Stories of Appalachia

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 to stay up to date on all our episodes.You can also support our storytelling journey and gain access to exclusive content by becoming a patron here:    https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you next time!

02-08

19:18

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 stories, available on your favorite podcast app.  You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/supportThanks for listening, and we'll see you next time!

02-01

15:16

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 journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support   Thanks for listening and for sharing our stories with your friends!

01-25

28:47

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 migration of the Trail of Tears.  Today we tell his story, another one of the Stories of Appalachia.  Subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any of our stories. You can also help support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support  Thanks for listening!

01-18

14:35

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 to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast platform or on our YouTube channel at Stories of Appalachia.Support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/supportThanks for listening!

01-11

14:53

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 Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app or on our YouTube channel at Stories of Appalachia. You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support Thanks for listening!

01-04

17:58

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 exclusive content by becoming a patron at Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support  Thanks for listening!

12-28

13:09

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 to the Stories podcast on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts,, or on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss any of our stories.You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support  Thanks for listening!

12-21

16:18

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 escalated into a full-blown conflict, culminating in a battle that left several men dead and the saloon in flames.  Join us as we tell the story of the Quarter House saloon, another one of the Stories of Appalachia   Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any of our stories. You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron of our audio podcast here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support Thanks for listening!

12-14

18:24

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.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support  Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time!

12-07

13:52

In the summer of 1905, the Wild West came alive in the heart of Appalachia, complete with a saloon, a shootout, and a dramatic train attack. Join us as we tell the wild tale of Texas Bill's Wild West Show, which turned a simple sightseeing trip by their performers into a deadly encounter on the train out of Richwood, West Virginia. This was the kind of Wild West show the passengers on that train didn’t expect, nor want.Don't miss this episode of the Stories podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app or visit our YouTube channel for more Stories of Appalachia. You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/supportThanks for listening!

11-30

12:51

There was once a coal company in Appalachia that was owned not by wealthy investors but by its employees, in a cooperative enterprise.  And the houses in the company’s coal camp were owned by the miners as well, most of whom were Hungarian immigrants on the Kentucky side of Tug Fork.  Join Steve and Rod as they tell the fascinating history of Himlerville, a unique coal mining town in Appalachia founded by a visionary Hungarian immigrant coal miner named Martin Himler. Discover how Himlerville's miners were not only workers but also shareholders, creating a revolutionary model for coal mining communities in the early 1920s.  And after the end of the cooperative caused by an economic downturn, Himler himself went on to lead a most interesting life as an American espionage agent during World War II, leading to his being awarded one of the country’s most prestigious honors.  Don't miss this episode of the Stories podcast!  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or on your favorite podcast app to hear more tales from the heart of Appalachia.  You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support  Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time!

11-23

13:39

Ginseng is a plant with a rich history and high demand in Asia, which brought buyers to Appalachia, home to an American version of this much desired root.   This week, Rod and Steve tell the story of a man who made his fortune gathering, processing and selling ginseng in the mountains of North Carolina 150 years ago. Don't miss this episode of Stories of Appalachia. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast app or on our YouTube channel to catch all our stories.  Thanks for listening!

11-16

19:14

In this episode, we tell the fascinating tale of John Henry, the legendary steel-driving man of Appalachia. Join Steve and Rod as they explore the story of this American folk hero, a man of strength and determination who is said to have stood against the power of machines during the industrial revolution.From the Big Bend Tunnel in West Virginia to the comic book adaptations in the 21st century, John Henry's story is woven into the fabric of American culture. Don't miss this episode of Stories of Appalachia.Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, available on your favorite podcast app.   Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time!

11-09

13:53

Harry "Pop" Kramer, was a vaudeville trick cyclist whose story is filled with circus flair, daring feats, and personal tragedy. Born in 1875 in Alexandria, Virginia, Harry's journey from a disciplined farm life to the dazzling world of vaudeville is nothing short of remarkable.  Today we tell the story of Pop Kramer, the Appalachian daredevil on two wheels, another one of the Stories of Appalachia.  If you want to catch all our stories, be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app.  You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support  Thanks for listening!