Indiana's Ambrose Bierce: The Writer Who Vanished in Mexico, 1913

Portland, Indiana. It's one of the great literary mysteries in America. My view is that it will remain a tantalizing mystery. These were the words of Don Swain, author of The Assassination of Ambrose Beers, A Love Story. And it is the perfect way to start today's episode. Today, we will be exploring the case of Ambrose Beers, a renowned writer who just vanished without a trace. His last letter hinted he was off to somewhere unknown.

TIMELINE
1913: Ambrose Bierce is thought to have traveled south, aiming to meet up with Pancho Villa in Chihuahua, Mexico.
1914: that the news made it to the Indianapolis papers.
1975: the patient population drops below 600 for the first time in 50 years.
1985: fewer than 300 patients.

WHY THIS MATTERS
The story of Portland is a reminder that the events that shaped America didn't always happen in the biggest cities. What unfolded here left marks on the community that are still visible today. The full story is more complicated, and more human, than the version most people know.

Episode 157 | Hometown History | Hosted by Shane Waters

If you liked this: Episode 180 (Hagerstown, Indiana)

Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-history

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