Bunco Kelley, Coyote of P-town waterfront legend

This episode of the Offbeat Oregon History podcast explores the legendary figure of Joseph Bunko Kelly, a notorious 1890s waterfront con artist and alleged Shanghai-er on Portland's historic waterfront. Host Finn J.D. John dissects the myths surrounding Kelly, tracing them back to conversations between raconteur Stuart Holbrook and an aging waterfront figure named Edward 'Spider' Johnson in the 1930s. While some details—like Kelly’s charm and involvement with boarding houses and bordellos—are plausible, the most sensational stories, such as the tale of Kelly smuggling 24 to 39 dead men (drowned in formaldehyde) aboard the ship Flying Prince, are almost certainly fictional. The host critically examines the lack of historical evidence—no records of the named businesses, ships, or newspaper coverage—and suggests the story likely originated from a real accident involving overdosed victims, later exaggerated into a darkly humorous urban legend. Despite their inaccuracy, these tales are celebrated as vital pieces of Portland’s folklore, akin to Paul Bunyan stories, reflecting the colorful, mythic spirit of the old waterfront.