Drunk History season 4 episode 5 Recap and FAQ
Episode Summary
Charles Ponzi, an Italian in Boston, concocts a scheme in 1919, tricking people into investing in bogus postal coupons. William McMasters, hired as Ponzi's publicist, uncovers the fraud and collaborates with "The Boston Post" to expose him. Simultaneously, in 1860s Manhattan, Sadie Farrell, known as Sadie the Goat, gains infamy for her unique method of robbery involving head-butting. Meanwhile, con artist Lord Gordon-Gordon swindles New York's elite by posing as Scottish royalty, ultimately leading to his downfall and suicide.
Full Episode S04E05 Recap
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Charles Ponzi?
Charles Ponzi was an Italian immigrant who created a fraudulent investment scheme in Boston in 1919.
What was Ponzi's scheme about?
Ponzi's scheme involved deceiving people into investing in non-existent postal coupons.
How did Ponzi pay his investors?
Ponzi paid returns to earlier investors using the investments of newer ones.
Who exposed Charles Ponzi's scheme?
William McMasters, a publicist hired by Ponzi, played a key role in exposing the scheme.
What role did "The Boston Post" play in Ponzi's downfall?
"The Boston Post," led by Richard Grozier, published investigative articles that led to Ponzi's exposure and downfall.
Who was Sadie the Goat?
Sadie the Goat, real name Sadie Farrell, was a notorious criminal in 1860s Manhattan known for head-butting victims.
What was Sadie the Goat's method of crime?
Sadie would head-butt her victims in the stomach to disorient them, while her accomplice robbed them.
How did Sadie the Goat end her criminal career?
After a series of crimes and an eventual ambush by the police, Sadie the Goat retired from her criminal life.
Who was Lord Gordon-Gordon?
Lord Gordon-Gordon, originally Hubert Hamilton, was a con artist who swindled people in New York by pretending to be Scottish royalty.
What was Lord Gordon-Gordon's major scam?
Lord Gordon-Gordon's major scam involved tricking Jay Gould and others into believing he had influential Scottish connections and assets.
How did Lord Gordon-Gordon's scam end?
After being exposed, Lord Gordon-Gordon fled to Canada and eventually committed suicide when caught.
What was the role of Jay Gould in Lord Gordon-Gordon's scam?
Jay Gould was a victim of Lord Gordon-Gordon's scam, having been deceived into giving him a significant amount of money.
How did "Drunk History" portray these stories?
"Drunk History" presented these historical events in a humorous and dramatized manner, blending facts with fictional elements.
Are the stories of Charles Ponzi, Sadie the Goat, and Lord Gordon-Gordon historically accurate?
While based on real individuals and events, the stories in "Drunk History" are dramatized and may not be entirely historically accurate.
What is the significance of these stories in "Drunk History"?
These stories highlight infamous con artists and criminals from history, emphasizing their cunning and eventual downfalls.
