Devil John Wright of the Cumberlands

Devil John Wright of the Cumberlands

In the heart of Appalachia, a legend looms as large as the mountains themselves. Today, we tell the story of John Wesley Wright.

Born in the Elkhorn Valley of Kentucky, John Wright's life was a mix of adventure, violence, and survival. From his early days as a Confederate soldier making a daring escape from Union forces, Wright's exploits during the Civil War set the stage for his legendary status. But his story doesn't end with the war. Wright's journey led him to the circus spotlight alongside his uncle, the famed Kentucky Giant, Martin Van Buren Bates, to the shadowy world of manhunting with the Pinkerton and Baldwin-Felts detective agencies.

As a lawman, Wright's reputation for meting out justice was as formidable as his skills with a gun, earning him the nicknames "Bad John” and “Devil John” from those outlaws he pursued and captured. But his life was not solely defined by bullets and bravado. Wright's complex personal life, fathering over 30 children with multiple women, paints a portrait of a man as multifaceted as the hills he called home.

Join us as we explore John Wright's story, from his encounters with outlaws and feudists to his final days, when he sought redemption and left his devilish nickname behind. It's a journey through Appalachia's past that's as captivating as the landscape itself.

Don't miss this episode of Stories of Appalachia, available on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, or your favorite podcast platform.

Thanks for listening and for sharing our stories of Appalachia with your friends.

Jaksot(585)

The Strange Disappearance of Polly Feltner

The Strange Disappearance of Polly Feltner

In this episode, we tell the strange tale of Polly Feltner, a young woman from Hyden, Kentucky, who vanished in 1897 under mysterious circumstances.  What began as a search for a missing person quickl...

15 Maalis 202510min

The Dunkards of Appalachia: A Story of Faith and Survival

The Dunkards of Appalachia: A Story of Faith and Survival

In this episode, we journey back to the mid-1700s to uncover the story of the Schwartzenau Brethren, also known as the Dunkards, who established one of the earliest settlements in the New River Valley...

8 Maalis 202516min

Whiskey, Dynamite and Faith: An Appalachian Preacher's Fiery Battle

Whiskey, Dynamite and Faith: An Appalachian Preacher's Fiery Battle

In this episode of the podcast, we tell the story of Reverend William Riley Rickman, a steadfast preacher who took on the liquor industry in Pocahontas, Virginia. Join Steve and Rod as they tell you a...

1 Maalis 202513min

The Battle of Kings Mountain

The Battle of Kings Mountain

Today, we tell the remarkable story of the Overmountain men, Appalachian frontiersmen from the far western parts of North Carolina and Virginia.  As tensions escalated in the South, these settlers too...

22 Helmi 202518min

Ballads from the Mountains: The Life and Legacy of Jean Ritchie

Ballads from the Mountains: The Life and Legacy of Jean Ritchie

Today we tell the story of Jean Ritchie, the "Mother of Folk."  Born in the small town of Viper, Kentucky, Jean captivated audiences worldwide, influencing legends like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash along...

15 Helmi 202519min

Revenge on the Frontier: The Tragic Tale of Old Tassel and the Kirk Family Massacre

Revenge on the Frontier: The Tragic Tale of Old Tassel and the Kirk Family Massacre

Old Tassel, a prominent figure among the Overhill Cherokee, was a staunch advocate for peace during a period of conflict between them and the settlers moving into East Tennessee. Despite his efforts t...

8 Helmi 202518min

Ale 8 One, Appalachia's Homegrown Soda Legacy

Ale 8 One, Appalachia's Homegrown Soda Legacy

Discover the fascinating story of Kentucky's unique soft drink, "Ale 8 One," in this episode of Stories of Appalachia.   Join Steve and Rod as they tell the history of this Appalachian soda, which has...

1 Helmi 202515min

Feud and Fury: The Dark Legacy of Bad Tom Smith

Feud and Fury: The Dark Legacy of Bad Tom Smith

By request of one of our listeners, this week we tell the story of Bad Tom Smith, a notorious figure at the very heart of the French-Eversole feud in Kentucky. As he grew up an orphan, he was regularl...

25 Tammi 202527min

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

olipa-kerran-otsikko
sita
siita-on-vaikea-puhua
kaksi-aitia
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
i-dont-like-mondays
uutiscast
poks
antin-palautepalvelu
rss-nikotellen
kolme-kaannekohtaa
mamma-mia
yopuolen-tarinoita-2
aikalisa
rss-murhan-anatomia
meidan-pitais-puhua
rss-haudattu
rss-palmujen-varjoissa
isani-on-terapeuttiville
taskula-trishin