Escape(s) From The Yancey County JailEscape(s) From The Yancey County Jail
1929 was a rough year for the jailer at the Yancey County jail, in North Carolina. That year saw not one but two 3-prisoner escapes from the facility. That’s our
Category: The Roaring 20’s
SnakebitSnakebit
In 1945 a preacher was arrested and charged in his wife’s death…by snakebite. Seems he had been holding a service near Norton, Virginia, in which a large poisonous snake had
Nineteenth Amendment Ratified – August 18, 1920Nineteenth Amendment Ratified – August 18, 1920
On this day in 1920 Tennessee became the 36th state to vote to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote. All thanks
Blair MountainBlair Mountain
One hundred years ago this month the largest labor uprising in American history occurred in southern West Virginia when striking coal miners gathered with weapons and headed toward the Appalachian
Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers Killed – August 1, 1921Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers Killed – August 1, 1921
On Monday, August 1, 1921, Sid Hatfield and his former deputy, Ed Chambers, along with their wives, arrived at the McDowell County courthouse in Welch, West Virginia, to face trial
Riot At Pennsylvania’s Western Penitentiary – July 18, 1921.Riot At Pennsylvania’s Western Penitentiary – July 18, 1921.
On this day one hundred years ago, a riot occurred at the Western Penitentiary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Trouble began during lunch when prisoners began to throw their silverware and plates
WonderlandWonderland
Today we tell the story of the Wonderland Hotel and the area around it, Elkmont, both part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can subscribe to the Stories
The Notorious Kinnie WagnerThe Notorious Kinnie Wagner
In 1924 a circus sharp shooter accused of killing a deputy sheriff in Mississippi managed to escape and return to his home in Appalachia. From there Kinnie Wagner went on
Mack ElliottMack Elliott
In 1929 there were textile strikes going on across the southeastern U. S., including at the two mills located in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Mack Elliott worked at one of those plants
The Draft DodgerThe Draft Dodger
During World War I a wealthy playboy from Philadelphia refused induction into the U. S. Army and was charged and convicted of draft evasion. He managed to escape and, when