Kentucky History & Haunts

159. The Murder of Linda Rutledge- Solved or Not?

In this episode, we follow the winding, unsettling path of a cold case that stretches from Lexington, Kentucky to Austin, Texas, and across nearly a decade of violence.In November 1998, 43-year-old Linda Rutledge was murdered inside her family’s hearing aid business in Lexington. Her body was found after the building was set on fire, and despite early investigation, the case quickly went cold. For years, Linda’s murder remained one of Lexington’s quiet unsolved crimes, rarely revisited and seldom mentioned in the media.But decades later, advances in forensic science and genetic genealogy would breathe new life into Linda’s case and unexpectedly link it to one of the most infamous unsolved cases in American history: the 1991 Yogurt Shop murders in Austin, Texas.This episode traces the life and crimes of Robert Eugene Brashers, a transient and violent offender whose movements across the country allowed him to evade justice for years. Using newly analyzed ballistic evidence and DNA technology, investigators have connected Brashers to multiple murders and sexual assaults spanning several states and nearly a decade. Linda Rutledge may have been his final victim before he died by suicide in 1999.⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of violence against women, sexual assault, and murder. Listener discretion is strongly advised.Topics CoveredThe 1998 murder of Linda Rutledge in Lexington, KentuckyThe Yogurt Shop murders of four teenage girls in Austin, TexasHow fires were used to conceal violent crimesThe life, movements, and criminal history of Robert Eugene BrashersAdvances in DNA testing and genetic genealogyThe role of ballistic evidence in cold case investigationsResources & ReferencesRecent documentary on the Yogurt Shop murders (HBO Max)Reporting on genetic genealogy by CeCe MooreContemporary news coverage from Kentucky, Missouri, Texas, and South CarolinaPhotos and archival clippings referenced in this episode will be shared on KY History & Haunts social media.Connect With the Show📧 Email: kyhistoryhaunts@gmail.com📱 Instagram & Facebook: @kyhistoryhauntsIf you enjoy the show, please consider leaving a rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the podcast and keeps these stories from fading into silence.

158. A Lynching in Owensboro & The First Female Jailer in Kentucky

In this episode, I dive into the life of Mildred “Milly” Lucas, a woman often credited as the first female jailer in Kentucky—though her journey to that role was anything but straightforward. What begins as an exploration of early female jailers in the state becomes a gripping true story of violence and political upheaval.After the brutal murder of her husband, Daviess County Jailer William Lucas, during a racially motivated lynching in 1884, Mildred stepped in to run the jail. Her fight to hold the office—despite widespread gender bias, legal battles, personal tragedy, and even a jailbreak—reveals both the extraordinary challenges she faced and the rigid societal barriers of the time.Content Warning:This episode includes descriptions of a lynching and racially motivated violence. Graphic details are minimized but the events remain disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.Learn how William Lucas, a Confederate veteran turned jailer, moved his family to Owensboro and became widely respected for maintaining the courthouse square—despite constant dangers inside the jail walls.Hear the newspaper-reported account of Richard May, a young Black farmhand accused of assaulting a white woman—a claim that rapidly escalated into fear, rumor, and mob justice.In the aftermath of her husband’s murder, Mildred—described by some as “delicate,” yet brave and unyielding—was appointed interim jailer. Despite winning the next election “by a large margin,” Mildred’s eligibility was fiercely contested.Following her forced removal, Mildred’s life was marked by sickness and profound loss. She died of consumption in 1898, after losing three of her children the same year. Newspapers remembered her as a “good woman” and the widow of a “martyred jailer.”This episode exposes:The racial terror that shaped Kentucky’s pastThe challenges women faced in pursuing public officeThe human cost of mob violence and community silenceThe resilience of a woman who stepped into danger and leadership during crisisSelected newspaper accounts from the Owensboro Messenger and other 19th-century Kentucky publications.If you enjoyed this episode or want to share your thoughts:📧 kyhistoryhaunts@gmail.com⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify📲 Share the show on social media—your support makes a huge difference!

157. Was Governor Desha's Son A Serial Killer?

What happens when a newly elected Governor of Kentucky finds his political career consumed by corruption scandals, a burning state capitol…and his son’s sensational murder trials? In this episode, we dive into the dramatic rise and infamous downfall of Governor Joseph Desha — and his son Isaac, who may have been one of Kentucky's first serial killers.We begin with Joseph’s early life as a frontier soldier turned influential political powerhouse. He championed national expansion and state infrastructure — while waging a bitter political battle to reshape Kentucky’s judiciary.Just months into his term as governor, flames destroyed the state capitol, public trust collapsed, and an even darker scandal erupted. Joseph’s son Isaac was accused of brutally murdering a traveling attorney named Francis Baker — a case filled with shocking evidence, political interference, and multiple controversial retrials. And the story didn’t end there…When Isaac fled Kentucky under an alias, another man wound up dead thousands of miles away — leading newspapers to brand him a monster and fueling rumors that stretched all the way to Hawaii.This episode includes discussion of violence and attempted suicide. Listener discretion advised.What You’ll LearnHow Joseph Desha rose from frontier militia to Governor of KentuckyThe political chaos of the “Old Court – New Court” controversyThe mysterious 1824 fire that destroyed Kentucky’s state capitolThe sensational murder trial(s) of Isaac Desha — and a governor’s abuse of powerHow a second suspicious death sealed Isaac’s reputationThe truth behind the long-standing “Desha in Hawaii” conspiracyWhat became of the Desha family after the scandalResources & ReferencesPrimary newspaper accounts referenced include:Lexington Weekly PressFrankfort ArgusThe Olive Branch and Danville AdvertiserAdditional research includes state historical records and modern historical analysis.Connect With the ShowHave thoughts on this story? Email: kyhistoryhaunts@gmail.comFollow KYHH on social media — If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share. It truly helps the show grow.Send Jessie mail:9115 Leesgate Rd, Suite ALouisville, KY 40222

156. History & Haunts of The Brown Theatre

This episode explores the rich history and significance of the Brown Theater in Louisville, detailing its evolution from a premier theater to a movie house, its role in civil rights protests, and its modern-day significance as a community resource. The discussion also touches on ghost stories associated with the theater and the importance of the arts in society.Special thanks to Christian Adelberg and William Richards with Kentucky Performing Arts for taking the time to speak with me.Visit www.kentuckyperformingarts.org to check out upcoming shows at all three venues. Follow KYHH on social media for episode-related content:https://www.instagram.com/kyhistoryhaunts/https://www.facebook.com/kyhistoryhauntsEmail kyhistoryhaunts@gmail.com for corrections & suggestionsSome additional resources related to this episode: ⁠https://www.filsonhistorical.org/archive/news_v6n4_theater.html⁠⁠https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/232566705.pdf⁠⁠https://ket.org/program/living-the-story-the-rest-of-the-story/raoul-cunningham-892/⁠⁠https://youtu.be/Q9IZcywXtJg⁠

155. Unsolved Murder of Prestonsburg Mayor George Archer- Pt. 2

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of a murder scene and a suicide. Please use care deciding when or whether to listen.We pick up moments after Mayor Dr. George P. Archer is found shot beside his car outside his clinic in Prestonsburg, KY (July 12, 1973). A witness reports a beige-on-green Buick LeSabre fleeing the scene—similar to the car driven by Judith Archer, the city clerk and executive director of the Housing Authority, married to Archer’s cousin William “Bill Tom” Archer. As rumors snowball (including an alleged affair), timelines shift, pressure mounts, and within eight days Judith dies by suicide—before any arrest is made. A grand jury later calls dozens of witnesses but issues no indictments, and the case cools. Fifty-plus years on, questions about conflicts of interest, missing records, and political entanglements still shadow Prestonsburg.Connect & ContributeHave information, corrections, or family stories about this case?Email: kyhistoryhaunts@gmail.comInstagram: @kyhistoryhauntsFacebook: Kentucky History & HauntsIf you or someone you know is struggling, please consider contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.).Send Jessie a note:9115 Leesgate Rd Suite ALouisville, KY 40222