174. Tragedy in Tomahawk- The Sacrifice of Lucinda Mills

In February 1933, the small community of Tomahawk, Kentucky, became national news after Lucinda Mills was killed as a religious sacrifice during a ritual led by her son, John Hampton Mills. This week, we head to Martin County to explore the events leading up to Lucinda’s death, the relatives arrested in its aftermath, and the trial that brought crowds to the courthouse in Inez. Drawing on newspaper coverage, we follow the investigation, conflicting accounts of the family’s activities, and the surprisingly short time some of those convicted spent behind bars. We also examine how the press framed the case as a sensational story of a mountain “cult”—and consider the grief, questions surrounding John’s mental health, and family dynamics behind those headlines. Content note: This episode discusses the death of a child, mental illness, and the murder of a parent, including descriptions of violence. See the historical photos discussed in this episode and follow Kentucky History & Haunts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyhistoryhaunts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyhistoryhaunts Have feedback or a suggestion for a future episode? Email [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and Happy Halloween!