165. A Century Ago in Kentucky- April 1926

2026-04-27

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This week, we’re heading back to April 1926, where Kentucky newspapers delivered an especially chaotic mix of adventure, crime, odd headlines, and unexpectedly wholesome trivia. First, we follow Louisville native Jonathan Duff Reed Jr., who beat out more than 1,000 applicants to join Commander Richard E. Byrd’s historic North Pole expedition, and later signed on for another journey toward Antarctica because apparently one polar expedition wasn’t enough.Then, we shift gears into Kentucky’s surprising connection to the ver...

This week, we’re heading back to April 1926, where Kentucky newspapers delivered an especially chaotic mix of adventure, crime, odd headlines, and unexpectedly wholesome trivia. First, we follow Louisville native Jonathan Duff Reed Jr., who beat out more than 1,000 applicants to join Commander Richard E. Byrd’s historic North Pole expedition, and later signed on for another journey toward Antarctica because apparently one polar expedition wasn’t enough.

Then, we shift gears into Kentucky’s surprising connection to the very first Scripps National Spelling Bee, which grew out of a statewide competition organized by the Courier-Journal. Louisville’s own **Frank Neuhauser became the first national champion in 1925 after correctly spelling gladiolus and was welcomed home with a parade.

From there… things get significantly stranger.

This episode also covers:

An antique dealer in Cynthiana who accidentally shot his friend after grabbing the wrong gun from a drawer
A jail escapee who voluntarily turned himself in because he wanted a warm bed
A defense attorney sentenced to jail for contempt during a murder trial
Two teenage robbers inspired by dime novels whose crime spree quickly unraveled

Sources:Primarily sourced from April 1926 editions of The Courier-Journal, Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, Kentucky Post, and other regional newspaper archives. Additional research included historical materials on the origins of the Scripps National Spelling Bee and Commander Byrd’s polar expeditions.

Content Note: This episode includes discussions of violent crime, accidental shootings, and capital punishment.

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Jessie Bartholomew

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Louisville, KY 40222

*Transcripts are auto-generated and may contain errors

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