The Murders On Laurel CreekThe Murders On Laurel Creek
In 1909 a mass murder of a family occurred near Hurley, Virginia, that made headlines throughout the country. Today we tell the story of that crime. If you haven’t done
Month: May 2022
Surrender of Timberland To Smoky Mountains Commission – May 30, 1929Surrender of Timberland To Smoky Mountains Commission – May 30, 1929
On this day in 1929 the Little River Lumber Company turned over 7,916 acres of timberland to the Great Smoky Mountains commission, largely ending a dispute over the right to
Good TroubleGood Trouble
In 1965 a Kentucky widow managed to drive the coal company from her land with what was called a “sit-in,” an early use of peaceful civil disobedience in Appalachia. Today
Buried in Style – May 25, 1994Buried in Style – May 25, 1994
On this day 28 years ago 71-year-old George Swanson was buried in Irwin, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh. George was a beer distributor and had served in the U. S. Army
Hog Greer Of Big Bald MountainHog Greer Of Big Bald Mountain
A jilted young man came over the mountains from North Carolina to Tennessee, intent on spending the rest of his life alone on a mountaintop. This he did, along with
Joash And The BeastJoash And The Beast
Many years ago, before the first settlers had arrived on the Appalachian frontier of what’s now West Virginia and far southwestern Virginia, it’s told that a long hunter and his
The Body of Edward Wentz Found – May 9. 1904The Body of Edward Wentz Found – May 9. 1904
On this day in 1904 the body of E. L. Wentz was found a mile from Kellyview, Virginia, near Big Stone Gap, by a boy helping look for missing cattle
The Battle of the State of FranklinThe Battle of the State of Franklin
In 1788 the fate of the State of Franklin was uncertain. North Carolina had re-exerted control over the area, appointing judges, sheriffs and other state and county officials, and residents
Hominy Falls Mine Disaster – May 6, 1968Hominy Falls Mine Disaster – May 6, 1968
On this day in 1968 a worker operating a continuous mining machine in a mine owned by the Gauley Coal and Coke Company accidentally drilled into an abandoned mine shaft
James Earl Ray’s First Escape Attempt – May 3, 1971James Earl Ray’s First Escape Attempt – May 3, 1971
On this day fifty-one years ago James Earl Ray made his first attempt to escape from Brushy Mountain State Prison in Petros, Tennessee. On May 3, 1971, Ray managed to