October 27, 2023 • 20 mins
This October Sessions rolls on here on The 46 of 46 Podcast with an ADK Campfire Story Double Feature!
ADK Campfire Stories Double Feature
1.) The Echoes of Big Moose Lake
2.) The Shadow of the Adirondacks
First up, we'll dive deep into the chilling waters of Big Moose Lake as we unravel the tragic tale of Grace Brown. Was it a crime of passion or a dark secret taken to the grave? Then, the journey continues into the heart of the Adirondacks to the town of Speculator. Tread cautiously through the haunting landscape was once stalked by notorious serial killer, Robert Garrow.
From love gone horribly wrong to a manhunt that gripped an entire region, this double feature promises to send shivers down your spine. True crime enthusiasts, history buffs, and all those intrigued by mysteries of the past - you won't want to miss this episode!
Make sure to subscribe, rate, and share!
Connect on Social Media:
Find the podcast on social media @46of46podcast
Follow James on instagram @jamesappleton46
My Website:
WWW.46of46.COM
PLANNING TO HIKE THE 46 HIGH PEAKS?
My High Peaks eBook, "From 1-to-46: A Complete Guide to Climbing the 46 High Peaks" is the perfect place to start to get all the information you need to have a safe and successful 46'er journey!
Available now at www.46of46.com!
In need of a New York State licensed guide for your next Adirondack adventure?
I offer both in-person and virtual guiding services!
I'll guide you up the mountains and back or help you plan your adventure virtually, answer your questions, and help you create a solid plan!
Check out www.46of46.com to book me.
Grab some ADK-inspired apparel and goods at www.PureADK.com and use the promo code "46PODCAST" to save 15% off your order!
Save on your next order at CloudSplitter Coffee using the promo code ADK10
CloudSplitter Coffee: For The Love of the Grind
https://cloudsplittercoffee.com/
If you want to support the show and you enjoy what I do with this podcast head over to www.46of46.com or visit www.46of46store.com to pick up a t-shirt, hoodie, hat, sticker, and more. I appreciate all the support.
See you on the trails!
ADK Campfire Stories Double Feature
1.) The Echoes of Big Moose Lake
2.) The Shadow of the Adirondacks
First up, we'll dive deep into the chilling waters of Big Moose Lake as we unravel the tragic tale of Grace Brown. Was it a crime of passion or a dark secret taken to the grave? Then, the journey continues into the heart of the Adirondacks to the town of Speculator. Tread cautiously through the haunting landscape was once stalked by notorious serial killer, Robert Garrow.
From love gone horribly wrong to a manhunt that gripped an entire region, this double feature promises to send shivers down your spine. True crime enthusiasts, history buffs, and all those intrigued by mysteries of the past - you won't want to miss this episode!
Make sure to subscribe, rate, and share!
Connect on Social Media:
Find the podcast on social media @46of46podcast
Follow James on instagram @jamesappleton46
My Website:
WWW.46of46.COM
PLANNING TO HIKE THE 46 HIGH PEAKS?
My High Peaks eBook, "From 1-to-46: A Complete Guide to Climbing the 46 High Peaks" is the perfect place to start to get all the information you need to have a safe and successful 46'er journey!
Available now at www.46of46.com!
In need of a New York State licensed guide for your next Adirondack adventure?
I offer both in-person and virtual guiding services!
I'll guide you up the mountains and back or help you plan your adventure virtually, answer your questions, and help you create a solid plan!
Check out www.46of46.com to book me.
Grab some ADK-inspired apparel and goods at www.PureADK.com and use the promo code "46PODCAST" to save 15% off your order!
Save on your next order at CloudSplitter Coffee using the promo code ADK10
CloudSplitter Coffee: For The Love of the Grind
https://cloudsplittercoffee.com/
If you want to support the show and you enjoy what I do with this podcast head over to www.46of46.com or visit www.46of46store.com to pick up a t-shirt, hoodie, hat, sticker, and more. I appreciate all the support.
See you on the trails!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:08):
This is the forty six and fortysix podcast October Sessions, where we'll talk
all things spooky Adirondacks and more,from bigfoot encounters on the NPT to ghostly
sightings in the trees. We'll divedeep into the heart of these mountains and
the people who dare to climb them. From Adirondack bigfoots to haunted lakeside bar
(00:29):
huts, it's all here on theforty six and forty six October Sessions.
October a time for spooky tales,chilli, fall nights, blowing leaves,
(00:49):
and campfire fun. But what ifthese stories told around the campfire aren't spooky
tales? What if they're true storiesof murder, be rail to see and
ghosts. Does the pristine Adirondack landscapewe all love hold dark secrets tucked between
the pines? Is there something morerugged about this land than we ever imagined?
(01:19):
The Adirondack Park hold secrets it maynever tell. And our journey tonight
takes us through the central eighty kwhere we'll learn just what walks the lakes
at night. At Big Moose Lake, in the heart of the Adirondacks,
where the whispers of the wild echoedamidst towering trees, there lay big Moose
(01:40):
Lake. It was a place ofsolitude, a sanctuary of nature, unmarred
yet by the full brunt of thetwentieth century civilization. The year was nineteen
oh six, and the world stoodon the precipice of profound change. But
here in the Adirondacks, times seemedto linger, reluctant to move forward.
(02:00):
Grace Brown, a young woman oftwenty years old, sought solace in these
serene surroundings. Born and brought upin the small town of South Ostelic,
New York, Grace was the humanembodiment of her name, graceful, with
eyes that mirrored the calmness of apastoral landscape, yet harbored a storm of
(02:20):
emotions beneath. She worked at theGellette skirt factory in Courtland, a town
that hummed with the promise of modernity, yet was bound by the constraints of
societal norms. It was there,amidst the hum of machinery and the quiet
dreams of its laborers, that shemet Chester Gillette, her employer's nephew.
(02:40):
Chester was a man of captivating presence, his charm as alluring as the forbidden
fruit and just as dangerous. UnlikeGrace, who was the essence of simplicity
and innocence, Chester harbored ambitions thatsoared beyond the smoky chimneys of Courton.
The two became fond of one anotherand their love. If one dared to
(03:02):
call it, that was a secretdraped under the veils of night. It
was passionate, It was reckless,a blazing fire that consumed all reason and
caution. Grace found herself charmed bythe intensity of her feelings. Her heart
enslaved to a man whose affections wereas fickle as the changing winds. With
(03:23):
every stolen moment, with every promisedChester whispered into her hollow ear, Grace
descended deeper and deeper into the abyssof a love that was destined to shatter
her world. Soon she discovered thatshe was pregnant, and the world around
her seemed to crumble. You see, the societal norms of the early twentieth
(03:44):
century were unforgiving. Bearing a childout of wedlock was a sin that brought
shame on her and her family.Desperate, Grace sought refuge in the one
person who held the power to salvageher dignity, her love, and her
life her beloved Chester. Through lettersand heart wrenching please, she implored him
(04:05):
to acknowledge their love and to legitimizetheir child by taking her hand in marriage.
But Chester, consumed by his ambitionsand societal pressure. He was a
man at war with himself. Chesterplayed to Grace's emotions and he agreed to
a retreat, a brief visit tothe Adirondacks, a decision that ultimately sealed
(04:28):
Grace's fate, though she embraced itas a salvation. It was July of
that ill fated year the couple embarkedon a journey to the heart of the
Adirondack Park. Grace's heart brimmed withnaive optimism, for she believed in the
invincibility of her love with Chester,the life that they were going to build.
(04:50):
They arrived under assumed names, anecessary deception to shield from the prying
eyes of the ad k They arrivedat the calm, peaceful Big Moose Lake,
with its waters mirroring the heavens.Chester promised to protect her and offer
her a new beginning, but thatbeginning was not to be. On that
(05:13):
fateful day of July eleventh, nineteeno six, Chester, Jellette and Grace
Brown set out on a rowboat,a vessel meant to traverse the calm waters
of Big Moose Lake, as thesun dipped low in the sky, painting
the horizon with reds and oranges,as scream shattered the tranquility of the lake,
an echo of terror that reverberated throughthe Adirondack Wilderness, a prelude to
(05:39):
a tragedy that would taint the lake'swaters forever. The next morning, Grace
Brown's lifeless body was found on theshore, floating in the lake. Her
dreams, her love, her unbornchild, everything she held dear submerged in
the murky depths of Big Moose Lake. The scream that had pierced the twilight
(06:04):
was etched in the memory of thelake, a haunting reminder of a life
unjustly taken at the hands of someonewho promised to protect her. The tragedy
that unfolded on Big Moose Lake sendripples of shock and grief through the community.
Chester. Gellette was eventually arrested andstood trial for the murder of Grace
(06:26):
Brown. The courtroom became a stagefor a drama that exposed not just a
man's heinous act, but also thehypocrisies of a society that all too often
turned a blind eye to inconvenient truths. Through her letters, Grace's final words
were weaved into the fabric of thetrial of Chester Gellette. Her voice echoed
(06:47):
from beyond the grave. They painteda portrait of a woman who loved unconditionally,
who dared to dream of future withthe father of her child, only
to have it brutally snatched away bythat very man. The trial culminated in
Chester's conviction, despite his claims ofinnocence, asserting the tragedy was just an
(07:09):
accident that happened on the lake,the weight of the evidence against him,
the testimonies, and Grace's ghostly presencethrough her letters swayed the scales of justice.
On March thirtieth, nineteen o eight, Chester Gillette met his end in
the electric chair, a life claimedin retribution for the life he had taken
so callously. Could there ever betrue justice for Grace Brown? Grace's voice,
(07:34):
her story, her tragedy, resonatedthrough time, immortalized in the chronicles
of Adirondack history. You see thetragedy of Big Moose Lake is not merely
a tale of love gone away,but about the consequences of one man's unforgivable
act. It's a narrative of societalreflection, a mirror held up to the
(07:57):
conventions that trapped the innocent and theguilty. It's a haunting lullaby that the
winds still sing over Big Moose Lake, a testament to the young woman who
dared to love, to dream,and was ultimately betrayed by her lover,
and the times that she lived in. In the end, among the towering
(08:18):
trees and the embrace of the Adirondacks, Grace Brown's legacy endures an echo in
the midst a reminder of the fragilityof life, the injustice of society,
and the indomitable spirit of love.However tragic it may be. But as
with every tragic tale, the endis not oft. In the end you
(08:41):
see. Visitors to Big Moose Lakehave spoken of eerie happenings on moonlit nights.
Some even claim to have seen ayoung woman's ghost eerily similar to Grace,
hovering over the waters, forever restless, searching for her love. Boters
have reported so whispers almost like alullaby when the waters are calm and peaceful,
(09:05):
and on certain nights when the windscarry tales of the old days,
some even report hearing a haunting screamechoing among the lake, reminiscent of that
fateful day. Such is the taleof Big Moose Lake, a tale of
dreams lost, of love betrayed justas served, and the spirits that linger.
(09:26):
It's a haunting reminder that the Adirondacks, despite all its beauty and serenity,
also holds within it memories of timesand souls that once were wandering the
wilderness in search of answers, love, and tragedy. In the ad k
(09:48):
the mysteries surrounding the Adirondack Wilderness remain. So the next time you're at Big
Moose Lake, be on the lookoutfor Grace Brown as she wanders the shores
of the lake, searching for answers, redemption, and closure. For our
next story will travel south along Routethirty from Big Moose Lake towards the quiet
Adirondack community of Speculator. We willdelve deep into the chilling chronicles of Adirondack
(10:13):
past. Brace yourselves, for thisis a story where the tranquility of nature
meets the unpredictability of the human soulprepared a journey into the heart of the
Adirondack's most haunting legend, Robert Garo, the serial killer of the Adirondack Park.
(10:41):
In a remote town near Syracuse,a child named Robert Garo was born
in nineteen thirty six. Tragically,though, his childhood was a thunderstorm of
physical and emotional abuse, molding hismind and soul in a way that would
later terrorize the Adirondack region. Garro'searly years were brutal. He was often
(11:01):
beaten by his father, an angerfueled by alcohol and resentment, and this
volatile upbringing made the young Robert angry, resentful, and forever seeking control.
As he grew older, the violencein his heart grew with him, leading
him down a path of crime.By the time he was an adult,
Garo had a rap sheet that wouldmake anyone cringe, with numerous assaults,
(11:24):
rapes, and other heinous crimes.However, the Adirondack Park would soon become
the backdrop for his most notorious act. In the early nineteen seventies, Garro's
thirst for violence transformed into a lethalobsession. Tourists and locals alike were disappearing
within the dense, sprawling forest ofthe adk Each victim vanished without a trace,
(11:48):
their last steps echoing silently in theheart of the park. The local
authorities initially dismissed the early disappearances asmisadventures. After all, the Adirondack Park
is a large, arge rugged wilderness, and it wasn't unheard of for inexperienced
hikers to get lost. But asthe disappearances continued and bodies began to surface,
(12:09):
a chill ran down the spine ofthe communities. Each crime scene painted
a picture of a predator who relishedhis role, bound victims, evidence of
prolonged suffering, and notes left behindthat read like a twisted game. The
heart of the Adirondack Park became akilling field. In a sense. Campers,
hikers, and even locals would vanish, only to be found days or
(12:33):
even weeks later in grotesque displays.Whispered stories of the Adirondack predator began circulating
and fear gripped the region. Amassive manhunt was launched following the murder of
a camper named Philip Dombluski, aneighteen year old from Schenectady. Dombluski and
his friends were camping when Garo openedtheir tent with a rifle in hand and
(12:56):
tied up the four campers before eventuallystabbing Uski. The others managed to escape,
and Garo confidently told the campers thathe killed before and he'd kill again.
The dense woods, the lakes,and the rugged terrain made the man
hunt incredibly challenging. Teams of lawenforcement, aided by local hunters and outdoorsmen,
(13:18):
combed through the Adirondack wilderness, butfor days and days and days,
Garro remained elusive. His knowledge ofthe Hamilton County area gave him a distinct
advantage in the nearby towns. Peoplelocked their doors, mistrusting even their neighbors.
Nobody traveled alone, and a senseof dread hovered over the region.
(13:39):
The very trees of the Adirondack seemedto be hiding secrets. Every rustle in
the forest, every misplaced shadow,could be the notorious serial killer watching,
waiting for his next victim. Thebreakthrough, however, came when a couple
managed to escape one of Garro's ambushes. The young couple were vacanting in the
(14:00):
Adirondacks, their annual ritual to celebrateanother year together. They had a preferred
camping spot in Hamilton County, nearthe town of Speculator, a secluded location
by a glistening stream where they feltentirely connected with nature. The couple loved
the solitude the park provided, andthis year was no different, or so
they thought. On a seemingly peacefulevening, as they sat by the campfire,
(14:24):
a stranger approached, appearing harmless andperhaps a bit lost. He introduced
himself as a fellow camper who'd simplylost his way. Invoking their innate kindness,
the couple offered him some food andwarmth by their fire. But as
the evening wore on, however,they noticed the stranger's increasingly erratic behavior.
(14:45):
His stories were inconsistent, his gazeeven predatory. But it was when they
saw the glint of a knife inhis belt that they sensed the imminent danger
ahead. Before they could react,Garrol lunged at one of them, the
blade gleaming in the fire. Afear struggle ensued, with the couple desperately
trying to fend off their attacker.In a courageous move, the woman managed
(15:07):
to grab a burning log from thefire and swung it at Garrow. The
log connected with his arm, forcinghim to drop the knife. Seizing the
opportunity, the couple fled into thedense woods, their hearts pounding louder than
their footsteps, and they ran throughthe forest, navigating only by moonlight,
until they stumbled upon another camp site. The campers immediately contacted the authorities.
(15:31):
Despite their trauma, the campers providedvital details about Garro to police, his
appearance and his behaviors. Law enforcement, now with the leave, launched an
intensified search. Helicopters, canine units, and more descended upon the Adirondacks.
Police even offered direct advice to campersin the Adirondacks search area. If you're
(15:52):
planning on going there, don't,and if you're already there, leave a
bone and chilling warning. Law enforcementbegan closing in on the notorious killer.
A significant clue came when a parkranger found an abandoned campsite that bore all
the hallmarks of Garrow's previous locations.For twelve days, Garrow eluted capture,
(16:15):
skillfully using the park's terrain to hisadvantage. As he remained in the wilderness
near the town of Speculator, butthe noose was tightening. Finally, after
reports of numerous sightings, pleas fromhis family members to surrender canine units,
infrared scope, stolen cars, andmore, the saga was coming to an
(16:37):
end as the officers finally cornered Garoin a climactic confrontation near a ravine.
Though he initially tried to fight offhis pursuers, he was eventually shot three
times by police and taken into custody. The manhunt was over. They got
him. Garrow was taken to Plattsburg, where he was treated for his wounds
(16:59):
before being turned over to law enforcement. In the subsequent nineteen seventy four trial,
the weight of evidence against Garro wasoverwhelming. Testimonies from his surviving victims
painted a clear picture of a mandriven by a deadly compulsion. Garrow,
however, confessed to three other murders, as well as abduction and rape.
(17:21):
He was convicted and sentenced to twentyfive years to life in prison. However,
in September nineteen seventy eight, Garrobroke out of Fishkill State Prison by
scaling a fifteen foot barbed wire fence, toting a pistol that was smuggled into
the prison by his son. Despitehaving presented the image of being wheelchair bound.
(17:41):
Garrow eloted police for three days beforehe was eventually shot to death by
corrections officers. Robert Garrow's reign ofterror had come to an end, but
the scars he inflicted upon the Adirondacksand its community would remain forever etched in
their memory. Numerous books have beenwritten and films have been made chronicling the
(18:02):
chilling and tragic life of Robert Garo, the man who turned the beautiful Adirondack
Park into a place of nightmares.The reign of the Adirondack Predator was over,
but scars do take time to heal. Over time, the central Adirondack
towns slowly regained their sense of safety, but the stories persisted. The tales
of Gharo's murder became the stuff oflegend, whispered around campfires and shared in
(18:26):
hushed tones in local bars, andas the years passed, the tales grew
more sinister. Some said that thespirits of Gharo's victims still roamed the park,
crying out for justice. Others claimedto have seen Gharo's ghost forever haunting
the very forests where he committed hisheinous acts. The untouched wilderness of the
Adirondack Park will always hold secrets.Some are natural, others man made,
(18:52):
and still others are the stuff oflegends. And as the sun sets behind
the tall pines and the Shafado's lengthenone can't help but wonder what the other
dark tales this park might be hiding. For In the heart of nature,
where beauty and tranquility rain, there'salways a darker side waiting to be discovered,
(19:12):
And in the case of the Adirondacks, it was the tale of a
man named Robert Garo whose actions wouldforever tarnish the park's serene beauty. The
mysteries of the Adirondack Park remain.Well. That's going to do it for
the October sessions here on the fortysix of forty six podcast. I hope
(19:36):
you all enjoyed these stories this year. I'll be back next October with more
chilling stories. Remember it always leaveno trace. Do the rock walk,
and if you carry it in,carry it out. Have a happy Halloween.
This is the forty six and fortysix podcast October Sessions, where we'll talk
all things spooky Adirondacks and more,from bigfoot encounters on the NPT to ghostly
sightings in the trees. We'll divedeep into the heart of these mountains and
the people who dare to climb them. From Adirondack bigfoots to haunted lakeside bar
(00:29):
huts, it's all here on theforty six and forty six October Sessions.
October a time for spooky tales,chilli, fall nights, blowing leaves,
(00:49):
and campfire fun. But what ifthese stories told around the campfire aren't spooky
tales? What if they're true storiesof murder, be rail to see and
ghosts. Does the pristine Adirondack landscapewe all love hold dark secrets tucked between
the pines? Is there something morerugged about this land than we ever imagined?
(01:19):
The Adirondack Park hold secrets it maynever tell. And our journey tonight
takes us through the central eighty kwhere we'll learn just what walks the lakes
at night. At Big Moose Lake, in the heart of the Adirondacks,
where the whispers of the wild echoedamidst towering trees, there lay big Moose
(01:40):
Lake. It was a place ofsolitude, a sanctuary of nature, unmarred
yet by the full brunt of thetwentieth century civilization. The year was nineteen
oh six, and the world stoodon the precipice of profound change. But
here in the Adirondacks, times seemedto linger, reluctant to move forward.
(02:00):
Grace Brown, a young woman oftwenty years old, sought solace in these
serene surroundings. Born and brought upin the small town of South Ostelic,
New York, Grace was the humanembodiment of her name, graceful, with
eyes that mirrored the calmness of apastoral landscape, yet harbored a storm of
(02:20):
emotions beneath. She worked at theGellette skirt factory in Courtland, a town
that hummed with the promise of modernity, yet was bound by the constraints of
societal norms. It was there,amidst the hum of machinery and the quiet
dreams of its laborers, that shemet Chester Gillette, her employer's nephew.
(02:40):
Chester was a man of captivating presence, his charm as alluring as the forbidden
fruit and just as dangerous. UnlikeGrace, who was the essence of simplicity
and innocence, Chester harbored ambitions thatsoared beyond the smoky chimneys of Courton.
The two became fond of one anotherand their love. If one dared to
(03:02):
call it, that was a secretdraped under the veils of night. It
was passionate, It was reckless,a blazing fire that consumed all reason and
caution. Grace found herself charmed bythe intensity of her feelings. Her heart
enslaved to a man whose affections wereas fickle as the changing winds. With
(03:23):
every stolen moment, with every promisedChester whispered into her hollow ear, Grace
descended deeper and deeper into the abyssof a love that was destined to shatter
her world. Soon she discovered thatshe was pregnant, and the world around
her seemed to crumble. You see, the societal norms of the early twentieth
(03:44):
century were unforgiving. Bearing a childout of wedlock was a sin that brought
shame on her and her family.Desperate, Grace sought refuge in the one
person who held the power to salvageher dignity, her love, and her
life her beloved Chester. Through lettersand heart wrenching please, she implored him
(04:05):
to acknowledge their love and to legitimizetheir child by taking her hand in marriage.
But Chester, consumed by his ambitionsand societal pressure. He was a
man at war with himself. Chesterplayed to Grace's emotions and he agreed to
a retreat, a brief visit tothe Adirondacks, a decision that ultimately sealed
(04:28):
Grace's fate, though she embraced itas a salvation. It was July of
that ill fated year the couple embarkedon a journey to the heart of the
Adirondack Park. Grace's heart brimmed withnaive optimism, for she believed in the
invincibility of her love with Chester,the life that they were going to build.
(04:50):
They arrived under assumed names, anecessary deception to shield from the prying
eyes of the ad k They arrivedat the calm, peaceful Big Moose Lake,
with its waters mirroring the heavens.Chester promised to protect her and offer
her a new beginning, but thatbeginning was not to be. On that
(05:13):
fateful day of July eleventh, nineteeno six, Chester, Jellette and Grace
Brown set out on a rowboat,a vessel meant to traverse the calm waters
of Big Moose Lake, as thesun dipped low in the sky, painting
the horizon with reds and oranges,as scream shattered the tranquility of the lake,
an echo of terror that reverberated throughthe Adirondack Wilderness, a prelude to
(05:39):
a tragedy that would taint the lake'swaters forever. The next morning, Grace
Brown's lifeless body was found on theshore, floating in the lake. Her
dreams, her love, her unbornchild, everything she held dear submerged in
the murky depths of Big Moose Lake. The scream that had pierced the twilight
(06:04):
was etched in the memory of thelake, a haunting reminder of a life
unjustly taken at the hands of someonewho promised to protect her. The tragedy
that unfolded on Big Moose Lake sendripples of shock and grief through the community.
Chester. Gellette was eventually arrested andstood trial for the murder of Grace
(06:26):
Brown. The courtroom became a stagefor a drama that exposed not just a
man's heinous act, but also thehypocrisies of a society that all too often
turned a blind eye to inconvenient truths. Through her letters, Grace's final words
were weaved into the fabric of thetrial of Chester Gellette. Her voice echoed
(06:47):
from beyond the grave. They painteda portrait of a woman who loved unconditionally,
who dared to dream of future withthe father of her child, only
to have it brutally snatched away bythat very man. The trial culminated in
Chester's conviction, despite his claims ofinnocence, asserting the tragedy was just an
(07:09):
accident that happened on the lake,the weight of the evidence against him,
the testimonies, and Grace's ghostly presencethrough her letters swayed the scales of justice.
On March thirtieth, nineteen o eight, Chester Gillette met his end in
the electric chair, a life claimedin retribution for the life he had taken
so callously. Could there ever betrue justice for Grace Brown? Grace's voice,
(07:34):
her story, her tragedy, resonatedthrough time, immortalized in the chronicles
of Adirondack history. You see thetragedy of Big Moose Lake is not merely
a tale of love gone away,but about the consequences of one man's unforgivable
act. It's a narrative of societalreflection, a mirror held up to the
(07:57):
conventions that trapped the innocent and theguilty. It's a haunting lullaby that the
winds still sing over Big Moose Lake, a testament to the young woman who
dared to love, to dream,and was ultimately betrayed by her lover,
and the times that she lived in. In the end, among the towering
(08:18):
trees and the embrace of the Adirondacks, Grace Brown's legacy endures an echo in
the midst a reminder of the fragilityof life, the injustice of society,
and the indomitable spirit of love.However tragic it may be. But as
with every tragic tale, the endis not oft. In the end you
(08:41):
see. Visitors to Big Moose Lakehave spoken of eerie happenings on moonlit nights.
Some even claim to have seen ayoung woman's ghost eerily similar to Grace,
hovering over the waters, forever restless, searching for her love. Boters
have reported so whispers almost like alullaby when the waters are calm and peaceful,
(09:05):
and on certain nights when the windscarry tales of the old days,
some even report hearing a haunting screamechoing among the lake, reminiscent of that
fateful day. Such is the taleof Big Moose Lake, a tale of
dreams lost, of love betrayed justas served, and the spirits that linger.
(09:26):
It's a haunting reminder that the Adirondacks, despite all its beauty and serenity,
also holds within it memories of timesand souls that once were wandering the
wilderness in search of answers, love, and tragedy. In the ad k
(09:48):
the mysteries surrounding the Adirondack Wilderness remain. So the next time you're at Big
Moose Lake, be on the lookoutfor Grace Brown as she wanders the shores
of the lake, searching for answers, redemption, and closure. For our
next story will travel south along Routethirty from Big Moose Lake towards the quiet
Adirondack community of Speculator. We willdelve deep into the chilling chronicles of Adirondack
(10:13):
past. Brace yourselves, for thisis a story where the tranquility of nature
meets the unpredictability of the human soulprepared a journey into the heart of the
Adirondack's most haunting legend, Robert Garo, the serial killer of the Adirondack Park.
(10:41):
In a remote town near Syracuse,a child named Robert Garo was born
in nineteen thirty six. Tragically,though, his childhood was a thunderstorm of
physical and emotional abuse, molding hismind and soul in a way that would
later terrorize the Adirondack region. Garro'searly years were brutal. He was often
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beaten by his father, an angerfueled by alcohol and resentment, and this
volatile upbringing made the young Robert angry, resentful, and forever seeking control.
As he grew older, the violencein his heart grew with him, leading
him down a path of crime.By the time he was an adult,
Garo had a rap sheet that wouldmake anyone cringe, with numerous assaults,
(11:24):
rapes, and other heinous crimes.However, the Adirondack Park would soon become
the backdrop for his most notorious act. In the early nineteen seventies, Garro's
thirst for violence transformed into a lethalobsession. Tourists and locals alike were disappearing
within the dense, sprawling forest ofthe adk Each victim vanished without a trace,
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their last steps echoing silently in theheart of the park. The local
authorities initially dismissed the early disappearances asmisadventures. After all, the Adirondack Park
is a large, arge rugged wilderness, and it wasn't unheard of for inexperienced
hikers to get lost. But asthe disappearances continued and bodies began to surface,
(12:09):
a chill ran down the spine ofthe communities. Each crime scene painted
a picture of a predator who relishedhis role, bound victims, evidence of
prolonged suffering, and notes left behindthat read like a twisted game. The
heart of the Adirondack Park became akilling field. In a sense. Campers,
hikers, and even locals would vanish, only to be found days or
(12:33):
even weeks later in grotesque displays.Whispered stories of the Adirondack predator began circulating
and fear gripped the region. Amassive manhunt was launched following the murder of
a camper named Philip Dombluski, aneighteen year old from Schenectady. Dombluski and
his friends were camping when Garo openedtheir tent with a rifle in hand and
(12:56):
tied up the four campers before eventuallystabbing Uski. The others managed to escape,
and Garo confidently told the campers thathe killed before and he'd kill again.
The dense woods, the lakes,and the rugged terrain made the man
hunt incredibly challenging. Teams of lawenforcement, aided by local hunters and outdoorsmen,
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combed through the Adirondack wilderness, butfor days and days and days,
Garro remained elusive. His knowledge ofthe Hamilton County area gave him a distinct
advantage in the nearby towns. Peoplelocked their doors, mistrusting even their neighbors.
Nobody traveled alone, and a senseof dread hovered over the region.
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The very trees of the Adirondack seemedto be hiding secrets. Every rustle in
the forest, every misplaced shadow,could be the notorious serial killer watching,
waiting for his next victim. Thebreakthrough, however, came when a couple
managed to escape one of Garro's ambushes. The young couple were vacanting in the
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Adirondacks, their annual ritual to celebrateanother year together. They had a preferred
camping spot in Hamilton County, nearthe town of Speculator, a secluded location
by a glistening stream where they feltentirely connected with nature. The couple loved
the solitude the park provided, andthis year was no different, or so
they thought. On a seemingly peacefulevening, as they sat by the campfire,
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a stranger approached, appearing harmless andperhaps a bit lost. He introduced
himself as a fellow camper who'd simplylost his way. Invoking their innate kindness,
the couple offered him some food andwarmth by their fire. But as
the evening wore on, however,they noticed the stranger's increasingly erratic behavior.
(14:45):
His stories were inconsistent, his gazeeven predatory. But it was when they
saw the glint of a knife inhis belt that they sensed the imminent danger
ahead. Before they could react,Garrol lunged at one of them, the
blade gleaming in the fire. Afear struggle ensued, with the couple desperately
trying to fend off their attacker.In a courageous move, the woman managed
(15:07):
to grab a burning log from thefire and swung it at Garrow. The
log connected with his arm, forcinghim to drop the knife. Seizing the
opportunity, the couple fled into thedense woods, their hearts pounding louder than
their footsteps, and they ran throughthe forest, navigating only by moonlight,
until they stumbled upon another camp site. The campers immediately contacted the authorities.
(15:31):
Despite their trauma, the campers providedvital details about Garro to police, his
appearance and his behaviors. Law enforcement, now with the leave, launched an
intensified search. Helicopters, canine units, and more descended upon the Adirondacks.
Police even offered direct advice to campersin the Adirondacks search area. If you're
(15:52):
planning on going there, don't,and if you're already there, leave a
bone and chilling warning. Law enforcementbegan closing in on the notorious killer.
A significant clue came when a parkranger found an abandoned campsite that bore all
the hallmarks of Garrow's previous locations.For twelve days, Garrow eluted capture,
(16:15):
skillfully using the park's terrain to hisadvantage. As he remained in the wilderness
near the town of Speculator, butthe noose was tightening. Finally, after
reports of numerous sightings, pleas fromhis family members to surrender canine units,
infrared scope, stolen cars, andmore, the saga was coming to an
(16:37):
end as the officers finally cornered Garoin a climactic confrontation near a ravine.
Though he initially tried to fight offhis pursuers, he was eventually shot three
times by police and taken into custody. The manhunt was over. They got
him. Garrow was taken to Plattsburg, where he was treated for his wounds
(16:59):
before being turned over to law enforcement. In the subsequent nineteen seventy four trial,
the weight of evidence against Garro wasoverwhelming. Testimonies from his surviving victims
painted a clear picture of a mandriven by a deadly compulsion. Garrow,
however, confessed to three other murders, as well as abduction and rape.
(17:21):
He was convicted and sentenced to twentyfive years to life in prison. However,
in September nineteen seventy eight, Garrobroke out of Fishkill State Prison by
scaling a fifteen foot barbed wire fence, toting a pistol that was smuggled into
the prison by his son. Despitehaving presented the image of being wheelchair bound.
(17:41):
Garrow eloted police for three days beforehe was eventually shot to death by
corrections officers. Robert Garrow's reign ofterror had come to an end, but
the scars he inflicted upon the Adirondacksand its community would remain forever etched in
their memory. Numerous books have beenwritten and films have been made chronicling the
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chilling and tragic life of Robert Garo, the man who turned the beautiful Adirondack
Park into a place of nightmares.The reign of the Adirondack Predator was over,
but scars do take time to heal. Over time, the central Adirondack
towns slowly regained their sense of safety, but the stories persisted. The tales
of Gharo's murder became the stuff oflegend, whispered around campfires and shared in
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hushed tones in local bars, andas the years passed, the tales grew
more sinister. Some said that thespirits of Gharo's victims still roamed the park,
crying out for justice. Others claimedto have seen Gharo's ghost forever haunting
the very forests where he committed hisheinous acts. The untouched wilderness of the
Adirondack Park will always hold secrets.Some are natural, others man made,
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and still others are the stuff oflegends. And as the sun sets behind
the tall pines and the Shafado's lengthenone can't help but wonder what the other
dark tales this park might be hiding. For In the heart of nature,
where beauty and tranquility rain, there'salways a darker side waiting to be discovered,
(19:12):
And in the case of the Adirondacks, it was the tale of a
man named Robert Garo whose actions wouldforever tarnish the park's serene beauty. The
mysteries of the Adirondack Park remain.Well. That's going to do it for
the October sessions here on the fortysix of forty six podcast. I hope
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you all enjoyed these stories this year. I'll be back next October with more
chilling stories. Remember it always leaveno trace. Do the rock walk,
and if you carry it in,carry it out. Have a happy Halloween.
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