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September 4, 2025 30 mins

On St. Patrick’s Day 1935, Enterprise, Utah was alive with music, dancing, and laughter. By morning, rancher Thomas “Penny” Reed had vanished. For years, the town whispered — had he left his family, or had something darker happened that night?

Nearly three years later, a new sheriff uncovered a secret buried in the desert — and set the stage for one of southern Utah’s most sensational trials.

*This story is based on almost entirely from historical newspaper accounts, with the help of court records and family stories. Out of respect for descendants, the names of those most closely involved have been changed*

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Please remember—many of the places mentioned are on private land. Don’t trespass or go exploring without permission. Let’s keep history alive without disturbing what’s left of it.

 

Intro music is "A Calm Hellfire" by the Wayward Hearts

Knitting Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay 

St Patricks dance Music by Alana Jordan from Pixabay

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