Missouri Mayhem - In this episode, we explore the fascinating myth surrounding Missouri politician David Rice Atchison, who allegedly served as U.S. President for a single day in 1849. We dive into the historical context of mid-19th century America, the political chaos of 1849, and the truth behind this intriguing legend—plus, what it reveals about history, myth, and power.

EXPANDED REFERENCES

• U.S. Senate Historical Office – No, David Rice Atchison Was Not President for a Day
• Snopes – Was David Rice Atchison President for One Day?
• Shapell Manuscript Foundation – Atchison correspondence
• Missouri Life Magazine – March 4, 1849
• Library of Congress – Presidential Inaugurations
• National Archives – Presidential Succession History
• University of Missouri Special Collections

Missouri Mayhem - Join us as we explore the extraordinary life of Wild Bill Hickok — from his early days in Illinois to legendary gunfights in Kansas and South Dakota. Discover the stories behind his rise to fame, his notorious duel, and the mysterious circumstances of his death.

Primary Sources & Historical Records

• Greene County Circuit Court Records: The original 1865 court proceedings for State of Missouri vs. William Hickok and the coroner's inquest report for Davis Tutt are preserved at the Greene County Archives. These documents include eyewitness testimonies and jury instructions.
• Harper’s New Monthly Magazine(1867): George Ward Nichols’ article, "Wild Bill," was the first major account of the duel. While highly sensationalized, it transformed Hickok into a national legend.
• Missouri Weekly Patriot(July 27, 1865): One of the first local newspaper reports published just six days after the shooting.
• History of Greene County, Missouri(1883): An early regional history by the Western Historical Company that details the killing of "David" Tutt.

This Missouri Mayhem episode delves into one of the most disturbing and perplexing crimes in recent Missouri history, focusing on the murder of Elizabeth Olten in October of 2009. The discussion highlights the intersection of violence and mental health, with Alyssa Bustamante ultimately pleading guilty to second-degree murder. The episode emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health crises and provides resources such as the 988 crisis lifeline and BetterHelp.com for those in need. Listeners are encouraged to share the episode to raise awareness about the need for youth services and mental health awareness.

Resources & Further Reading

About the Case & Background

• Wikipedia — Murder of Elizabeth Olten (full timeline, psychological evaluations, family history)
• CBS News — Suspect evaluated for severe depression and suicide risk

Mental Health & Youth Violence

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) — mental health education
• American Psychological Association — adolescent development and violence research
• Missouri 988 - missouri988.org
• Better Help - betterhelp.com.

Support for Impacted Families

• National Center for Victims of Crime
• Missouri Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence