A Mine Wars Graphic Novel, Storytelling And W.Va. Life, Inside Appalachia

This week, Inside Appalachia speaks with the author of a new graphic novel about the West Virginia Mine Wars. The labor struggle culminated in the largest armed uprising since the Civil War.

Also, professional storyteller James Froemel invents quirky characters, like a sign maker who can’t spell. Froemel’s stories are drawn from small town life.

And, one of the most common animals to get hit by cars are possums. But, there’s a kind of animal rescue called pouch picking. We talk with author Laura Jackson. 

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

In This Episode:

• Black Coal And Red Bandanas, A Graphic Novel
• Talking With Storyteller James Froemel
• Digging Under Ground Leads To Spoonmaking
• Exploring And Explaining West Virginia

Black Coal And Red Bandanas, A Graphic Novel

The West Virginia Mine Wars are an important but little known piece of American history. Coal miners in southern West Virginia had been trying to organize a union, while coal companies tried to stop them. Strikes and violent clashes ensued, culminating in the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921. A version of the story is told in the new graphic novel “Black Coal and Red Bandanas: An Illustrated History of the West Virginia Mine Wars.”

Mason Adams spoke with its author, Raymond Tyler. 

Talking With Storyteller James Froemel

James Froemel‘s journey into storytelling has taken a lifetime. Last year, he worked with author, Liars Competition champ and professional storyteller Bil Lepp to hone his craft. 

Folkways Reporter Margaret McLeod Leef spoke with Froemel.

Digging Under Ground Leads To Spoonmaking

For 30 years, Sue and Stan Jennings have run Allegheny Treenware, a West Virginia company that makes wooden kitchen utensils. They started off as a couple of coal miners. And when they weren’t underground, they talked about what else they could be doing.

Last year, Folkways Reporter Capri Cafaro visited the Jennings, and brought us this story. 

Exploring And Explaining West Virginia

West Virginia writer and humorist Laura Jackson is an avid explorer of backroads and scenic byways. Inspired by her trips, she wrote a series of essays about what she saw in her home state. They became her 2023 book, “Deep & Wild: On Mountains, Opossums & Finding Your Way in West Virginia.”

Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Jackson.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Edd Snodderly, Jeff Ellis, David Mayfield Parade, Dinosaur Burps, Kaia Kater, Steve Earle, Sean Watkins and Blue Dot Sessions.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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 Nicole Musgrave.

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.