On Words and Coffee, we talk about interesting history of the Garden State and showcase a small batch coffee roaster. Topics include: true crime, industrial accidents, roadside oddities, local heroes and villains, and general interest.
Morristown's Leatherface - The Le Blanc Trial of 1833
In 1833, Antoine Le Blanc was new in town and started working for Samuel and Sarah Sayre. However, after two weeks of grueling conditions and labor for which Le Blanc received no payment, he came back from the tavern one night and murdered the Sayre family. Soon captured and convicted, the people of Morristown were out for more than justice.
"On This Day, Daily Dose" where I post interesting articles about NJ History
https://x.com/WesVerde
https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/
https://www.facebook.com/wes.verde.33/
My Books
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Wes-Verde/author/B08RNKXKKH?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Sources:
https://weirdnj.com/stories/antoine-leblanc/
https://www.executedtoday.com/2013/09/06/1833-antoine-leblanc/
http://thishauntedplace.com/content/john-sayre-house
Sentinel and Democrat (newspaper)
26 Oct 2024
The Morgan Factory Explosion - 1918
On October 4, 1918, the Morgan Factory aka the Gillespie Shell Loading Company experienced a major accident. While the root causes are unclear, the resulting explosions persisted for 48 hours and left a crater the size of a football field. Pieces of ordnance and debris were found as recently as 1995 and 2007 in the surrounding towns.
"On This Day, Daily Dose" where I post interesting articles that I find
https://x.com/WesVerde
https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/
https://www.facebook.com/wes.verde.33/
My Books
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Wes-Verde/author/B08RNKXKKH?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Sources:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-explosion-of-the-t-a-gillespie-company-shell-loading-plant
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._A._Gillespie_Company_Shell_Loading_Plant_explosion
Asbury Park Press (archive)
The Central Jersey Home News (archive)
25 Oct 2024
New Jersey Invents the Drive-In Theater
As a gift to his darling mother, who found movie theater seats too uncomfortable, Richard Hollingshead set up a projector and screen in his family's driveway. The "Park In Theater," as it was called, was born. In May of 1933, he received a patent for the idea, and in June, the first drive-in theater opened in Camden, NJ.
"On This Day, Daily Dose" where I post interesting articles that I find
https://x.com/WesVerde
https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/
https://www.facebook.com/wes.verde.33/
My Books
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08RNKXKKH/allbooks
Sources:
https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/the-history-of-drive-in-movie-theaters-and-where-they-are-now/
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-drive-in-movie-theater-opens
https://www.wired.com/2008/06/june-6-1933-a-car-a-movie-some-popcorn-and-thou-2/
25 Oct 2024
Blockade Run at Wildwood, NJ
June 29, 1776. Wildwood beach, NJ. The brigantine Nancy just made a guns and groceries run for George Washington's army, but was blocked from Philadelphia by 3 British ship. Making a run for it, she soon ran aground. Apparently trapped Captain John Barry hatched a plan. They moved thousands of pounds of gunpowder to shore in rowboats, and left about 100 kegs in the Nancy's hold. He then proceeded to use a ships sail as a giant fuse… to one hell of a firecracker.
"On This Day, Daily Dose" where I post interesting articles about NJ History
https://x.com/WesVerde
https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/
https://www.facebook.com/wes.verde.33/
My Books
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Wes-Verde/author/B08RNKXKKH?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
25 Oct 2024
The Morro Castle Shipwreck - 1934
In 1934, the Ward Line operated a popular cruise service between New York and Havana. For four years, passengers enjoyed a legal loophole to Prohibition by drinking in international waters, but the crew was overworked and underpaid. And when the the charred and ruined hull came to rest on a sandbar just 100 yards from Asbury Park, many had to wonder: was it an accident? Or arson?
"On This Day, Daily Dose" where I post interesting articles about NJ History
https://x.com/WesVerde
https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/
https://www.facebook.com/wes.verde.33/
My Books
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Wes-Verde/author/B08RNKXKKH?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Sources:
"The Night the Dancing Stopped", Brian Hicks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Morro_Castle_(1930)
https://www.garemaritime.com/morro-castle-mohawk-end-ward-line/3/
https://www.cruiselinehistory.com/ss-morro-castle-deadly-fire-at-sea-200-dead/
https://jerseyshorescene.com/the-morro-castle-87-years-later-and-still-a-mystery/
https://mashable.com/feature/morro-castle-disaster
https://tylerwolanin.com/blog/2021/6/14/what-i-am-reading-when-the-dancing-stopped-the-real-story-of-the-morro-castle-disaster-and-its-deadly-wake-by-brian-hicks
https://weirdnj.com/weird-news/morro-castle/
25 Oct 2024
The Mt Holly Witch Trials
In 1730, an article in the Pennsylvania Gazette reported the proceedings of a witch trial that allegedly occurred in Mt. Holly, NJ. However, there is no evidence that it actually happened, and more likely that it was a prank.
"On This Day, Daily Dose" where I post interesting articles about NJ History
https://x.com/WesVerde
https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/
https://www.facebook.com/wes.verde.33/
My Books
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Wes-Verde/author/B08RNKXKKHref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Sources:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-01-02-0056
https://weirdnj.com/weird-news/the-mount-holly-witch-trials/
25 Oct 2024
NJ Dinos - Haddonfield and Beyond
In 1858, the first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton was discovered in Haddonfield, NJ by a farmer digging in his backyard. The discovery also played a role in the Bone Wars, an infamous feud between scientists Cope and Marsh. Since then, hundreds more fossils have been discovered and unearthed.
In 1833, Antoine Le Blanc was new in town and started working for Samuel and Sarah Sayre. However, after two weeks of grueling conditions and labor for which Le Blanc received no payment, he came back from the tavern one night and murdered the Sayre family. Soon captured and convicted, the people of Morristown were out for more than justice.
"On This Day, Daily Dose" where I post interesting articles about NJ History
https://x.com/WesVerde
https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/
https://www.facebook.com/wes.verde.33/
My Books
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
20 Jun 2024
1851 - A German in Newark
After enduring more than his share of hardship and struggle, German immigrant John Erpenstein arrived in Newark, NJ, where he was nearly able to carve out his own little slice of Heaven, but instead succumbed to temptation and weakness. It resulted in not only his downfall, but his entire family's as well. A cautionary tale, and a part of New Jersey history.
20 Jun 2024
The Changewater Murders
In 1843, several murders took place in the small hamlet of Changewater, NJ. What followed was a poorly organized and arguably tainted investigation, a 2 year legal battle, and the conviction and execution of two men under questionable circumstances.
20 Jun 2024
1940 - The Hercules Explosion
In 1940, the Hercules Powder Company of Kenvil, NJ experienced its worst - but by no means only explosion. Detected over 100 miles away, it resulted in 50 deaths and hundreds injured. While sabotage appeared likely, it remains a mystery to this day.
14 Jun 2024
John Taylor's Gift to Humanity
An otherwise innocuous processed meat, Taylor Pork Roll aka Taylor Ham has earned a big place in New Jersey's culture, and the Ham v Pork Roll debate is something of a local meme. This is the story of how John Taylor's gift to the world came to be what it is today.
14 Jun 2024
The Explosion at Navy Hill
In 1926, nature blew up a hilltop outside of Dover, NJ Well... that and about 10% of the military's ENTIRE munitions stockpile that was being stored at the Navy Depot outside Picatinny Arsenal. It caused both a prompt disaster as well as lingering effects which are still felt nearly 100 years later.
14 Jun 2024
The May Day Riot of 1880
May 1880, a riot took place on Garrett Mountain, Paterson, NJ. It began with an altercation between William Dalzell and a number of revelers from the May Day celebration. Rocks were thrown. Shots were fired. And soon Dalzell was on the run for his life.
14 Jun 2024
Lucy the Elephant
This is a story about vision. About sisters. And about perseverance. I'm talking about that most special Jersey Girl…. Lucy the Elephant.
14 Jun 2024
The Real (as in actual) History of the Jersey Devil
The real history surrounding the creation of New Jersey's very own cryptid and mascot: the Jersey Devil. A story of rivalry, fraud, and a flame war with a founding father.
14 Jun 2024
The Flooded Town and the Drowned Man
In 1900, the town of Old Boonton was demolished in order to be turned into a reservoir for Jersey City. While the legends of a "whole town underwater" are just myths, the actual history of displaced persons, shady business practices, thalassophobia, and dangerous work are very much real.
Contact Words and Coffee
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Words and Coffee?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
