Joseph Force Crater’s disappearance remains one of the most baffling unsolved mysteries in American history. In 1930, a sitting New York Supreme Court judge stepped into a taxi in Manhattan — and was never seen again.
What happened to Joseph Force Crater? Was it political corruption, organized crime, or something far simpler hiding in plain sight?
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the confirmed facts behind the Judge Crater case — separating historical record from conspiracy theory. From his ties to Tammany Hall and Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to the mysterious phone call that pulled him back to New York, every detail adds to a mystery that has lasted nearly a century.
This is not just a missing person case — it’s a political thriller rooted in 1930s New York power dynamics.
What You’ll Learn:
The confirmed timeline of Joseph Force Crater’s final day
The truth about his connection to Tammany Hall
Why he withdrew $5,150 in cash before vanishing
The role of Broadway showgirl Sally Lou Ritz
The most credible theories behind the disappearance
How the phrase “to do a Crater” entered American slang
Why the case remains officially unsolved
This historical true crime story blends political corruption, Prohibition-era New York, and one of the most famous missing judge cases in U.S. history.
If you love unsolved mysteries, historical crime investigations, and deep dives into forgotten cases — this one will stay with you. Subscribe for more true crime and historical mystery deep dives every week.
We uncover the strange, dark, and forgotten stories history tried to bury. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Joseph Force Crater’s disappearance remains one of the most baffling unsolved mysteries in American history. In 1930, a sitting New York Supreme Court judge stepped into a taxi in Manhattan — and was never seen again.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What happened to Joseph Force Crater? Was it political corruption, organized crime, or something far simpler hiding in plain sight?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we take a deep dive into the confirmed facts behind the Judge Crater case — separating historical record from conspiracy theory. From his ties to Tammany Hall and Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to the mysterious phone call that pulled him back to New York, every detail adds to a mystery that has lasted nearly a century.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This is not just a missing person case — it’s a political thriller rooted in 1930s New York power dynamics.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What You’ll Learn:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The confirmed timeline of Joseph Force Crater’s final day&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The truth about his connection to Tammany Hall&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Why he withdrew $5,150 in cash before vanishing&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The role of Broadway showgirl Sally Lou Ritz&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The most credible theories behind the disappearance&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;How the phrase “to do a Crater” entered American slang&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Why the case remains officially unsolved&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This historical true crime story blends political corruption, Prohibition-era New York, and one of the most famous missing judge cases in U.S. history.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you love unsolved mysteries, historical crime investigations, and deep dives into forgotten cases — this one will stay with you. Subscribe for more true crime and historical mystery deep dives every week.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We uncover the strange, dark, and forgotten stories history tried to bury.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Joseph Force Crater’s disappearance remains one of the most baffling unsolved mysteries in American history. In 1930, a sitting New York Supreme Court judge stepped into a taxi in Manhattan and was never seen again.

Joseph Force Crater's Final Night: Facts vs. Conspiracy

Before Jack the Ripper, America’s first serial killer was already hunting. 
The Servant Girl Annihilator terrorized Austin, Texas in the 1880s—one of the most forgotten true crime stories in U.S. history.
In the 1880s, long before “serial killer” became a term, a wave of brutal nighttime murders terrorized Austin, Texas. The victims were mostly Black women working as domestic servants. The killer was never caught. And over time, the story quietly disappeared from history.
They called him The Servant Girl Annihilator.
In this episode of Yore Town, we dive deep into the real, documented history of the murders, the social conditions that allowed them to continue, the investigative failures of early policing, and why this case never became as famous as others—even though it may predate Jack the Ripper.
This is not folklore. 
This is not legend. 
This is real American true crime history that was allowed to fade away.
If you’re fascinated by forgotten crimes, unsolved serial killers, and the dark side of small-town history, this episode is for you.
️ About the Beard Laws Network 
The Beard Laws Network is home to multiple long-form storytelling shows focused on real events, forgotten history, true crime, disasters, and moments that shaped communities. Every episode is built to inform, engage, and preserve real stories—especially those tied to local and regional history.
If you lived through the Ice Storm of 1998—or want to understand how fragile modern life can be—this story matters.
If you enjoy deep storytelling, real history, and documentary-style episodes, consider subscribing to the Beard Laws Network.
  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Before Jack the Ripper, America’s first serial killer was already hunting.&lt;br /&gt;
The Servant Girl Annihilator terrorized Austin, Texas in the 1880s—one of the most forgotten true crime stories in U.S. history.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In the 1880s, long before “serial killer” became a term, a wave of brutal nighttime murders terrorized Austin, Texas. The victims were mostly Black women working as domestic servants. The killer was never caught. And over time, the story quietly disappeared from history.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They called him The Servant Girl Annihilator.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Yore Town, we dive deep into the real, documented history of the murders, the social conditions that allowed them to continue, the investigative failures of early policing, and why this case never became as famous as others—even though it may predate Jack the Ripper.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This is not folklore.&lt;br /&gt;
This is not legend.&lt;br /&gt;
This is real American true crime history that was allowed to fade away.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you’re fascinated by forgotten crimes, unsolved serial killers, and the dark side of small-town history, this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;️ About the Beard Laws Network&lt;br /&gt;
The Beard Laws Network is home to multiple long-form storytelling shows focused on real events, forgotten history, true crime, disasters, and moments that shaped communities. Every episode is built to inform, engage, and preserve real stories—especially those tied to local and regional history.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you lived through the Ice Storm of 1998—or want to understand how fragile modern life can be—this story matters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you enjoy deep storytelling, real history, and documentary-style episodes, consider subscribing to the Beard Laws Network.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Before Jack the Ripper, America’s first serial killer was already hunting.
The Servant Girl Annihilator terrorized Austin, Texas in the 1880s—one of the most forgotten true crime stories in U.S. history.

America’s First Serial Killer Was Forgotten on Purpose

In January 1998, one of the worst ice storms in North American history brought St. Lawrence County, New York to a complete standstill. 
For days, freezing rain coated trees, power lines, and roads with inches of solid ice, causing widespread power outages, collapsed infrastructure, and a humanitarian emergency across the North Country.
This episode tells the true story of the Ice Storm of 1998, focusing specifically on St. Lawrence County, where tens of thousands of residents lost electricity for days—and in some cases, weeks. Entire towns went dark. Homes dropped below freezing. Emergency shelters filled. Utility crews and the New York National Guard were deployed as the power grid collapsed under the weight of the storm.
Through real historical facts, verified reports, and firsthand accounts, this documentary-style episode walks through the storm hour by hour and day by day—from the first flickering lights to the long recovery that permanently changed how Northern New York prepares for winter.
This is not a dramatization. 
This is not exaggeration. 
This is what actually happened.
️ About the Beard Laws Network 
The Beard Laws Network is home to multiple long-form storytelling shows focused on real events, forgotten history, true crime, disasters, and moments that shaped communities. Every episode is built to inform, engage, and preserve real stories—especially those tied to local and regional history.
If you lived through the Ice Storm of 1998—or want to understand how fragile modern life can be—this story matters.
Chapters / Topics Covered:
The weather system that caused the Ice Storm of 1998
Why St. Lawrence County was hit so hard
Power grid collapse across Northern New York
Life inside homes without heat or electricity
Emergency shelters and National Guard response
The quiet deaths and hidden dangers
How the storm permanently changed the region
If you enjoy deep storytelling, real history, and documentary-style episodes, consider subscribing to the Beard Laws Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In January 1998, one of the worst ice storms in North American history brought St. Lawrence County, New York to a complete standstill.&lt;br /&gt;
For days, freezing rain coated trees, power lines, and roads with inches of solid ice, causing widespread power outages, collapsed infrastructure, and a humanitarian emergency across the North Country.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This episode tells the true story of the Ice Storm of 1998, focusing specifically on St. Lawrence County, where tens of thousands of residents lost electricity for days—and in some cases, weeks. Entire towns went dark. Homes dropped below freezing. Emergency shelters filled. Utility crews and the New York National Guard were deployed as the power grid collapsed under the weight of the storm.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Through real historical facts, verified reports, and firsthand accounts, this documentary-style episode walks through the storm hour by hour and day by day—from the first flickering lights to the long recovery that permanently changed how Northern New York prepares for winter.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This is not a dramatization.&lt;br /&gt;
This is not exaggeration.&lt;br /&gt;
This is what actually happened.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;️ About the Beard Laws Network&lt;br /&gt;
The Beard Laws Network is home to multiple long-form storytelling shows focused on real events, forgotten history, true crime, disasters, and moments that shaped communities. Every episode is built to inform, engage, and preserve real stories—especially those tied to local and regional history.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you lived through the Ice Storm of 1998—or want to understand how fragile modern life can be—this story matters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Chapters / Topics Covered:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The weather system that caused the Ice Storm of 1998&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Why St. Lawrence County was hit so hard&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Power grid collapse across Northern New York&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Life inside homes without heat or electricity&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Emergency shelters and National Guard response&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The quiet deaths and hidden dangers&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;How the storm permanently changed the region&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you enjoy deep storytelling, real history, and documentary-style episodes, consider subscribing to the Beard Laws Network.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In January 1998, one of the worst ice storms in North American history brought St. Lawrence County, New York to a complete standstill.
For days, freezing rain coated trees, power lines, and roads with inches of solid ice, causing widespread power outages, collapsed infrastructure, and a humanitarian emergency across the North Country.

The Ice Storm of 1998: When St. Lawrence County Went Dark

The Texas City Disaster of 1947 remains the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history. In this episode of the Yore Town Podcast on the Beard Laws Network, we investigate the catastrophic SS Grand Camp explosion—a tragedy caused by 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate that changed Texas history and safety regulations forever.
SUBSCRIBE for more dark history and local legends: [Insert Your Channel Link Here]
If you are looking for US history facts or an industrial disasters documentary, this episode breaks down exactly how the largest non-nuclear explosion ever recorded actually happened. We explore the timeline of the blast, the chemical hazards explained, and the controversial legal aftermath where the government was found &quot;not liable.&quot;
In this video, we cover:
The SS High Flyer and SS Grand Camp explosions.
Why the fire department was wiped out in seconds.
The 5,000+ injuries and the mass civil lawsuit.
How ammonium nitrate created a tidal wave that destroyed the port.
Check out more from the Beard Laws Network: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNGk6pLmVDE&amp;list=PLjfRSzSIJjWwhAKxgNqM2np1HpRY5QJxu
#TexasCityDisaster #AmmoniumNitrate #IndustrialAccident #TexasHistory #YoreTownPodcast #BeardLawsNetwork #HistoryFacts #SSGrandCamp
Chapters
00:00 The Texas City Disaster: A Tragic Morning 
03:18 Understanding Ammonium Nitrate and Its Risks 
11:02 The Catastrophic Explosion and Its Aftermath 
16:59 Lessons Learned and Historical Significance Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;The Texas City Disaster of 1947 remains the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history. In this episode of the Yore Town Podcast on the Beard Laws Network, we investigate the catastrophic SS Grand Camp explosion—a tragedy caused by 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate that changed Texas history and safety regulations forever.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;SUBSCRIBE for more dark history and local legends: [Insert Your Channel Link Here]&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you are looking for US history facts or an industrial disasters documentary, this episode breaks down exactly how the largest non-nuclear explosion ever recorded actually happened. We explore the timeline of the blast, the chemical hazards explained, and the controversial legal aftermath where the government was found &amp;quot;not liable.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this video, we cover:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The SS High Flyer and SS Grand Camp explosions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Why the fire department was wiped out in seconds.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The 5,000+ injuries and the mass civil lawsuit.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;How ammonium nitrate created a tidal wave that destroyed the port.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Check out more from the Beard Laws Network: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNGk6pLmVDE&amp;amp;list=PLjfRSzSIJjWwhAKxgNqM2np1HpRY5QJxu&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#TexasCityDisaster #AmmoniumNitrate #IndustrialAccident #TexasHistory #YoreTownPodcast #BeardLawsNetwork #HistoryFacts #SSGrandCamp&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;00:00 The Texas City Disaster: A Tragic Morning&lt;br /&gt;
03:18 Understanding Ammonium Nitrate and Its Risks&lt;br /&gt;
11:02 The Catastrophic Explosion and Its Aftermath&lt;br /&gt;
16:59 Lessons Learned and Historical Significance&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

The Texas City Disaster of 1947 remains the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history. In this episode of the Yore Town Podcast on the Beard Laws Network, we investigate the catastrophic SS Grand Camp explosion—a tragedy caused by 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate that changed Texas history and safety regulations forever.

The Day Texas Exploded: The Deadliest Industrial Accident in U.S. History

In 1932, one man did the impossible. He survived alone in the Yukon wilderness at $-40$ degrees, outran the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for weeks, and stood his ground against dynamite and an army of trackers.In this episode of the Yore Town Podcast, Matt (Beard Laws) and Meg dive into the chilling mystery of The Mad Trapper of Rat River. Who was Albert Johnson? How did he move faster than dog teams in waist-deep snow? And why, after his final stand, did he leave behind no fingerprints, no history, and no real name?From the first shot fired at a constable to the first-ever use of an airplane in a Canadian manhunt, we break down the survival tactics and the eerie silence of the man who chose to disappear into the ice.In this episode, we discuss:The brutal reality of survival in the Yukon Territory.How Albert Johnson turned his cabin into a ballistic fortress.The high-stakes manhunt that changed the RCMP forever.The mystery of Johnson’s perfect teeth and military precision.Subscribe to Yore Town for more true stories from the edge of history!
If you're invested in true crime and believe in justice, hit the like button and subscribe to Yore Town Podcast!
Listen to Full Episodes &amp; Clips
➜ Beard Laws Network Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/@BeardLawsNetwork/shorts
➜ Main Beard Laws Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BeardLaws
Follow on Socials
TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and more → https://linktr.ee/beardlaws
Support the Show
Like, comment, and share this episode — it helps the Network grow a TON!
In this chilling narrative, we explore the harsh reality of winter in the Yukon Territory, where the cold weather is not just a season but an environment that demands respect. Learn about the dangers of frost bite and the unforgiving nature of winter life in this northern living landscape. This story reminds us that in the Yukon, survival is a constant challenge. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In 1932, one man did the impossible. He survived alone in the Yukon wilderness at $-40$ degrees, outran the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for weeks, and stood his ground against dynamite and an army of trackers.In this episode of the Yore Town Podcast, Matt (Beard Laws) and Meg dive into the chilling mystery of The Mad Trapper of Rat River. Who was Albert Johnson? How did he move faster than dog teams in waist-deep snow? And why, after his final stand, did he leave behind no fingerprints, no history, and no real name?From the first shot fired at a constable to the first-ever use of an airplane in a Canadian manhunt, we break down the survival tactics and the eerie silence of the man who chose to disappear into the ice.In this episode, we discuss:The brutal reality of survival in the Yukon Territory.How Albert Johnson turned his cabin into a ballistic fortress.The high-stakes manhunt that changed the RCMP forever.The mystery of Johnson’s perfect teeth and military precision.Subscribe to Yore Town for more true stories from the edge of history!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you're invested in true crime and believe in justice, hit the like button and subscribe to Yore Town Podcast!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Listen to Full Episodes &amp;amp; Clips&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;➜ Beard Laws Network Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/@BeardLawsNetwork/shorts&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;➜ Main Beard Laws Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BeardLaws&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Follow on Socials&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and more → https://linktr.ee/beardlaws&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Support the Show&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Like, comment, and share this episode — it helps the Network grow a TON!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this chilling narrative, we explore the harsh reality of winter in the Yukon Territory, where the cold weather is not just a season but an environment that demands respect. Learn about the dangers of frost bite and the unforgiving nature of winter life in this northern living landscape. This story reminds us that in the Yukon, survival is a constant challenge.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See &lt;a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com"&gt;pcm.adswizz.com&lt;/a&gt; for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In 1932, one man did the impossible. He survived alone in the Yukon wilderness at $-40$ degrees, outran the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for weeks, and stood his ground against dynamite and an army of trackers.In this episode of the Yore Town Podcast, Matt (Beard Laws) and Meg dive into the chilling mystery of The Mad Trapper of Rat River. Who was Albert Johnson? How did he move faster than dog teams in waist-deep snow?

The Mad Trapper: Survival, Gunfire, and Unanswered Questions

Yore Town Podcast is a true crime and dark history podcast uncovering
real small-town mysteries, forgotten crimes, unexplained events, and
buried history from places most people overlook.

Each episode delivers deep-dive storytelling into true crime cases,
unsolved disappearances, eerie local legends, historical cover-ups, and
strange but 100% real stories that actually happened. No clickbait. No
internet myths. Just well-researched, fact-checked episodes designed to
keep you listening until the very end.

From chilling murders and cold cases to strange historical moments and
unsettling mysteries, Yore Town Podcast blends true crime podcast
tension with immersive narrative storytelling. These are the kinds of
stories you’d expect to hear late at night—except they’re real, and they
happened closer to home than you think.

Perfect for fans of:

True crime podcasts

Dark history podcasts

Unsolved mysteries

Small-town crime stories

Long-form storytelling podcasts

If you’re searching for a true crime podcast with real research, a dark
history podcast, or a mystery podcast that focuses on small towns and
forgotten places, this is it.

Every town has a past.
Some of them don’t want to be found.

New episodes regularly on Spotify
Real people. Real places. Real stories.

Yore Town

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