He’s appeared in Shawneetown and Grayville in the last 12 months to discuss the fascinating history of Cave-in-Rock pirates and outlaws, and Monday evening, Todd Carr added the White County Historical Society to his docket of appearances made. The organization held it’s first fall dinner since the CoViD-19 pandemic and the event brought together about a hundred history lovers for a meal and a sprinkling of regional folklore from the late 1700’s to early 1800’s.
Carr is the Chief Quality Officer at Hardin County General Hospital, President of the Hardin County Historical Society, and well versed in the stories surrounding the scoundrels and criminals that operated out of the cave’s dark interior. His presentation followed the legends of horse thieves, river pirates, and highwaymen focusing primarily on the counterfeiting operations of Philip Alston, John Duff, and also Roswell and Merrick Sturdivant, along with river pirate Samuel Mason, and potentially America’s first serial killers, the Harpe brothers.
You can watch an entire presentation delivered by Carr from his Shawneetown presentation on the subject at Watch Now: Cave-in-Rock Pirates and Outlaws Presentation with Todd Carr – WRUL-FM
Find Carr’s presentation on the Old Slave House and John Hart Crenshaw at Carr Presents on Old Slave House and John Hart Crenshaw History – Watch Here – WRUL-FM
In addition Monday night, Kristin Land, the President of the WCHS, delivered a State of the Society address detailing the Great Restoration of the Robinson-Stewart House.
More at Open Line ON DEMAND – White County Historical Society – WRUL-FM
She says it was originally going to be a $60,000 project; as is often the case with renovations however, it’s ballooned to about $100,000 and the organization is still about $15,000 short of what they need to finish it up.
The group will next turn their attention to the L. Haas Store Museum. She says to expect an exhibit commemorating the 1925 tornado in the spring.
Furthermore, Land introduced the new Mary Smith Faye Genealogy Librarian, Jeff Skaggs and the organization officially elected 2025 officers and board members including:
Kristin Land – President
Dave Cochran – Vice President
Carlin Smock – Secretary
Jeff Bohleber – Treasurer
David Brown – Board
Cindy Birk Conley – Board
Angie Hoffman – Board
Misty Mercer – Board
John Healy – Board
Ranelle Hubele – Board
Barb Marks – Board
Camden Stewart – Board
Learn more about Carr and see his books for sale at https://www.amazon.com/Cave-Rock-Pirates-Outlaws-Todd/dp/1467140481
