エピソード

  • The Story of Gus McCoig, Appalachia's Little Dillinger

    The Story of Gus McCoig, Appalachia's Little Dillinger
    2025/05/17
    On this episode of the Stories podcast, we tell the dramatic tale of Gus McCoig, a Jefferson County boy who became one of East Tennessee’s most notorious Depression-era outlaws. McCoig’s story starts with his chance encounter with outlaw Clarence Bunch in a jail cell, followed by their escape and his later capture and conviction for crimes he committed while in the Bunch gang. After he escaped the Tennessee State Prison, he went on a crime spree across East Tennessee that ended with his capture and execution at just 25 years old.

    It’s another one of the Stories of Appalachia.

    If you’ve not done so already, subscribe to the Stories podcast at Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, PlayerFM or on your favorite podcast app.

    Thanks for listening.
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    23 分
  • Tennessee’s Gilded Getaway: The Rise and Fall of the Tate Springs Hotel

    Tennessee’s Gilded Getaway: The Rise and Fall of the Tate Springs Hotel
    2025/05/10
    Step back in time to the golden era of Appalachian luxury as we explore the rise and fall of Tate Springs, a once-famous resort in Bean Station, Tennessee. Known for its healing mineral spring, lush golf course, and elite clientele, including the Rockefellers and Fords, Tate Springs was the South's hidden gem. Discover how this jewel of East Tennessee became a forgotten relic and what still remains today.

    Don’t forget to subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app or on our YouTube channel to hear more Stories of Appalachia.

    Thanks for listening!
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    13 分
  • The Thousand Mile Yoyage: The Appalachian Roots of Nashville, Tennessee

    The Thousand Mile Yoyage: The Appalachian Roots of Nashville, Tennessee
    2025/05/03
    In the winter of 1779, a determined group of Appalachian settlers set out on a thousand-mile journey by river, led by Virginia surveyor John Donelson.

    Battling disease, starvation, ambushes, and the raw forces of nature, they pushed westward down the Holston River, into the Tennessee River, the Ohio and then up the Cumberland River, all through hostile and unknown lands.

    Their goal? A place called French Lick—later known as Nashville.

    In this episode, Steve and Rod trace the expedition that carried Appalachian grit to Middle Tennessee, laying the foundations for the city many call “The Athens of the South.”

    Be sure to subcribe to the Stories podcast if you haven’t done so already. You’ll find us on your favorite podcast app and our YouTube channel.

    Thanks for listening!
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    20 分
  • Land, Power and a Little Fish: The Tellico Dam Story

    Land, Power and a Little Fish: The Tellico Dam Story
    2025/04/26
    Today we tell the story of the battle over the Tellico Dam, the last major project of the Tennessee Valley Authority. TVA's ambitious plans for the Tellico project included not only a dam and lake but also the development of a brand-new city to be called Timberlake.

    However, the project faced fierce resistance from landowners who were being forced to sell their land, the Cherokee, whose most important Overhill towns were going to be flooded by the dam, and environmentalists trying to save the habitat of the endangered snail darter fish.

    A lawsuit over the fish won a victory in the Supreme Court for those wanting to stop the Tellico Dam, but that wasn’t the end of the story, as you’ll find out in this episode.

    If you like our stories, be sure to subscribe to the Stories of Appalachia podcast on your favorite podcast app or on our YouTube channel.

    Thanks for listening!
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    14 分
  • The First Tennesseans: William and Lydia Bean

    The First Tennesseans: William and Lydia Bean
    2025/04/19
    Nearly twenty years before Tennessee was a state, William Bean built a cabin along the Watagua River and planted roots. In this episode, we tell the story of his journey from longhunter to settler, his friendship with Daniel Boone, and his wife Lydia’s dramatic rescue from execution by Cherokee Beloved Woman Nancy Ward.

    It’s the story of Tennessee’s first settlement, the founding of Bean Station, and a life that helped shape the Appalachian frontier.

    Like what you hear? Subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app and on our YouTube channel so you never miss an episode.

    Thanks for listening!
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    14 分
  • The Story of Isaac Cline, Appalachia's Weather Man

    The Story of Isaac Cline, Appalachia's Weather Man
    2025/04/12
    This week, Steve and Rod bring you the remarkable story of Isaac Cline, a Tennessee-born son of Appalachia who rose to become one of America’s most respected meteorologists. From his humble beginnings in a two-room log cabin near the Great Smoky Mountains to his fateful role during the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, Cline’s life was marked by groundbreaking contributions, profound loss, and an enduring legacy.

    He defied standard protocol of the time to warn the people of Galveston and turned that tragedy into a mission to redefine storm forecasting.

    Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any of our podcasts!

    Thanks for listening.
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    14 分
  • Standoff in Jefferson County: The Haunting Case of W. B. Johnson

    Standoff in Jefferson County: The Haunting Case of W. B. Johnson
    2025/04/05
    In this episode of Stories of Appalachia, we tell the story of a shocking event in January 1927 in Jefferson County, Tennessee.

    That was when a prominent county businessman named W.B. Johnson turned from respected community member to notorious outlaw. This tale unfolds with a fateful meeting involving Johnson, two women, and a tragic dispute that escalated into a deadly confrontation.

    This is a story of tragedy, madness, and the dark side of the Appalachia.

    If you've not done so already, be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss any of our stories.

    Thanks for listening!
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    16 分
  • Jellico's Darkest Day: The Explosion That Rocked Appalachia

    Jellico's Darkest Day: The Explosion That Rocked Appalachia
    2025/03/29
    In this episode, we tell the harrowing story of the Jellico explosion, a catastrophic event that shook the town of Jellico, Tennessee, on September 21, 1906. What began as a normal morning quickly turned into chaos when a shipment of 11 tons of dynamite detonated, leveling the downtown area and leaving the community in ruins.

    Join Steve Gilly and Rod Mullins as they tell the story of Jellico’s darkest day.
    Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app to catch all our stories.

    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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    18 分