Tales From The Kentucky Room

Mariam interviews Lucy Jones, founder of the Harry Dean Stanton Festival in time for this year’s festival. They discuss Harry’s early life in Lexington and in Hollywood, his rise to fame, and what movies will be screened at this year’s festival.  Visit harrydeanstantonfest.org for more information about screenings and locations. 

Listener favorite Wayne Johnson returns to tell the incredible story of how Lucille Caudill Little, Lexington's best known arts and culture philanthropist, was kidnapped in 1979. They discuss the motives of the kidnapper, and how Mrs. Little called on her experience as an actress to survive the experience. Photos of the aftermath of the police shootout that followed can be found in the Kentucky Ro...

Mariam interviews Peter Brackney, author of the 2014 book Lost Lexington , and creator of the blog "The Kaintuckeean." They discuss a few of the lost landmarks in the book, buildings that have been lost since 2014, and buildings that have been saved and renovated. Peter’s blog is https://www.kaintuckeean.com/ . Mariam and Peter mention an earlier episode of the podcast, which you can listen to her...

Denise Shanks tells the story of Smiley Pete, Lexington’s “town dog” who first appeared around 1944. He took up residence in downtown Lexington, and was cared for by multiple people and businesses. His favorite spot was the corner of E Main Street and N Limestone, and a bronze plaque memorializes him there. 

Mariam interviews Rand Dotson, the Editor in Chief of LSU Press, about his research into the political rivalry between Armistead Swope and William Cassius Goodloe, which culminated in a deadly fight in the Lexington Post Office. They discuss the differing backgrounds of the two men, and what may have set them on their fateful path. 

Mariam and Wayne discuss the Code Duello and several nineteenth century Kentucky duels, including duels fought by Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and a pair of doctors from Transylvania University’s School of Medicine. They reference the book Famous Kentucky Duels by J. Winston Coleman, which is available for checkout: https://catalog.lexpublib.org/?section=resource&resourceid=2341267 and, because...

Sweet Evening Breeze (July 2, 1892 - Dec. 16, 1983) may be the best known Kentuckian in recent memory. James Herndon, or Sweets, as her friends knew her, was beloved by many in the community, from her work at Good Samaritan Hospital, to her baking, to her boundary-pushing performances at clubs, and her womanless wedding fundraisers at local churches and in her own backyard. Artist and activist Rob...

Henry Faulkner (Jan. 9, 1924 - Dec. 3, 1981) was an internationally-known, openly queer Kentucky artist. He is known for his colorful paintings, his poetry, and his propensity to travel with a bourbon drinking goat called Alice. In this episode, Mariam interviews artist and LGBTQ activist Robert Morgan about his life with Henry Faulkner. This episode has descriptions of adult situations, so may no...

JP Johnson discusses the artist Henry Faulkner and his collection of beloved pets. He tells the story of the time artist Henry Faulkner’s goat, Alice, disappeared for several weeks in 1965, and gives a preview of the events planned for Lexington Public Library’s Henry Faulkner Week, February 25-March 3, 2019. 

Mariam interviews Joseph Anthony, local author of historical fiction, about his latest work about the life and death of R.C.O Benjamin in Lexington, KY through the eyes of an original character. A Wounded Snake is available for check out in our library catalog .

Mariam interviews Wayne Johnson about the murder of golfing great Marion Miley in Lexington, KY in 1941. They conclude their conversation with the search for Marion’s killers. This is part two of a two part series. 

Mariam interviews Wayne Johnson about the murder of golfing great Marion Miley in Lexington, KY in 1941. They discuss Marion Miley’s life, and the events leading up to her death. This is part one of a two part series.

Mariam and Wayne discuss the 1968 removal of the railroad tracks from Downtown Lexington in time for the 50th

Mariam interviews Megan Couch about her research into the 1849 outbreak of Cholera in Lexington. They discuss finding more deaths from cholera than were actually reported, and tell the stories of families that were completely wiped out by the disease. This episode is the final episode in the four part series.

Mariam interviews Mariam interviews Nisa Hanna, assistant director of Ashland Terrace about the history of the facility, and its origins from the 1849 Cholera epidemic. They discuss how Ashland Terrace is working to preserve their history. This episode is part three of a four part series.

Mariam interviews Terry Foody, author of The Pie Seller, The Drunk and The Lady, about her book and the 1833 Cholera epidemic in Lexington, KY. They discuss the causes of the epidemic, and what treatments contemporary doctors attempted for this devastating disease. This episode is part two of a four part series.

JP Johnson gives a biography of William “King” Solomon, hero of the 1833 Cholera epidemic. He also talks about later efforts to memorialize him by the city. This is the first episode in a four part series. Interlude music is “Life’s Ups and Downs” by José da Vēde, used under a CC BY license. The full song can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/jose_da_vede/lifes-ups-downs

Jonathan Coleman guest hosts this episode, and tells his favorite ghost stories from his popular Lexington History Walks. Dr. Coleman conducts Lexington History Walks year-round, which can be booked on his website: www.drcolemanwalks.com

Mariam interviews Reinette Jones, founder of the Notable Kentucky African Americans database. They discuss Kentucky’s Centenarian Librarians, the boxer David Moore, and the prison shoe-making industry. Visit the NKAA at http://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/

Mariam interviews Terry Foody, author of The Cherokee and the Newsman: Kinsmen in Words. They discuss Ms. Foody’s inspiration to write about the two men, their family lives, and how their words contributed to their communities.

Mariam interviews Wayne Johnson, librarian and local historian about the murder of Transylvania University student Betty Gail Brown in October 1961. In the last episode, they discuss the court case and other theories of the crime.

Mariam interviews Wayne Johnson, librarian and local historian about the murder of Transylvania University student Betty Gail Brown in October 1961. In the first episode, Wayne and Mariam discuss the events leading up to the crime.

Mariam interviews Doug Tattershall, author of Belle Brezing: American Magdalene, about his book. They discuss Belle Brezing’s early life, her years as the nationally known brothel owner, and the generally unknown final years of her life in seclusion.

Mariam interviews Dr. Jonathan Coleman, head curator of the Mary Todd Lincoln House, about her life in Lexington, the White House, and after the assassination. They also discuss the collections and events at the Mary Todd Lincoln House museum.

Mariam and Erin tell the story of Constantine Samuel Rafinesque’s visit with naturalist John James Audubon, and how the resulting prank by Audubon on Rafinesque wasn’t fully discovered for nearly 150 years.