In the spring of 1891, wealthy Pikeville, Kentucky, businessman James Hatcher buried his young wife, Octavia, after she apparently died while giving birth to their baby boy, who also died. Unfortunately, there was a bout of African sleeping sickness going around the coalfields at about this same time, with the symptoms mimicking death. On this episode of Stories, Rod and Steve tell the story of one of the greatest fears that one can have: being buried alive.

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In 1903, the Wentz family of Philadelphia was in control of the Virginia Coal and Iron Company and Stonega Coal and Coke. In that year, young Edward Wentz came to the coalfields of Wise County, Virginia, to help manage the corporate property. In fact, Edward took a personal hand in patrolling the property, throwing out […]

In 1903, the Wentz family of Philadelphia was in control of the Virginia Coal and Iron Company and Stonega Coal and Coke. In that year, young Edward Wentz came to the coalfields of Wise County, Virginia, to help manage the corporate property. In fact, Edward took a personal hand in patrolling the property, throwing out trespassers and moonshiners, and, on occasion, taking the opportunity to inflict his own brand of justice on mountaineers he came upon, in the form of a whipping, with a whip, in order to bend them to his will.

Wentz disappeared that fall, with his body found the following spring. Listen to this episode of the podcast as Steve and Rod tell the story of the death of Edward Wentz.

You can subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or Stitcher, or at Google Play. We’re also on Facebook with even more stories about the history of Appalachia, be sure to like us. And we’re also on Twitter @storyappalachia.

Thanks for listening!

In 1903, the Wentz family of Philadelphia was in control of the Virginia Coal and Iron Company and Stonega Coal and Coke. In that year, young Edward Wentz came to the coalfields of Wise County, Virginia, to help manage the corporate property. In fact, Edward took a personal hand in patrolling the property, throwing out […]

Starting in the mid-19th century, just before the Civil War, there were several Tennessee court cases that helped define the role of the mysterious people known as “Melungeons” in Appalachian society. On this episode, Rod and Steve tell the story of those cases as well as the history, as best it can be determined, of […]

Starting in the mid-19th century, just before the Civil War, there were several Tennessee court cases that helped define the role of the mysterious people known as “Melungeons” in Appalachian society. On this episode, Rod and Steve tell the story of those cases as well as the history, as best it can be determined, of […]

There is a Cherokee legend about a war with a fair-skinned people with blue eyes and beards, who were extremely sensitive to light. One version of this legend has them responsible for pre-Columbian stone fortifications located in Georgia, pictured above. This week on Stories, Rod and Steve tell the story of the Moon-eyed people of […]

There is a Cherokee legend about a war with a fair-skinned people with blue eyes and beards, who were extremely sensitive to light. One version of this legend has them responsible for pre-Columbian stone fortifications located in Georgia, pictured above. This week on Stories, Rod and Steve tell the story of the Moon-eyed people of […]

There is a Cherokee legend about a war with a fair-skinned people with blue eyes and beards, who were extremely sensitive to light. One version of this legend has them responsible for pre-Columbian stone fortifications located in Georgia, pictured above. This week on Stories, Rod and Steve tell the story of the Moon-eyed people of Appalachia.

You can subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or on your favorite Android or Windows phone podcast app. You can also follow us on Twitter @storyappalachia.

Thanks for listening

In the fall of 1902, a sickly Englishman arrived in Asheville, North Carolina, from parts unknown. He passed away shortly thereafter and, over the next seven years, became a part of the fabric of the mountain town, until he left just as mysteriously as he came. It’s the story of the Duke of Asheville, on […]