Mitchell County’s Mica Mine Murders

Mitchell County’s Mica Mine Murders

Waightstill Avery Anderson was a Mitchell County revenue officer. Anderson married Nora Bowman, the daughter of J.W. Bowman and Mary Garland. Anderson had the reputation as a man who “possessed many enemies because he was active in running down the moonshiners who...
Roxanna Bowman Putman ~ Herb Doctor

Roxanna Bowman Putman ~ Herb Doctor

In Appalachia, a Herb Doctor is a therapist who heals with herbs.  Other labels for such practitioners, often but not always female, are “granny women,” “wise women,” or “conjurers.” One of these herb doctors from Buladean was Roxanna “Roxaner” Bowman Putman. Roxanne...
A Very Special Six Months in Buladean

A Very Special Six Months in Buladean

For many years, churches in our community served dual roles as centers of religious and social activity on Sundays, and  also during the week,as schools for students of all ages. The Presbyterian Church played a pivotal role in the early education of Mitchell County...
Rock Creek Revolution: Forming a Mountain Church

Rock Creek Revolution: Forming a Mountain Church

The Rock Creek Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has a history that expands for over eighty years in the Fork Mountain community. The birth of the church occurred on January 1, 1936. On that date, the first members of the pre-established church began taking turns having...