Bloody Breathitt Kentucky: In the Deep Dark Hills of Eastern Kentucky

[@MountainRoots]

Love hearing from y'all in the comments! What'd you think of Bloody Breathitt County?

[@nancymay297]

Please tell us what closed down the mines. I think the mining companies closed them down as they were not profitable. Please tell us why.

[@MountainRoots]

@nancymay297 that would be an entire episode or even mini-documentary to cover... you may have given me an idea. Thanks!

[@WeThePpl-c1m]

Born an raised in Lee an Breathitt

[@nancymay297]

I think people have lots of ideas about the people in the area. I’d like to see a reality check. My dad was the Assistant Director of Mental Health for the state of Kentucky. He always felt those people got the short end of the stick in terms of education and benefits.

[@JamesRHope]

Pretty cool

[@jefferywright4204]

Great job, Josh. You make the past come alive with your excellent narration and the fact laden script that supports it. Keep up your good work, please!

[@MountainRoots]

I appreciate that!

[@ADHski]

It appears your channel went viral on the last video, well deserved after years of effort. Thanks for explaining REAL American history that so few are aware of. Cheers!

[@MountainRoots]

@ADHski thanks, really appreciate it! I'll keep moving forward 🫡

[@sandyfreyman3501]

Well I'm not sure it's the only story for the reason the name bloody breathitt. People here are very country. Growing up swimming in the creeks. In the earlyb1900s they would use the creeks to keep milk cold in jugs or bottles and sink it in the creek. Guns have always been carried in the crook of an arm here , just as you see the man walking down the road carrying one on his arm in the movie Patrick swayze was in. People are slow to lose the old ways here.

[@Wetrockstah2116]

This is where my Mom and family is from. I lived there as a kid, and moved to Florida for a few years, then moved back to Winchester, KY when I was a teenager. Breathitt county is a beautiful place, and them country boys down there are a different breed for sure.

[@MountainRoots]

It really does have a lot to offer in the way of natural beauty. Thanks for watching!

[@jamesbowen8960]

It sure is a beautiful place, and some of the best people you will ever meet. I hope it prospers once again.

[@moorek1967]

We might be related.

[@Wetrockstah2116]

@@moorek1967 my mom is Lisa Miller, or Lisa York now. Lester Ray Miller, Frankie Miller, Jeffery Miller (rip) , Matt Lee, I have Alot of family down there, and remember living there as a kid.

[@moorek1967]

@@Wetrockstah2116 I am not related to Millers. My grandmother was Lorean Gross and her parents were Jim and Cindy Johnson Gross. I am related to Gross, Johnson, McIntosh. Johnson, Johnson, Johnson.....more Johnsons in ancestry.... Reynolds. And just to throw in, my mom's cousin Berry Johnson, murdered his wife and is in jail. So might as well include that before someone reads this and wants to point that out. And my Owsley cousins are Barretts. But I do have one blood relative who is a Miller, but his real great-grandfather was my great-great grandfather because his mother married a Miller and that baby was simply given the Miller name, but actually he was a Johnson. They moved to California. I have cousins married to Spencers, Spicers, Arrowoods, Redwines just to name a few.

[@ThatKyGirl1]

Dirty politics is still going on in Ky.. Thanks for your video. I sure enjoy watching them.

[@tRBIge]

For sure

[@karenbrewer5864]

I had never heard of this place in Kentucky or this story. I love to listen to your videos. Just so informative. Thank you!

[@patriley9449]

You have a great voice to narrate these stories. I love to watch videos about these beautiful yet troubled areas. You have a new subscriber.

[@BTaul00]

I was born and raised in Breathitt county. Went to high school at Breathitt high and graduated in 2014. I moved away in 2019. Jackson will always be part of me and my family’s heritage. Proud to be from Eastern Ky!

[@dr_gizmo7354]

Same here

[@goldenarrow5201]

Me too✌️❤️

[@goldenarrow5201]

Me too✌️❤️

[@saramurphy4636]

You're a baby lol graduated in 84

[@janetHarley775]

I graduated the class of 1990. Breathitt County High school. ​@saramurphy4636

[@alysonrdiaz]

Josh, this is so so so so so good!!! Your narration is beautiful!! Your voice and editing skills, not to mention all of the thorough studying you do of each individual town is truly incredible! You are so deserving of everything good to come your way!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@MountainRoots]

You're the best!

[@lostbuffalo196]

I love these types of no nonsense, truthful storytelling. I'm 76 and my father spent part of his childhood in Breathitt and Harlan counties. Although he never talked much about it, I knew that a person should mind there own business. THANK YOU;

[@rebeccahoward8927]

Born and raised there,left when I was 18, miss that town so much, people don't take no crap, normally don't start trouble but will end it if you cross the line.Go Breathitt County one and only! Xo

[@Lost1st]

@rebeccahoward8927 if you don't mind me asking, we just moved there.. why did you leave?

[@jaycehoward2771]

​@@Lost1st we love it here. We live on 205 in between West Liberty and Jackson. But prefer the quiet mind your business life. The biggest issue to me is the drugs in these small town areas. I'm originally from Salyersville so that's the biggest issue. But we have pew pews for that...

[@larryspoonamore7812]

Nobody in the kentucky hills takes much crap i live in rockcastle county works the same here

[@junebryant5159]

Thank you for sharing your videos and the raw truth of areas of Appalachia! It may be difficult for some people, but always tell the truth about the area!!

[@MountainRoots]

You're welcome! It is my desire to share the stories and history as well as show the present state of these towns and places. It is not my intention to denigrate or poke fun, or solely focus on the "warts" (every place has those). Really appreciate you watching!

[@junebryant5159]

@@MountainRoots I found your videos a few years ago, not having but internet TV, most miss seeing you on your new projects!! Praying for you and your family(team members as well), June Bug 🐞, Lewisburg, West Virginia!!

[@jonthorpe8999]

I have been born and raised in Breathitt County. Left home for 12+ years for work. There’s been lots of blood shed in my family growing up. My Dads side of my family lives on Smith Branch Rd named after Bad Tom Smith the last man publicly hanged in town.

[@tracyrobinsonkote6450]

So many childhood memories in Breathitt. My grandparents were born and raised there. It was always “home” to us.

[@johnward9146]

I lived in Jackson in the late 70s. A long-haired youngster from Pike County, fresh out of high-school. Attended the Breathitt County Vo-Tech school taking a HVAC course through the EKCEP program. Walked those elevated sidewalks and got plenty of attention from the town police and the county deputies. Drove to Perry County for booze on the weekends. Met some interesting and good hearted locals. I heard a lot about the fueds and bloodletting of Breathitt from those locals. I think the national attention given the Tug River war is the reason for that fame. There's been many fueds, political and personal, but most are not talked about as much.

[@louisvilledave]

Thankfully Breathitt voted to allow alcohol sales a few years ago. I only have to drive 16 miles now, down from 36.

[@gregdelaney119]

Josh, you continue to excel in efforts to research, document, and present some of the most fascinating and fertile stories for learning. You are doing work that edifies and educates. History, at least to the extent that I have studied it over the years, is simply not a simple and "clean" science. Human beings are too complex and unpredictable to present in a mere textbook narrative. I especially appreciate the final minute or so of this video's narrative - the reminder that each day MAKES history and that this is an ongoing process. That may sound trite, but it is not. Congratulations on your successful evolution as a documentary film maker. It is a joy to watch.

[@MountainRoots]

@gregdelaney119 that really means a lot coming from you! I know you've stuck in there and observed my evolution. It really humbles me you're still around watching and taking time to leave such thoughtful comments like this one!

[@markgallagher5908]

Great camera work on the video and you're a great story teller, your best video yet.

[@MountainRoots]

Wow, thank you!

[@wildcatrewind]

Bloody Breathitt is my home town! No where like it! Graduated Breathitt high in 2003 ( undefeated state football champs) it is also the only place in America that didn't have to have a draft during war bc there where way more then enough volunteers. Long live Bloody Breathitt

[@drummersagainstitk]

Your production is fantastic. The editing is always getting better. And!!! your accented commentary is classic. Thank you. love this sht. Cont success.

[@MountainRoots]

Thank you so much!!

[@rustynolan9140]

Mountain Roots, This was a wonderful documentary. I had heard all my life Bloody Breathitt, but I never did know the reason why, thank you for the explanation.

[@dennissvitak5475]

I was a technical training instructor in the Air Force, back in the mid '80's. I had students (NCO's) come to our advanced weather training school from all over. Day one class, I had a Hatfield, and a McCoy in the same class. In less than a week, they were fighting each other in the hallway. It was unreal.

[@dalegooch4616]

Josh another fascinating episode. I learn so much watching this. Your treatment of JD Vance very fair. I read his book a few years ago thought it was interesting and real. Love this channel.

[@FatGuyTries]

This episode was riveting brother!

[@MountainRoots]

@@FatGuyTries thanks for the feedback, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@BudStickly]

Great video!! I grew up in the next town over, Hazard. All these little towns are filled with bloody history. And the politics are still just as dirty as ever.

[@jdbegley5]

My Grandma is from Breathitt and my Grandpa is from Hazard near Hell for Certian

[@BudStickly]

@jdbegley5 I know right where that is, it's near confluence in Leslie County.

[@AnalogTVch.0]

My wife is from Hazard! We go there and visit her parents often. Her Mom was a school teacher there.

[@file13whereareyou]

Thanks for the video. We love our history here in the mountains

[@MountainRoots]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rurushaw]

lived there for a few years ..good people and nothing like they show these people on tv and in the movies especially fire down below..great show and very interesting

[@TCnML01]

My grandpa Dewey Gross was born and raised in Breathitt County. All the stories I heard him and his brothers tell about “Big Branch” I never got to visit but I sure wish I would had while he was alive.

[@MsChristine55555]

My Grandma was born here and grew up here. She was a Barnett and McIntosh

[@nickcrooks8467]

Such a beautiful area. I've been to Jackson many times.

[@michaelhager2846]

Good to see you more on you tube, i dont watch PBS,thank you,love these videos and your style of presentation 😊😊

[@MountainRoots]

Glad you enjoy!

[@caseyterry3423]

I live in breathitt, its pretty chill nowdays

[@philhoward8768]

Both my parents were from there. We used to have our family reunions there all the time. It was always like a vacation when my parents took us. Both of them are buried there in cane creek. I sometimes go and visit their graves. ❤❤

[@truckinpoppop6777]

Keep up the great work Josh!!

[@MountainRoots]

Thanks! Will do!

[@JordanSizemore-f3i]

I've lived in Jackson my whole life i couldn't call another place home glad to be from bloody breathitts hollers and back roads

[@burnadetterivera9273]

lol I go get breakfast in Jackson and now our 4Runner is filmed in your video. I was watching this and my husband said “wait!” That’s the 4Runner. Love this little city and the people in it.

[@kevinhensley4643]

I had heard and read about Bloody Harlan, "My dad was from there," but I never heard of Bloody Breathitt. Very interesting.

[@SpaceDwarf55]

That was a really interesting video, it's strange that sometimes the most visually beautiful places on earth, are also among the hardest to survive in.

[@amylou1783]

We moved to Breathitt County Kentucky in 2009, from the big city of Lexington Ky. A huge step in trying to raise our children in a small town, and live a slower paced life. It has been great to raise our children here with family. The down side however is that there really isn't much to do around here, unless you love the beautiful views of the eastern kentucky mountains. I wish more folks would come experience the beauty of small town USA. Y'all come on down and get some great hospitality and amazing views, and it makes for great motorcycle riding. Breathitt County strong baby❤!

[@larryspoonamore7812]

Dont tell them that easy to tell yall aint hill folk we dont want them here !!!

[@ky42]

Great info vid Josh! Jackson is my hometown.

[@moorek1967]

My grandmother was from Breathitt. In fact, my grandmother's family has been there since the Revolution. My grandmother told me that when she was young,, there was gangs of men with rifles and shotguns who just walked through people's yards and took whatever they wanted and threatened to shoot anyone who protested. She was born in 1926 so in her memories, it was in the early 1930s.

[@Possessedpappy]

My Grandma was born in 1922 and She said the exact same thing plus a lot of stealing. You're madin name moore?

[@moorek1967]

@@Possessedpappy Yes, but not from Kentucky, on my dad's side, his paternal grandfather was from Ireland and this where my maiden name from. All the names listed from Breathitt are my mom's mom's family. My dad's mom and her family are from West Virginia, way back to Old Ned Sizemore..lol. My mom's dad's father was from Bavaria.

[@Possessedpappy]

@@moorek1967 That's so cool. My father's mother was a Moore. Don't really know a lot about the family line so it's interesting when I hear the name and other people's stories.

[@moorek1967]

@@Possessedpappy Moore is a very common name. And there are many Moores in Southeast Kentucky and West Virginia. If you want to read something interesting, read about the Captives of Abby's Valley.

[@Possessedpappy]

@@moorek1967 Thanks I'll definitely check it out. I've been looking into the surname's history a little and I know it's tied to a mixed tribe called Melungeons. Which predates our country's existence. They have Portuguese and North W. African descent Which makes sense when my dad did his DNA test 16% of his ancestry came from to the Iberian peninsula.

[@TheCursedDay]

I grew up and still live in Morgan County. Was just in Jackson last week. Neat little video to randomly pop up in my feed. Never knew about Bloody Breathitt. Lol

[@SteveS-fm4yh]

Great videos man. Really like your work!

[@MountainRoots]

Appreciate the feedback, and I'm so glad you enjoy them!

[@tarotmafia]

My mother was born and raised here, I was raised here from 12 yrs old till I left in my 20’s. Y’all really don’t know the good days, cruising town, squalling tires and racing down 15 while someone on the other end of town was watching for Elvis & counties, the rope swing on lakeside at the dock, the water tower swimming at markum heights, good times

[@SKASELOVERSINCE]

I was born and raised in Magoffin County in currently going to Magoffin County high school I always remember going up on Breathitt ridge to see the wild horses

[@Possessedpappy]

Great video! I have roots in that town. Anyone live on JT. 397? I'm kin to Nichols, Reynolds, Moore, Combs.

[@elijahp15]

I live right here in Jackson, Ky. It's a beautiful place but there are still strong family ties all up and down these hollers. You'll notice there's a few big names here and we can tell if you ain't from around here based on you last name and accent.

[@JordanSizemore-f3i]

💯% ain't hard to tell if u from the hollers of Jackson ky

[@kylejohnson7777]

I’ve been all over Kentucky and breathitt county is a top 10 beautiful place,I’d be proud to retire there

[@stevenrogers1087]

Another amazing story!

[@MountainRoots]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gina5827]

Interesting story and excellent work.

[@DCMikeAviationFun]

Very nicely done ✅

[@MountainRoots]

@miker4430 thanks for watching!

[@RuthieBowling]

I am from Breathitt county.🤘❤️🤘🖤

[@JoeAdler-tr7dc]

It's not as bad as Mccreary County Whitley City

[@ak2nda695]

This is a great history lesson in less than 9 minutes.

[@MountainRoots]

@@ak2nda695 thanks for the feedback, glad you enjoyed it!

[@tangle70]

From the son of a southern West Virginian'r I can guarani-dang-tee you that the feuds have not been forgotten.

[@moorek1967]

And they are not over with.

[@Wilson-ky30]

I’m setting 2 miles from brethitt county line atm and I could tell story’s people just wouldn’t believe

[@randallwilliams7338]

Wow, i would not think that this particular town would have that much drama in it. Do to it being that small, i did not think that there would be that much trouble there in Jackson, Ky.

[@chrisrose_krii_lun_aus]

Thats my hometown. There are a lot of stories that youll never hear unless you were raised around here.

[@RRiffe]

Great voice !

[@AngelEyes-xm7el]

Hazard Kentucky raw violence way back in the 1940's.

[@cmchubba3220]

Hey J. I just got to 8:11 and you've mentioned Callahans. That is my blood. Carl Callahan was my Grandfather . I've so wondered my family's history. He married the Best Friend of my life, Bess Eddinger. Ty so very much for what you do. Cockerill? ...wow. My name till married was Cockerham. ..i fig'd it was British wow

[@normantaulbee4011]

Ballad of Breathitt county. Well, I’m here to tell a story And I’m here to sing a song Bout a card game up in Breathitt And how a couple things went wrong. The cards were on the table In a house to hard to change Where 38's were loaded Also noted for they’re range., Minutes changed to hours And looks began to stare An east Kentucky poker game With suspicions in the air An old man in the holler Knows how it got the name Oh, bloody Breathitt County And your east Kentucky fame On a screen door slamming summer day, You can hear the jar fly sing, But does a ballad of this bloody place Really mean a thing The cards were on the table The looks were on their face Everything in the holler Seemed to be in place, moonshine in mason jars sheriff out of reach a bullet in a body at the bottom of the creek An old man in the holler Knows how it got the name Oh, bloody Breathitt County And your east Kentucky fame On a screen door slamming summer day, You can hear the jar fly sing, But does ballad of this bloody place Really mean a thing Norman Taulbee © 2005

[@marygardner7289]

I remember riding the bus through Jackson !

[@TonyaRoberts-n6q]

This is where I am from and still live here

[@markwilliams5606]

Hello Harlan. Miss Dixie Town. Adios from the Ozarks 🌄

[@bennmullins3064]

My dad is from there. Yeah whenever I hear people from the larger cities up north or south talk about the gang violence and some even try to imitate. They find out quickly, here in KY, when it comes to a feud, it doesn't ever stop, it's just the evolution to the next feud. The hills are alive with guerillas and gunmen.

[@FROOSTERFISH]

I've never seen a gorilla in the hills down here bub

[@GroovyMike65]

Good narration

[@MountainRoots]

Thank you!

[@mikeymullins1446]

I'm from here it would have been cool seeing you here telling about our history in this small town

[@MountainRoots]

@mikeymullins1446 there were only a few people out and about while I was there. I spoke with several of them. Very nice folks!

[@mikeymullins1446]

@MountainRoots thanks for a really good video It was really cool of you to let everyone know about jackson, you did a great job

[@MountainRoots]

@mikeymullins1446 thank you, I'm glad to hear a local say that!

[@patback5050]

My family is from Jackson. My grandpa was very well known in the area. I was born there. We moved away when I was about five. Several years prior my aunt was shot and killed by her boyfriend. While walking to town one day she saw some men throw a body in a river. The sheriff was one of the men. Supposedly he was the one that ordered the boyfriend to kill her. Her death was ruled a suicide.

[@MountainRoots]

@@patback5050 😔

[@michaelcassady3862]

I am a Cassady whose roots in Inez, Ky/Martin County, run back to the late 1700s, during the time of settlement. My Scots-Irish paternal ancestors had names like "Ulysses Simpson Cassady" and were clearly pro-Union. I know that Scots-Irish blood and passion runs hot, and the spread of my clan across Martin County and the Tug River in West Virginia shows the history of the Civil War, and their struggles to survive. I respect those ancestors. Thanks for the video.

[@countermoonman]

How ironic, just heard on the news & online that a sheriff killed a judge in his courthouse chambers in Kentucky…sounds similar to these stories in a way…is history repeating itself in rural Kentucky?..anyhow another very interesting & informative bit of history of old Breathitt Kentucky

[@MountainRoots]

Loss of life is so tragic 😔

[@countermoonman]

@@MountainRoots I totally concur with you!

[@traveler9523]

Just seen that as well.

[@missys199]

Hadn't heard this before. But Manchester, Clay County, used to be called Bloodchester

[@AnnaBrown-h4e]

The coal dried up?? How about the liberal Dem's closed it down?? 😮😢😮 Nothing can take down " memories"! We all have different memories of the same thing!!

[@MountainRoots]

It's an expression, not a literal statement about how the economy dried up. It is my studied opinion that politicians on "both sides" of the spectrum have been living like leeches off the backs of the common man for time immortal...

[@marcoluoma3770]

I live in coal country and feel your pain, but coal just can’t compete in the market with gas based on $/btu. Put away your tinfoil hat.

[@OffAir2112]

You ain’t no miner

[@chrisrose_krii_lun_aus]

I live in Breathitt county. It wasn't really a coal.town then. It was a lumber town because of the river. They'd float logs down to a lot of sawmills there and on down the river. I can tell you all a lot of stories you'd never hear unless you grew up around here.

[@jamessurveyor4859]

Brethitt county is almost 100 percent registered Democrats.

[@JC-905]

My mom was from Harlan County and I was told it was Harlan, Ky. That was referred to as bloody.

[@davidlasanen7690]

THATS NOTHING TO THE DIRTY POLITICS WE HAVE TODAY IN THIS COUNTRY

[@lindacarol9484]

Never heard of this and I live in Kentucky!

[@t.morrow560]

Does anyone know where KayJay Kentucky is? My grandparents are from there and I’d love to figure out where it’s at. Thank you in advance!

[@BudStickly]

I commute to work in Barbourville. It's near there.

[@s.d.7946]

One of my favorite books takes place in this county, it is a true story of a young woman God called to start a Christian work there. She ended up with a college, a Christian school and tons of churches all over, and this was when there were dirt roads! They had to build a bridge over a river to get building supplies to the school site. A true story called The Pauline Ministry in the Kentucky Mountains by Lela G McConnell written in 1942

[@us441south]

I'm from Knoxville and I feel more akin to SE Kentucky than I do with any part of Tennessee west of Crossville.

[@baghodler508]

Great job, Appalachian pride

[@LexiJean83]

We actually call it Body Breathitt because the police brutality in the area. Specifically the state police.

[@nealstokley6321]

Same in my home town in Missouri its everywhere

[@JonathanRemy-j1s]

As someone who was born in Jackson and has lived there for my whole life, Vance ain’t no hillbilly his grandparents was born here, not his parents.

[@decembings]

how on earth did i not know this stuff about my town

[@kevingilbert1608]

I’m from Lewis County. I used to watch fist fights on the court house square on election day. No shooting, though.

[@jaycombs875]

Now we have JD Vance this is aging well and i live 20 minutes from there in lee co.

[@bdpage2023]

The Sheriff of Letcher County, KY just shot & killed a local judge. Ironic.

[@MountainRoots]

😔

[@CoalHeartedMiner]

Go look up the reason for that shooting ! You may not find it so cut and dry ? Sad situation for all . Not so Ironic after you fully see what caused all that to unfold. Not starting a big debate just go and see why . Terrible decisions made on both sides .

[@bdpage2023]

@@CoalHeartedMiner Gossip about minor family members & possibly inappropriate sexual relationship(s). I'm not casting aspersions on either guy. Ironic I had just watched a video about the history of "bloody" Breathitt County and heard about this. My first college roomie was from Whitesburg.

[@danielgalaxy5540]

I was in Breathitt County Regional Juvenile Detention Center for 6 months. Worst time of my life.

[@CherylALP]

My grandfather grew up there.

[@dereklewis9451]

I was hooked for the story but it felt like you just skimmed through the cliff notes. With that many bodies there has to be more important details than that. The last 3 minutes felt like an unrelated JD Vance book commercial. Politics aside I'd love to learn more about the story.

[@MountainRoots]

There's just so much to cover, and keeping all of it under 10 minutes is a challenge- to touch upon a place's past as well as some of its present context.

[@theotherartifactstoa776]

There's a lot more to this story. I grew up there and my family has lived there since 1801. My family was deeply involved. Im related to Tom White, who shot Marcum at the court house. He committed the crime shortly after receiving a pardon from the Governor

[@larryb3988]

Dad was born in breath itt County on Littles creek yep

[@michaelturner4680]

You’re right about that story. Do you know about the one during that same period where the governor sent in the national guard and allegedly there were 5-600 killed.

[@michaelneace3792]

I’m from and live in Breathitt

[@dr_gizmo7354]

It crazy to see my town and so many places I know well on here also the Coal hasn’t dried up they just quit mining it

[@jugg1492]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@derrickdavis4488]

hazard is by far more violent and dangerous but the corruption is in all aspects and they wiill kill u

[@KarenPotter-t7b]

My late husband was born and raised in Jackson,still have kin there

[@jessicadarnell4209]

This is where my momma was born and raised. They ain't lying.

[@tinaclayton547]

Home sweet home.

[@bobwarren8836]

Sounds like a bunch of nonsense to me. I visited the area and it was delightful. Beautiful place to live if you asked me.

[@kentuckywindage222]

I would give a thumbs up but KZbin either won't allow or is down.

[@MountainRoots]

@kentuckywindage222 that's odd, try again later. Thanks for watching!

[@kentuckywindage222]

@@MountainRoots 👍🏻

[@tessachabot2146]

I'm from Jackson