Appalachias Deadliest: Outlaw Clarence Raby 

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There ain't another storyteller to ever tell a story like you Sir especially with your deep southern drawl and the way you tell it. I applaud you and I truly appreciate and enjoy your stories.

Reading is great but I'd rather listen to you telling the stories, you have the perfect voice for it 😊

Appalachia sure did produce a lot of colorful fellas. You do have the gift for storytelling.

As a young boy I lived in Raccoon Valley when Clarence Raby was on the run before his final capture. The whole community knew he was in the area and we knew he was dangerous. At the time it was just a gravel road and most houses were a quarter mile apart. We had an old barn way back in the woods behind our house where my brother and I found he had apparently camped the night before. We ran the 400 yards back to the house as fast as we could. My parents actually debated about doing it, but finally called the sheriff and before long, literally a dozen police cars showed up, shotguns, bullhorn, blood hounds and all. Raby was long gone of course (and had been for hours), but the bloodhounds found a trail and followed it for quite some time down the ridge toward his mother's house. It was hours later and well after nightfall before they finally gave up looking and left. A few days later he turned himself in at his mother's house a couple of miles down the road. The sheriff had suspicions that locals were giving him aid - it was common knowledge some probably were - and were not exactly friendly when questioning my parents at the time - they even searched our house and car. At seven years old it was an odd mixture of terror and morbid excitement. Needless to say we didn't go back to the barn until he was captured, and at the time it felt almost like a brush with death.

He's buried just up the road a bit from me. Fascinating story I really enjoy stories I can actually visit. Well done JD. My favorite video you've done !

My Grandpa was a moonshiner in East Tennessee where he was born in 1900 he died in 1980 and I was born in 1978 so I never got to talk with him listening to these stories brings joy to me brings me back to my roots thank you for sharing your talent with us all

Boy those bad boys of that era really never gave up, did they? Another great story. Thanks JD

You know the saying "always leave your audience wanting more"? You sir have perfected that to a symphony's precision. You're the best! In case you didn't know. Have a great Valentine's day, and no I won't be sending you flowers. I did however order some chloroform scented candles for my wife.😂😂😂😂. I'm joking of course.. but I think it's funny.

Ole Clarence was not your typical momma's boy, but a momma's boy he was in some ways. Great story! Thanks JD!

So excited to receive my autographed book by The Appalachian Storyteller!!! Thank you for sending it so quickly !!! 🤗🤗

He was pretty slippery and his momma loved her boy. Great story thank you

Well hello there JT this is Ray from the land down under Australia not much I can say I love it and didn't them two boys have some fun but the last one I think hey went a little bit too far so anyway I just love your stories make my day so thank you once again keeping them Carmen I just love them thank you Ray❤❤

I loved this story. He had no fear at all. Sad, but i think that's the way he wanted it to go down. True outlaw right there

Awesome story of Outlaws and Gunslingers....Real Americana spirit that built swashbuckling men who are smart enough to find fortunes to this day differently, but with the same spirit! Great Job as always!

It’s great to actually see the person who tells us the stories.

Wow, what an amazing story. I had never heard of Clearance Raby. Thank you for sharing this. Lord bless you and yourn brother.

Holy Cow! Had me on my seats edge the whole time! Well done JD.👍😁

I admit I just happened to stumble across your channel not too long ago but I sure am glad I did..I’m interested in Appalachian folk lore and true history of the people there, I don’t think I’ve ever heard any story told so well..indeed you are a perfect storyteller sir..that southern drawl and the inflection in your voice can not be topped in my opinion..Thank you good sir for being you!

Truth can indeed be as strange as fiction! What a story from the master story teller, YOU. This could be made into a movie. I eagerly await your next post. Thanks

I remember well when Raby was on the run. My dad worked late, operating a store and filling station. He kept his pistol handy while my momma and me, living in a rural area with no neighbors close and no phone, waited anxiously until my dad came home.

Oh how I love your stories! You are the best. Thank you so much for another edge of your seat tale. ❤️

Another good one J.D., crime doesn't pay

Love these ones!! The sweet , heart warming stories are nice, but I like the outlaw, moonshiners and feud stories the best!!

Excellent, pretty cool where you have the older cars in traffic... great archives search.

Another good story, nice to put a face to the voice. I wish you had audio books even though I'm retired I don't get much time to read.

What a story!!! Brushy Mt. Really has a past.

Thank you for another great story

back in 1980 I spent two weeks in raccoon valley, I went there for a Whitewater trip I blew the engine up in my car find a local garage got on the phone with my parents we towed the car to the garage and I pulled the engine out had no way to get home so my dad wired the money for parts you're my friend and myself use that guy's garage which we paid him and rebuilt the engine very nice fella we camped out in his back yard in our tents

Well JD another great story. Keep em comin my friend.

Well it's me again Old F-4 Pilot Shoe🇺🇸..................................An thanks you brother....... GOD BLESS you and yours....

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TELLING THOSE AMAZING STORIES FROM OVER THERE . I AM LEARNING A LOT ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY HERE IN AUSTRALIA.

Your stories are my 12 year old son's favorite - and with all the choices of podcasts he could be listening to - I'm so thankful he found yours. Thank you!!!!! Keep 'em coming and if you're ever in the CSRA of Georgia, please look us up. God bless.

I always look forward to your new uploads 👍

You are the King of the Storytellers!! Nobody tells them like you do!! Loved this story & all the others too! If you haven’t done it already, folks don’t hesitate to subscribe so you won’t miss another awesome story!! Oh yes! Be sure to grab one or two of JD’s awesome books! Keep one & gift the other!! I’m reading my copy now and boy it’s sure hard to put it down once you start reading! Blessings always my friend! Lee up the great art of storytelling!! ❤️✝️😊

Was so hapoy to see this notification while having insomnia🎉 Another great striry my dude!

I just fell into your channel and I have to say I am very impressed with your videos you sir are amazing at this

My mother in law called me, she received your book JD! She truly was surprised! I asked her to get back to me after she read it, I cant wait to hear what she thinks.

WOW! What a story! Thanks.

I look forward to these all week! Excellent story as always.

One hell of a great story to start off my week end. Thanks J.D. for sharing this with us. Stay safe my brother 🙏

Well as always a great story love to hear the stories that happened around my area so interesting ❤

Really enjoyed that story' anymore of them Thanks for sharing your videos with us God bless you sir

Great story I love all the stories you have told great job keep it up

Fantastic story. Worthy of a movie.

Another great story. Really dig the colorful way you do these. Old mountain stories told right are mucho cool.

I was in Brushy Mountain at the time. I remember these guys fondly.

Another wasted young life and a soul thrown away. So very sad. Thank you for this video JD!

The photo of Clarence in his mid twenties, reminds me of Billy the Kid!

I enjoyed the story very much. And the old photos, the old cars, the old town’s business districts photos are so good to see. Little town memories

Liked the music edits in this one ,Great tale once again.Really enjoy your channel.Been with ya quite a long spell now.

Great way to end a Saturday night, a well spoken story from JD 🥰 I truly enjoy reading your book JD in between your stories here. For some unknown reason, as I read it, it’s as though I hear you telling the story. 😊😉

"Idle hands and minds are the devil's playthings (workshop)." I heard my grandfather say that many times. He believed that everyone should work (for their daily bread) as soon as they started walking. Our mother and grandpa didn't always agree. However, grandpa's teachings did help us stay out of trouble (most of the time). I have never heard of Clarence Raby until this video. I should have (because I am 75 years old). However, the adults in my family may not have been worried about him, because he was not in our part of Appalachia. Are your books sold at our local book store (Coffeetree Books)? I do not shop or buy off the internet (and I may not be the only one).

I remember this story from my youth and living near where this story took place. I knew the farmer (Fred Rutherford) whom raby took hostage and also knew some of Raby's family. Enjoyed hearing the story once again.

Good morning and happy Saturday!

Wow that is some story thank you 🙏

That was honestly an amazing story

I'm always excited to see another video up from you. I get all my work done and listen to you in the evening, a great way to wind down after a hectic day. I always think about the stories and wonder about this or that. I'm wondering if his mom got into trouble for bringing him a gun. She had to know the odds were stacked against him. A good story always makes you think. Keep the stories coming! Stay safe and GOD bless

Wonderful stories and told so well. Purchased book and cannot wait to read.

Maybe need to investigate some more family history I’m missing . Love it

Just discovered this channel and love it! Keep up the awesome work. From a fellow southern gentleman down in Macon,Ga

JD great story buddy be safe and GOD BLESS

🏆🏆🏆🤗🙏💙 Thank you for sharing this

Another good story I really enjoy your stories looking forward to the next one thanks

Once a man kills, you're right, they've gone past a line. God forgives, but society is owed. His mother not teaching him the difference between right and wrong was terrible. That's not love. Bringing him a firearm should have bought her a prison sentence. Had his mother truly loved him, she'd have not stood any shenanigans from her boys. I just love your stories.

I can listen to your stories all day long! Such a good channel

Im a Scot-Irish Appalachian Hillbilly....ancestors since 1740s....Virginia & Kentucky....We fear no 'federal authority'...

I truly enjoy all your stories sir

Great story. I'm so glad I ran across your channel.

New subscriber here all the way down in Australia 🦘. Great presentations and dialogue. Very interesting content

Great story JD, keep up the good work, and God bless!

I work in that valley. I go there from Knoxville. I'm under no illusions.... I'm allowed to be there to do my job. They are good people.

My grandfather was there in the 40’s. I have awesome pictures of him and other men playing baseball! We could write a book on what I could tell you

Great story! Thanks for sharing it!

Growing up, I always thought my family had the typical collection of quirky stories about oddball relatives. But nothing prepared me for the day I discovered that my grandfather was none other than Clarence Leon Raby, the notorious criminal from Tennessee. Grandma had always referred to him as "that rascal," but I never quite grasped the depth of her understatement.

Great story. I live close to union county. 20 minute drive. Never heard that before. Enjoyed it very much

JD's production budget must have increased, he had enough for a car chase with moving pictures! We visited Brushy Mt. about a year ago, it was very interesting.

AWESOME!!

You should do one about the Balley boys, bank robers from jacks creek in yancey County NORTH Carolina.

I like hearing you tell these stories. Have you herd the story of Jerome Bargo?

The fact that the brothers escaped the first time, turn them selves in and there was no added time to sentence?!?! Wow that’s crazyyy.

Right there is a good title for another story The Blood Hounds of Brushy Mountain

Another great one thanks jd

Used to work off of raccoon valley road in powell! Love all types of history and stories around here.

I met some "colorful" people in West Tennessee. But none rate near the people in this. Keep it up.

Another great story.

I have family in LaFollete and a couple that live on Norris Lake. My uncle was Campbell County Sheriff in the 1990's. This is a great story!

Love these storys

I had a foreman on a construction crew that served years in Brushy for bank robbery. It didn’t do him any good. He was a kleptomaniac. He stole every day ! And about once a month, he would make a really big clever hall. I’m talking thousands of dollars he stole more than I made in a years time.

Love this story

I love this!

Hell of a story!

very cool.. ive SUBSCRIBED

Thanks buddy..

The mother of those killers was just as bad as they were. I love my son. I'd die protecting my son; but, if my son murdered people in cold blood, I'd.NOT help him to get free. That woman should have been prosecuted as an accessory to murder!!!

Absolutely love your stories

The bad boy didn't give up easy. Thank you for this wonderful story I always listen to your stories sometimes I am late catching one

Grade A crime story TY

I'm loving this stuff, buddy.

This is great content! Thanks