The Sodder ChildrenThe Sodder Children
Early on Christmas Day, 1945, a fire broke out at the home of George and Jennie Sodder near Fayetteville, West Virginia, apparently taking the lives of their five younger children.
Governor William Goebel of KentuckyGovernor William Goebel of Kentucky
The 1899 election for Kentucky governor was probably the most partisan election in Appalachian history, with vote-stealing and accusations of voter fraud. The General Assembly itself even divided, the Republicans
George L. CarterGeorge L. Carter
This week we continue our look at the men who built their Appalachian empires with the story of George L. Carter. Carter not only developed coal and iron mines in
The Scottish Empire BuilderThe Scottish Empire Builder
Alexander Arthur was born in Scotland and settled in America, where he saw the potential of timber, iron ore, and coal, all in abundant supply in Appalachia. And he was
Colonel John Dils, Jr.Colonel John Dils, Jr.
Colonel John Dils, Jr., was a Pike County, Kentucky, businessman, Union soldier during the Civil War, abolitionist, and the founder of a family cemetery in Pikeville that’s now on the
The Black WidowThe Black Widow
It’s time for a crime story, and we have a doozy for you! Today, Steve and Rod tell the story of a woman who had the habit of finding men
The Black HandThe Black Hand
During the first boom in the Appalachian coalfields, there was such a labor shortage that the mine owners recruited workers from the millions of immigrants who were coming to America
July 4, 1900July 4, 1900
Nowadays, celebrating the Fourth of July usually means having a cookout then loading the family into the car or van and going to watch the fireworks. But in turn of
All Hail The Cheese!All Hail The Cheese!
The first Appalachian president, Andrew Jackson, was the recipient of a rather, shall we say, noticeable gift. In fact, this gift was quite easily found by those around the White
Interview With Francis Gary Powers, Jr.Interview With Francis Gary Powers, Jr.
A few weeks ago, Rod caught up with the son of Pound, Virginia, native and U2 spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers, who has a new book out about his