Overview of SYMHC Classics: Original Six Impossible Episodes
This Saturday classic from Stuff You Missed in History Class revisits six listener-requested topics that the hosts say are “impossible” to cover as full episodes—not because they aren’t interesting, but because the available evidence is too thin, too scattered, too unreliable, or too tied up in rumor, later retellings, or fiction. The episode doubles as a tour through some of the show’s favorite “almost-historical” legends and lesser-known figures, while also explaining the research standards they use for the podcast.
Why these stories are “impossible”
The hosts outline several reasons a topic may be hard to turn into a solid history episode:
- Not enough primary-source material
- Sources are inaccessible or in languages they don’t read
- Evidence is too spread out to research efficiently for a weekly podcast
- The story is mostly rumor or legend
- Later retellings are too unreliable
- Some popular versions come from fiction, not historical documentation
Their main point: a compelling story is not always a well-documented one.
The Six Topics Covered
1. Stagecoach Mary (Mary Fields)
Mary Fields, also known as Stagecoach Mary, was born enslaved in Tennessee in 1832 and later became a legendary figure in Montana.
Key points:
- She grew up around the Dunn family and learned to read and write while enslaved.
- After emancipation, she moved north and later helped care for Mother Amadeus at St. Peter’s Mission in Montana.
- She worked odd jobs and eventually delivered mail by stagecoach, becoming the first African American woman known to deliver U.S. mail by stagecoach.
- She gained a reputation as tough, fearless, and willing to fight anyone who crossed her.
- She later ran a laundry business and became beloved in Cascade, Montana, where her birthday was reportedly treated like a holiday.
Why it’s hard to do a full episode:
- Her life is fascinating, but the surviving documentation is limited.
- A documentary and a children’s book exist, but the hosts say the evidence still doesn’t support a full, detailed episode yet.
2. The London Beer Flood
This 1814 disaster is often compared to the Boston Molasses Flood.
What happened:
- A large fermenting beer vat burst at a London brewery on October 17, 1814.
- A wave of porter—about 15 feet high—ripped through the brewery and surrounding area.
- The break triggered a chain reaction that caused additional vats to burst.
- Eight people were killed, including a mother and daughter at home and others in nearby dwellings.
Important details:
- The brewery is described variously by location, but the hosts explain those references likely point to the same place.
- An inquest ruled it an act of God, so the brewery was not held responsible.
- A rumor that locals rushed out with pots and pans to drink the spilled beer is likely false and probably reflects anti-Irish bias.
Why it’s hard to do a full episode:
- The historical record is sparse.
- Even around the 200th anniversary in 2014, no major new information surfaced.
3. Edward Mordrake
Edward Mordrake is one of the most famous “medical oddity” legends.
The story claims:
- He was an English nobleman with a second face on the back of his head.
- The second face allegedly whispered to him at night and tormented him.
- He supposedly died by suicide and requested that the second face be destroyed before burial.
Why the hosts doubt it:
- The main source is a late-19th-century medical compendium that repeats the tale as a curiosity.
- There is no strong documentation that Mordrake existed.
- The story has all the hallmarks of an embellished rumor: dramatic details, no clear verifiable records, and a conveniently unmarked grave.
Bottom line:
- The hosts treat it as likely apocryphal.
4. Robert the Haunted Doll
Robert is a creepy-looking antique doll displayed in Key West, Florida, and tied to a long-running ghost story.
What is known:
- He was given to Robert Eugene “Gene” Otto as a child around 1904.
- The doll was named Robert after Gene himself.
- Over time, Gene reportedly blamed the doll for bad behavior and strange events.
- Neighbors and others claimed the doll moved, giggled, or changed expression.
- After Gene’s death, the doll eventually ended up at the East Martello Museum.
Modern lore:
- Museum staff and visitors have attributed bad luck and equipment malfunctions to the doll.
- People reportedly apologize to the doll after photographing it without permission.
Why the hosts are cautious:
- The doll is real.
- The creepy stories are mostly folklore and internet legend.
- The evidence for supernatural claims is weak, but the object’s unsettling appearance clearly fuels the myth.
5. The Lost Army of Cambyses
This ancient story comes from Herodotus and concerns an expedition that vanished in the desert.
The legend:
- Persian ruler Cambyses II sent an army—said to be 50,000 men—to destroy the oracle of Ammon in Egypt.
- The army allegedly disappeared en route, supposedly buried by a massive sandstorm.
Why it’s uncertain:
- The main ancient source is Herodotus.
- Some modern claims of discovering the army involve questionable methods, weak evidence, or even hoaxes.
- The hosts note that some “discoveries” are presented outside normal scholarly channels.
Bottom line:
- It’s a famous historical mystery, but the evidence is too shaky to support a full episode with confidence.
6. Julie d’Aubigny, aka La Maupin
Julie d’Aubigny is often described as a flamboyant, sword-fighting, cross-dressing, bisexual opera singer with a life full of duels and romantic exploits.
What the hosts say:
- She does sound like an amazing subject.
- But much of what is repeated about her comes from later rumor and sensationalized retellings.
- Available accounts often lean on one another, with too many layers of “according to this other source.”
The challenge:
- There are intriguing biographies and even novels about her, but fiction and heavily derivative accounts are not enough for a solid history episode.
- The hosts want stronger source material before tackling her in depth.
Main Takeaways
- Not every fascinating historical figure or legend can be responsibly turned into a full episode.
- The hosts prioritize verifiability and source quality over sheer spectacle.
- Many popular historical stories survive because they are compelling, not because they are well documented.
- This episode serves as both a sampler of weird history and a behind-the-scenes look at how the podcast decides what it can and cannot cover.
Episode Context
- Originally aired: February 4, 2015
- Reissued as a Saturday classic in connection with the anniversary of the London beer flood
- Intended as a response to long-running listener requests for topics that are difficult to substantiate fully