Episode 158 The Louisville Torture House

Southern Mysteries Podcast

Shannon Ballard

True Crime, Society & Culture, History

4.8 • 918 Ratings

🗓️ 3 February 2025

⏱️ 33 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

One of the strangest cases in all their years of police work. Those were the words of seasoned detectives in Louisville, Kentucky, who worked on the Torture House case. A century ago, this case made national headlines when Richard Heaton was murdered by William Gates, who had been kidnapped and held in a home on 34th Street in Louisville. Want more Southern Mysteries? Hear the Southern Mysteries show archive of 60+ episodes along with Patron exclusive podcast, Audacious: Tales of American Crime and more when you become a patron of the show. You can immediately access exclusive content now at patreon.com/southernmysteries Connect Website: southernmysteries.com Facebook: Southern Mysteries PodcastInstagram: @southernmysteriesEmail: [email protected] Episode Sources New York Times: Shackled to Bed, Man Gets Free Kills Captor, March 9, 1924 New York Times: Slayer of Heaton Cleare; Coroner's Jury Finds Killing Justifiable to Escape Mutilation, March 15,1924 Paducah News-Democrat: Gates freed of murder charge, March 16, 1924 Florence Morning News: Gates admit visit with Heaton to Lake City, March 16,1924 The Winchester Sun: Gates arrested after freedom on new warrant, March 17, 1924 The Owensboro Messenger: Gates is held on fugitive charge, March 18, 1924 The Frankfort State Journal: Gates Tells of Trips to Texas and South, April 9, 1924 The Louisiana Herald: Lake City Expecting William Gates, April 24, 1924 The Lousiville Courier-Journal: Gates Bares Torture Plot Details; Hidden Pistol Saved Victim From Heaton;, March 10, 1924 The Louisville Courier-Journal: Frank Cordell on Trial, April 9, 1924 Historical Crime Detective: The Torture House 1924 FindAGrave.com: Richard Hartwell Heaton FindAGrave.com: Mary Leahy Wiesen Heaton Episode Music Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hey, friends, it's your Southern Mysteries host, Shannon Ballard.
0:04.3	In each episode of this show, we uncover fascinating stories of the American South.
0:10.2	Southern Mysteries is for anyone who loves historical true crimes and often forgotten histories.
0:17.2	If you love the stories I share and you want to support this independent podcast, consider becoming a patron at patreon.com slash southern mysteries.
0:28.7	I want to say special thanks to new patrons who have helped make this episode possible.
0:34.5	Lisa and Corvati from Westchester, Ohio, Gail Adams, Kathy Riffendipher from
0:40.6	Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and thanks to Jackie Barnwell, Joyce, and Krista Morrissey,
0:47.0	who are listening and supporting from mysterious locations. Their supports and yours,
0:53.5	if you become a patron, it's instrumental in helping me
0:57.2	continue to share stories like the one you'll hear today. Everyone who joins me on Patreon
1:02.8	gains access to exclusive content, including ad-free episodes, archives Southern Mystery
1:09.2	Shorts, and the first three seasons of the show, which you can
1:13.1	only hear on Patreon. Plus, you can join the much obliged tier, which gives you access to my
1:19.9	audacious podcast, which delves into shocking crimes and scandals in American history. Your support of me as an independent podcast creator
1:30.0	helps me to maintain creative freedom and continue producing the content you enjoy.
1:37.9	Becoming a supporter is easy. Just visit my Patreon page and choose a membership tier that suits you.
1:45.6	Once you join, you can immediately start listening to episodes that are only available to patrons.
1:52.2	If you already have the Patreon app, just search for Southern Mysteries podcast to join today
1:58.2	or head directly to patreon.com slash southern mysteries.
2:07.6	One of the weirdest in all their years of police work.
2:18.3	Those are the words of seasoned Louisville Kentucky detectives who worked the Torture House case.
2:25.3	A century ago, the case made national news when a man who had been kidnapped, murdered his kidnapper.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Shannon Ballard, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Shannon Ballard and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.