In this episode of Kentucky History & Haunts, we trace the remarkable life of Dr. St. Elmo Brady, a Louisville-born chemist, educator, and civil rights pioneer whose influence reached far beyond the laboratory. Born in 1884 amid flooding, segregation, and racial inequality, Brady rose to become the first Black American to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry and one of the most important scientific educators of the 20th century.

From Central Colored High School in Louisville to Fisk University, Tuskegee Institute, Howard University, and beyond, Brady’s life was defined by curiosity, service, and an unshakable belief in education as a tool for progress. Along the way, he forged relationships with Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, built chemistry departments from the ground up, delivered lectures that blended science, faith, and social responsibility, and mentored generations of students.

This episode also explores the deeply personal moments of Brady’s life, including devastating loss, tireless travel, and his lifelong commitment to teaching and research, even into his final years. Though his name is often overlooked in popular histories, his legacy quietly shapes American science and education to this day.

If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving a rating or review on your podcast app. It helps more people find the show and supports independent history storytelling.

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Jessie Bartholomew

9115 Leesgate RdSuite A

Louisville KY 40222

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*Transcripts are auto-generated and may contain errors.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ST. ELMO BRADY-

https://chemistry.illinois.edu/spotlight/alumni/brady-st-elmo-1884-1966

https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/st-elmo-brady.html

https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/st-elmo-brady.html

Yep, this episode from the 'century ago in Kentucky' series should technically have been about February 1926. I didn't realize I had been researching 101 years ago until I was about to hit publish! But I bet Kentucky was just as interesting in '25 as it was in '26!

February 1925

In this episode of Kentucky History & Haunts, I explore the headlines of February 1925, uncovering a mix of crime, romance, tragedy, and the supernatural.

You’ll hear about:

• Teen “boy pirates” hiding stolen goods on an Ohio River island

• A shady arrest linked to the Horse Thief Detective Association

• The murder of Dr. Marvin Kingins during a baby rescue mission

• A doomed romance born during the Floyd Collins cave rescue

• Deadly mining accidents and heartbreaking healthcare stories

• Haunted houses, flying rocks, and skepticalghost hunters

• A woman who discovered she was 103, not 93

• And a very good dog cleared in court by Kentucky’s first female judge

February 1925 was a cold, dangerous, and unforgettable moment in Kentucky history, and I'm here to bring its strange and human stories back to life.

*I misspoke in the West Virginia haunting story: YWCA stands for Young Women’s Christian Association (not WYCA).

*The stylish gentleman in the episode art for this episode is Mr. Davis, mentioned in the story about the haunted house in Mitchellsburg.

https://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16066coll19/search
https://historicindianapolis.com/friday-favorites-the-national-horse-thief-detective-association/

Email: kyhistoryhaunts@gmail.com
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Send me mail:

9115 Leesgate Rd, Suite A

Louisville, KY 40222

In this episode, we follow the winding, unsettling path of a cold case that stretches from Lexington, Kentucky to Austin, Texas, and across nearly a decade of violence.

In November 1998, 43-year-old Linda Rutledge was murdered inside her family’s hearing aid business in Lexington. Her body was found after the building was set on fire, and despite early investigation, the case quickly went cold. For years, Linda’s murder remained one of Lexington’s quiet unsolved crimes, rarely revisited and seldom mentioned in the media.

But decades later, advances in forensic science and genetic genealogy would breathe new life into Linda’s case and unexpectedly link it to one of the most infamous unsolved cases in American history: the 1991 Yogurt Shop murders in Austin, Texas.

This episode traces the life and crimes of Robert Eugene Brashers, a transient and violent offender whose movements across the country allowed him to evade justice for years. Using newly analyzed ballistic evidence and DNA technology, investigators have connected Brashers to multiple murders and sexual assaults spanning several states and nearly a decade. Linda Rutledge may have been his final victim before he died by suicide in 1999.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of violence against women, sexual assault, and murder. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Topics Covered

• The 1998 murder of Linda Rutledge in Lexington, Kentucky

• The Yogurt Shop murders of four teenage girls in Austin, Texas

• How fires were used to conceal violent crimes

• The life, movements, and criminal history of Robert Eugene Brashers

• Advances in DNA testing and genetic genealogy

• The role of ballistic evidence in cold case investigations

Resources & References

• Recent documentary on the Yogurt Shop murders (HBO Max)

• Reporting on genetic genealogy by CeCe Moore

• Contemporary news coverage from Kentucky, Missouri, Texas, and South Carolina

Photos and archival clippings referenced in this episode will be shared on KY History & Haunts social media.

Connect With the Show
📧 Email: kyhistoryhaunts@gmail.com
📱 Instagram & Facebook: @kyhistoryhaunts

If you enjoy the show, please consider leaving a rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the podcast and keeps these stories from fading into silence.