Episodes

  • The Mysterious Disappearance of Blaise Harsell

    The Mysterious Disappearance of Blaise Harsell
    Aug 31 2024
    This week we tell the mysterious and tragic story of Blaise Harsell, a wealthy naturalist and writer from New York who vanished into the rugged mountains along the Tennessee-North Carolina border, leaving behind a puzzle. In the fall of 1921, Blaise embarked on what was supposed to be a preliminary wilderness expedition before a planned journey to a remote part of South America. However, this hike through Appalachia would be the last time he was ever seen.

    Listen to the Stories podcast on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to subscribe for more Stories of Appalachia.

    You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support

    Thank you for listening and for sharing our stories with your friends!
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    14 mins
  • Appalachia's Mysterious Mountain of Lost Souls

    Appalachia's Mysterious Mountain of Lost Souls
    Aug 24 2024
    Today, we tell a story about a place that over a century ago was said to have been shrouded in mystery and fear, known for inexplicable and mysterious disappearances. That, folks, is our story today. Join us as we tell the eerie tales of Black Mountain, a region straddling the border between Virginia and Kentucky, infamous for its history of vanishing people.

    Listen to the Stories podcast on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to subscribe for more Stories of Appalachia.

    You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here:
    https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support

    Thanks for listening and for sharing our stories with your friends!
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    14 mins
  • The Ashland Tragedy

    The Ashland Tragedy
    Aug 17 2024
    On Christmas Eve in 1881, Ashland, Kentucky, was shattered by a horrific crime that would forever be known as the Ashland tragedy. Join us as we recount the chilling events that led to the brutal murders of Robert and Fanny Gibbons and their friend Emma Carrico, whose lives were violently cut short in a crime that shocked the entire state of Kentucky.

    We explore the trials, the public outrage, and the violent and deadly confrontations that marked this tragic chapter in Appalachian history. Don't miss out on this gripping tale of crime, punishment, and the search for justice.

    Listen to the Stories podcast on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to subscribe for more Stories of Appalachia.

    You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here:
    https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support

    Thank you for listening and for sharing our stories with your friends!
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    19 mins
  • Appalachia's Oldest Man

    Appalachia's Oldest Man
    Aug 10 2024
    Today we tell a story about a man from Kentucky whose life was said to have spanned across three centuries. Truth or fiction? Well, folks, you'll have to decide that for yourselves. Join us as we tell the story of John Shell, a man who claimed to be the oldest person to have ever lived.

    Listen to the Stories podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to subscribe for more Stories of Appalachia.

    You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here:
    https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support

    Thanks for listening!
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    15 mins
  • The Appalachian Roots of Dr. Pepper

    The Appalachian Roots of Dr. Pepper
    Aug 3 2024
    This week, we tell the fascinating story of a beloved American soft drink, Dr Pepper.

    Join us as we explore the origins of this iconic beverage, which has roots right here in Appalachia.

    We'll take you on a journey from the small town of Rural Retreat, Virginia, to the bustling streets of Waco, Texas, where it blossomed into the beloved drink we know today. Whether you call it pop, soda, or soft drink, this episode is sure to tickle your taste buds and warm your heart.

    Don't miss out on all our stories! Subscribe to the Stories podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Spotify or on your favorite podcast app.

    You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron on Spreaker here:

    https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support

    Thanks for listening!
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    11 mins
  • The Day the Road Burned: The Deadly 1972 Wreck on Bloody 11W

    The Day the Road Burned: The Deadly 1972 Wreck on Bloody 11W
    Jul 27 2024
    In the early morning hours of May 13, 1972, a head-on collision involving a double-decker Greyhound bus and a tractor-trailer occurred on US Route 11W, about 5 miles west of Bean Station, Tennessee. This tragic accident resulted in 14 deaths and 15 injuries, marking it as the deadliest traffic accident in Tennessee history, further cementing the reputation of a road known locally as “Bloody 11W.”

    Listen to the Stories podcast on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast app. Don't forget to subscribe for more Stories of Appalachia.

    You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron here:
    https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support

    Thank you for listening and for sharing our stories with your friends!
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    11 mins
  • Kid Curry's Knoxville Showdown

    Kid Curry's Knoxville Showdown
    Jul 20 2024
    Our story today involves a member of the infamous Wild Bunch, Butch Cassidy's gang. Known as the wildest of the bunch, Harvey Alexander Logan, better known as Kid Curry, was a force to be reckoned with.

    After a successful train robbery put a bounty on their heads, the gang members went their separate ways to wait for things to cool off. Curry chose Knoxville, Tennessee, as a hideout in December, 1901. There he got into a brawl with another man, leading to a violent confrontation with the police and Curry’s desperate escape attempt.

    Listen to the Stories podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Spotify, Player FM, or your favorite podcast app.

    You can also support our storytelling journey and access exclusive content by becoming a patron on Spreaker here:
    https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-appalachia--5553692/support

    Thanks for listening!
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    9 mins
  • Wrapped In Mystery: A Pair of Appalachian Mummies

    Wrapped In Mystery: A Pair of Appalachian Mummies
    Jul 13 2024
    In the heart of Appalachia lies a small town with a story unlike any other.

    Philippi, West Virginia, is home to two perfectly preserved mummies, the result of a mysterious embalming process developed by an unassuming farmer named Graham Hamrick nearly 140 years ago. This intriguing story shines a light on the rich and sometimes eerie history of a state known for its eerie tales, West Virginia.

    Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast; we’re on Spotify, Spreaker, Apple Podcasts, PlayerFM and on your own favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening!
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    13 mins