101. Reported Missing 76 Years Later: The Earnest Cagle Jr. Story episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 3, 2026 · 42 MIN

101. Reported Missing 76 Years Later: The Earnest Cagle Jr. Story

from Buried Bylines · host Mallory Wilson and Megan DeLucenay

For months now, we’ve been dropping hints and waiting to finally share this case with you. Now we have the unique opportunity of sharing a story that has been trapped in the dark for three-quarters of a century: the missing persons case of two-year-old Earnest Cagle Jr.On August 27, 1950, little Earnest vanished from the backseat of his family’s car outside a tavern in Buckhart, Illinois. Despite massive searches, the trail went entirely cold. Decades passed, the headlines faded, and terrifyingly, the official systems meant to look for missing children completely forgot he was gone. But is anyone every truly forgotten? Not on this podcast. We’re pulling back the curtain on how a case sits outside the system for a lifetime, and the intense behind-the-scenes hurdles we faced to finally get Earnest Cagle Jr. into a missing persons database 76 years later.SOURCES:https://sangamoncountyhistory.org/2-year-old-vanishes-1950/https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/1s82has/in_the_summer_of_1950_2yearold_earnest_cagle_jr/?share_id=Ec_tUYEPetbm1RoqKRFBx&utm_content=2&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 https://imgur.com/a/sQOg3YFhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101845582/earnest_doss-caglehttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27661107/hattie_adeline-caglehttps://www.newspapers.com/image/1324760865/?match=1&terms=earnest%20caglehttps://www.newspapers.com/image/85369970/?match=1&terms=earnest%20caglehttps://www.newspapers.com/image/85369026/?match=1&terms=earnest%20caglehttps://www.newspapers.com/image/1303733602/?match=1&terms=cecil%20delay%20tavern https://www.newspapers.com/image/1303731320/?match=1&terms=cecil%20delay%20tavern

For months now, we’ve been dropping hints and waiting to finally share this case with you. Now we have the unique opportunity of sharing a story that has been trapped in the dark for three-quarters of a century: the missing persons case of two-year-old Earnest Cagle Jr.On August 27, 1950, little Earnest vanished from the backseat of his family’s car outside a tavern in Buckhart, Illinois. Despite massive searches, the trail went entirely cold. Decades passed, the headlines faded, and terrifyingly, the official systems meant to look for missing children completely forgot he was gone. But is anyone every truly forgotten? Not on this podcast. We’re pulling back the curtain on how a case sits outside the system for a lifetime, and the intense behind-the-scenes hurdles we faced to finally get Earnest Cagle Jr. into a missing persons database 76 years later.SOURCES:https://sangamoncountyhistory.org/2-year-old-vanishes-1950/https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/1s82has/in_the_summer_of_1950_2yearold_earnest_cagle_jr/?share_id=Ec_tUYEPetbm1RoqKRFBx&utm_content=2&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 https://imgur.com/a/sQOg3YFhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101845582/earnest_doss-caglehttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27661107/hattie_adeline-caglehttps://www.newspapers.com/image/1324760865/?match=1&terms=earnest%20caglehttps://www.newspapers.com/image/85369970/?match=1&terms=earnest%20caglehttps://www.newspapers.com/image/85369026/?match=1&terms=earnest%20caglehttps://www.newspapers.com/image/1303733602/?match=1&terms=cecil%20delay%20tavern https://www.newspapers.com/image/1303731320/?match=1&terms=cecil%20delay%20tavern

NOW PLAYING

101. Reported Missing 76 Years Later: The Earnest Cagle Jr. Story

0:00 42:54

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

The VD Clinic The VD Clinic Step into the clinic where the most unusual of pop culture cases are treated. From the cult classics to those best left buried, join David and Vanessa as they treat all patients equally - with a healthy irreverence and just a pinch of love. Explicit The Awake & Winning Podcast Kaylor Betts What's up, winners? I'm Kaylor Betts—life and business coach, no-BS truth-teller, and the unapologetic voice behind the top 1% podcast, Awake & Winning. If you're here, you're probably done with the BS, ready to dive into the rabbit holes, and craving some real talk about breaking free from the systems that are holding you back.I wasn't always winning. I know what it's like to feel stuck—burned out, broke, and buried under the weight of a world designed to keep you small. But I decided to say f that, rebuild my body and mind, and create a life where I call the shots. Now, I'm bringing you along for the ride.Every week, we're diving into "awake" topics—breaking down the matrix, reclaiming your sovereignty, and winning in life and business. Whether it's unfiltered conversations with disruptive leaders or straight-up truth bombs from me, this podcast is your ticket to leveling up and taking back your power.If you're ready to stop playing small, live an ungovernable life, and start winn Explicit Something Pretty The Pensky File "Something Pretty" is a podcast dedicated to reconnoitering HBO's "Deadwood"! Wes and Clay discuss all 36 episodes (and the post-series film) of the beloved television show with their own brand of analysis, humor, and profanity. David Milch's neo-western is well-known for its vile and colorful language. But those who dig a little deeper will find the gold buried within one of the greatest television shows ever produced. Let us tell you something pretty! Explicit Proof: A True Crime Podcast Red Marble Media Proof: A True Crime Podcast is a serialized investigation into cases of potential wrongful conviction. Hosted by Susan Simpson of the Undisclosed Podcast and Jacinda Davis of TV’s Evil Lives Here, Proof unravels the tangled and competing demands of the legal system, police practices, truth, guilt and innocence.Season 2: The second season of Proof: Murder at the Warehouse takes Susan Simpson and Jacinda Davis to Manteca, CA where they reinvestigate the murder of 18-year-old Renee Ramos. On June 5, 2000, Ramos’ body was found buried under a pile of debris inside the shell of a new Home Depot building. Despite tips hinting at alternate suspects - tips that were ignored until now - Renee’s bo Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Buried Bylines?

This episode is 42 minutes long.

When was this Buried Bylines episode published?

This episode was published on July 3, 2026.

What is this episode about?

For months now, we’ve been dropping hints and waiting to finally share this case with you. Now we have the unique opportunity of sharing a story that has been trapped in the dark for three-quarters of a century: the missing persons case of...

Can I download this Buried Bylines episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!