Appalachian History

Richwood, WV Aug 26, 1937 — “The Cherry River Navy’s flagship ‘Clothespin’ is riding at anchor this morning, resplendent in gala attire awaiting her christening this afternoon in ceremonies to be attended by the Governors of Maryland and West Virginia, both Admirals, by Congressmen Andrew Edmiston and Jennings Randolph, also Admirals, and some five hundred [...]

“Another Floyd County murder-victim, his skull crushed, the body of 20-year-old Wilson Kidd, of Mud Creek, was hauled from the Big Sandy River at Harold, Sunday. “Because of renovation started this week on the circuit courtroom, the September term of that court may have to be held in some other building, Circuit Judge John W. [...]

For all the jokes about KFC’s Colonel Harlan Sanders or the ABA’s “Kentucky Colonels,” the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels is for real. It is also not very Kentuckian anymore. Once upon a time it was common throughout the region for a governor to reward political supporters with a glamorous title via an appointment in [...]

Got in a little trouble at the county seatLord they put me in the jailhouse for loafing on the streetWhen the judge heard the verdict I was a guilty manHe said forty five dollars or thirty days in the canThat’ll be cash on the barrelhead son you can make your choice you’re twenty oneNo money [...]

“When Kentucky was first being settled, emigrants from either North Carolina or Tennessee, headed by a man named Cornett, reached the Kentucky River late one evening. They decided to camp and wait until daylight before crossing the river. They had wives, children, livestock and equipment with them. After supper they were sitting around their campfire [...]