In Eastern Kentucky, around Troublesome Creek, lived a group of families that were normal in all respects, but for one: many of them went through life with blue-tinged skin. On this episode of Stories, Rod and Steve tell the story of the Blue Fugates and how science explains their “blueness.” You can subscribe to the […]

In Eastern Kentucky, around Troublesome Creek, lived a group of families that were normal in all respects, but for one: many of them went through life with blue-tinged skin. On this episode of Stories, Rod and Steve tell the story of the Blue Fugates and how science explains their “blueness.” You can subscribe to the […]

At one time, Buchanan County, Virginia, was the home of the largest number of millionaires in the Commonwealth of Virginia, due to the money to be made mining coal. Probably the best known of these “one percenters” was Arthur M. Ratliff, also known as “Smiley.” Smiley Ratliff was a World War II vet, the first […]

At one time, Buchanan County, Virginia, was the home of the largest number of millionaires in the Commonwealth of Virginia, due to the money to be made mining coal. Probably the best known of these “one percenters” was Arthur M. Ratliff, also known as “Smiley.” Smiley Ratliff was a World War II vet, the first Hurley, Virginia, high school football coach, and a self made coal magnate worth millions of dollars who tried to buy an island and set up his own country. He did all this with a unique combination of “awe, shucks” hillbilly and shrewd, determined, ruthless businessman. And, just like a certain billionaire currently running for office, he didn’t care what he said or how people took him, either. Today, Rod and Steve tell his story.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or Stitcher or on your favorite Android podcast app. You can follow us on Twitter @storyappalachia for even more stories about the history of our great part of the country. You can also hear past episodes and unreleased material on Stories Radio, which you can find on the TuneIn app just by searching.

Thanks for listening.

In the hills of West Virginia, at White Sulphur Springs, is a fine resort, the Greenbrier. There you can enjoy fine living and also take a tour of a Cold War relic: the underground nuclear bunker designed to protect the elite of Washington politics in the event of a nuclear war with the Russians. On […]

In the hills of West Virginia, at White Sulphur Springs, is a fine resort, the Greenbrier. There you can enjoy fine living and also take a tour of a Cold War relic: the underground nuclear bunker designed to protect the elite of Washington politics in the event of a nuclear war with the Russians. On […]

On this episode of Stories we have a tale of love and sex and murder in the mountains of North Carolina. Steve and Rod tell you the story of Tom Dula of Wilkes County, North Carolina, whose life has been immortalized in the song “Tom Dooley.” Thanks for your ears!

On this episode of Stories we have a tale of love and sex and murder in the mountains of North Carolina. Steve and Rod tell you the story of Tom Dula of Wilkes County, North Carolina, whose life has been immortalized in the song “Tom Dooley.” Thanks for your ears!

Corporal Edward Dickenson from the Cracker’s Neck section of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, was captured by the Chinese during the Korean War and was one of a handful of Americans who initially refused to return to America after the war. On this episode of Stories, Steve and Rod tell you the story of Corporal Dickenson’s […]

Corporal Edward Dickenson from the Cracker’s Neck section of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, was captured by the Chinese during the Korean War and was one of a handful of Americans who initially refused to return to America after the war. On this episode of Stories, Steve and Rod tell you the story of Corporal Dickenson’s […]