A Ghoul, a Ghost and a Grisly Murder: The Legend of Dr. Joseph McDowell

Рет қаралды 127,966

The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered

Күн бұрын

In Antebellum St Louis, Dr. Joseph Nash McDowell was, to put it mildly, an eccentric, whose legendary reputation included body snatching, artillery, demagoguery, ghosts, a live bear, and murder most foul. He is said to have inspired a character in one of America’s most famous works of fiction.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
You can purchase the bow tie worn in this episode at The Tie Bar:
www.thetiebar.com/?...
All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Please send suggestions for future episodes: Suggestions@TheHistoryGuy.net
The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. If you like history too, this is the channel for you.
Subscribe for more forgotten history: / @thehistoryguychannel .
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Script by THG
#history #thehistoryguy #StLouis

Пікірлер: 473

@travisrainey1171 2 жыл бұрын

"People of Color and Catholics would cross the road rather than walk near the college." I was thinking that I would've done the same at this point in the story.

@jimreilly917 2 жыл бұрын

🤣

@chuckkottke 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, one wouldn't want to be part of the wagon loads of bones later hauled out of the basement!

@VarangianGuard13 2 жыл бұрын

While he would likely try the same with me, being uninterested in his crazy levels of self-aggrandizement I do not favor his murderous and hateful tendencies against ohh.. my vast knowledge of horror movies, CQB training and the little boost that comes from hating all defilers of the honored dead... Yes, invite me to your basement, we shall play Rock, Paper, Shotgun. He's that special flavor of crazy that you normally only see in that century, or a couple of previous centuries.. that, or "Doctor" Mengelae

@Malbeefance Жыл бұрын

"People of color and catholics..." I never knew Catholics didn't include people.of color. I didn't know catholics were all albinos, the only people who aren't people of color.

@travisrainey1171 Жыл бұрын

@@Malbeefance I quoted exactly what was said in the video and then made a statement that I would do the same. Did you watch the video? Not sure what you're trying to say.

@orbyfan 2 жыл бұрын

"When most people die, the last person to see them alive is usually a doctor." -- Les Nessman

@JH-ji6cj 2 жыл бұрын

Random WKRP quotes are always appreciated!

@lordgarion514 2 жыл бұрын

Had an electrician, that did work for my company, come up walking funny with both legs swollen one day. I mentioned he should go to the hospital, and he straight up said they kill you at the hospital. I was like no, they die there, because people keep going when they get screwed up, and they can't always save you. Not the same as killing you. He died not long after.

@whiplash8277 2 жыл бұрын

“It’s like...like they were organized...” - Les Nessman

@retriever19golden55 2 жыл бұрын

The corollary: the cause of death for research animals is research.

@bubbercakes528 Жыл бұрын

Wow! Les Nessman is such a blast from the past! WKRP was a great show!

@hatuletoh 2 жыл бұрын

I loved picturing the cinnamon colored bear being released on the mob, but ambling out, yawning, and looking perplexed. Although it wasn't nearly so amusing when I thought about the conditions the bear was likely kept in at most other times.

@goodun2974 2 жыл бұрын

Oh, I'm sure McDowell threw the bear a bone from time to time....😳

@hatuletoh 2 жыл бұрын

@@goodun2974 True. And he probably didn't torture him to death in a bear baiting fight, so that's...good? Whenever I start buying into the lie that things are worse than ever, and people are more immoral than they used to be, I just remember that 150-200+ years ago wild bears were captured and killed for public sport, and pit bulls were bred in the hopes of creating a breed of dog that could go one on one with a bull, because it was too hard for the bookies to handicap fights between bulls and bulldogs when the number of bulldogs per fight had to be negotiated on a case by case basis depending on the size of the bull. Humanity is far from perfect, but we've made some progress.

@markhonea2461 2 жыл бұрын

@@hatuletoh some

@gregraines1599 2 жыл бұрын

@@hatuletoh Now if we could just stop cockfighting and dogfighting.

@doggedout 2 жыл бұрын

The yawning and confused "attack bear" is the best part.

@marknc9616 2 жыл бұрын

That part was unbearable.

@reefsroost696 2 жыл бұрын

It was paws-able.

@goodun2974 2 жыл бұрын

Don't all good stories involve bears, and cannon?

@DonP_is_lostagain 2 жыл бұрын

@@goodun2974 and pirates!

@sharonwhiteley6510 2 жыл бұрын

Don't forget the excess body parts.

@johnstevenson9956 2 жыл бұрын

I'd been through "Mark Twain's Cave" in Hannibal but had no idea of its odd history. (Amanda never showed herself.)

@kdrapertrucker 2 жыл бұрын

The body snatching was common among medical professors in the day. As donating your body to science was not yet a thing, so bodies were snatched to teach medical students anatomy, and surgery.

@jeanneratterman4174 2 жыл бұрын

Burke & Hare film is about body snatching for medical school in Scotland. It is made comedic with Simon Pegg as Burke, but based on true story. Burke’s own skeleton is featured in the Edinburgh School of Medicine. Ah, Irony!

@davidbarrass 2 жыл бұрын

@@jeanneratterman4174 I've seen his skeleton, as a hanged criminal Burke was dissected by his greatest customer, Dr Knox. All of the cemeteries in Edinburgh, and most in Scotland, have a tower built overlooking them so families of the deceased could watch over the grave

@winstonchurchill3597 2 жыл бұрын

Well can't really blame them - how else were they going to teach students?

@jamesrogers47 2 жыл бұрын

"Burke's the butcher, Hare's the thief, Knox's the boy who buys the beef."

@wholeNwon 2 жыл бұрын

The portrait of the surgeon operating on the boy's leg is that of Samuel David Gross, M.D., Professor of Surgery at The Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. That Chair is still named after him and the portrait is by Eakins. Dr. Gross succeeded Dr. Mutter of museum and plastic surgery fame. Dr. Gross's son also became a Professor of Surgery. One of the founders of the school was George McClellan, M.D., father of the eponymous Civil War General.

@chrisnorman9980 2 жыл бұрын

When you first showed a picture of McDowell, my immediate reaction was, “He looks like Andrew Jackson with that mane of hair.” Turns out it was deliberate on his part. Always informative and enjoyable.

@BA-gn3qb 2 жыл бұрын

Patient: "Doctor. I'm not feeling well." Dr. McDowell: "Take two of these, and I'll dig you up early in the morning."

@paulhunt598 2 жыл бұрын

Living most of my life in the St. Louis region, I was aware of Joseph, but THG has given more life to his story!

@WayfarerTechnologies 2 жыл бұрын

I am proudly alumni with this man. I long for such days when our professors kept cannons on the roof. "The mobs are upon us. Release the bears!"

@christyluvs80sXo 2 жыл бұрын

You always make “snippets” of history so enjoyable! I always loved history class in school, and still enjoy as an adult. I thought I knew quite a bit, but more times than not, I learn something new from you!

@MrDmitriRavenoff 2 жыл бұрын

He is what I used to love about the Discovery and History channels. Now they are trash and this is how I get my history fix.

@kennyhagan5781 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite history channel on KZfaq.

@TheKulu42 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed that episode of the semi-forgotten. I had never heard of Dr. McDowell until now. A man like that shouldn't fade away.

@goldgeologist5320 2 жыл бұрын

It is always good when a pirate reference gets worked into the presentation! Excellent job history guy!

@chaosdweller Жыл бұрын

Hahaha ....?

@poohbear9795 Жыл бұрын

A butt pirate

@leviwarren6222 2 жыл бұрын

A couple of months ago, I suggested in a comment that you do a video on the real historical places and events in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. I suppose history has a way of being told.

@joedearinger9239 2 жыл бұрын

A fitting tidbit of hostory for the Halloween season. Lol thank you THG! I can not even begin to tell you how much I enjoy and love your channel.

@Farweasel 2 жыл бұрын

Halloween - Check. Ghouls - Check. Demons - Missing And that is a very great shame because ......... As the song & the adage both tell us .......... *Demons* are a *Ghoul's* *best* *Friend*

@jbos5107 2 жыл бұрын

@@Farweasel As sung by Marilyn. Manson not Monroe!

@PakBallandSami 2 жыл бұрын

"Now, whenever you read any historical document, you always evaluate it in light of the historical context" --Josh McDowell

@jamesrobiscoe1174 Жыл бұрын

You're the first to accurately define the word "ghoul." Kudos on your narratives so strong on causation.

@revan9173 2 жыл бұрын

You mentioned Ephraim McDowell. I live five minutes from the museum. I have been there several times over the years. It is interesting

@amytaylor8910 2 жыл бұрын

Hello there 👋👋how are you doing today?hope you had a better day?💕💕!!!

@chiefpontiac1800 2 жыл бұрын

Another fine story HG. Perhaps if Dr. McDowell would have armed his Ursus arctos, only then could he "Bear arms" against those mean townsfolk.

@jimreilly917 2 жыл бұрын

Groooooaan.🥴🤣

@AndrewVelonis 2 жыл бұрын

He had the right to arm bears.

@jpkalishek4586 2 жыл бұрын

he coulda used some of the limbs he had in the basement, and stitched them on with gut. 5 or 6 extra and it would be a well armed bear

@catherinecrawford2289 2 жыл бұрын

Uuugghh.....😅

@raydunakin 2 жыл бұрын

What a fascinating story, and what an interesting character! It's amazing to me how far medical science has come, and how primitive it was such a short time ago.

@timothyurton5407 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Lance for making historical learning, both enjoyable and fascinating.

@mrskitkatlady 2 жыл бұрын

I love this one! I enjoy hearing history of my hometown! Thank you!

@chaosdweller Жыл бұрын

I could imagine...I'm close.

@mwhyte1979 2 жыл бұрын

Like how you managed to work Pirates in there. LOL

@TheHistoryGuyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

They called it the “Lafitte cannon.” I couldn’t find a record of what happened to it- his weapons seem to have been dispersed during the war. I wonder if it is still around somewhere.

@hisgracedwaynedibley7443 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you History Guy, I always wondered who the Ephraim Mcdowell medical center was named after. Love hearing Kentucky history.

@charlesclager6808 2 жыл бұрын

It is said that there is a thin line between genius and idiocy. The good doctor straddled that line. Excellent video. I was fascinated from beginning to end. Thank you so much.

@ronsparks7887 2 жыл бұрын

It is very possible to be both a genius and an idiot.

@simonrisley2177 2 жыл бұрын

You really couldn't make it up! Here in England we have always tolerated eccentrics. One who particularly comes to mind -- and whom I often saw -- was Stanley Green, the well-known "Human Billboard", who patrolled the area around London's Oxford Street for over 25 years; his billboard displaying the remarkable announcement "Less passion with less protein: meat, fish, bird, egg and nuts. And sitting". He became something of a 'National Treasure', with The Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph all printing his obituary when he died. -- Wonderful! (In fact possibly deserving of treatment by The History Guy...)

@orbyfan 2 жыл бұрын

I'd never heard of Transylvania University until this video, and was surprised to find that it's in Kentucky, and an appropriate school for someone of Dr. McDowell's reputation.

@BA-gn3qb 2 жыл бұрын

Transylvania University was actually founded by a company that Transported goods through the Appalachians. Only 4 years ago, the university adopted a Bat logo. Mary Todd (Lincoln) also attended the school.

@lloydknighten5071 2 жыл бұрын

History Guy, thanks for this tidbit of Saint Louis history. This is the first time that I have heard of the "Mad" Doctor Ms Dowell.

@chaosdweller Жыл бұрын

Hello Lyold .... never heard of her.

@morganosborne9258 2 жыл бұрын

Eccentricity definitely makes things interesting. Thank you for the entertaining history narration

@keithweiss7899 2 жыл бұрын

Consider doing one on Dr. Geo Seib. His mother was a famous St. Louis Spiritualist leader. He was a teacher at Washington University School of medicine and my family doctor. For years he averaged delivering one baby per day as well as running his practice.

@HoopTY303 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! I love history and have sought it out where ever I could find it and yet I had never heard of Dr McDowell. Thank you!

@djrdjr8888 2 жыл бұрын

halloween tie...nice touch sir

@hhuggman1 2 жыл бұрын

Mr. History Guy is...LEGEND!!

@Ammo08 2 жыл бұрын

When we were actually taught Missouri History in school, Dr. McDowell was one of my favorite weird people of our great state.

@joebykaeby 2 жыл бұрын

He’s got the perfect look for a mad scientist, too - would’ve made a great Dr. Frankenstein.

@carlcushmanhybels8159 2 жыл бұрын

Also looked like John C. Calhoun, and somewhat: Andrew Jackson (he wanted to look like Jackson.)

@SDZ675 2 жыл бұрын

Just realized Transylvania University is real. It's all tying together now

@maryfranco3810 2 ай бұрын

As a Missouri native, I found this particularly interesting!

@aguerra41 2 жыл бұрын

Love your program. You always have snippets of history I’ve never heard about.

@euansmith3699 2 жыл бұрын

13:51 I thought that the reveal was going to be, that the locals were breaking in to the cave, to get at the alcohol surrounding the coffin.

@goodun2974 2 жыл бұрын

Favorite drink of cannon-wielding, body-snatching, corpse-preserving vivisectionists: Cannon-ade. 🤣

@Niinsa62 2 жыл бұрын

Great story, and I like the Mark Twain connection! Another great storyteller!

@tm502010 2 жыл бұрын

I need to give you a big SHOUT OUT for your title sequences. They are often quite different, and “creatively specific.” Wonderful! ❤️

@geoben1810 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the Halloween season ghost and horror stories HG. Perfectly timed and very appropriate entertainment! 🎃👻💀🕸🕷

@fredherfst8148 2 жыл бұрын

A whole new definition of eccentric!

@graceamerican3558 2 жыл бұрын

The word 'eccentric' is KIND. lol

@chaosdweller Жыл бұрын

@@graceamerican3558 haha! true in some circles yes, .... but then like he said in the video, other sources say completely different haha, so it seems we all have to make his overall place in history, as that I guess? haha.... overall, but yes I was actually quite surprised by all the good reviews when I googled him haha shocking ....; I learned about him in, Barnes and noble when I stumbled across the book he mentioned in the video surprisingly haha, then saw a guy with that last name run by and realized what I wanted to look up while I was still aloud internet haha, .... yeah that's what the book was about actually as u could imagine in the title haha, I can't remember what the gruesome and sinister title was though haha, guess I'll have to rewind it and see , but yes ....so it seems..... from this video.

@pamelamays4186 2 жыл бұрын

I see that The Creature From The Black Lagoon has found a spot on the History Shelf. The black shirt and orange tie were right on spot for this Halloween Eve.🎃👻

@zaphodbeatlebrox4906 2 жыл бұрын

Informative and entertaining as always!

@chaosdweller Жыл бұрын

I'm new but I thoroughly enjoyed the show , luv how he makes it funny, but without it taking away from the message.

@SCSuperheavy114 2 жыл бұрын

Ohh I see a Coen brothers movie here with John Malkovich as the good Dr!

@joanbowden3448 2 жыл бұрын

YES!

@jimreilly917 2 жыл бұрын

That NEEDS TO HAPPEN 🤣🤣.

@RhettyforHistory 2 жыл бұрын

Great story for Halloween! The cemetery in St. Louis has some fascinating history!

@jimreilly917 2 жыл бұрын

The main 2 do, and several other cemeteries in the county.

@zach7193 2 жыл бұрын

This is truly something. Happy Halloween.

@chaosdweller Жыл бұрын

🤔

@peterhughes1460 2 жыл бұрын

I want to hear about the history of the history guy! That also deserves to be remembered!

@Svartalf14 Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much sir, this one was very instructive... I certainly never expected the resurrection men to have been active so recently as you show, and even less an important professor to have personally gone on specimen gathering outings.

@annvictor9627 2 жыл бұрын

Loved the jack o' lanterns. Interesting story.

@fredcloud9668 2 жыл бұрын

It is a pleasure listening to you.

@amytaylor8910 2 жыл бұрын

Hello there 👋👋how are you doing today?hope you had a better day?💕💕!!!

@BluBlu777 2 жыл бұрын

Love ya History Guy, you always make my day much better!

@SMichaelDeHart 2 жыл бұрын

Between you ('THG') and Dr Mark Felton the Halloween Specials and History is almost as fun as Trick or Treating as a 8yo kid...many many moons ago. Thank you THG!!

@Soundbrigade 2 жыл бұрын

Throw in MrBallen and you don’t dare turn off your bedside lamp ...💀🎃👽

@bryantsemenza9703 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent facts and history, I am never disappointed by the history you present. Perfect timing for Halloween. Another great show History Guy.

@amytaylor8910 2 жыл бұрын

Hello there 👋👋how are you doing today?hope you had a better day?💕💕!!

@LarkinJackson 2 жыл бұрын

I subscribed when you were at 20k subs so great to see you at 1 million. Congratulations 👏 Great History Vids

@sterfry8502 2 жыл бұрын

Crazy episode!! Love the show!

@halletts1171 2 жыл бұрын

1 Million Subs! Congrats!

@gnored 2 жыл бұрын

One of your best!

@trj1442 2 жыл бұрын

Another excellent episode. Thankyou THG crew.

@patriciadean5320 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir for many interesting history stories-love the stories and your voice and bow tie

@peterloohunt 2 жыл бұрын

One of the things I really like about your videos is you don't use needless and annoying background music.

@thefockn3831 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoy all of your content but I must say I enjoyed that last story immensely and I will save it as one of my favorites.

@genebodjtb 2 жыл бұрын

always appreciate your professional work and fullfilling content

@amytaylor8910 2 жыл бұрын

Hello there 👋👋how are you doing today?hope you had a better day?💕💕!!!

@davidfriedman4979 2 жыл бұрын

Great episode!

@TheRiverPirate13 2 жыл бұрын

What a great story. Perfect for Halloween! I wonder what ever became of Lafitte's cannon?

@TheHistoryGuyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

I could not find a record. McDowell reportedly managed to transfer four cannon to the Confederacy, but the rest were taken by the Union. What happened to that actual cannon is unclear, although it seems unlikely that a cannon of that age would have found action in the Civil War.

@stephenmoerlein8470 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing the interesting medical history!

@rickieoakes5267 2 жыл бұрын

My family lives just outside of Danville Kentucky and I've been passed that hospital on numerous occasions but I never knew where the name came from thank you history guy

@amytaylor8910 2 жыл бұрын

Hello there 👋👋how are you doing today?hope you had a better day?💕💕!!!

@HistorySkills 2 жыл бұрын

There is always something new to learn. Thank you.

@TheOdieD3 2 жыл бұрын

OK! This is a favorite episode!

@chaosdweller Жыл бұрын

🤔..................

@markhonea2461 2 жыл бұрын

Being a 'renowned physician' in 1894 is much like being a famous magician.

@isaace436 Жыл бұрын

The image of a bear lazily walking out of a cage toward a screaming crowed only for it to just walk up, probably sniff or lick someone and yawn and lay down is just hilarious to me.

@theoutlook55 2 жыл бұрын

Love the holiday intro!👍🏿

@mauricedavis8261 2 жыл бұрын

You and your crew are awesome!!!🙏👍😷

@chaosdweller Жыл бұрын

🤔

@izzywatashi371 2 жыл бұрын

Paranoia runs deep, into McDowell it did creep. An interesting and timeless social phenomenon.

@BA-gn3qb 2 жыл бұрын

@_spacegoat_ 2 жыл бұрын

Lookin' sharp, HG! Rockin' the orange-on-black....slick

@matthewpoplawski8740 2 жыл бұрын

AS ALWAYS THE HISTORY GUY, AN EXCELLENT VIDEO!! Had Burke and Hare survived the the hangman's noose in Edinburgh, they would have made a killing in St.Louis(pun intended). To be able to own your own private fort and arsenal...Ah, those were the days. Lance, remember this when fact and fiction become muddled:.WHEN THE LEGEND BECOMES FACT, PRINT THE LEGEND (Quoted from THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE).🌞🌞🌞😄😄😄✌✌✌✌

@terryroths4254 2 жыл бұрын

Great video !!

@amytaylor8910 2 жыл бұрын

Hello there 👋👋how are you doing today?hope you had a better day?💕💕!!!

@tinkmarshino 2 жыл бұрын

Well said!

@fancyultrafresh3264 2 жыл бұрын

Immaculate suit and tie combo sir, happy Halloween!

@kelsey4540 2 жыл бұрын

What an interesting and quite a colorful family member I have.

@edwardschrlau8932 2 жыл бұрын

Yes Mr history guy you come up with some awesome awesome history I love it don't stop ☺️☺️☺️☺️😳🤔

@kenthawley5990 2 жыл бұрын

I did not know this. I love learning about our region's history.

@dinascharnhorst6590 2 жыл бұрын

Dr. Daniel Drake, Dr. McDowell's FIL, was in turn a highly regarded phsician in Cincinnati. A hospital was named for Dr. Drake, and it stands today...although no longer operating as the County hospital. Due to the activities of the so-called "Angel of Death" (Donald Harvey), its focus has turned toward long-term care, rehab, and hospice.

@amytaylor8910 2 жыл бұрын

Hello there 👋👋how are you doing today?hope you had a better day?💕💕!!

@starfish370 2 жыл бұрын

One of your best yet! Keep up the good work. Ps A real snappy suit - who's your tailor? 👏👏👏👌

@ajnormandgroome 2 жыл бұрын

Appreciated hearing a source being mentioned

@Anubis-hm7ro 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@kennyhagan5781 2 жыл бұрын

A very happy Halloween to you and yours,sir. This is an appropriate story for the season.🎃🦇💀👻🤡 P.S. Thanks, I didn't have to wait too long for the pirate....

@dkompres6889 2 жыл бұрын

Great Missouri story.

@mausercal65 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent

@prnklinfierc 7 ай бұрын

I've never snorted so often when watching a video. I'd love to read the book written by his nephew. This man is obnoxious and fascinating. Imagine having Henry Clay as your professor and just years later you're imitating all of Andrew Jackson's likeness.

@zerozero9085 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@73challenger5031 2 жыл бұрын

If you haven't done so already and I missed it, could you look into the History of Fort Stevens, OR. It holds the only record of a shelling by Japan of mainland USA during WWII. I love your channel, BTW!

@michaelandcarolblackburn103 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome, Thanks

@memathews 2 жыл бұрын

You had me at "Hannibal, Missouri." Tom Sawyer's cave was a part of the doctor's crazy holdings? So that's two connections to pirates, a crazy doctor, a ghoulish family burial plan, attempting to marry a first cousin, a castle, and connections to U.S. presidents-history doesn't get any better than this! What's next? A treasure map on the back of the constitution? 😂😉