The Mine Wars For Young Adults, Faith After A Flood And Remembering Billy Edd Wheeler

Textbooks have long left out an important piece of labor history that happened here in the mountains. Now, a new young adult book fills in some of what might have been missed about the Mine Wars.

Also, when flooding devastates a community, people can find solace through faith and through song.

And we remember songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler, who passed away last month. Dozens of musicians have covered his songs including Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash and June Carter and Elvis Presley.

In This Episode

  • Recalling The Mine Wars For A New Generation
  • A Family Guitar Brings Peace After A Flood
  • A Bicentennial Celebration in Fleming County, Kentucky
  • Remembering Billy Edd Wheeler

Recalling The Mine Wars For A New Generation

Author Steve Watkins wants labor history to be remembered.
Courtesy photo

For generations, that history of the Mine Wars in the early part of the 20th century was scarcely mentioned in schools.

The author of a new book hopes to bring the story to today’s young readers. Mason Adams spoke with Steve Watkins, author of “The Mine Wars: The Bloody Fight for Workers’ Rights in the West Virginia Coalfields.”  

A Family Guitar Brings Peace After A Flood

Derenia Dunbar (left) stands with parents Ruby (middle) and James Boggs (right) in front of their family home in Millstone, Kentucky. James holds the guitar that was mostly untouched by the floodwaters that filled their house on July 28, 2022.
Photo Nicole Musgrave

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we’re reminded that when disaster strikes, people in Appalachia step up to help their neighbors. In the summer of 2022, floods devastated parts of eastern Kentucky. At the time, Folkways editor Nicole Musgrave brought us a story about the Boggs family, who told her about the joy that comes from the soothing music of an old family guitar.

A Bicentennial Celebration in Fleming County, Kentucky

A church in Fleming County, Kentucky celebrated its 200th anniversary recently.
Photo Samantha Morrill

In Fleming County, Kentucky, there’s an old, covered bridge that’s been a popular tourist destination for decades. The Goddard covered bridge was built in the late 1800s, then moved in 1933. It extends over Sand Lick Creek, where the road leads to an old country church. That church celebrated its bicentennial in September. 

Samantha Morrill at WMKY, Morehead State Public Radio, visited the church.  

Remembering Billy Edd Wheeler

Songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler wrote memorable tunes and was a character.
Courtesy photo

Singer/songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler died in September at the age of 91. The West Virginia native and long-time North Carolina resident was best known for writing songs like “Jackson,” which won a Grammy for Johnny Cash and June Carter. He also wrote “Coward of the County,” which was a hit for Kenny Rogers, and “It’s Midnight,” which Elvis Presley recorded. Mountain Stage’s Larry Groce was a friend and fan of Wheeler’s. Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Groce about Wheeler’s legacy.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by James Boggs, Amethyst Kiah, Caleb Caudle, John Blissard, Paul Loomis, Chris Knight, Johnny Cash and June Carter, and Billy Edd Wheeler.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from folkways editor Jennifer Goren. You can find us on Instagram @InAppalachia.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Frank X. Walker And Flood Stories Past And Present, Inside Appalachia

This week, Affrilachian poet Frank X. Walker has a new collection of poetry that looks at Black life in Kentucky before, during, and after the Civil War.

We also check in with the people affected by flooding in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

A new collection of essays and poems remembers the 2022 flood in Eastern Kentucky witnessed by writers trapped at the Appalachian Writers Workshop.

And bird watching only sounds relaxing. Sometimes, it can get a little wild.

In This Episode

  • Frank X. Walker Explores The Civil War
  • Witnessing The Historic Flooding Of East Kentucky
  • The Historic Flooding in Western North Carolina and Tennessee
  • Endangered Birds of Appalachia

Frank X. Walker Explores The Civil War

Poet Frank X. Walker returns with his latest collection “Load In Nine Times.”

Courtesy

Kentucky poet Frank X. Walker co-founded the Affrilachian Poets Collective to challenge the idea that Appalachian identity is defined by whiteness. He’s published several collections and now has a new book, “Load in Nine Times.” Mason Adams spoke with him. 

The Historic Flooding In Western North Carolina And Tennessee

Flooding caused by Hurricane Helene has devastated communities across western North Carolina and east Tennessee.
Courtesy Blue Ridge Public Radio

Hurricane Helene left many without water, power or cell service in western North Carolina and east Tennessee. We heard reports from Gerard Albert III at Blue Ridge Public Radio and Riley Thompson at WUOT about communities struggling and coming together in the aftermath of the flood.

Witnessing The Historic Flooding Of East Kentucky

“Troublesome Rising” features writers who witnessed the 2022 flooding in Eastern Kentucky first-hand.

Courtesy photo

Flooding is not uncommon in Appalachia. In 2022, parts of Eastern Kentucky were also ravaged. Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, an author from the Qualla Boundary, the territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina was at the Appalachian Writer’s Workshop in Hindman, Kentucky, when it was struck by the thousand-year flood. Her writing is included in the new anthology, “Troublesome Rising,” which compiles poetry and stories from writers who witnessed the flood. 

B-P-R and Grist climate reporter Katie Myers spoke with Clapsaddle about flooding in the mountains. 

Endangered Birds of Appalachia

Photographer and author Matt Williams hopes people who love watching birds can be encouraged to take a more active role in conservation.

Courtesy photo

Nature photographer Matt Williams hopes a passion for bird watching might lead people to conservation. He’s published three books of photographing wildlife, including his latest — “Endangered and Disappearing Birds of Appalachia and the Southeast.” Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Williams about the book. 

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Amethyst Kiah, Larry Rader, Jeff Ellis, John Blissard, Sierra Ferrell and Blue Dot Sessions.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from folkways editor Jennifer Goren. You can find us on Instagram @InAppalachia.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Hurricane Helene Comes To The Mountains, Inside Appalachia

Hurricane Helene dumped nearly 30 inches of rain in parts of western North Carolina and east Tennessee. Communities are reeling from the devastation. We check-in with Lilly Knoepp at Blue Ridge Public Radio in western North Carolina.

Also, a new book illustrates the tiny worlds of mountain critters, like a lizard that changes color.

And White potters co-opted the African art of face jugs in the 1800s. A modern-day Black potter says his art can’t be replicated. 

In This Episode 

  • Hurricane Helene Hits Appalachia 
  • Rosalie Haizlett Explores “Tiny Worlds”
  • Reclaiming An African Art

Hurricane Helene Hits Appalachia 

Hurricane Helene brought flooding through Appalachia, including southwestern Virginia.

Photo by Roxy Todd

As we were working on this week’s show, Hurricane Helene hit the Southeast. The storm washed away roads and bridges, knocked out power and cell service and left a trail of devastation. Many people are still missing, and the number of confirmed dead continues to rise. Mason Adams spoke with Blue Ridge Public Radio reporter Lilly Knoepp, who lives in western North Carolina, near where the storm caused the most damage.  

Helene also rocked southwestern Virginia. Radio IQ’s Roxy Todd reported.

Rosalie Haizlett Explores “Tiny Worlds”

“Tiny Worlds” is a menagerie of little critters found in the Appalachian Mountains.

Photo by Rosalie Haizlett

In 2022, nature artist Rosalie Haizlett set out on a trip to illustrate some of the tiny “critters” of the Appalachian mountains. Her illustrations became “Tiny Worlds of the Appalachian Mountains, an Artist’s journey.” Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Haizlett about the book.  

Reclaiming An African Art

African Face Jugs came to America through Slavery. Artist Jim McDowell uses the art form to speak about the African American experience.

Courtesy

You’ve probably seen pottery with a face on it. 

There are lots of examples of face-shaped vessels out there — from cheap souvenir shop knick-knacks to museum-quality pieces that can sell for millions of dollars. 

Some are connected to African Face Jugs, an artform made by enslaved people in the deep South in the mid-1800s. 

In 2023, Folkways reporter Zack Harold traced the story of Face Jugs, beginning in the basement pottery studio of West Virginia artist Ed Klimek.    

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Dinosaur Burps, Sierra Ferrell, Sean Watkins, Joe Dobbs and the 1937 Flood, Paul Loomis, Blue Dot Sessions

Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from folkways editor Chris Julin. You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

W.Va. National Guard Headed To Areas Hit By Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene devastated the southeast and now members of the West Virginia National Guard are heading to help with their recovery. 

Thirty guard members are set to leave for South Carolina on Friday to assist with reconstruction and debris cleanup. The troops will be there for around two weeks.

Busick, North Carolina received nearly 31 inches of rain, the highest rainfall in the Appalachians from any tropical weather system. 

Gov. Jim Justice, as the commander in chief of the state’s National Guard, activated the guard to aid communities devastated by the storm. 

“The West Virginia National Guard is running to the fire without hesitation, as we always do,” Justice said in a statement. “That’s what we do in West Virginia – we pull the rope together. I’m proud we can join forces with other states to support North Carolina and South Carolina in their recovery efforts. My thoughts and prayers are with our brave service members.”

National Guard Major General Bill Crane said he is grateful the governor has activated the Guard to help other states that have been impacted by the catastrophic weather. 

“You’ve seen the devastation. The governor has seen the devastation, and we want nothing more than to go in and try to help as much as we can,” Crane said.  “That’s what we’re here for. That’s why we work so well together.”

Crane says the guard will be teaming up with other state’s air teams to access areas that are still currently not accessible by land due to flooding, and infrastructure damage. 

Originally 12 more guard members were slated to head to North Carolina to assist in fatality search and recovery. However, that has been canceled. Guard officials said the North Carolina National Guard has put their request on hold as they continue to assess their response needs.

Encore: Remembering Floods And Recovering From Disaster, Inside Appalachia

Flooding is a recurring problem across Appalachia. This week, we’re taking stock, and looking back on floods that have devastated parts of West Virginia and Kentucky.

We explore some of the reasons for floods, as well as the aftermath and the slow recovery that often follows disaster.

It’s not all gloom. Even in our hardest moments, there’s always hope. 

You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

Revisiting The WV Flood Of 2016

In 2016, West Virginia saw 10 inches of rain in 12 hours. The resulting flooding led to 23 deaths. The governor mobilized hundreds of members of the West Virginia National Guard.

Jessica Lilly reported from the town of Richwood and told a story that went back decades.

Reclaiming Rand

Rand, West Virginia, is a town of about 900 people just outside Charleston. Flooding has been a regular problem for decades, partly because of longstanding issues with faulty storm sewers.

Tiara Brown reported this story.

Healing Comes From Alan “Cathead” Johnston’s Ballad 

Alan “Cathead” Johnston with his daughters Jessi and Stacey at the Wheeling Jamboree.

Courtesy Photo

Singer and songwriter Alan “Cathead” Johnston wrote the song, “Muddy Waters” about two horrific back-to-back 100-year floods that tore through McDowell County in 2001 and 2002.  

It’s been a couple of decades, but Folkways Reporter Connie Kitts found that people are still drawing strength and comfort from this ballad.

The Flood In Hindman, KY

It’s impossible to talk about flooding without acknowledging last year’s historic flooding in eastern Kentucky. The floods killed at least 38 people and damaged some of the region’s cultural centers, including Appalshop in Whitesburg and the Hindman Settlement School.

WFPL’s Stephanie Wolf visited Hindman just after the floods and took stock of what was lost. 

Coming Back From Disaster Through Faith And Music

Dean (Dino) McBee cleans old recording equipment damaged in the 2022 floods in Kentucky.

Credit: Nicole Musgrave/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

When you spend time in Appalachia and live through a few floods, you tend to notice a recurring theme: neighbors helping neighbors. In Millstone, Kentucky gospel musicians were cut off from participating in part of their culture after they lost instruments. Many found help reconnecting with their music.

Folkways Reporter Nicole Musgrave brought us this report.

A Poem For A Flooded Town

West Virginia poet Doug Van Gundy at the Hindman Settlement School in Kentucky for the Appalachian Writer’s Workshop in 2022 the night Troublesome Creek flooded.

He shared this poem with us, which was partly inspired by what he saw.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Jackson Browne, The Dirty River Boys, Alan “Cathead” Johnston, Dino McBee and Yonder Mountain String Band.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Berkeley Medical To Resume Full Operations Next Month After ‘Man-Made’ Flooding Accident

After severe flooding in late May, Berkeley Medical Center will reopen its operating rooms in early July. The facility will also receive two new mobile operating rooms to ease the transition.

The Berkeley Medical Center will be “totally back up and running” by July 14 after flooding closed the facility’s operating rooms last month, according to Albert Wright, president of the West Virginia University (WVU) Health System.

Wright said the Martinsburg medical facility, operated by WVU Medicine, was undergoing construction on its second floor in late May.

During the construction, parts of the facility’s first floor — home to its 10 inpatient operating rooms — were exposed to the elements.

Wright said the “construction mishap” caused a “breach between the second floor of their building and the first floor,” which “allowed water to penetrate into that operating room floor.”

“It was a man-made breach by accident,” he said.

The facility was flooded with dirty rainwater, which caused significant damage. In the weeks since the flooding, construction teams have had to demolish and replace significant portions of the operating rooms to ensure they meet medical standards.

“Operating rooms are really some of the most sterile areas you have in a hospital. We have to make sure that they’re clean and free from infection,” Wright said.

Despite the damages, Wright said teams on site have made fast progress on the repairs.

By July 3, WVU Medicine anticipates that five of the 10 operating rooms will be operational again. By July 14, Wright said the remaining five operating rooms will be back as well.

“When I first saw the flooding, if you would have told me we’d be back up and running by the middle of July, I would have been thrilled,” Wright said. “That’s a compliment to the work that’s been done.”

Berkeley Medical Center has referred most patients with non-emergency needs to nearby medical facilities in Berkeley and Jefferson counties in the weeks following the flooding incident.

Photo Credit: Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Wright said Berkeley Medical Center will also receive two mobile operating rooms July 3 to aid the facility’s transition back to full operations.

In the weeks after the flooding, Berkeley Medical Center temporarily only admitted trauma, obstetric and emergency surgery cases.

Patients with other needs were referred to the facility’s Outpatient Surgery Center or nearby facilities like the Jefferson Medical Center, which has three operating rooms.

Wright said WVU Medicine expanded hours of operation for some medical facilities to meet increased demand.

Still, the sudden bump in patient need put a strain on nearby facilities, Wright said. Plus, some patients had specific care requirements that surrounding facilities had difficulty meeting.

To meet additional needs, Wright said the Berkeley Medical Center also referred patients to facilities farther away, including Morgantown and Winchester, Virginia.

While some of those referrals pushed patients outside of the WVU Health System, Wright said ongoing coordination between medical facilities made referrals like these easier.

“One of the good things about health care is, even though we sometimes compete with other systems for patients, when any health care facilities are in a challenging situation, everybody steps up for good patient care,” he said.

While the flooding might have put a strain on medical facilities in Berkeley and Jefferson counties, Wright said he was “so proud” of staff members at the hospitals for picking up the slack.

“The team has really done a good job of making sure patients receive the care they need,” he said. “I’m proud of how they [have] come through this, but I’ll also be glad when this is all over and behind us.”

Full operations at the Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg are slated to resume in early July, following works of construction work.

Photo Credit: Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
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