11. The Carter Family – John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man
http://www.wvculture.org/HISTORY/crime/hardyjohn01.html
John Hardy Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree
Special Telegram to the Register.
WELCH, W. VA., October 12. – At 8 o’clock this morning the jury in the case of the State against John Hardy, colored, for the murder of Thomas Drews, colored, at Eckman, this county, in January last, brought in a verdict of guilty of
murder in the first degree. The trouble arose over a game of craps and was a cold blooded crime. Motion has been made for a new trial with but small hopes of success on account of the Criminal Court Judge’s indisposition. A recess has
been taken until Monday morning.
January 19, 1894: Hanging of John Hardy
Two of West Virginia’s most popular folk songs are often confused with one another even though they tell very different stories. The song „John Henry“ chronicles the epic struggle between man and machine. John Henry won his contest over a steam-powered drill but the effort cost him his life.
Like Henry, John Hardy was a black railroad worker, but he met his death in a less than heroic fashion. Hardy joined thousands of laborers in southern West Virginia’s booming coalfields in the 1890s. McDowell County was not prepared to handle the population explosion and stories of murder, drinking, gambling, and prostitution became legendary.
One of these stories became the basis for the folk song „John Hardy.“ In the song, Hardy guns down a man who beat him at poker. Governor William MacCorkle later called it a classic tale of „women, cards and liquor.“ Hardy was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. A large crowd gathered at the McDowell County seat of Welch on January 19, 1894, to witness the spectacle. Like many condemned prisoners, Hardy is said to have experienced a religious conversion. Before the noose was placed around his neck, Hardy delivered a moving speech from the gallows in which he showed remorse for his crime.
Although passed down as a folk song, „John Hardy“ has been played by bluegrass, blues, country, jazz, and rock musicians. The song has been recorded by a wide array of performers, including Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Earl Scruggs,
Duke Ellington, Manfred Mann, and Uncle Tupelo.
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…because life is full of important things.