzard tragedy
40:21 – Spaniard earthquake confusion
42:39 – Cow catcher corpse
44:31 – Anton Bond’s mysterious disappearance & fate
49:28 – “The Brooklyn What Is It?” gender nonconformity
Tone and Style
- Genevieve maintains her signature blend of macabre fascination, sardonic humor, and genuine empathy—making even the grimmest stories accessible, thought-provoking, and oddly cozy.
- The episode closes with encouragement for kindness and an open invitation for listeners to join “the fan coven” for more exclusive content.
For details on the referenced illustrations and additional spooky extras, Genevieve recommends checking the show notes and her Instagram.