When Clara Ford - a poor, Black, cross-dressing, pipe smoking, single mother - was arrested for the murder of dashing, young, white Frank Westwood, nobody expected her to avoid the noose. So how did this unexpected heroine talk her way out of the death sentence - even after she confessed?
Olivia takes us to 19th century Toronto for a wild True Crime adventure with Carolyn Whitzman, author of the fascinating new book Clara at the Door With a Revolver. Join us as we uncover the truth (or do we?) of this unexpected and unbelievable trial.
Music featured in this episode by Zachariah Hickman, Aaron Kenny, E's Jammy Jams, Biz Baz, Vess Ossman, Libby Dees and Adam Roberts.
Want to help us “make history”? Become a Patron or Donate here!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
THE VIKING Coppergate Woman
THE MOTHER Olympias
THE SORCERER Gunnhild
THE FREE WOMAN Harriet Jacobs
THE ROPEMAKER Mary Pattison Irwin
WHITE HOUSE HOLIDAY Mary Donelson Wilcox: 2019 Christmas Special
THE WOMAN IN THE CHALK Cranborne Woman
THE ACCIDENTAL ACTIVIST Sybil Stockdale
THE WITCH Mother Shipton
THE PHARAOH Tawosret
THE PAPER DAUGHTER How Jiu
THE EMPEROR Wu Zhao (Wu Zetian)
THE ADMIRAL Bouboulina
THE FARMER Cherokee America Rogers
THE ORACLE Pythia
THE PSYCHOANALYST Sabina Spielrein
THE POET Hester Pulter
THE GIRL OF IRON Mary Peterson Ipsen
THE TRANSLATOR Malintzin
THE WHITE ROSE Sophie Scholl
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Irish Songs with Ken Murray
History Obscura
Historycal: Words that Shaped the World
The Rest Is History
Lore