Episode 230 - Discarded Lives
"We value virtue but do not discuss it. The honest bookkeeper, the faithful wife, the earnest scholar get little of our attention compared to the embezzler, the tramp, the cheat." - John Steinbeck On this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, Jennie and Dianne share the tragic story of a Ida Mae Hanson, a Nebraska woman who followed her heart to Colorado where she was brutally murdered and left in an abandoned prospector's pit as if she were nothing more than trash in the summer of 1933. Joining them later in the episode is actress Meredith Bolthouse who is currently portraying Curley's wife in a theatrical presentation of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men". While Ida Mae really lived and Curley's wife is fictitious, both are Ordinary Extraordinary women whose stories were taken for granted by the two men who should have loved and protected them above all others.
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Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck runs April 25-27, 2025 in Castle Pines, Colorado. https://frontrangetheatre.ludus.com/index.php?sections=events&widget=1
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Special thanks to Beth Vaughn for the photos of the Hanson Family graves located in Stromsburg Cemetery in Stromsburg, Nebraska.
Resources used to research this episode include:
Various documents/records via www.ancestry.com
"Jury Selected in Neal Case." Omaha World-Herald [Omaha], 20 Mar. 1935, p. 25.
"Home from Trip." The Columbus Telegram [Columbus ], 1 Aug. 1932, p. 8.
"Death Penalty Ruled Out by Court Order." The Daily Sentinel [Grand Junction ], 23 Mar. 1935, p. 4.
"Untitled ." The Daily Sentinel [Grand Junction ], 24 Apr. 1935, p. 12.
, Associated Press. "Neal Convicted of Slaying Milliner." Greeley Daily Tribune [Greeley ], 25 Mar. 1935, p. 1.
"Murderer Trapped by Victim's Teeth." The Washington Herald [Washington D.C.], 9 June 1935, p. 63.
, Associated Press. "Murder Trial of Chas. Neal In Third Day." The Grand Island Independent [Grand Island], 20 Mar. 1935, p. 2.
"Untitled ." The Headlight [Stromsburg], 21 Mar. 1935, p. 5.
"Ex-Convict Denies Charge of Slaying Nebraska Woman." The Omaha Morning Bee-News [Omaha], 6 Feb. 1935, p. 1.
, Associated Press. "Convicted Murderer is Critically Ill." Fort Collins Coloradoan [Fort Collins], 20 May 1936, p. 1.
Sparrow, Beth. "Ida M. Hanson." https://www.findagrave.com/. 2 Nov. 2008. www.findagrave.com/memorial/31078354/ida-m-hanson. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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Meredith Bolthouse
Actor
Meredith is a Colorado native, recently returned from a 9 year adventure in California. This is her first stage performance since moving back to the mountains. She worked closely with Off Broadway Corona Theater in Corona, California for almost 3 years, her favorite roles including Tootles the Lost Boy (Peter Pan), the Housekeeper (Man of La Mancha), and Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Meredith is extremely grateful for her friends and family who faithfully support her in all of her adventures. In addition to acting on stage, on camera, and voice over, Meredith is steadily working her way towards earning her 3rd degree black belt in taekwondo. Soli Deo Gloria
@meredith.bolthouse