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.
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Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
In 1942, the state of Louisiana executed a woman in the electric chair for the first and only time in its history. She was young, beautiful, and utterly devoted to the man she loved, a Texas outlaw. Toni Jo Henry was willing to do anything to free him from prison which led her down a dark path…the cold-blooded killing of an innocent man. Toni Jo claimed her accomplice pulled the trigger. He said she did. Was Toni Jo Henry a ruthless killer, or a woman trapped by her tragic past and her devotion to the wrong man?
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Episode Sources
- The Times: Former Shreveport Girl to Face jury for Lake Charles Slaying, March 24, 1940
- The News Star: Toni Jo Henry is denied new trial, May 25, 1942
- The Atlanta Journal: Woman Slayer, Awaiting death in chair, wisecracks over fate, August 4, 1942
- The Town Talk: High Court denies stay of execution for Toni Jo Henry, November 4, 1942
- Shreveport Journal: Toni Jo Henry Executed, November 28, 1942
- Del Rio News Herald: Kin of Toni Jo Henry Claim body for burial, November 30, 1942
- The DeQuincy News: Burks to follow Toni Jo to chair, High Court rules, December 4, 1942
- Greenville News: Trip of Death Ends as Burks electrocuted, March 24, 1943
- State v. Henry, 196 La. 217, 198 So. 910 (La. 1940)
- M. Watt Espy Papers: Documentation for the execution of Harold Burks, Toni Henry, 1943-03-23
- Harold Burks executed on 1943-03-23 in Louisiana (LA); Toni Henry executed on 1942-11-28 in Louisiana (LA)
- Find A Grave: Joseph Prince “Joe” Calloway
- Find A Grave: Claude David “Cowboy” Henry
- Find A Grave: Toni Jo Henry/Annie Beatrice McQuiston
- Nola Mae Ross: Crimes of the Past in South Louisiana, 2004
Episode Music
Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina.
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