The French Family Murders of Wabash (Part 1)

Wabash, Indiana. I remember the first time I tried to visit the French family grave, just outside of Wabash, Indiana. It was a Sunday, in the middle of winter, one day before the mini blizzard that closed county schools and buried every car on Market Street up to its door handles. I had just moved to town, and I was feeling the things you feel when you move someplace new. I was wondering if the people were nice, and I thought of the friends I hoped to make, and I hoped that Wabash was a good place to call home. TIMELINE 1820: in the Italian city of Firenze. 1854: and I realized, they must have felt some of what I had. 1880: and the few who are still out at a late hour only have the dying light of oil lamps to walk around the town. WHY THIS MATTERS The story of Wabash is a reminder that the events that shaped America didn't always happen in the biggest cities. What unfolded here left marks on the community that are still visible today. The full story is more complicated, and more human, than the version most people know. Episode 61 | Hometown History | Hosted by Shane Waters If you liked this: Episode 180 (Hagerstown, Indiana) Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-historyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy