John Henry - The Steel Drivin' Man
Man or Myth?
Man or Myth?
The C & O Railroad built Great Bend Tunnel in the early 1870's. Over one mile of hard red shale that resists drilling but readily crumbles when exposed to air, was cleared through the Big Bend Mountain in Talcott, West Virginia. The tunneling by driving steel by hand into the hard rock was dangerous and reportedly one in five men were killed as tons of rock crushed down upon them. Was there a man among these steel drivers named John Henry? Did this John Henry race against a steam drill and die with his hammer in his hand as ballads portray? Research indicates more than likely . . . he did.
For the legend according to the local tourist bureau: Click Here.
For the legend according to National Public Radio: Click Here.
Happy Note: The NPR site includes musical recordings.
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