This week we have not one, but two episodes for you!
For this story, we travel back to December of 1908, when people in Russell and Adair counties in Kentucky were shaken after 12-year-old Mamie Womack failed to return home from school. Her disappearance that winter afternoon triggered a desperate search, as neighbors, family, and bloodhounds followed a trail through the woods that uncovered a horrible crime.
As the hunt for answers widened, suspicion fell on Elmer Hill, a young man with ties to the Womack family, who also went missing. What followed was a multi-county manhunt involving posses, bloodhounds, and growing public outrage. Hill would eventually be captured after days on the run, but the case would not end in a courtroom.
In this episode of Stories of Appalachia, Steve and Rod tell the story of Mamie Womack’s disappearance and the chilling fate of the man thought to be responsible, another one of the Stories of Appalachia.
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“Mob justice” and “mountain justice” are not now nor then justice. Using those terms to excuse violent, unlawful lynching mocks our justice system — or what’s left of it in 2026.
Sad to hear those terms used by two great story tellers.
The terms “mob justice” and “mountain justice” have been used to describe the unlawful killings that happened not just to Elmer Hill but to lynchings in general, meaning those activities were extrajudicial. We used those terms with that meaning in mind. We in no way condone the murder of a man awaiting trial since everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty, including Mr. Hill.
After listening again, I can see that we didn’t get that point across in the story. If there is a future story like this, we’ll make sure to do better. Again, thank you for the feedback.