S.R. Nelson's Steel Drivin' Man Reviewed
S.R.NELSON’S STEEL DRIVIN’ MAN REVIEWED
1
S.R. Nelson’s Steel Drivin’ Man – John Henry,
The Untold Story of an American Legend Reviewed
Caroline M. Smith
University of Houston – Downtown
1
S.R.NELSON’S STEEL DRIVIN’ MAN REVIEWED
2
Introduction
Scott Reynolds Nelson examined the life and death of a Mr. John William Henry in the insightful book titled, Steel Drivin’ Man – John Henry, The Untold Story of an American
Legend. According to Nelson, John Henry was from Elizabeth City, New Jersey, turned 18 in
1865 and stood five feet one and a quarter inches when he first appeared in Prince Georg e
County, Virginia in April of 1866 (44). Here, as Nelson began his journey to the truth behind the real John Henry, he encountered many mysteries. Based upon my understanding of Nelson’s research compiled in his book, Steel Drivin’ Man, this paper will explore only three mysteries that Nelson encountered along the way and how he confronted them.
I will examine the
circumstances surrounding John Henry’s incarceration, the events that led him to drive steel and finally, the cause of his death. In doing so, I hope to gain a deeper awareness of the life and times of John Henry, whether he be fact or fiction, which can qualify a deeper appreciation of the triviality of some of today’s commonplace woes.
S.R.NELSON’S STEEL DRIVIN’ MAN REVIEWED
3
Nelson was unable to find any earlier recordings of John Henry until his arrival in Prince
George County after the Civil War when the land was still in upheaval (41). John Henry was introduced by way of the criminal justice system. What crime had John Henry committed to deserve this ill fate? In April of 1866 John Henry was arrested for stealing from a grocery store
(46). He was arrested for “housebreaking and larceny” and later sentenced to ten years in the state penitentiary. How and why was John Henry’s crime of petty theft enhanced to such a degree? The Freedman’s Bureau was established
1
S.R. Nelson’s Steel Drivin’ Man – John Henry,
The Untold Story of an American Legend Reviewed
Caroline M. Smith
University of Houston – Downtown
1
S.R.NELSON’S STEEL DRIVIN’ MAN REVIEWED
2
Introduction
Scott Reynolds Nelson examined the life and death of a Mr. John William Henry in the insightful book titled, Steel Drivin’ Man – John Henry, The Untold Story of an American
Legend. According to Nelson, John Henry was from Elizabeth City, New Jersey, turned 18 in
1865 and stood five feet one and a quarter inches when he first appeared in Prince Georg e
County, Virginia in April of 1866 (44). Here, as Nelson began his journey to the truth behind the real John Henry, he encountered many mysteries. Based upon my understanding of Nelson’s research compiled in his book, Steel Drivin’ Man, this paper will explore only three mysteries that Nelson encountered along the way and how he confronted them.
I will examine the
circumstances surrounding John Henry’s incarceration, the events that led him to drive steel and finally, the cause of his death. In doing so, I hope to gain a deeper awareness of the life and times of John Henry, whether he be fact or fiction, which can qualify a deeper appreciation of the triviality of some of today’s commonplace woes.
S.R.NELSON’S STEEL DRIVIN’ MAN REVIEWED
3
Nelson was unable to find any earlier recordings of John Henry until his arrival in Prince
George County after the Civil War when the land was still in upheaval (41). John Henry was introduced by way of the criminal justice system. What crime had John Henry committed to deserve this ill fate? In April of 1866 John Henry was arrested for stealing from a grocery store
(46). He was arrested for “housebreaking and larceny” and later sentenced to ten years in the state penitentiary. How and why was John Henry’s crime of petty theft enhanced to such a degree? The Freedman’s Bureau was established
Bibliography: Nelson, S.R. (2006). Th Steel Drivin’ Man – John Henry, The Untold Story of an American Legend. Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press, Inc.