Dave Tabler, Author at Appalachian History

July 10, 2018 Epidemics & Pandemics

Musty corn and the dread scourge pellagra

Musty corn was thought to cause the life-threatening disease pellagra, a condition that we understand today results from a lack of niacin.

Dr. William James Glass, Sr. owned about twenty-five saddle horses. He made an effort to buy the very best. The average horse he bought would last about three years.

July 6, 2018 Appalachian music / Ballad singers / Folklore / West Virginia

Patrick Gainer and The Devil’s Questions

West Virginian Dr. Patrick W. Gainer dedicated the balance of his life to a personal crusade to revitalize the region’s folk traditions.

pen & ink drawing of the Whaley cabin, scene of the murder

July 6, 2018 Appalachian crime / Tennessee / Vigilantes

White Cap hired assassins on trial

When we got even with the Whaley house, we left the river and went up the hollow to where the Whaleys lived. We stopped a short distance from the house.

July 5, 2018 Appalachian crime / Tennessee / Vigilantes

He wanted them put out of the way & would give one hundred dollars to kill them

The White Caps of Sevier County, TN, were a vigilante group formed to rid Sevier County of individuals (mostly women) whom they deemed lewd.

Author: Dave Tabler

Musty corn and the dread scourge pellagra

His horse, saddle bags, and himself slipped into the river and went under

Patrick Gainer and The Devil’s Questions

White Cap hired assassins on trial

He wanted them put out of the way & would give one hundred dollars to kill them