29. Kids and Grownups Love It so, the Poisoned World of Harry Beno

1890s Indiana, a state in the midst of a boom. A character appears in the newspapers with a talent so strange he becomes a star. He went by the name of Harry Beno, and everything he did should realistically have killed him, from drinking neat poison to jamming spikes in his head for the entertainment of others. Join Violet and Jim as we look into the terrifying, awful and, at times, toe-curling life of Beno, because we shouldn't have to suffer through this one alone. 

 

Yesterday's Chip Paper is a podcast that sources its stories from historical newspaper archives. From true crime to mad scientists via circus attractions and history's greatest flim flam merchants, the only limit to what we cover is that someone has to have written about it. 

 

You can catch us on @paperpodcast on both Facebook and Twitter. 

 

Archives used in this episode:

 

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

https://www.newspapers.com

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

https://trove.nla.gov.au/

 

Theme music: The International Rag by Al Jolson and Sophie Tucker, with thanks to the Free Music Archive