Hello, Dead time Storians. Oh, it's so good to be back with
you after our summer vacation. I hope y'all had a safe, relaxing,
and most importantly fun summer. Perhaps he made a visit to your local amusement
park where you gorged on popcorn and hot dogs before visiting the midway and then
riding a roller coaster or ten. I remember my first theme park. It
was Caesar Point up by Lake Erie in Ohio. Of course, I was
in second grade and I could not wait to visit because my cousins had told
me all about the roller coasters and the bumper cars, and if you can
believe this, I had never been on either one of those things. Yeah,
I know, the fasta now family was unique. Anyway. We get
to the theme park early in the morning and planned on spending the entire day
there. My first roller coaster was a pretty baby one, but I of
course screamed the entire time. My aunt and uncle would later ask me how
many bugs did I swallow? And I wouldn't really get what that meant for
several years. As the day wore into dusk and the flashing lights started to
come on across the park, this new excitement rose inside of me, and
all the exhaustion from the day just totally dissipated. Even now, I find
something magical about the theme park at night, and all the wonderful colors flashing
on the rides. On that particular night, the squeals of delight and bright
red, white and blue light at the bumper cars called to my cousins and
me. I don't remember quite how it happened, but someway or another three
of my cousins got in line while I went to the restroom or to grab
a snack, or maybe ask permission to ride. I don't know, something
stupid like that. Five minutes later I ran over to the edge of the
line where my cousins called my name, to pop the black fencing and enjoy
them. Using athleticism only seen in children, I clamored my way over the
line divider and joined them. Now nobody in lines out a damn thing about
it, because they were also children who had probably done the very same thing
throughout the day. Suddenly I heard my dad asking me what I was doing,
and I oh so innocently told him that I was getting on the bumper
cars. To my horror, he reaches over the fencing and pulls me out
of the line. No, no, no, you cut the line and
that's not fair, so you have to wait at the end. Oh.
I heard a couple of older kids and lines snicker and could feel my cousin's
shocked faces. As my dad stared down at me, My face flushed red
and I could feel the tears of embarrassment threatening to pop out of my eyes.
Oh no, oh, So I walked back over to where my mom
and aunt were sitting, hearing very faintly as my dad called, after,
where are you going, Skylar? You could still ride. I don't want
to anymore, I mumbled as I tried to disappear from the park. I
don't think the rest of my family knew what had happened, but they could
send something tragic had just befallen me. And once my cousins got done with
the ride, we went home. You know, still to this day,
I can't pass bumper cars without thinking of that mortifying moment. But you know,
as awkward as it was, it was sure as hell better than death.
Welcome to the original Dead Time Stories of pot Cast where I Skyler fasten.
Now go beyond the crime to investigate human psychology and history, so maybe
we won't make the same mistakes of our ancestors. If you're a fan of
our show and you want to support us even more, head on over to
patreon dot com slash og dead time. We'll get this chapter started after these
brief messages. Welcome back to our show. Picture the silent and dusty attic
of the Pacatuck Congregational Church in Connecticut. It's nineteen seventy and a big day
for the church. Because I can't believe today's are last day in this place.
I can't believe they're tearing it down for a gas station. But the
Lord has a plan for everything, and we we must follow it. So
what's up here anyway? Some old hymn books and candles. Perhaps we must
search every nook. WHOA, what's that giant bell? The teenager pointed to
the far corner, where a large, dusty, dingy bell quietly sat had
biscuit here. We don't have a belfry. How it got here was like
this. In nineteen thirty eight, the Great New England Hurricane destroyed the belfry
and it was too expensive to replace the bell that once hung there had actually
been remade because it no longer ranged properly. This was because it was one
of the only things remaining after a large fire in nineteen eleven destroyed the abandoned
school that once hung in the cause of the Palmer Street School fire isn't known,
but it did start on the first floor and burned all the way up
to the third floor, where Frank Sheffield once rang the bell to welcome his
students. Frank Sheffield was the principal of Pacatuck's Palmer Street School, and by
all accounts, he did a bang up job. His staff and students all
seemed to adore him, and every morning he'd stand by the bell and ring
it to welcome the kids. Be in the eighteen eighties, that's how school
worked. Good morning, John, Happy to have you here with us this
morning. Frank wasn't a bachelor either. He was happily married to a Marianne
Hill since December fifteenth, eighteen seventy six. The couple had a young son
named Mason, who was born in eighteen eighty. Frank, I was wondering
if I could trouble you this afternoon. It's one of my pupils. He
does not retain the information. No matter how many times I have him write
it on the blackboard, it does not sound like an impossible fix. It's
not so much his education that worries me. Frank, yesterday he said I
was a flap doodle flap doodle. Ah oh. One morning, tragedy struck
as the giant bell slipped from Frank's grip and struck him in the head.
Although he survived, he would suffer from severe headaches for the rest of his
life, and some friends claim that his personality changed. After one evening a
few years later, Frank and Marianne sat in their modest parlor. Frank may
have read a newspaper while Marianne knitted. Frank, Dear, Yes, I
was thinking about how Mason is growing older and sometimes seems lonely. Do you
think we should give him a brother or a sister. You want to have
another child, Dolly? You growing old and the baby costs money. Yes,
and things are going tremendously well for you at the school. Please,
Frank, can we Trystan? Frank may or may not have wanted another baby,
but his desires didn't really matter because Margaret Maggie Sheffield came into the world
on January thirty first, eighteen eighty eight. What is it, doctor,
mister Sheffield? You have a healthy baby girl. If she's healthy, why
do you look so concerned? How's Maryanne? Is she recovering? I am
afraid she is not as lively as most women are after given birth. Another
doctor is tending to her, but she has been in excruciating pain since the
baby arrived. Is there a medication you could give her something too? Is
the suffering? The doctor looked down solemnly. A week later, on February
seventh, Marianne passed away from paratonitis, or a hemorrhage in her pelvic wall.
Over the course of the week, her abdomen became inflamed, and that
inflammation traveled up to her lungs. She was a young thirty three years of
age. The school bell had damaged Frank's skull and the death of Marianne had
broken his heart. Good afternoon, I need to send two telegrams please,
The first to mister Mason Hill, sorry about loss of daughter. Please care
for our son? Will I find new home? And the second to mister
John Sheffield, Please care for a little Maggie. Will I find new home?
Frank's in law's and his own parents willingly took in the children while Frank
worked on his depression. His first step finding a new job at a school
closer to his new home. Coincidentally, this new home came with a land
lord with a very beautiful, very single daughter. Nancy was her name,
and it was approaching two years since the death of Mary Anne. Oh,
Frank, I've never felt this near to anyone in all my life. When
father passed away last year, I worried that nobody could ever understand how much
my heart ached. It is an unfortunate bond to share the grief of a
lost loved one, But if I had to share it with anyone, I'm
glad it is with a woman as beautiful as you. Nancy, would you
marry me? On November twenty seventh, eighteen eighty nine, Frank was married
for the second time. It seemed like life was on the up and up,
wow, y'all, And then he developed an infection called erysipolis. I,
Frank, have you been to a doctor for that ghastly rash yet?
Yes, sir, I've been seeing one for a week now. He's trying
to prescribe me something. But Frank, this has been cutting into your work.
You can't focus. You've been a good addition to the team, but
until this disease is gone, we cannot keep you on the staff. With
his employment and education terminated, Frank turned to a railroad company. The railroad
Avenue station also had to fire him because his illness led to lapses in his
memory, making him a less than efficient worker. Frank's options were exhausted and
he started seeing doctor John Morgan. I am in constant pain every day.
I need help. Doctor. Have you heard about cocaine? No, sir,
it's a wonder drug. Really, mister Maddiani and France used it several
years ago to make Then Maddiani mix the coco leaves with some budeau and you
have yourself a potion to restore vitality and health. You ought to try it,
mister Sheffield. It's the future of medicine. It really was. Today
we know cocaine is a highly addictive drug, but in the eighteen fifties scientists
started experimenting by taking cocaine out of the leaves of the coca plant. Coral
Cohler, an optimologist from Austria, started soaking his patient's eyes with the drugs
before performing cataract surgery, fully believing that cocaine was an effective form of anesthesia.
He quickly learned this wasn't the best practice, as several patients died from
accidental overdose. Even the legendary Siegmund Freud believed cocaine would be the future.
He'd later beat his coke addiction, but in the meantime, doctors like John
Morgan would prescribe this miracle medicine to their patients and the sole help with the
paint. Yes, sir, try it out and let me know if you
see an h let me out. In a quick note here that sources argue
whether Frank was indeed prescribed cocaine. Some newspapers said he was an addict,
but this could very well have been nothing more than town gossip. With how
popular the drug was at the time, it would not surprise me if Frank
was in fact prescribed cocaine, and for the sake of the story, we'll
assume he was. Now, is there anything else you want to discuss?
Why we are together? Just one thing. I have been growing more and
more worried about finances. My children have been away with their grandparents for some
time now, and I fear that if they ever are sent back to me,
I will not be able to care for them. I do not want
little Maggie to go hungry because of a father. Your parents are taking good
care of her, correct, yes, But why must I put such a
large burden on them? It is not right. Sometimes I question whether or
not I should kill Maggie. How often do you have that thought? On
occasion I visit my parents, and I think about drowning Maggie while she's bathing,
or placing sleeping powder in a milk. She laughs and tells me how
happy she is, and I try to enjoy our time together too, But
but then I start thinking about how unhappy she would be if she was starving
in my house. Keep trick of how often you think about murdering Maggie,
and we shall discuss it at our next meeting. I will doctor. As
doctor Morgan led Frank out of his office, he spied Nancy waiting for her
husband and motioned her over. If you could excuse us for one moment,
please, Frank. Is everything all right, doctor, Yes, Nancy.
Frank will heal with time. But while he does, promise me to never
let him out of your sight of course, doctor sometimes wanders off on his
own, but I think that's due to the confusion Spelcie suffers from that head
injury at his Yes, yes, but Nancy, you mustn't let him wander
off alone, understand, Yes, Doctor, I will keep watch. Doctor
Morgan peered through his curtains and watched the couple walk up the street, arm
in arm. He never told Nancy Whyatt was so urgent she watched her husband
at all times, a decision he would regret. Frank awoke on Sunday,
August twenty seventh, eighteen ninety three and took a deep breath. Nancy may
have been cooking breakfast for the family when Frank approached Darling, I need to
go to the market and run some other errands. I'll be back by dusk.
Frank had scarcely been gone for a quarter of an hour before Nancy remembered
doctor Morgan's request. Frank Frank, but Frank was nowhere to be seen.
We'll follow Frank's footsteps after these brief messages. Welcome back to our show and
to the home of Frank's sister Mary. Charlotte King Me grandfather Kingmy actually moved
Maggie Auntie, Mary, someone's at the door. That's queer. We weren't
expecting any other guests. Hey, sister, is Maggie here? I'm taking
her home. Goodness, Frankie look ghastly. When did you last comb?
You're here? There? She is? Hello darling, Hello father? Did
you travel far? Frank? You're shaking like mad? Nah, not far
at all. I took the train at the town this morning. Come here,
Maggie, sit on my knee. The five year old obeyed, albeit
nervously, and shrank away when Frank ran his hands through her hair. Why
are you looking at me like that? Sean, Perhaps you should lie down?
You did not appeal whale. That sounds wonderful, As she had a
catagram to Nancy, she must be looking all over town for him. Mary,
Charlotte, convince your brother to stay for the night so Nancy has time
to come for him. What about me, grandfather? You young lady,
keep an eye on this checkerboard and make sure nobody cheat. The family's plan
worked ish. Unbeknownst to them, their telegram to Nancy was delayed, but
they were able to convince Frank to have dinner and spend the night. The
next morning, a telegram arrived. Oh, father, Nancy sent us a
telegram. Let's see what she says. Have you seen Frank heart ranting a
wife? Muchmoucy? Mary? We told her yesterday he was here. Being
an omniscient narrator, I can tell you that Nancy sent this telegram before Frank
arrived at Mary Charlotte's home. But much like their telegram to her, Nancy's
was delayed. Do we have to check him on to try and off jails
by ship's insanity? You don't mind traveling, do you? As the family
discussed what to do with Frank, the disheveled man snuck into the parlor where
Maggie was pretending to play the piano. Hello, Dolly, would you like
to go on a morning stroll? Yes? Father, good girls come along.
With the little girl's hand in his Frank snuck out the front door.
It would be some time before the family discovered his escape, and by then
he had traveled from north out of Borough, Connecticut, to Providence, Rhode
Island. Welcome aboard a big Queen, Sir, and oh young lady.
The captain tipped his hat, but didn't pay much attention to the little girl's
giggles. He had ten stepped when he saw how unkempt Frank was. Are
your ship shape, sir, Yes, seem awful shaky? Yes, yes,
I'm hungry as all are. We gonna stop at Silver Springs. I
could I could get some seafood. If it's sea, would you be after?
You'll have to choose between Crescent Park and Rocky Point. I would suggest
the latter. They have the best clam bake in the wild. Rocky Point.
It is as the Big Queen landed at Rocky Point. Frank once again
took hold of Maggie's hand and led her into the amusement park. Maggie eagerly
pointed out all the games along the midway and different rides, but Frank didn't
pay her any attention. He had that far off look in his eyes again.
Welcome to Shore Dinner Hole, sir. Can I get you a bowl
of our famous chowder for you and the young lady? Please take a look
at this guy over him. He's off his chump. His daughter's talking away,
but you can't focus on. I'll fetch us chowder and get him out
right quick. Oh does it seagle juicy seagle pack bike. I'll look at
the kids on on the prehises and the cats out. Oh pama, this
has been such an extraordinary day. I adored the boat and seeing all the
bank games in the park. Can into this again. I suppose we could
take a seat with me, Maggie, and well, look good at the
sea together. Okay, father, that's right, Just look ahead at the
beautiful water. Frank stared ahead blankly as his hand fumbled around for a large
stone. His fingers grazed the smooth surface of one, and he started,
Baba cabra, handkerchief. I want to make a little dollar play with Of
course, darling, here you are finding the rock again. Frank's fingers tested
it for size and weight. He decided it was the perfect fit, and
without uttering a single word, smashed the rock into his daughter's skull. Five
year old Maggie Sheffield was left by the cliff edge to die. Perhaps she
listened to the calliope music and the laughter of the blissfully ignorant parkoers as she
slowly bled out, hoping that in a few moments she'd be somewhere having fun
like they were. I can only hope it was quick. Her father didn't
seem to care as much as I do. He coolly walked back over a
hill, passing a nearby picnicker who was on his way to investigate who had
screamed. Neither man spoke a word to the other one. Frank wandered to
the nearby Warwick Club, a place four businessmen to do whatever rich people do,
and bumped into a newble Belcher and Daniel Remington. Good afternoon. I
want to be turned over to an officer. I have killed my child.
Why I did it, I don't know. I did not know that I
had done anything until I had killed her. I did not know I had
struck her until I saw the blood. Poor gentleman's office. Not look at
how he's shaking like a lunatic. Please, is there a constable around?
I need to be turned in. Let's take him to a Rookie Point park.
They'll take over. And just like that, Frank was back at the
amusement park, sitting in a cell before constable and park manager Randall Augustus Harris.
We took your daughter into the theater for a proper examination. Thank heaven,
some picnickers heard her scream when you killed her. Did you realize she
was still alive when you walked away. I did not. Oh why did
I kill my little Maggie? Why why give me a bullet? Officer?
I deserve to be shot. I'll leave that up to the judge. Around
seven that night, two officers arrived to transfer Frank to the East Greenwich County
Jail. I did it. I did it. I took the rock in
and I was gonna hit her, and then she says, you want to.
He hasn't stopped shiding since we put him in here with the hankerchief and
then so what I did was the officers. You must know I've had years
of madness. I think I might have killed Maggie because I was under the
influence of something that I couldn't control. I could not have struck her if
I knew I was hurting her. I do not even remember getting to the
amusement park. I'll send a telegram to his family and inform them of what
happened. Thank you for picking him up. Frank awoke the next morning inside
a new cell. His glossy eyes stared up at the ceiling from his tiny
cot. Maggie, Maggie, Frank Sheffield. My name is Michael Lynch.
The deputy sheriff, come with me, please. Frank schlept to the next
room and plopped into a rocking chair. Mister Sheffield, you are being placed
under arrest for willfully, maliciously and feloniously assaulting and killing Margaret Sheffield. Do
you believe you're guilty? Yes, I killed my little girl. We will
keep your hair and tell your trial. Your wife also sent this telegram she
would like to visit. Oh. When she comes, you must keep me
locked away. I do not want to hurt her. Next. I can
certainly arrange that. Frank's preliminary hearing opened on September fifth, with Judge Warner
presiding. Nathan Lewis served as Frank's attorney and didn't flinch as the prosecution laid
before them Maggie's bloody dress and shoes. Your honor, I plead that my
clients is not guilty by reason of insanity. What evidence do you have of
this? None yet, your honor. Well, then your client is most
likely guilty of this murder, and we will go to trial on October ninth.
Come on, Frank, we'll be gone back to yourself. Now remove
your hands from me. I don't need anyone touching you. Nathan couldn't help,
but grin as officials restrained a suddenly crazed Frank. I am mistake,
I am out of pay. Proven insanity easier than I thought, Except it
wouldn't be so easy. In classic American fashion, Nathan had to work his
way down a line of people just to get permission for a psych evaluation.
He finally got in touch with someone. But your client cannot be tried if
he is indeed insane, so we must to stay in prison. But if
a man is insane, why would the government want to waste time trying it?
Perhaps she Clon has made himself insane. I am not deaf to local
gossip about his condition. You mean his cocaine addiction. As the opening day
of the trial began, the courtroom quickly filled in with eager spectators. The
twelve men making up the jury took their seats. All but two of them
already knew Frank's story. The Rocky Point incident was so popular that two of
the original jury members were excused for forming an opinion on Frank that they claimed
could not be changed. When Frank's wife, Nancy arrived at eleven fifteen,
her husband didn't so much as glance her way. Good afternoon, ladies and
gentlemen. Attorney General Willard Tanner will be representing the state. Mister Tanner,
please begin, Thank you, your honor. Willard began by recounting the murderous
events, then brought forth the picnickers who had found Maggie, the medical examiner
who determined her cause of death, the employees at Shore Dinner Hall, and
others who interacted with the murderer. All of them discussed Frank's odd behavior.
Willard ended his case by eleven forty that morning. Mister Nathan Lewis, you
may begin your defense. Thank you. There was indeed a murderer at Rocky
Point, and it was at the hands of Frank Sheffield. However, it
takes something beyond the mere physical act of killing to produce murder. If Frank
Sheffield were acquitted and cured today, he could never expect to enjoy life again.
But to his relatives who sit in the shadows of a great grief,
your verdict, gentleman, means something. Will you add to this sorrow the
tingle of shame by branding the husband and father a felon. After Nathan's twenty
minute explanation, of the murder wife Nancy took the stand prior to Frank's unexpected
trip Tipte, Maggie. He vanished from my home twice last year. He
headed outside on a freezing winness day, traversing through the snow for hours before
realizing you ha traveled to mystic with no recollection of how he got there.
He did it again the next month. Thank you, missus Sheffield. Doctor
Keane, you are next. Tell us what you found upon examining mister Sheffield.
I examined mister Sheffield while he was locked away, and my test lead
me to believe he is insane. We must bear in mind the insane can
hurt both their enemies or their ones they cherish most. Someone pretending to be
insane will purposely make themselves appear unkempt and thank you, doctor Kean. I'm
I'm not sure how doctor Keene thought that last part would be helpful improving Frank
insane, but he decided to say it. No. I would like to
invite Frank's regular physician, doctor John Morgan, to the stand. Doctor Morgan,
can you tell us how your patient was leading up to the attack.
Frank had shown an impulsed to kill Maggie. He told me about it many
times. Because of this, I insisted Nancy never let him out of hers
sides. I believe the loss of Frank's first wife had driven him into a
depression. Days before the Rocky Point incident, Frank drank laudanum in an attempt
to kill himself. Why this happens in our town? In total, twelve
witnesses testified on behalf of the defense. Most shared how they noticed Frank's mental
state depleting network to the point of him being fired, and his incredible fear
of the future slowly taking over his life. Gentlemen, my client may have
murdered his daughter, but there were numerous variables playing apart. After developing erysipolis
and witnessing the death of his wife, mary Anne, Frank fell into a
depression. He also adored children. The pupils at his former school will tell
you that, and please remember this. Frank had no motive to kill his
daughter other than what doctor Morgan said that Frank wanted to kill Maggie and Casey
fell into financial ruin. But we'll ignore that part, and the jury ignored
it too, because eight minutes after deliberations they returned with a not guilty by
reason of insanity verdict. Listen, we can at. As the court dispersed,
Nancy went to sit with her husband. She took his hand in hers
and gently kissed his cheek. This is wonderful news, darling. Frank,
they say, barely acknowledged her existence, instead staring at the wood floor as
a smile slowly leaked onto his face. Though Frank was found innocent, he
still had to be locked away at the Rhode Island State Hospital for the Insane
due to the jury's findings. Once inside, Frank more or less disappeared from
history, but he died on March fourteenth, nineteen oh one, from petimal
epilepsy and pulmonore lorengio to berculosis. Nancy never moved out of the home she
shared with her husband, and passed away on June twenty fifth, nineteen twenty
six. She was not buried by Frank. Rocky Point Amusement Park surprisingly had
its largest turnout of the year exactly one week after Maggie was murdered. Much
like COVID nineteen, the murder of a small girl could not deter eager thrill
see from attending the park itself. Remained in operation until nineteen ninety five.
The land had set On became a state park in twenty eleven, where rusted
remains of park ride sit for picnickers and hikers to admire. To my knowledge,
there is no placard recognizing the gruesome murder a father committed on his daughter
on a humid August day in eighteen ninety three. Murder at the Midway was
written and narrated by me Skyler Fastenell and executive produced by Daniel Jones. Our
editor was Brian Campbell. Voice talent was provided by Taylor Shirty, Daniel Jones,
Jordan Catcher, Tamer Perry, Jeremy Staple, Jeanette Sash, and Gabriel
Rivers, with special guest appearance by David dugrow shotwell as my father, Fred
Fastenell. Our theme music was written and performed by Tracy Zales and our coover
artwork by Catherine Fastenel. Thank you for coming back for our fourth season premiere.
Let us know what you thought of the episode by leaving a five star
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You can also follow us at the Original Deadtime Stories on Instagram, Facebook,
Twitter, and TikTok. The links to all of those are in the episode
description. Alright, folks, our next stop on the Original Deadtime Stories road
trip across America. It is New York, New York. Not only is
it a hell of a town, it also holds the secret to a lesser
known story from September eleven. We'll see you in a week, but until
then, stay safe out there. I don't want you to become the next
chapter's topic on the Original Dead Time Stories