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In the 1820s, Oliver Vermillion was a wealthy livestock baron living in the Thompson’s Ford area of Nickelsville, Virginia. Originally from Russell County, Vermillion frequently traveled to cattle markets, sometimes leaving without notice. One day, a neighbor stopped by his…
Reuben Herndon became one of the most infamous figures associated with Virginia’s “Ordeal of Blood.” His case, involving a missing young woman, a secret relationship, an incriminating letter, and a gruesome discovery in the woods, offers a dark glimpse into…
The Hatfield-McCoy feud is one of the best-known episodes in Appalachian history, so famous that the family names themselves became shorthand for any long and bitter conflict. The feud is generally believed to have lasted from 1878 to 1891, although…
On February 6, 1885, thousands gathered in Estillville, Virginia, now known as Gate City, for an extraordinary event in Scott County history. Two young men, Wayne Powers, 23, and George Gibson, 25, were to be hanged together for murder. It…
The term “Code Duello” refers to the formalized rules that once governed dueling, a practice considered a cornerstone of “gentlemanly” conduct in many societies. Men fought over political disagreements, personal insults, romantic rivalries, and the honor of their families. Although…
The execution of Noah Fulton remains one of the more controversial and mysterious cases of capital punishment in Southwest Virginia. Convicted of first-degree murder at the age of 19, Fulton was hanged in 1907 for killing his lifelong friend, 23-year-old…
In May 1855, Emory and Henry College in Virginia hosted a grand wedding ceremony. The groom, Henry Solon Kane, Esq., a well-known bachelor from Scott County, married Miss Sarah Anderson, daughter of the esteemed Col. Anderson of Washington County. The…
In May 1855, Emory and Henry College in Virginia hosted a grand wedding ceremony. The groom, Henry Solon Kane, Esq., a well-known bachelor from Scott County, married Miss Sarah Anderson, daughter of the esteemed Col. Anderson of Washington County. The…
Around the turn of the 20th century, George W. Robinette became a notable figure in Scott County, Virginia, known for an extraordinary collection of fossils, historic artifacts, war relics, coins, and other curiosities gathered over many years. Robinette never intended…
Dr. Isaac “Cam” Anderson married Gate City beauty Mary Nelms in October 1901. The brother of Bristol Mayor Alexander Anderson, Cam soon became one of Gate City’s most prominent physicians. He earned a stellar reputation, particularly for saving the lives…