John Henry was a Convicted Laborer Worked to Death After His “Sentencing” in 1866 ( lemmy.world )
Most Americans in the Northeast have heard the story of John Henry and how he died outcompeting the steam machine on a railroad crew.
Scott Reynolds Nelson provides critical context in his discovery of the 19 year old historical John Henry. Who was worked to death on the
C&O Railroad in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War.
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