Episode 14: The Mysterious Disappearance of Fred Newland
During my research of Laurel County history, I came across a 118-year-old mystery that I want to share it with my listeners.
It involves the Newland family, who moved from Crab Orchard in Lincoln County to East Bernstadt in Laurel County in the early 1900s.
On March 19, 1906, 20-year-old Fred Newland of East Bernstadt, Laurel County, Kentucky, checked into the Commercial Hotel in Gadsden, Alabama.
He was there on a business trip for a brokerage firm in Birmingham, Alabama, that he worked for.
It wasn’t his first time in Gadsden. He traveled there frequently as part of his job.
After being shown to his hotel room, Fred went back down to the front desk, told the clerk on duty that he was going for a walk but would be back before supper, walked out of the hotel . . . and disappeared.
He didn’t return for supper.
He didn’t return later that night. Or the next day. Or the day after that.
He simply vanished.
What happened to Fred Newland?
Did he disappear voluntarily?
Was he kidnapped?
Was he murdered?
Who was this young man from East Bernstadt, Kentucky, and why would he simply disappear on what seemed like a routine business trip?
Listen to this episode to learn more about young Fred Newland and his mysterious disappearance.
This podcast is presented by the Laurel County History Museum and Genealogy Center at Heritage Hills off Tom Jensen Highway in London.
The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to acquire and preserve historical documents and artifacts related to the rich history of Laurel County and Southeastern Kentucky.
You can get directions to the museum and genealogy center on their website at laurelcokyhistorymuseum.org or call 606-862-1693. They’re open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and by appointment.
Episode 14: The Mysterious Disappearance of Fred Newland
During my research of Laurel County history, I came across a 118-year-old mystery that I want to share it with my listeners.
It involves the Newland family, who moved from Crab Orchard in Lincoln County to East Bernstadt in Laurel County in the early 1900s.
On March 19, 1906, 20-year-old Fred Newland of East Bernstadt, Laurel County, Kentucky, checked into the Commercial Hotel in Gadsden, Alabama.
He was there on a business trip for a brokerage firm in Birmingham, Alabama, that he worked for.
It wasn’t his first time in Gadsden. He traveled there frequently as part of his job.
After being shown to his hotel room, Fred went back down to the front desk, told the clerk on duty that he was going for a walk but would be back before supper, walked out of the hotel . . . and disappeared.
He didn’t return for supper.
He didn’t return later that night. Or the next day. Or the day after that.
He simply vanished.
What happened to Fred Newland?
Did he disappear voluntarily?
Was he kidnapped?
Was he murdered?
Who was this young man from East Bernstadt, Kentucky, and why would he simply disappear on what seemed like a routine business trip?
Listen to this episode to learn more about young Fred Newland and his mysterious disappearance.
This podcast is presented by the Laurel County History Museum and Genealogy Center at Heritage Hills off Tom Jensen Highway in London.
The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to acquire and preserve historical documents and artifacts related to the rich history of Laurel County and Southeastern Kentucky.
You can get directions to the museum and genealogy center on their website at laurelcokyhistorymuseum.org or call 606-862-1693. They’re open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and by appointment.