Putting It Together, Part Six – What It Takes to Make a Radio Play
October’s edition of the StoryTown Radio Show will be a little different. Usually, the show is made up of multiple stories from real people, many of whom lived right here in Northeast Tennessee. This month, we’re stepping back in time, to the turn of the 20th century for “Legs in a Barrel” Murder Mystery. I originally wrote this piece of historical theatre for the Heritage Alliance. It is based on the very true and very mysterious deaths of Andrew Slagle and John Spencer.
In 1909, Andrew Slagle’s body was discovered in the French Broad River. Suspicion fell on his employee John Spencer, the last person to see Slagle alive, who’d asked him to come to Bridgeport. Some say Slagle went for a sure investment deal, others say that Spencer claimed he’d found gold, and he needed Slagle’s help to deposit it. Spencer was in Jonesborough the night before Slagle’s funeral, and he stayed with the family of his former employer. In the morning, Spencer was missing. He was soon discovered upside down in a rain barrel across the street. Who murdered Andrew Slagle? What really happened to John Spencer? Come to the StoryTown Radio Show on October 28th, put the clues together and see if you can figure it out.
In the play, the names have been changed to protect the innocent, but someone was very guilty. You’ll meet Detective Hart; she always gets to the truth of the matter. You’ll also meet Mrs. Smith, the seemingly bereaved widow who has no idea what happened to the $4,000 her husband withdrew from the bank before his untimely death. Then there’s Constable Pack, who’s supposed to uphold the law, but is also not above taking a bribe, and John Custer, who doesn’t know how all that blood got on his favorite hunting shirt. The radio play uses actual newspaper accounts from events that are too crazy to make up.
The musical guest for the October 28th show is the Golden Heirs Community Choir under the direction of Cherry Smith. This is their first time on the StoryTown Radio Show. “Legs in a Barrel” Murder Mystery is presented with permission from the Heritage Alliance and takes to the stage live on Monday, October 28th at 7:00 pm at the McKinney Center. Tickets are available at Jonesborough.com/tickets or by phone at 423.753.1010. This show is sponsored by Windsong Studio of Jewelry Arts located here in Jonesborough.