Unearthing the forgotten, the mysterious, and the legendary—one Southern story at a time. Hosted by Shannon Ballard, Southern Mysteries explores the rich and often untold history of the American South through a captivating mix of folklore, legends, unexplained mysteries, and true crime. Each episode uncovers a compelling tale from a Southern state, blending history with intrigue to reveal the fascinating stories that time left behind. While some episodes delve into chilling crimes, others spotlight legendary figures, ghostly lore, or baffling events. Sometimes, the biggest mystery is why you’ve never heard these stories before.
Episodes
3 days ago
3 days ago
A cool September afternoon on a trail in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Three friends are chatting as they hike. And then… in minutes, one of them disappears. No sound. No clue. Just… gone. Polly Melton’s disappearance has left investigators and amateur sleuths searching for answers for over four decades
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Episode Sources
- National Park Service: Cold Cases, Thelma Pauline "Polly" Melton
- NamUs: #MP14284, Thelma Pauline Melton
- Asheville Citizen-Times: Dogs Are Unable to Find Lost Hiker, September 28, 1981
- The Knoxville Sentinel News: Search for Hiker Eases: Rangers feel woman no longer in park, October 1, 1981
- Winston Salem Journal: Search for hiker continues, October 1, 1981
- The Charlotte Observer: Female Hiker, 58, still missing in Smokie, October 1, 1981
- Asheville Citizen-Times: Organized Search ends for missing woman, October 6, 1981
- The Charlotte Observer: Terror is when a loved one vanishes in the mountains, November 20, 1981
- Asheville Times: Disappearance Still A Mystery, December 24, 1981
- The Charlotte Observer: Mystery not solved but ending, July 3, 1991
- Find A Grave: Pauline “Polly” McAllister Melton
- 10 News: Appalachian Unsolved: Polly Melton Missing in the Smokies, December 8, 2017
- Investigating Agency: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation 615-744-4000
Episode Music
Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.
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