George Went Hensley, Snake-Handling PreacherGeorge Went Hensley, Snake-Handling Preacher
One of the first preachers to take up snake handling as part of his ministry was born in Southwest Virginia, in Scott County, on May 2, 1881. Today we tell
Dr. Jacob W. Smith Trial – October 4, 1899.Dr. Jacob W. Smith Trial – October 4, 1899.
16-year-old Jacob Smith and his neighbor Henry Craig were best friends who lived in Carrington, Kentucky, east of Lexington, back in 1877. That year, though, saw the end of their
The Rugby ColonyThe Rugby Colony
After the Civil War a group of English men and women traveled to the hills of Tennessee to set up a utopian colony. Today we tell that story. You can
The Bridge To Vulcan – Thanks, Tovarishch!The Bridge To Vulcan – Thanks, Tovarishch!
The small town of Vulcan, West Virginia, located between mountains and the Kentucky border along the Tug River, was like many small Appalachian towns in that it was dependent on
Moses SteppMoses Stepp
Today we tell a story that’s a little bit history and a little bit folklore about a legend in eastern Kentucky named Moses Stepp, supposedly the oldest man to have
The Train Crash At New Market – September 24, 1904The Train Crash At New Market – September 24, 1904
On this day in 1904 two passenger trains collided head-on at New Market, Tennessee, killing over 60 people and injuring scores more. One train, the Number 12 Carolina Special, had
John Sevier’s Birthday – September 23, 1745John Sevier’s Birthday – September 23, 1745
On this day in 1745 John Sevier was born near the town of New Market, Virginia, the oldest of seven children born to Valentine and Joanna Sevier. Valentine Sevier owned
The Knox Mine DisasterThe Knox Mine Disaster
In 1959 a mining operation ignored mine regulations leading not only to a mine roof collapse but flooding so bad that several miners were killed and the entire economy in
Hanging of Mary The Elephant – September 13, 1916Hanging of Mary The Elephant – September 13, 1916
On September 11, 1916, an itinerant hotel clerk in St. Paul, Virginia, was hired by a circus that happened to be traveling through town. This clerk, Red Eldridge, was to
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