On December 14, 1910, a deadly explosion rocked the Greeno Mine in Tacoma, Virginia, claiming 14 lives and leaving a lasting mark on the Appalachian coalfields. Today we tell the story of Irish immigrant Patrick Hagan, who once owned the land on which the mine was located, and the dangerous conditions that led to this tragedy. It’s another one of the Stories of Appalachia. Subscribe to the Stories podcast on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks for...
Jun 28, 2025•15 min
A preacher with five wives, a kidnapped teenage girl, and a cross-country manhunt. This isn’t fiction, it’s the unbelievable true story of Joseph Herman Johnson, a Primitive Baptist minister whose lies and crimes unraveled in an East Tennessee courtroom in 1927. From bigamy to abduction to a bizarre promise of Hollywood stardom to his victim, this episode covers one of the most twisted scandals in Appalachian history, another one of the Stories of Appalachia. Subscribe on your favorite podcast a...
Jun 21, 2025•14 min
In this episode we explore the lesser-known but historically rich Johnson City Sessions of 1928 and 1929. While the Bristol Sessions are often credited as the “Birthplace of Country Music,” Johnson City played a vital follow-up role in capturing the authentic sounds of Appalachia. Frank Buckley Walker, a Columbia Records talent scout, recorded local musicians in a Johnson City lumber company office, including Clarence Ashley, Charlie Bowman, and the Roane County Ramblers. It's another one of the...
Jun 14, 2025•13 min
Nannie Kelly Wright ran an iron furnace at a time when most women weren’t even allowed near one. Born in Kentucky, raised on the Ohio River, and later married into the iron industry, Nannie became one of the few women in American history to manage a furnace operation herself — traveling weekly, overseeing workers, and building a fortune. Once rumored to be the richest woman in the world after Queen Victoria, she was also presented at the Court of St. James, backed Teddy Roosevelt’s trust-busting...
Jun 07, 2025•16 min
William McClellan Ritter didn’t just cut down trees, he built an empire. In this week’s episode, we tell his story, from Pennsylvania farm boy to head of one of the world’s largest lumber companies. He built railroads, ran coal mines, advised the U.S. war effort in World War I and once gifted $3 million to his workers. But that story also includes the cutting down of much of Appalachia’s old growth forests and forced labor charges that stained his legacy. Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podc...
May 31, 2025•17 min
On a quiet Sunday morning in the spring of 1782, Pastor John Corbly and his family were headed for church when he realized he’d forgotten his Bible and turned back alone to get it. That action saved his life when his family was ambushed by Indians. In this episode of the Stories podcast, Steve and Rod tell the chilling true story of the Corbly family massacre near Garards Fort, Pennsylvania. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app for more Stories of Appalachia! Thanks for listening....
May 24, 2025•13 min
On this episode of the Stories podcast, we tell the dramatic tale of Gus McCoig, a Jefferson County boy who became one of East Tennessee’s most notorious Depression-era outlaws. McCoig’s story starts with his chance encounter with outlaw Clarence Bunch in a jail cell, followed by their escape and his later capture and conviction for crimes he committed while in the Bunch gang. After he escaped the Tennessee State Prison, he went on a crime spree across East Tennessee that ended with his capture ...
May 17, 2025•23 min
Step back in time to the golden era of Appalachian luxury as we explore the rise and fall of Tate Springs, a once-famous resort in Bean Station, Tennessee. Known for its healing mineral spring, lush golf course, and elite clientele, including the Rockefellers and Fords, Tate Springs was the South's hidden gem. Discover how this jewel of East Tennessee became a forgotten relic and what still remains today. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app or on our You...
May 10, 2025•13 min
In the winter of 1779, a determined group of Appalachian settlers set out on a thousand-mile journey by river, led by Virginia surveyor John Donelson. Battling disease, starvation, ambushes, and the raw forces of nature, they pushed westward down the Holston River, into the Tennessee River, the Ohio and then up the Cumberland River, all through hostile and unknown lands. Their goal? A place called French Lick—later known as Nashville. In this episode, Steve and Rod trace the expedition that carr...
May 03, 2025•20 min
Today we tell the story of the battle over the Tellico Dam, the last major project of the Tennessee Valley Authority. TVA's ambitious plans for the Tellico project included not only a dam and lake but also the development of a brand-new city to be called Timberlake. However, the project faced fierce resistance from landowners who were being forced to sell their land, the Cherokee, whose most important Overhill towns were going to be flooded by the dam, and environmentalists trying to save the ha...
Apr 26, 2025•14 min
Nearly twenty years before Tennessee was a state, William Bean built a cabin along the Watagua River and planted roots. In this episode, we tell the story of his journey from longhunter to settler, his friendship with Daniel Boone, and his wife Lydia’s dramatic rescue from execution by Cherokee Beloved Woman Nancy Ward. It’s the story of Tennessee’s first settlement, the founding of Bean Station, and a life that helped shape the Appalachian frontier. Like what you hear? Subscribe to the Stories ...
Apr 19, 2025•14 min
This week, Steve and Rod bring you the remarkable story of Isaac Cline, a Tennessee-born son of Appalachia who rose to become one of America’s most respected meteorologists. From his humble beginnings in a two-room log cabin near the Great Smoky Mountains to his fateful role during the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, Cline’s life was marked by groundbreaking contributions, profound loss, and an enduring legacy. He defied standard protocol of the time to warn the people of Galveston and turned that ...
Apr 12, 2025•14 min
In this episode of Stories of Appalachia, we tell the story of a shocking event in January 1927 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. That was when a prominent county businessman named W.B. Johnson turned from respected community member to notorious outlaw. This tale unfolds with a fateful meeting involving Johnson, two women, and a tragic dispute that escalated into a deadly confrontation. This is a story of tragedy, madness, and the dark side of the Appalachia. If you've not done so already, be sure...
Apr 05, 2025•16 min
In this episode, we tell the harrowing story of the Jellico explosion, a catastrophic event that shook the town of Jellico, Tennessee, on September 21, 1906. What began as a normal morning quickly turned into chaos when a shipment of 11 tons of dynamite detonated, leveling the downtown area and leaving the community in ruins. Join Steve Gilly and Rod Mullins as they tell the story of Jellico’s darkest day. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app to catch all our stories. You can also s...
Mar 29, 2025•18 min
In this episode, we tell the inspiring story of the packhorse librarians, a group of determined women who brought literacy and hope to the remote hollers of Eastern Kentucky during the Great Depression. As families struggled to survive, these brave librarians on horses (and mules) navigated rugged terrain to deliver books and educational materials to isolated communities where access to the written word was scarce. Joining us for this story is our special guest Nicki Jacobsmeyer, author of "Kent...
Mar 22, 2025•23 min
In this episode, we tell the strange tale of Polly Feltner, a young woman from Hyden, Kentucky, who vanished in 1897 under mysterious circumstances. What began as a search for a missing person quickly escalated into charges of murder, a frenzy of suspicion and mob justice, targeting an innocent man. As tensions rose and a near-lynching unfolded, the story took a dramatic twist that no one could have anticipated. Join us as we tell Polly's unique Appalachian story. Be sure to subscribe on your fa...
Mar 15, 2025•11 min
In this episode, we journey back to the mid-1700s to uncover the story of the Schwartzenau Brethren, also known as the Dunkards, who established one of the earliest settlements in the New River Valley of Virginia. Join us as we tell the story of this fascinating religious community, their unique beliefs, and the challenges one family of Dunkards faced while trying to create a self-sustaining life in the wilderness. From their roots in Germany to their journey to Pennsylvania, then on to the New ...
Mar 08, 2025•16 min
In this episode of the podcast, we tell the story of Reverend William Riley Rickman, a steadfast preacher who took on the liquor industry in Pocahontas, Virginia. Join Steve and Rod as they tell you about Rickman's fervent battle against alcohol in that Appalachian coal mining community. Rickman’s tireless efforts resulted in Pocahontas becoming a dry town in 1916. However, that victory soon brought an explosive response, putting his family in grave danger. Be sure to subscribe to catch all our ...
Mar 01, 2025•14 min
Today, we tell the remarkable story of the Overmountain men, Appalachian frontiersmen from the far western parts of North Carolina and Virginia. As tensions escalated in the South, these settlers took a stand against British forces at Kings Mountain, on the South Carolina/North Carolina border. Their bravery in that decisive battle was instrumental in securing America's independence in the Revolutionary War. Be sure to subscribe to catch all our stories, available on your favorite podcast app. Y...
Feb 22, 2025•19 min
Today we tell the story of Jean Ritchie, the "Mother of Folk." Born in the small town of Viper, Kentucky, Jean captivated audiences worldwide, influencing legends like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash along the way. Join Steve and Rod as they tell the story of her remarkable life, from her roots in the mountains to her role in the folk revival of the mid-20th century. Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite app to catch all our episodes. You can also support our storytelling journe...
Feb 15, 2025•19 min
Old Tassel, a prominent figure among the Overhill Cherokee, was a staunch advocate for peace during a period of conflict between them and the settlers moving into East Tennessee. Despite his efforts to forge treaties and maintain peace and harmony between the two groups, the rise of tensions ultimately led to tragedy for both. The killing of the Kirk family by Cherokee warriors led to revenge at the site of a meeting called to discuss peace. Subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite app ...
Feb 08, 2025•18 min
Discover the fascinating story of Kentucky's unique soft drink, "Ale 8 One," in this episode of Stories of Appalachia. Join Steve and Rod as they tell the history of this Appalachian soda, which has been a staple in Eastern Kentucky since 1926. From its origins in northern European ginger recipes to its modern-day variations like Cherry Ale-8 and Ale-8 Salsa, this episode uncovers the rich heritage and ongoing legacy of Kentucky's only native soft drink. Be sure to subscribe to catch all our sto...
Feb 01, 2025•15 min
By request of one of our listeners, this week we tell the story of Bad Tom Smith, a notorious figure at the very heart of the French-Eversole feud in Kentucky. As he grew up an orphan, he was regularly in trouble, until he crossed paths with two powerful rivals, Joseph C. Eversole and B. F. French, an encounter that would shape his life. Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or on your favorite podcast app. You can also help support our storytelling jou...
Jan 25, 2025•28 min
Nimrod Jarrett Smith, born in 1832 near Murphy, North Carolina, was a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee who played a crucial role in shaping the tribe’s future. His life was marked by his dedication to his people during a time of immense change and challenge. As principal chief of the Eastern Band, he guided them to self-government on Western North Carolina land they themselves bought and secured a future for those Cherokee who still lived in their Appalachian home after the forced migr...
Jan 18, 2025•14 min
At the beginning of the Civil War, the small Appalachian town of Philippi, Virginia, now West Virginia, became the site of the first organized land action of the conflict as the Union made a move into Confederate territory. Despite its strategic importance, the battle is sometimes humorously referred to as the "Philippi Races" due to the swift retreat of untested raw Confederate recruits. Join us as we tell the story of the Battle of Philippi, another one of the Stories of Appalachia. Subscribe ...
Jan 11, 2025•14 min
In the late 1920s and early 30s, the coal fields of Harlan County, Kentucky, became the backdrop for one of the darkest chapters in labor history. Known as Bloody Harlan, this tumultuous time saw miners fighting for justice and fair treatment during a time of economic despair and corporate greed. At the heart of this struggle was William B. Jones, a determined union organizer who dared to stand up to the powerful coal operators, culminating in the battle of Evarts. Be sure to subscribe to the St...
Jan 04, 2025•17 min
On New Year's Eve 1959, the quiet town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, became the stage for a teenage prank that would put the town in newspapers all around the country. Join us as we tell the story of two local teenagers armed with dynamite bought at the town’s hardware store who decided to ring in the new year with a bang—literally. Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app or on our YouTube channel. You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclus...
Dec 28, 2024•11 min
Elisha Wallen was more than just a man of the frontier—he was a trailblazer who left an mark on the region's history. Today we tell the story of this legendary long hunter, a man who traveled alongside Daniel Boone through Southwest Virginia and into Eastern Kentucky. From his beginnings in Prince George County, Maryland, to his adventures across the uncharted wilderness of the Appalachian frontier, Elisha Wallen's story is one of courage, exploration, and survival in the wilderness. Subscribe t...
Dec 21, 2024•14 min
Nestled in Mingo Hollow, six miles west of Middlesboro, Kentucky, the Quarter House was no ordinary saloon. Its unique position on the Tennessee state line allowed patrons to evade the law by simply stepping across a painted line on the floor. Built like a fortress with heavy railroad timbers and a log stockade, it became a notorious hotspot for gambling, fights, and moonshine-fueled chaos. Over a decade, the saloon was linked to the deaths of at least 50 people. In 1902, a property dispute esca...
Dec 14, 2024•18 min
On the night of June 13, 1924, what appeared to be a summer thunderstorm in Carter County, Tennessee, transformed into one of the most devastating flash floods in the state's history. Join us as we tell the harrowing story of this natural disaster. Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast. You’ll find us wherever you get your favorite podcasts or on our YouTube channel. You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here: https://www.spreaker.c...
Dec 07, 2024•12 min
