Common Mystics

Author: Jennifer James and Jill Stanley

Ride shotgun with psychic sisters Jennifer James and Jill Stanley as they road trip to uncover extraordinary stories (were talking ghosts, murder, mayhem) in ordinary places (shout out to middle America!). Giving voice to the voiceless, these sisters use their intuitive powers, incredible research skills and wicked humor to tune in and bring untold history to life. So, hop in, buckle up and get ready for a smart, silly, spooky good time.
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Language: en-us

Genres: Religion & Spirituality, Society & Culture

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150: A Fortune, A Murder, and a Forgotten Voice out of Galena, IL
Episode 150
Thursday, 30 April, 2026

On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill travel to a town that feels suspended in time on the Upper Mississippi: Galena, Illinois.* Beneath its brick streets and blufftop beauty lies a harder story. In the 1830s and 1840s, northern Illinois was still raw country. As settlers poured into Galena to mine lead and find fortune, the roads filled with opportunity… and the Mississippi River towns filled with danger. Travelers whispered of the Banditti of the Prairie—bands of thieves, killers, and fugitives said to move through the shadows of the frontier. And some believed those same shadows reached all the way to the brutal murder of George Davenport, a frontier legend who survived war, wilderness, and the dangers of the early republic… only to meet violence in old age when three men entered his home searching for hidden wealth. Because where fortunes gather, outlaws follow. And where history leaves wounds… sometimes the past still speaks. If you love uncovering hidden history and discovering the powerful stories woven into the places we explore, please consider supporting Common Mystics on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics. Your support helps us continue traveling, researching, and giving voice to the forgotten stories that still linger in the shadows. * This episode includes discussion of violence and murder. Sensitive listeners, please use discretion.