Illustration Of John Henry
In Early August 1929, Publisher's Weekly, Announced Guy Benton Johnson's Upcoming Book, John Henry: Tracking Down A Negro Legend.
Johnson's Book Was The Culmination Of His Search Into The Validity Of A Real-Life John Henry. Johnson Wrote From The Institute For Research In Social Science, At The University Of North Carolina:
"All questions of the authenticity of the John Henry tradition fade into insignificance before the incontrovertible that for his countless admirers John Henry is a reality." Johnson Continues, "To them he will always be a hero, an idol, a symbol of the 'natural man.'."
An African American Folk Hero Referred To As The "Black Paul Bunyan," John Henry Represents The Struggle Between Man And Machines At The Dawn Of The Industrial Age..
There Are More Than 50 Variations Of The John Henry Legend, Popularized In A Ballad, A Work Song, A Folk Story And A Movie. His Legend Has lived For More Than 100 Years.
Most Versions Depict John Henry As A Steel Driver Who Won A Competition Against A Steam Drill, Using Only His Hammer-- And Dropped Dead Immediately Afterwards.
Some Claim This Happened While He Was Constructing The Big Bend Tunnel On The C&O Railway Line, In 1873. Still Others Say This Took Place While He Worked In A Quarry.
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
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