Hey there, strangers. This week, we're sharing an episode called The Letters. To highlight the kind of

premium material we release on our Patreon and Apple Premium feeds, each month we put out a bonus

episode of one strange thing, covering more well-known cases of the strange, inexplicable, and downright

weird. Think of it as our usual fair,

but with the ability to cover anything, person, or place that we choose. And if you're a

premium subscriber, don't worry. We're sharing some extra bonus material just for you as a thank

you.

So check your feeds.

I'm Laura Norton, and this is one strange thing,

the show where we search the nation's news archives for stories that can't quite be explained.

Here at One Strange Thing, we are big fans of a nice, old-fashioned letter.

In a day and age where one can send a missive across the ocean with a few keystrokes, there's something to be said for a personal touch. To choose a nice pen and a piece of paper,

to scroll a note, fold up that message, stick it in an envelope and send it on its way, is a lot more steps

than one really needs to take in the 21st century.

So to know that someone did all of that and was thinking of you the whole time, call

us saps, but that's an almost romantic idea.

Almost. Of course, there's another side to this coin.

If you open a piece of mail and are greeted with malice, threats, or creepiness,

well, let's just say the thoughtfulness that got that letter

to its destination takes on a decidedly different tone. In June of 2014, Derek and Maria

Broadus probably wouldn't have considered the nuances of snail mail all too carefully.

They were busy after all.

...