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. 

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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.
 
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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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. 

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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.

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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.  

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In this episode, we revisit the catastrophic summer of 1916, when two hurricanes unleashed unprecedented destruction on the mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, an event with eerie similarities to the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

Rod and Steve also tell you of the connection between this event and the tale of Mary the elephant, hanged in Erwin for killing her handler in Kingsport that same year.   

This story highlights the determination of the Appalachian people in the face of overwhelming adversity.

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This week we explore the fascinating connection between moonshining and NASCAR racing, a tale that combines the rugged spirit of Appalachia with the high-speed world of motorsports. Discover how the need to outrun the law transformed moonshiners into legendary drivers, setting the stage for a sport that captivates millions across the country today, another one of the Stories of Appalachia. 
 
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Today we tell the story of Fiddlin' John Carson, a man who was not only an early pioneer of country music but also a master storyteller with a controversial past.    

Discover how Carson, born in the Appalachian foothills of Georgia, rose from humble beginnings to become one of the first national country music stars, a few years before the famous Bristol Sessions of 1927. With his fiddle in hand and a knack for spinning a yarn, Carson captivated audiences both on the radio and through his recordings.    

However, his story is not without its shadows, as you’ll find out.    

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