PODCAST · true crime
Wandering Spectator
by Bill Sallurday
Scranton Pennsylvania's Police Department was established in 1856. Over the years, this blue-collar town has had its share of notorious crimes and criminals. We'll take a look at some of the more interesting stories. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-sallurday/support
Episodes
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Murdered Over 15 Cents
A disagreement over just 15 cents ended in tragedy and led to Lackawanna County's first execution by hanging. In this episode, we explore the shocking true story behind one of Northeast Pennsylvania's most infamous crimes and examine how a seemingly minor dispute spiraled into a deadly...
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The Fatal Spill: Murder in West Scranton (1910)
A spilled glass of water. A heated argument. Then gunfire shattered a quiet Saturday night in West Scranton. In this episode, we uncover the shocking true story of the May 21, 1910, murder at Bennie Ricciardi’s store on Scranton Street — a crime that left one man dead, another gravely wounded…
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Mysterious Shooting at Murderers' Corner
A burst of gunfire at Murderer’s Corner in Bull's Head left a community shaken and investigators searching for answers. Conflicting witness accounts, lingering rumors, and unanswered questions turned the shooting into a local mystery. Was it targeted, mistaken identity, or something else…
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The Coldest Case in Old Forge History
In 1934, two decomposed bodies were discovered at the bottom of an abandoned mine shaft in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. Investigators later recovered a third victim, buried in the ice. All three were shot execution-style. With ties to robberies, underworld associates, and possible New York mob...
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Murder in West Scranton's Boone Hill
A long-simmering rivalry in Boone Hill erupts into deadly violence, leaving a community shaken and searching for answers. In this episode, we discuss the case, unraveling the tensions, the confrontation that changed everything, and the haunting aftermath of a feud that went too far.
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Scranton Counterfeit Ring Busted
In 1915, detectives uncovered a secret counterfeiting operation on a farm in Chinchilla near Scranton. A dramatic raid exposed a group producing fake half-dollar coins and revealed the growing reach of organized crime in early 20th-century Northeastern Pennsylvania.
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Fire, Fraud, and Murder: The Strange Case of Dr. John D. Durkin
A successful doctor. A suspicious past. A brutal murder. In 1867, Dr. John D. Durkin was found dead on the floor of his hotel room in Scranton. The man accused of killing him was tracked across multiple states, arrested, and convicted… only to be mysteriously acquitted at a second trial. Decades...
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The Black Hand of Bull's Head
At the turn of the 20th century, Scranton’s Bull’s Head neighborhood — a bustling Italian immigrant enclave — became the unlikely backdrop for one of the region’s most violent and mysterious crime waves. Known as the Black Hand Society, this secretive group blended extortion, family feuds, and...
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Murder in Fellow's Corners
Before dawn on September 21, 1872, a man was found dead in a pool of blood near a place known as Fellows’ Corners in Hyde Park. His skull had been crushed. His killer was never found. Who was James Monaghan? And what really happened that night in the early days of Scranton?
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Albert Gleason - End of Watch
This episode explores the life and tragic death of Captain Albert Gleason, a longtime police officer in Scranton who was killed in the line of duty on December 27, 1933. We trace his personal journey from miner to respected lawman and the circumstances surrounding his death. The story also…
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Who killed Margaret Martin?
She vanished on December 17, 1938. Days later, she was found murdered. Margaret Martin’s disappearance and killing shocked Northeastern Pennsylvania—and the case remains unsolved more than 80 years later. Today, we remember her and revisit the mystery that still lingers. #UnsolvedCase...
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Where is Joanne Williams?
December 7, 1978. Scranton, PA.22-year-old Joanne Williams kissed her parents goodbye, hopped into her red Datsun, and vanished into the night. Her car was found abandoned across town. Purse inside. Glasses inside. No Joanne—ever again. 47 years later, no body, no answers, no closure. Where is...
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Murder on the 708! A 1911 Train Robbery in Scranton!
A routine train run into Scranton in 1911 turned into one of the region’s most shocking crimes when 18-year-old express messenger William “Bill” Bishie murdered courier Irvan Borger during the four minutes between Taylor and Scranton. What followed was a gripping saga: a swift confession, a death...
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Who was William Wright? The Story Behind the Freach & Keen Murders.
November 1, 1973, two South Scranton boys were reported missing – Paul “PJ” Freach (13) and Edmond “Buddy” Keen (12). Their bodies were found just days later. The hunt for the killer terrified Scranton and the surrounding area. This is the story of William Wright.
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Shot in the Dark – The 1875 Murder of Archibald Anderson
A deadly 1875 encounter leaves one man dead and the shooter haunted, sparking a gun control debate 150 years ago.
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Red Light Mary: A Life of Crime and Addiction
Scranton's Tenderloin District was alive and well in the early 1900s, and Mary Gregory was one of its more well-known characters. Get to know Mary and how she struggled with addiction and tragedy throughout her life.
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Discussing the 8th Regiment PA Volunteer Infantry
Following the trail of my Great Great Grandfather, Robert Harrison Cook, through his first tour with the 8th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry has brought the raw energy of the Civil War’s opening chapter to life. From the bustling muster at Camp Curtin to the gritty marches through Chambersburg,...
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Scranton Counterfeit Ring Busted
In 1915, a quiet farmhouse in Chinchilla, PA, hid a dangerous secret: a Black Hand counterfeiting ring cranking out thousands of fake half-dollar coins. Led by Scranton detective John Cartusciello, a daring raid took them down before a bloodbath could erupt. Guns, dynamite, and old-world mob ties…
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The Violent Life and Unsolved Murder of Marco Pasco
This episode is a discussion of Marco Pasco's life and violent death in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1928. It details his immigration from Italy, his marriage, and the turbulent events leading up to his murder, including several arrests and violent encounters with others in the community. The…
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Dominick Delfino & The Great Escape
This episode chronicles the case of Dominick Delfino, an Italian immigrant accused of murdering Dometrio Morabito in Archbald, Pennsylvania, in 1916. Despite his initial conviction and death sentence, Delfino maintains his innocence and asserts the killing was in self-defense against a member of...
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FBI Citizens Academy
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2023/04/10/fbi-citizens-academy/
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Counterfeit Ring Busted in Chinchilla
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2023/01/30/counterfeit-ring-busted-in-chinchilla/
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From Sabato to Sallurday
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2020/07/12/from-sabato-to-sallurday/
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Who was William Wright?
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2021/03/24/who-was-william-wright/
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Bills Mafia represents at Bills Fest 2021
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2021/04/11/bills-mafia-represents-at-bills-fest-2021/
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One Week. Three Bowl Games!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2023/01/05/one-week-three-bowl-games/
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Wandering in a Parade!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/12/23/wandering-in-a-parade/
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The Who – Remembering the “Stampede”
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2020/12/03/the-who-remembering-the-stampede/
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The Black Hand Society of Bull’s Head
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2021/05/09/the-black-hand-society-of-bulls-head/
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Happy Valley Hospitality!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/11/03/happy-valley-hospitality/
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Gangland-Style Killing in Old Forge Leaves 3 Dead
A "gangland-style" triple murder in Old Forge, PA in 1934 remains unsolved to this day. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/10/19/gangland-style-killing-in-old-forge-leaves-3-dead/
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Wandering in the Windy City!
I’ve been to Chicago on business countless times, but I never really spent any time there outside of work-related trips. Sure, I had already visited the Hancock Tower and had a trip or two to Wrigley, Comiskey, and Soldier Field, but I never really spent time being a total tourist. Until now.…
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Auburn – Hold the Toilet Paper!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/09/21/auburn-hold-the-toilet-paper/
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Boiler Down! Wandering in West Lafayette!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/09/08/boiler-down-wandering-in-west-lafayette/
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Who murdered the Jenkins sisters?
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/09/24/who-murdered-the-jenkins-sisters/
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Queen Esther’s Bloody Rock
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/09/30/queen-esthers-bloody-rock/
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Wiener! Weiner! Texas Dinner!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/10/05/wiener-weiner-texas-dinner/
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Murder on the 708 Train
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/05/11/murder-on-the-708-train/
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Who Killed Francesco Favasuli?
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/06/29/who-killed-francesco-favasuli/
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Bootlegging in Arkansas
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/06/06/bootlegging-in-arkansas/
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Where is Joanne Williams?
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/07/21/where-is-joanne-williams/
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A deep dive into Old Forge Pizza!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/05/23/a-deep-dive-into-old-forge-pizza/
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Wandering with the Nittany Lions!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/05/19/wandering-with-the-nittany-lions-3/
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Who Killed Mary Warner?
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/05/02/who-killed-mary-warner/
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Dominick Delfino & The Great Escape
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2021/05/30/dominick-delfino-the-great-escape/
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Mysterious Shooting at “Murderers' Corner”
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/02/24/mysterious-shooting-at-murderers-corner/
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Double Murder in Bulls Head!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/02/18/double-murder-in-bulls-head/
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Five days. Three Bowl Games!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2022/01/12/five-days-three-bowl-games/
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Triumph over the Terrapins!
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2021/11/09/triumph-over-the-terrapins/
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Smokey and The Bandit – Part Four
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wanderingspectator.wordpress.com/2021/11/02/smokey-and-the-bandit-part-four/
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Scranton Pennsylvania's Police Department was established in 1856. Over the years, this blue-collar town has had its share of notorious crimes and criminals. We'll take a look at some of the more interesting stories. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bill-sallurday/support
HOSTED BY
Bill Sallurday
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Wandering Spectator have?
Wandering Spectator currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Wandering Spectator about?
Scranton Pennsylvania's Police Department was established in 1856. Over the years, this blue-collar town has had its share of notorious crimes and criminals. We'll take a look at some of the more interesting stories. Support this podcast:...
How often does Wandering Spectator release new episodes?
Wandering Spectator has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Wandering Spectator?
You can listen to Wandering Spectator on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Wandering Spectator?
Wandering Spectator is created and hosted by Bill Sallurday.
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