The Fraterville Mine DisasterThe Fraterville Mine Disaster
In May of 1902 one of the best-run mine companies in the Coal Creek, Tennessee, area suffered a disaster when an explosion trapped and killed 216 miners, all but 3
Category: The Coalfields
Stone, KentuckyStone, Kentucky
Stone was a small unincorporated community in Pike County, Kentucky. It was named not for any rocks or boulders found there; instead, it’s named after the Chairman of the Pond
The Thealka ExplosionThe Thealka Explosion
On June 17, 1922, a tremendous explosion happened at the Thealka mine near Paintsville, Kentucky, killing two miners starting up mine equipment. This blast was no accident. Join us today
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
April 11, 1908: Samuel Dixon Indicted For Peonage And ConspiracyApril 11, 1908: Samuel Dixon Indicted For Peonage And Conspiracy
Samuel Dixon was born on November 14, 1856, in Skelton, Yorkshire, in England, the son of an ironstone miner. At the age of 21 Dixon left Yorkshire and immigrated to
One Hundred Years Ago Today…One Hundred Years Ago Today…
In the spring of 1920 miners in Mingo County went out on strike in order to secure the right to join the United Mine Workers. The response of the coal
Jock YablonskiJock Yablonski
For years the UMWA was under the tight control of John L. Lewis. After he retired in 1960, he engineered the election of his hand-picked successor, Tony Boyle, as vice-president
Ollan CassellOllan Cassell
Many world renowned athletes have come from Appalachia, from NFL players Thomas and Julius Jones to gymnast Mary Lou Retton, just to name a few. Today we tell the story
Cinder BottomCinder Bottom
Today we take another trip to Keystone, West Virginia. Last time we were here, we told of a bank failure so huge it was a forerunner of the financial crash