The story behind Grandpa Jones Ginseng Hoe

Grandpa Jones Ginseng Hoe - photo by Jessica Bray

Kentucky natives, Grandpa Jones and the banjo-picking comedian David "Stringbean" Akeman, were nationally famous entertainers, and close friends.  They lived near one another in a rural area a few miles north of Nashville.

They hunted and fished together for years, and they also roamed the mountains in search of ginseng, the mystic herb which has for generations been dug in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and exported mainly to China, where it was (and is) highly prized - and very expensive.

This is the hoe which belonged to Stringbean, and which he and Grandpa carried on their journeys into the mountains digging "sang."  Early one morning, Grandpa went to "String's" house for such a trip and discovered the brutally murdered bodies of both String and his wife.  (Grandpa later commented, "It was a tragedy that sent shock waves among old-time music people across the country.")  One of the items found on the person of Stringbean was a check in the amount of $27.00 which he had received for some ginseng he had sold.

After the murders, a public auction was held at the home place - so close to the Jones' home that Ramona could hear the chant of the auctioneer.  Grandpa had gone hunting, and the person handling the estate called and told her to come up and get any personal items she wanted.  She choose the frying pan that they had used to fry the fish they caught together, and she choose this this ginseng hoe as a remembrance of the times String and Grandpa went digging ginseng.  Grandpa was pleased and kept it all these years but never used it again.  (This 'sang hoe was given to me by Grandpa in January, 1993.)

These days, the ginseng hoe is on display at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, Tennessee, along with many other artifacts of musicians throughout Appalachia.  More information on the museum can be found by going to www.museumofappalachia.org.  Be sure to check out our story behind Grandpa Jones' shotgun that is on display by clicking here.

Bluegrass festival to honor Kentucky singer's 100th birthday

This weekend marks the 100th birthday of David Akemon, better known as Stringbean.  He was an internationally known country music performer on the Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw.  Stringbean was a native of Jackson County, Kentucky, where they continue to host the annual Stringbean Memorial Bluegrass Festival.  Sadly, Stringbean was killed by robbers in 1973 after he performed on the Grand Ole Opry.

This year's Stringbean Memorial Bluegrass Festival and 100th Birthday Bash will be held at the Stringbean Festival Grounds on June 18-20, 2015.  Many bluegrass musicians will be on hand to perform, including the following:

Thursday June 18th:

3:30 Showcase Stage

4:20 Second Wind Bluegrass

5:10 Ken Shack

6:00 Bear Branch Bluegrass

6:50 Second Wind Bluegrass

7:40 Ken Shack

8:30 Ralph Stanley II

10:00 Bear Branch Bluegrass

Friday, June 19th:

3:30   Showcase Stage

4:20    Phillip Akemon & Flatlick Stringbean’s Nephew

5:10    Fritts Family

6:00    Millers Creek

6:50    Crimson Cross 

8:20    Phillip Akemon & Flatlick Stringbean’s Nephew

9:10    Fritts Family

10:00   Millers Creek

Saturday, June 20th

2:30   Showcase  Stage

3:20   Pete Webb

3:50   Campbell Mercer & Family from Jerusalem Ridge BG Festival       

4:40   Sammy Adkins & Sandy Hook Mt Boys   

5:30   Wilderness Trail 

6:20   Laurel River Line 

7:10   Campbell Mercer & Family from Jerusalem Ridge BG Festival  

8:00   County Judge Executive Shane Gabbard with Representative Marie Rader & Senator Albert Robinson

8:20   Sammy Adkins & Sandy Hook Mt Boys  

9:10   Wilderness Trail      

10:00  Laurel River Line 

Admission for a 3-day pass at the gate is $45.  Single day tickets are $15 each.  Camping with electric is $25 per day, while primitive camping is free with ticket.

For more information, be sure to check out www.stringbeanpark.com, or call 606-287-0600

Stringbean Memorial, Inc. is a non-profit corporation named in honor of David “Stringbean” Akemon, native of Jackson County, Kentucky, who was an internationally known musician and performer at the Grand Ole Opry and the television show, Hee Haw. The mission of Stringbean Memorial, Inc., is to organize, plan and host annual, traditional music and heritage festivals in Jackson County to honor the memory of the legendary “Stringbean”; to preserve and promote traditional Bluegrass and mountain music; to provide opportunities for area youth to explore, develop and expand their musical abilities; and to preserve, through education and demonstration, the area’s cultural heritage. 

David 'Stringbean' Akeman's killer granted parole

David "Stringbean" Akeman

Yesterday, the Tennessee Parole Board granted parole to a man, John A. Brown, who was serving two life sentences for the murder of Kentucky native David "Stringbean" Akeman and his wife Estelle.  Needless to say, it has been a shock of news.  Only 5 of the 7 members of the parole board showed up for the meeting with four of those granting the parole.

One night in November 1973 after a performance of the Grand Ole Opry, Stringbean and his wife were shot and killed by cousins John A. Brown and Doug Marvin Brown.  They knew that Stringbean would carry large amounts of cash and plotted to steal the money from him.

John A. Brown has went before the parole board 6 other times over the years.  Many Grand Ole Opry stars and friends of the Stringbean would lobby and encourage the board to not grant the release.  Needless to say, they were not too please upon the results that his murderer would be released.  Doug Brown previously passed away while serving time in jail.

In a statement to the Tennessean newspaper, Jean Shepherd said, "I'm sure the Lord will forgive him." Shepard said. "I don't think any of us will."

According to the Tennessee Parole Board, they reviewed his record of good behavior and psychological evaluation to see if he is prone to further violence or other special needs.  Based on those two items, members of the board granted his release.

Stringbean Akeman was born in Annville, a small community in Jackson County.  Stringbean was well known on the Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw for his comedy and playing banjo.  He even played for Bill Monroe for a short time as well.  He would wear very long clothing and was nicknamed Stringbean for his tall lanky figure.  He and his wife were friends with fellow Kentuckian, Grandpa Jones and his wife Ramona.  In fact, Stringbean and Grandpa Jones were founding members of Hee Haw. 

According to the Dave Akeman website, the police investigation led to the double homicide conviction of the cousins.  

Marvin Douglas Brown fought his convictions in the Tennessee appellate courts. On September 28, 1982, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the trial judge's order denying a new trial. Marvin Brown ultimately granted an exclusive interview to Larry Brinton of the Nashville Banner. In the interview, he admitted his participation in the burglary and murders, but contended that John Brown fired the fatal shots. Since Brown, by his own admission, committed burglary, and that burglary resulted in death, Brown is guilty of murder, regardless of who fired the fatal shots."

"At trial, it was revealed that the two had ransacked the cabin and then killed Stringbean. Estelle shrieked when she saw Stringbean hit with the bullets. A few moments later, after begging for her life, she was gunned down as well in the front yard. The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals described the scene, 'Upon their return, Mr. Akeman spotted the intruders in his home and evidently offered some resistance. One of the Brown cousins fatally shot Mr. Akeman, then pursued, shot and killed Mrs. Akeman. At their trial, each defendant blamed the other for the homicides.'

The thieves left with nothing more than a chain saw and some guns. In 1996, 23 years after their murders, $20,000 in cash was discovered behind a brick in the chimney of the Akemans' home. The paper money had rotted to such an extent that it was not usable. (the United States Consumer Price Index indicates that the purchasing power of $20,000 in 1973 would be equivalent to the purchasing power of some $100,000 in 2010.)