Podcast Summary
Historical anecdote about renting prisoners for labor: Savings from Progressive and Apple Card are significant, but it's important to remember historical lessons and their societal impact
Progressive insurance offers significant savings for customers, with an average of $744 saved by new customers in the past year. Meanwhile, the Apple Card provides daily cashback rewards, making it an attractive option for consumers. However, the discussion also shed light on a darker part of history. In the late 1800s, North Carolina rented prisoners to railroad companies for manual labor, creating a business model where the state profited from the labor of incarcerated individuals. This historical anecdote highlights the complexities and often overlooked aspects of our past. While we focus on our daily tasks and saving money, it's essential to remember the lessons from history and the impact they continue to have on our society.
Use of excessive force and shackling of non-violent convicts during Kauai Tunnel construction: Excessive use of force and unnecessary shackling of non-violent convicts can have tragic consequences, even during seemingly routine tasks like transporting them across rivers.
The use of excessive force and unnecessary shackling of non-violent convicts during the construction of the Kauai Tunnel in 1882 led to a tragic accident, resulting in the drowning of 19 men. The men, chained together, panicked when the boat carrying them across a high and turbulent river capsized, pulling each other down into the freezing water. This incident, which could have potentially been avoided, underscores the importance of considering the circumstances and the nature of the crimes committed by convicts when deciding upon the use of shackles and chains. The men, who were charged with minor offenses, were labeled as dangerous and treated as such, ultimately leading to their unnecessary and untimely deaths.
Black Codes and Convict Leasing: Continuation of Slavery: Post-Civil War, Black codes and convict leasing perpetuated slavery through harsh laws and inhumane prison labor, exploiting 90% of leased convicts who were Black.
After the Civil War, "black codes" were implemented in the South to control freed Black people through harsh laws and prison labor, effectively continuing the practice of slavery under the guise of criminal punishment. The prison system lacked resources, leading to the emergence of convict leasing, where prisoners were leased to businesses and plantation owners. Over 90% of the leased convicts were Black, and conditions were inhumane, with prisoners sometimes committing suicide due to the harsh labor and living conditions. The 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, included an exception for slavery as punishment for crime, leading to this exploitative labor system. The story of the Cowie Tunnel disaster in North Carolina is a tragic reminder of the human cost of this system, with 19 men losing their lives during its construction.
Haunted Cowie Tunnel in North Carolina: Local folklore suggests the Cowie Tunnel in North Carolina is haunted due to tragic events during construction. Visitors can explore this piece of local history, despite its difficult access.
The Cowie Tunnel in North Carolina, as local folklore suggests, is believed to be haunted due to tragic events that occurred during its construction. The tunnel, located near the railroad tracks and a river, is said to have claimed the lives of men who were building it. Their tears are believed to be the source of the constant waterfall seen in the tunnel today. The discussion also touched upon Progressive Insurance, which offers affordable car insurance with multiple discounts, and Apple Card, a cashback rewards credit card. The tale of the haunted tunnel was shared by a listener named Al Fisher, who encouraged a visit to the site. The tunnel, although hard to reach, is a testament to the local history and folklore.
Exploring the Mysterious Kauai Tunnel: Assumptions about a place's history can be misleading. Delve deeper to appreciate the true stories and challenges of the past.
Assumptions can lead to unpreparedness and unexpected challenges. A group of explorers found themselves hiking down a steep ridge to reach railroad tracks, which they followed to a river and a tunnel. They crossed the river on the train ties and entered the tunnel, which was dug by hand and had a dropping temperature. The darkness and sound of dripping water made for an eerie experience, and they wondered about the history of the place. However, author Gary Carden argues that the popular stories and folk songs about the Kauai Tunnel don't do justice to the real history and hardships of the people who built it. This adventure serves as a reminder to appreciate the past and the stories behind the places we visit.
Remembering the 19 men who died in a mining accident: Effective memorials spark conversations and are visible to the community, keeping the memories of the past alive through media exploration
Remembering and honoring the past is important, but finding effective ways to do so can be challenging. In the case of the 19 men who died in a mining accident in Dillsborough, there have been efforts to remember them through various means, such as researching their names, potential memorials, and conversations. However, finding a meaningful and impactful way for people to remember and engage with this history has proven to be difficult. The best memorials, according to one interviewee, are those that spark conversations and are visible to the community. Despite the challenges, the desire to remember and honor these men and their stories remains strong. The podcast "Criminal" and other media outlets continue to explore these stories, shedding light on the past and keeping the memories alive.
