Podcast Episode 156: The Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Tragedy

In this chilling episode, we travel back to the summer of 1992 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to revisit a crime that shattered the sense of safety in a tight-knit community. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken wasn't just a restaurant; it was a "fried chicken royalty" landmark with direct ties to Colonel Sanders himself. But on August 17, that legacy of hospitality was met with unthinkable violence.

We detail the harrowing "execution-style" robbery that left four young employees dead in a walk-in cooler—all for a sum of just $2,000. From the "inside man" who planned the heist to the rapid-fire investigation and the 14-year legal battle that followed, we examine how one night changed Tulsa forever.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• The Legend of Lee’s: The fascinating history of Lee Cummings, the nephew of Colonel Harland Sanders, and how his family built a 42-year legacy at the corner of 9th and Sheridan.

• The "Kooky" Connection: How the Tulsa franchise owners were actually part of the extended Sanders family and why the community viewed the staff and regular patrons as one big family.

• A Planned Betrayal: The role of Donnie Daniels, a former employee who used his knowledge of closing procedures and the store safe to lead three others into a deadly trap.

• The Crime & The Victims: A somber tribute to the four lives lost: Joey Gooch (17), Ted Kindley (19), Stephen Williams (24), and Sendy Lara (27).

• The Investigation: How a suspicious security guard and a blue Chevrolet led Tulsa PD to identify and arrest all four suspects within just 48 hours.

• Justice and Appeals: A breakdown of the trials, the "Felony Murder Rule," and the final, controversial words of triggerman Corey Hamilton before his 2007 execution.

Key Facts & "Kooky" Insights:

• The Take-Home Price: When Lee’s first opened in 1966, a full three-piece chicken box with all the fixings cost just $1.25.

• The Inside Knowledge: The killers didn't wear masks because two of them were certain the employees would recognize them regardless—a chilling detail that foreshadowed their intent.

• A Community Staple: Despite the horror of 1992, the restaurant reopened and thrived for another 20 years, finally closing its doors in 2012.

"These four beautiful people were put on their knees and executed like they were a piece of trash... He had no remorse. None at all." — Janice Ramsey, mother of victim Stephen Williams.

Sources:

• News on 6

• The Oklahoman

• Find Law.com

• The Oklahoman - Taped Confessions

• The Oklahoman

• The New York Times

• Wikipedia

• Murderpedia

• OCCA

Episode 155: The Ghosts of Fort Sill

Is it possible for a military base to never truly "close," but instead just layer century after century of restless energy into the soil?

In this episode, we are heading to Lawton, Oklahoma, to explore Fort Sill. Unlike other frontier posts that were abandoned to the elements, Fort Sill has been continuously active since 1869. It has evolved from a horseback frontier outpost to a high-tech artillery hub—but it has never quite managed to shake its past.

From its founding by General Philip Sheridan and George Armstrong Custer to its dark days as a prisoner-of-war camp for Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apaches, Fort Sill is a pressure cooker of American history. We dive into the "Old Post Quadrangle," built by the legendary Buffalo Soldiers, and explore why this site is considered one of the most haunted military installations in the United States.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Founding & The "Peace Policy": How a tent city became the epicenter of the Indian Wars.

• The Sherman Incident: The bloody struggle on a front porch that almost cost a General his life.

• Geronimo’s Final Years: The truth behind his death and the chilling "Skull and Bones" legend surrounding his grave.

• The Most Haunted Locations: From the "rocking chair lady" in the Sherman House to the phantom riders on the Cavalry Parade Field.

• Modern Shadows: Why current trainees still report "shadow people" and phantom drumbeats in the barracks today.

Whether it’s the spirit of a mother searching for her lost children or the rhythmic cadence of a 19th-century bugle call, Fort Sill proves that some soldiers never truly finish their watch.

Want to see the "Gun Park" or walk the haunted quadrangle yourself? Check out our show sources for info on Fort Sill’s historical walking tours and a list of the episodes mentioned in today's show (Ft. Washita #26, Ft. Reno #45, and Quanah Parker #132).

Sources:

• Army Family and MWR Site: Ft Sill

• Ghosts and Legends of Oklahoma by Mike Ricksecker

• US Army

• KWSO 7News

• X94

"My boy, may an old man's curse rest upon you if you do not try to avenge your father."

In 1868, an eight-year-old boy named Frank Eaton witnessed his father’s cold-blooded murder at the hands of lawless vigilantes. Most children would have been broken; Frank just got a gun.

In this week’s episode, Jess traces the incredible 97-year journey of the man who would become Pistol Pete. We’re diving deep into the dusty trails of the Old West to follow a legendary marksman who outshot the U.S. Cavalry at fifteen, served as a Deputy Marshal under the "Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker, and spent decades hunting down the men who destroyed his family.

But Frank Eaton’s story didn't end with a smoking gun. We explore his unlikely transition from a gritty frontier lawman to a beloved community fixture in Perkins, Oklahoma—and eventually, the living face of Oklahoma State University.

Tune in as we discuss:

• The Blood Debt: The high-stakes duels Frank fought to clear his father’s name.

• Kooky Facts: Why Frank was often seen walking barefoot on red-hot metal.

• The Mascot Wars: The modern-day legal battles between OSU, Wyoming, and New Mexico State over who owns the "rootin’-tootin’" legend.

• The Man Behind the Mask: How a 1923 parade changed the identity of Oklahoma sports forever.

Whether you're an OSU fan or just a lover of wild frontier history, this is the story of a man who lived by the gun and died a legend.

Pistols firing! 🔫🍊

Sources:

• Wikipedia - Frank Eaton

• Frank Eaton Historical Home

• National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

• Oklahoma Senate

• Oklahoma State University

• Visit Stillwater OK.com

• Cowboy State Daily