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
President Andrew Johnson Issued Proclamation Ordering Reward For The Capture of Jefferson Davis and Others – May 2, 1865President Andrew Johnson Issued Proclamation Ordering Reward For The Capture of Jefferson Davis and Others – May 2, 1865
On this day in 1865 President Andrew Johnson issued Presidential Proclamation 131, providing for a bounty for the capture of several former Confederate officials suspected of being involved in the
Asheville’s PonziAsheville’s Ponzi
We’ve told the stories of businessmen in Appalachia, all with their own colorful history, folks from Cas Walker to Virgil Q. Wacks. But they take a back seat to an
Eccles No. 5 Mine Explosions – April 28, 1914Eccles No. 5 Mine Explosions – April 28, 1914
On this day in 1914 the second worst mine disaster in West Virginia, after the Monongah explosion in 1907, occurred at the Eccles No. 5 mine in Eccles, West Virginia.
The Sultana Explodes – April 27, 1865The Sultana Explodes – April 27, 1865
On this day in 1865 a Mississippi riverboat named the Sultana caught fire and burned after one of its boilers exploded. The boat was packed past capacity with Union prisoners
The Harlan County Coal War (Podcast Episode)The Harlan County Coal War (Podcast Episode)
During the Great Depression of the 1930s coal miners in Harlan County, Kentucky, struck against the coal operators for better pay and better working conditions. These strikes often turned violent