173. Mortuary Mummy of Paducah- Charles 'Speedy' Atkins

Charles “Speedy” Atkins moved to Paducah, Kentucky, looking for work. He found a job at the Dixon Tobacco Company and enjoyed fishing—a pastime that ended in tragedy when he drowned in the Ohio River in 1928. But his story didn’t end there. In this episode of Kentucky History & Haunts, Jessie explores how Speedy’s body came into the care of funeral director Albert Z. Hamock, whose secret embalming formula preserved his remains for decades. Displayed to visitors and eventually featured on national television, Speedy became widely known for what happened to him after death. We’ll talk about life in segregated Paducah, the Hamock funeral home, conflicting accounts in newspaper coverage, and the burial that finally came in 1994—66 years after Speedy’s death. Content note: Discussion of accidental drowning, human remains, and the public display of a deceased person. Connect with Kentucky History & Haunts Follow along for photos accompanying this episode, Kentucky history, and podcast updates: Instagram: @kyhistoryhaunts Facebook: Kentucky History & Haunts Email: [email protected] Enjoy the episode? Leave a rating or review and share Kentucky History & Haunts with a friend who loves the strange stories behind Kentucky’s past.