1938 Death Plunge- Elkhorn City (Breaks) Kentucky

Drone footage from / @deremerstudios
Today we go over the horrific car accident from April of 1938 where 4 men lost their lives. We visit the location it actually happened and try to locate one of the victims final resting spot in Elkhorn cemetery.
Richard Potter video • Early rugged pioneer a...
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[@BLESSEDNANNYOF2]

My Uncle was Chester Elswick, Kennis’s son. He was married to my mom’s sister Pebble Hackney. They had two children Jimmy Keith and Jean Grey from Elkhorn City.

[@BonnieDragonKat]

This one caught my attention because of my Hackney cousins. Heart wrenching. Thank You!

[@InnocentPotato-pd7wi]

Western Marylander here! In the beautiful Appalachian mountains! I have traveled all over the USA but I have to say , the Appalachian mountains are very, very beautiful! IMHO!

[@ronniemurphy2124]

Thanks for all the rich local history you dig up for us.

[@jamiedominy4552]

A really tragic story, very well told.

[@scampbell3363]

Hey from Memphis. Once again thank you two for the work you do for these people to have their lives known of and remembered. Beautiful country.

[@danielhall-wl4ql]

nightmare if scared of heights though , ive heard anyway lol

[@JansFAMBAM]

Hey Heather & Leo , great job! Your absolutely right life is to short! I myself been in 2 car accidents ! I’m here for a reason .

[@ilovebutterflies8181]

Amen!!

[@danielhall-wl4ql]

ive totaled every car ive had, always on my way to work , so I listened to God and stopped working. what are the odds really .

[@jmorgan5252]

I do enjoy the walks through Cemeteries and Heather's research and back stories. Thank you both excellent video !

[@sidneywaddell7765]

I’ve been to the Breaks it’s beautiful! Very interesting story. Great job as always Heather and Leo❤️

[@debrajohnston1790]

Thanks Leo and Heather. I enjoy your channel so much. You both should have been Teachers of history. I could listen to you all day. God bless you both and watch over your knees, back and the good old respiratory system.

[@WunderOps]

Thanks for raising awareness about Appalachia and its beauty and issues. It's one place where I always feel nature will win in the end...with the good Lord's help of course. Great stories and story telling! God Bless 🙏❤

[@sammyday3341]

Wonderful presentation folks. Thank you.

[@brianlykins6663]

Thanks, Heather, Leo for another great video. Accidents happen all the time, this one just seems different. I've been around a lot of old automobiles with original electrical systems & headlights. Driving that time of the night, in the mountains, I don't believe I would care for that. Guess we've gotten spoiled to modern vehicles, bright lights, etc. Love that old cemetery, some very old graves there. I was surprised at the slaves being there. I was always told that the slaves were usually buried at the homeplace somewhere, but not in the cemetery. Guess that shows what kind of people they were. Thank y'all for all the effort you put into these videos. It is very much appreciated. God bless y'all for what you do. Y'all be careful out there on the road. Heather, you be careful in that " mountain goat mode ", keep in mind, Leo has many years of experience, so pace yourself young lady !!! LOL. ❤👍👍

[@SandyzSerious]

Scary roads in the mountains.

[@genniejefferson6588]

These are the most amazing stories and I can’t get enough…

[@ThereseRose-kx3zn]

Thank you for doing a video on this. I'm related to Rans Potter. And also related to the founder of Elkhorn City, Kentucky.My Grandmother lived on Beaver Creek.Her mother was Lottie Potter Tackett

[@Susan71105]

Thanks for taking me along. I need to explore Kentucky more.

[@edielawrence97]

Thank you for taking us through this 🙏 ❤️ journey . It's always a pleasure to go along with ya'll . It's a sad 😢story for men and thier're loved ones . I'm the sorta person who believes that as long as we're remembered . We never really die ❤ . You've given these people a chance to be remembered . God bless yous 🙏 ...

[@patricatfurever4051]

Crazy folks jumping off a perfectly good train bridge! 😮

[@judytaylor4133]

I love the video, documenting the cemetery and past history.

[@carrollrickard9684]

Another trip in the books, them hills are full of stories both good and bad, You folks be safe and we'll see you down the road.

[@allenblair705]

Traveled this stretch many times for work and leisure but had never heard about this until now. You two do a great job presenting the story. Thanks again and keep them coming.

[@elainebrown874]

Thank y’all once again for such a wonderful but sad video. Y’all do amazing work. Take care and always be safe. I have a cousin that I feel that way about. He got on 75 and 285 around Atlanta and I had to call him down several times driving to fast. ☹️

[@marlenataylor8758]

Thank you, I appreciate the information and history you bring us.

[@judypierce7028]

This certainly is a beautiful part of Kentucky Leo. It would be a great place to camp. This was a really tragic story. Thank you for sharing this story. Loved the music Heather.

[@jamesault7832]

Shalom! As always, great video! The research and exploration that you are doings is interesting and entertaining and will also provide valuable information for many people who are searching for their genealogy. 💕💕

[@jeffmorris739]

Just wanted to say I love ya'll channel. That was awesome. I am from Elkview West Virginia.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thanks for watching!

[@pammiedoodle8693]

You two always find such interesting stories! That truly is a beautiful area with such a tragic history attached to it😢 Thanks once again for a great video! God Bless🙏

[@mathewhodge5469]

I absolutely love yawls documentaries, very insightful and educational.

[@ericpotter4657]

I Did not know about this incident, thank you for this info. The Potter’s in Leacher, Pike and Morgan County Kentucky are all somehow related to me. The wreck was in the part of The Breaks call Potter’s Flats. Have a blessed day and keep up the good work

[@taylorfamily8176]

Doing great buddy I wait on your videos I'm from Letcher co. Kentucky been gone for 50 years you make me miss the mountain not going over them keep it up

[@johnmorganjr769]

Hey Ky. brethren, have a great spring !! 🏞 🐟 🌲 🌿

[@Repocat]

Thank you for the interesting story and the journey through history.

[@connierichards9121]

Lol. Of course the graves are at the top of hill that poor Leo has to climb. Great video guys. Heather its just amazing the info you always fine. Thank you

[@dawn-hr8mg]

Another great video! Thanks guys ❤

[@sherrilee230]

Thank you for sharing. Heather and Leo you have some pretty country back there

[@jamielieberg7053]

leo and Heather you guy always have fun when your making your great videos

[@claudiadesoto2378]

Another wonderful video, beautiful ride along and the music is awesome I do look forward to more ❤

[@jessiemerritt9147]

Tragic story R.I.P. to the 4 men. Beautiful place. That patriotic elk or deer I can’t remember which was awesome it’s late but had to watch. God bless you all and your family.

[@normajeanhedlund7429]

I check our subscription all the time going to share the video Love you two Jim and NJ from Kettle Falls WA state

[@pamelamann8815]

Keep climbing, Leo! Love your videos!

[@dontaylor3039]

Gorgeous country, great video

[@angelahorne867]

Thank y’all very much ❤

[@deborahdonnelly8423]

4 1/2 seconds is a long time to realize what’s happening. I can only imagine.

[@megashovelmanam1517]

I have been to the Breaks Interstate Park and the views are pretty, years ago near that area, 1 winter my Great Uncle with my grandfather in a Coal truck, slided on ICE, not far from the edge where they were lucky from not going over the mountain.

[@RussWhite-xq3zn]

The fall is bad anytime but in the dark oh wow !

[@Elysian777]

I had a nightmare that something like this happened to me- curved road on cliffside overlooking the sea. I was in a red convertible and just floated up out of it when it went over the edge. Still terrifying.

[@sandyhawks5240]

What a beautiful place to rest.✝️

[@45beetle]

Really enjoyed

[@bethgiesey9405]

Sad story but the cemetery is beautiful

[@tweedlebee-eo2kq]

TY heather and leo 4 another great story❣️enjoy yr channels 👍

[@maryguy-fo2qk]

very interesting like your videos and the histories you talk about

[@OlSgtLove]

Heather and Leo ,another look into the past and history. Very interesting story and beautiful area. Love ya'll's Channel !!!

[@hardasstone5828]

Don't think many cars had seat belts in 38'.

[@theburtseoni]

What a beautiful place, but so sad that 4 folks died there also!

[@mercedithcompala8148]

Sad story...

[@laurabrooks7655]

That rock Leo picked up looked like "Kenis" with the s backward was scratched on it.

[@rhondacantwell8900]

You guys are great

[@cherylschantz9893]

I have seen hidden cemeteries online where both the enslaved and their owners are buried together. It’s heartless to have no names.

[@gregorygibson5455]

Hello Leo and Heather

[@saltydogz4657]

I've always heard that Elkhorn City was a wild place back in the day. Lots of bars and what not. Four guys in a car late at night. What are the chances they were patronizing the local establishments? EC was much larger than it is now, with constant activity. Might make for an interesting vid project. Also, the lost silver mine of Johnathan Swift is supposedly in the area somewhere. Don't know much about it though, other than many have searched for it.

[@robertbelt5515]

I love your videos, I’m in western Kentucky, but I’m wanting to visit the eastern part of the state, especially in the Elkhorn City area, the River Valley area, just wondering if the River is a good Canoe or Kayaking River, if possible I’d like to get in touch with you, I’ve got ancestors from that area, they came out of Virginia during the 1700’s after coming to America in the 1600’s from Scotland and England, I am a descendant of the Woodson Family, Dr. John Woodson and his wife Sarah who came to this country in 1643 approximately, they had children who eventually moved into the mountains of Kentucky during the 1700’s and fought in the Revolutionary War as a part of the Pioneer Army that joined General Washington and the Regular Army, they were given Land Grants in the western part of Kentucky as payment for their service in the Revolutionary Army, and that’s how I became to live in Western Kentucky, but I’m getting older now and would love to visit my ancestral home area, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

What a tragedy. Very interesting video. Pretty cemetery. I do not like riding with other people especially my son & my sister neither of them have ever met a speed limit sign they respect. I use to drive fast when I was young & stupid. My father said it was because my legs were so long they were out through the carburetor. Once I had kids no more speeding for me. Enjoyed the video very much. Safe travels ❤

[@InnocentPotato-pd7wi]

Retired Teacher here ! I ditched my 2006 PT-CRUISER, good German engineering! German - Swiss American ! I am fortunate tgat I am able to walk most places in my walking friendly town! I haven't bought single gallon of gas since February 8,2023! Saving lots of money and time too ! No waiting for car repairs, no oil changes, no car insurance, no car registration fees , no gym membership necessary , walking is great exercise! Not to mention ,people these days drive like MANIACS! Drink and drive, take drugs and drive ,ignore weather conditions never slow down in rain / snow , texting while driving ! I don't miss that at all!

[@InnocentPotato-pd7wi]

Thanks for your excellent videos!

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

@@InnocentPotato-pd7wi I wish I lived in a walking friendly town. No sidewalks here & people here are so bad drivers I wonder sometimes how they got a license. Every time I have to buy tires oil changes etc. I say I want to buy a horse. Sadly I no longer have a barn or pasture to keep it in. Also I'd probably have trouble parking him at the store 😁 maybe I should move to Amish country. I live in eastern north Carolina & we get hurricanes. A women said to me the horse can't go through hurricanes. It'll go through a lot better than her car. He car can't swim through a flood

[@ronalddawson3873]

Very interesting.

[@tomsopterravideos2985]

I stopped flying with a guy who was doing dangerous stuff , he died shortly after that while flying dangerously.

[@robcates2383]

This was a little easier find, on google earth, I get a kick out of trying to find where you guys are at during the videos!!!!!

[@LorieBurk]

A VERY VERY SAD 😢 TRAGEDY

[@user-lf9rh8tb9c]

good v ideo

[@H.C.-Transparency]

Potter from potter flats

[@michaelbedinger4121]

Beautiful country, and cemetery. Very sad story, 😔 I wonder 🤔 if the driver was going too fast, or if he just lost his way in the dark. May they all rest in peace 🙏 I found it interesting, that one Civil War headstone with the southern cross, had a US flag, instead of a confederate flag, while the other confederate graves has rebel flags. Great video, thank you very much Leo and Heather. Have a great day. 😊

[@InnocentPotato-pd7wi]

Western Marylander here! Kentucky , like Maryland was a border state! Both states had UNION & CONFEDERATE supporters! In fact the beautiful MD state flag reflects this division . The Black & Gold stripes represent the Calvert Family / UNION & the RED and white Cross represents the Crossland family / CONFEDERATE! The flag was designed to bring both sides back together after the Civil War! Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman were former slaves on MD Eastern Shore! Their statues are on display at our MD State Capitol in Annapolis , MD, home of the US Naval Academy! Go NAVY!⚓️🚢⚓️⛵️⚓️🛟🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊!

[@InnocentPotato-pd7wi]

On September 17,1862 ,the bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War was fought in Sharpsburg, MD/ Antietam battlefield! What many people do not know is that 8 women, dressed as soldiers actually fought at that battle! 8 Women fought for the UNION , two as young as 15 years of age. A dead Confederate woman was found on the Cornfield by a Massachusetts Burial party! Antietam and Gettysburg are two battlefields I would highly recommend visiting! 23,000 wounded/ killed in a single day at Antietam ! 53,000 perished in 3 days in Gettysburg Pennsylvania July 1-3 1863!

[@InnocentPotato-pd7wi]

7 WOMEN fought for the UNION, 1 fought for the Confederate side! FOR A TOTAL OF 8!

[@michaelbedinger4121]

​@@InnocentPotato-pd7wiInteresting.

[@michaelbedinger4121]

​@@InnocentPotato-pd7wiVery interesting, thank you very much for the information.

[@theresajohnson4088]

Well we'll Heather we share the same Birthday 🎂

[@taniazelenak4492]

Thanks for warning of being unsubscribed wondered why l hadn't seen your videos....lousy lousy thing to do KZbin...hate the channels earning money...what a lousy thing to do to the KZbin content creates their fans all for KZbinS OWN GREED ...MONEY....thanks again Leo and Heather for the warning❤❤❤❤

[@sherriekirby1585]

Sadly there are a lot of 'endings' like this. Just ride along those mountain dirt roads in the fall/winter & you'll see cars, trucks, tractors etc at the bottom of alot of dollars. Ive seen a train engine at the bottom of one they never got out & there are no tracks up on that mountain, but they were transporting it

[@garyhall1895]

Where is the train engine located ?

[@garyhall1895]

Where is the train located ?

[@wapartist]

You’d both be fun to camp with. Stories all night!

[@user-vz2vv4qs8t]

Always heard an old saying, If you dream you are falling and if you don't wake up before making contact, you will die. I know.....but I have always heard that.

[@mistyross8578]

I have heard this since I was a little girl.

[@davidross5169]

They did this at our city by the lake,racine wis.only dog statues. Then auctioned them off.

[@vickywinters8211]

Mom was a year that year then march 27 1937 was born😮😢

[@rhondasimpleman5905]

The person that went to the wreck site, Potter was he the father to one of the victims?

[@pakedermsfavs9080]

Virginia Kentucky home of the original mountain billy goat 🐐❤😂

[@jillrutherford6361]

Maybe there was no guard rails back then. Yet we all know guard rails do not save everyone in different situations.

[@michellekellogg9943]

april 4 we both aried lol 19:43

[@pennypress8131]

Ratliff Hole? 🤔

[@jamy8575]

A watch does NOT stop because of wearers death

[@thehillbillyfiles]

it happens on impact accidents like patsy clines plane wreak, so yes it does.

[@jamy8575]

@@thehillbillyfiles Sure... & Viruses are proven to exist, Government is here to help, Taxes are legal, IRS was NOT created outta thin air thru WWI &WWII, 9/11 was done by "terrorists", Economic deterioration THRU Appalachia was the peoples fault &&&&&... Same circular reasoning used on all types of things.. (Patsy Cline/People) THEREFORE (Watches quit on impact/ Viruses exist). Take your 80's wrist watch and ...put it in a bucket with a lid.... throw it off the top of a #10 story building onto a concrete street ..Go fetch the bucket open and Whalloah It still ticks.. Me and some buddies did this Downtown Pittsburgh back in the 90's...

[@danielhall-wl4ql]

truly hate that place , not the people or anything, see I was born with fake balls, yea just there for looks and add my fear of heights turns this dude into little weeping girl wanting his mommy. do miss my mother .

[@connie2558]

Thanks

[@mrdogshit]

O got rearended by an 18wheeler at a stop light and my balance isnt so great on stairs