My daddy would drive down to Nashville on Friday nite and set in as a extra player for base fiddle and he said he would be in so much pain and drunk he felt bad for him. I still have some 78 records from him. Their around 75 years old. Thank you Heather and Leo
Hank Williams was one of a few performers that was removed from the Grand Ole Opry. All members have to vote yes to get membership. But it takes only one vote to remove someone. Hank was born with a defect that was so painful that his death was accelerated by everything he took to kill the pain.
And I would like to add when I said that he killed himself I did not mean intentionally because I was a musician and came very close to doing it myself GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY AND FANS HE WAS AND STILL IS ONE OF MY HEROES
Hank Jr. Was hurt by what the grand ole Opry did to his father. Hank Sr. Brought a new age to western music. I grew up on his music along with lefty frizzle sons of the pioneers.
Hank Williams and George Jones are great country singers. They both sure can sing gospel music as well as country music. RIP Hank Williams and George Jones ✝️🙏❤️
Some Mingo County-Hank Williams related history. My grandmother, Virginia Cline, owned and operated a "beergarden", called the "Blue Moon", in Baisden, WV (Gilbert Creek). Just before his death, he stayed there for a week and to pay for his room and board, he performed there at night. My grandmother, who died in 2003, at age 93, told me that "he was the skinest and ugliest little man she had ever seen" and that "he ate up all her bologna and drank up all her Falls City beer."
He wasn't ugly period your grandma is judgmental and rude hank was the best man had women all over him so he was the best God judges all of us for everything we have done! Hank your good looking
Hank did not regularly eat well, but he would only quit eating on binges, which could last for up to two weeks. Before Hank’s final year, 1952, he was a binge drinker, routinely going for up to six or seven months without having a drop, then another full-tilt blowup. Following Hank’s unsuccessful back surgery on December 13, 1951, and the resulting increased pain, Hank’s long dry spells lasting weeks or months vanished to never appear again. Sad, sad, 😔😔😔
Really good detective work! As an Alabama-born West Virginian, this story has been a stable in my legacy stories told me by my family. I really enjoy and appreciate ya'lls channel.
Yesterday (January 1) was the 71st anniversary of Hank's passing. I tend to agree with y'all on Hank's death location. At least he didn't die in Oak Hill. I think, as you stated, certain people and / or locations didn't want to be associated with his death so they took him to Oak Hill. Why? As you stated, Hank was considered a drunken outlaw. The "prominent" people wanted nothing to do with him. In fact, I watched another video that said Oak Hill officials decided not to erect a monument in his honor for that very reason. It was Hank's fans that had one erected. Great video as always.
his back pain was due to spina bifida, lack of folic acid, he used alcohol to mask the pain and no medical treatment at that time could fix his problem
I can remember hearing on the old radio of Hank’s death the exact day as a child in McDowell County, WV. Parents were avid country music fans. I later became an RN with some knowledge of all the terms surrounding Hank’s death. My personal thought is considering the times, tests were not done with the rules and oversight now followed. 1) Everybody knew Hank consumed pain killers, so the biggest red flag for me was the toxicology report showing NO morphine. Morphine shares classification with numerous pain killers called opiates. He had to have had some opiates in his system, and is stranger that he did not. You have to actually specify and look for the morphine/opiate to find it in toxicology. Lots of times a doc will order a repeat lab if he suspects something. He had to have had opiates in his system from the injection or previous pills, so I think that toxicology was not done without a focus on the morphine. Thus 0 morphine results. 2). The driver was very young and immature, and back then young adults tended to respect and not always challenge elders-the doc. It is surprising how some young people are not observant and lack sound judgment-reason so many laws on voting, smoking, drinking??? Maybe the young man did not want to admit how careless he was with the safety of this famous man-it would have been scary. I don’t think he was involved, but innocently fell victim to a series of situations that led to the death of Hank Williams Sr. and then became not totally forthright. I truly believe Hank Williams was already gone when they stopped at the restaurant and when the policeman pulled over the driver. This young, probably half asleep driver, did not know he was finding a place in history as he drove up that dark and winding route 19 to where it became obvious Hank was gone. How would we have handled it at that age? Hank, being an addict, nobody questioned doctors, labs, or medical findings in those days. I use to travel that same road driving to Beckley, and pondered this every time. Too late now to prove anything, except we do know Rigor Mortis sets in after about two hours and lasts awhile. I would like to add, more importantly, that back pain is an unbearable pain that often started many on the road to addiction.
Hank was given drugs by a quack doctor, Toby Marshall, Hank often took more pills than Marshall had prescribed along with alcohol -- he smoked, ate poorly, and was alcoholic for most of his life, add this up, and it's no surprise he died so young
Hank biographer, Colin Escott, concluded that Hank’s autopsy found no drugs because they didn’t normally test for them in early 1950s. Over Hank’s last three days, he clearly ingested alcohol and a very powerful sedative, Chloral Hydrate. On top of at least one morphine shot on New Year’s Eve, this combination could have killed a healthy 29 year old, and Hank was far from healthy, with heart disease and probably early cirrhosis as well. Escott’s, others’, and my research showed that Hank probably died around 5:30 am, New Year’s Day, shortly after leaving Bluefield, WV headed for Canton, OH. He was pronounced dead at the hospital in Oak Hill, WV, sightly after 7 am on New Year’s Day.
Love this story! From the time I could understand, I was told the story of Hank and his last ride. It was sad when they tore down the gas station. The hospital they took Hank to is where the water tank is at the beginning of the video. The Skyline was closed for about 10 years and just reopened a few years ago. I lived about 3 miles down the road in Glen Jean for awhile. Had a friend who wrote a song about Hank called The Legend, the band name was Borderline.
In my opinion Hank Williams died at the hotel. According to research it takes rigor mortis occurs two hours after death. How could the driver be hungry when supposedly they had steaks at the hotel. With the speeding ticket and the officer account that the passenger looks deceased confirmed my opinion. Great job and thank you guys for another great job 👍
Driver, Charles Carr, consistently reported that Hank climbed into the backseat of his Cadillac convertible at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville under his own power, “I clearly remember that,” reported Carr. He ordered steak dinners for Hank and him at around 7:30 pm on New Year’s Eve, and didn’t stop for anything else to eat until early the next morning in West Virginia en route to Canton, OH. Carr reported that he last saw Hank alive in the parking lot of the Doughboy Restaurant in Bluefield, WV, where Carr had stopped to hire a relief driver and Hank had gotten out of his Cadillac to stretch. The time was about 4 am New Year’s Day. Thus, Hank must have died somewhere between Bluefield and Oak Hill WV, at around 5:30 am New Year’s Day.
I was born & raised in Oak Hill until 1964, ate at skyline often, even on visits back home, then a trip in 2004 it was a shock to see it was closed, & was still closed in 2012 the place sorta looks about the same except no old ratty linoleum flooring,seems like I remember an old wood/coal burner too
Fascinating story! I didn’t realize he was so young! You did great sleuthing on this story and it made it so interesting 🤔🥸 Thanks for all your hard work and God Bless🙏
Tragic story. He was so young! His death seemed to haunt his son Hank Jr. for many of his adult years, and i wonder if that was (in part) because he grew up in the 'industry'. At some point with the magic of technology Hank Jr. did a duet with Hank Sr. 'A Tear in My Beer' i believe it was. May he and his wife rest in peace 🙏 Thanks for this. I'm really glad i found your channel. The work and travel you two put into your documentaries is impressive! Hope you both have a wonderful evening and 4th of July! 🎆
Dang that Chloral Hydrate was a highly prescribed drug back in the day... First Hank Williams in 1953 and Marilyn Monroe in 1962....Probably countless others that died from this drug... I agree with you Heather...There is definitely some holes in the story...Good stuff as always...Thanks for sharing!!!!! Heather has the idea... Some Cole slaw on those hotdogs is awesome!!!!
Hank had one or two heart attacks in Dec. a few weeks before he died, he played a show in Austin, TX in Dec. 1952, he was so ill and shaking he had to be helped off the stage and couldn't finish the show
Love Hank Williams. Always have, always will. R.I.P. Hank. And I thank you two for making this road for trip, I’m really loving it. Thank You,❤,❤Blessings.👍
My Mother and Father grew up in the Montgomery area, my Dad said before Hank made a name for himself, Dad said they would pay 10 cents to see him perform, my parents and all of my aunts and uncles went to his funeral, there's all kinds of stories I've heard growing up
The one particular song 🎵 of his that I like is, your cheatin heart. Country music has certainly changed a lot since Hank's time. I believe you are correct Heather, Hank must have died in that hotel room, or was dying fast, thanks to an incompetent Doctor. Rest in peace Hank 🙏 Thank you very much, Leo and Heather, for another great video. 😊
Hank’s doctor at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville was a licensed MD, Dr. Cardwell. The quack was Hank’s personal “physician” Toby Marshall, who was from OKC. He didn’t even graduate from high school, let alone medical school. He “prescribed” a very powerful sedative for Hank, chloral hydrate, which should never be mixed with alcohol. Doing so could kill a healthy 29-year-old, and Hank was very far from healthy for all of 1952!
Also if the driver was 18 or just a young fella,why would a State Trooper simply take the word of young man,ignoring his own suspicions, experience and guidelines of a State Trooper to insure the safety and welfare of any citizen?
Hi Folks! First of all, let me say that I think that your video here, was very well done! Secondly, I was very glad to see that you kept all the facts straight, (as I've come to know them anyway), which is from several biographies which I've read on Hank; and also, from several documentaries about him, that I've watched over the years, as well. All of that being said, I'd like to offer my theory on what I feel transpired on that fateful New Years morning, and why?? My theory and thoughts parallel yours a great deal, but I think I can offer a bit of additional insight as to the motive(s) behind it all. Before I begin, let me state here, that I wasn't born until 1966, and will soon be turning just 57 years young, so of course, I wasn't anywhere near thought about, on Jan. 1, 1953! LOL!! I've never worked in law enforcement, nor in the field of "Criminal Investigation" in any way, but as I say, I do have what I feel, is a very plausable theory; as to certain events that transpired on the eve & morning of Hank Williams Sr's. death, and the motives behind them. So, here goes.... 1). I very much believe that when Hank was carried out of that Hotel in Knoxville: If he wasn't already dead, then he was either "in the throes" of dying, or surely in a GREAT STATE of duress!!! 2). Why?? Because of the following: A). Hank had supposedly, already consumed a few Beers & had already consumed a certain amount of Chloral Hydrate, as you stated in your narrative. B). Having been given the shot of Morphine on top of the aforementioned (especially the Chloral Hydrate) I would say that it couldn't have helped, but to send Hank into a state of duress!! 3). Hank's 2nd wife, (and widow), Billie Jean; has been quoted as saying that even before departing from their home, for that ill-fated tour; Hank's palor, was beginning to look pale and even somewhat ashen then, indicating that he may have already been going "into the throes" of some type of coronary crisis, at that time! 4). Put all of the aforementioned on top of an underlying coronary problem, & I'd say that Hank was sure to go into Cardiac Arrest!! 5). As I understand it, if over a certain amount of Morphine is administered; then the patient needs to be put on oxygen, in order to keep from asphyxiating, due to the heavy effect of sedation. -- -- Case in point: I had an uncle, (Joe), in Pennsylvania; who succumbed to Metastatic Kidney & Bone Cancer on Jan. 8th, 2014. My Uncle's Dr's. first tried to put him on a Morphine regimen at home, in effort to make his last days comfortable. However; the strength of the dosage was so strong that it began to make Joe VERY SHORT of breath. As a result, they had to re-hospitalize him, and put him on oxygen, so that they could continue to administer a large enough dosage of Morphine to ease his pain, without him having to constantly fight for his breath - and I should add that my uncle never drank, nor smoked; used any kind of drugs, nor had any pre-existing breathing problems! 6). Thus, after hearing what my uncle went through, I now truly believe; that the Knoxville Doctor, (whom that quack: Toby Marshal found and sent to give Hank those injections), likely shot Hank up with enough Morphine, that when mixed with whatever amount of Chloral Hydrate that Hank already had in him, it likely stifled Hank's breathing to a dangerous degree, + "put him under" way too far, to survive very long, without additional oxygen! 7). I also believe that either the Dr. who administered the shots to Hank, or someone else who was there, (besides Charles Carr), quickly came to realize that Hank had fallen into duress, and that there was nothing they could do bring him out of it, there @ the Hotel! 7b). If that was the case, then no doubt, that Dr. didn't want his name to come up in connection with this and that either he, or someone else, called Toby Marshal back & explained the severity of the situation and asked him: "Just WHAT IN THE HECK should we do NOW!" 7c). If the above is/was true, then I STRONLY FEEL, that Toby Marshal VERY LIKELY instructed them to load Hank into his car, and to tell Charles Carr to head on towards Ohio, and possibly, to drive on until at least daybreak, and if Hank had not awakened by that time, nor had his condition improved; to THEN AND ONLY THEN, seek to get medical help for him!!! 8). As I'm certain that most of you can figure: If any of the above did occur in the way I've theorized, AND IF Toby Marshal and/or the other Dr. gave the instruction for it; you can bet that the reason they did so, was to make it look like Hank died somewhere en route, so that hopefully, it would erase all cause, for the authorities to wanna think that Hank's death was connected to THEM! Note: One other curious story, which has been told in at least 2 books, and in an article or two, written about Hank Sr; is that once Charles Carr arrived in Bluefield, WV; he supposedly stopped @ a little country store there, and bought Sandwiches and Beer. The lady who ran the place, has been quoted as saying that both Carr and Hank got out of the car & walked into her store, and that supposedly; Hank walked in, "without his hat on." This statement seems somewhat "off," as Hank's hair was beginning to thin out, and it was snowing pretty heavily, & was extremely cold, and no doubt, a bit windy as well! So one would think that Hank surely would've chosen to wear his hat once he exited the car... As you pretty much stated in your video though, AND as forensic evidence bears out; the above story could NOT have been true, as Hank had to have been deceased by that time, in order to have been in FULL RIGORMORTIS, by the time his body was examined at Oak Hill!! In the one book I read, which mentioned this story, the author himself, expressed his doubts about it; saying that the lady in question, likely just told that story to previous interviwers, in order to see herself AND her establishment, mentioned in print!! On that same note though, it IS believed, that Charles Carr DID in fact, stop at Bluefield, and either went in by himself, or with Donald Surface, (a Blufield Cab Driver whom he recruited to share the driving), as empty Beer Bottles SUPPOSEDLY WERE noticed in the car after Hank's death became known, there in Oak Hill. Another interesting occurrence (which concerns those empty beer bottles) is that they reportedly disappeared from the car at some point, while Charles Carr was either inside the hospital or the Tyree Funeral Home. I figure, if it IS true, that Carr DID stop @ that store in Bluefield; then it's QUITE LIKELY that he told the lady there, that he was chauffeuring Hank Williams to Ohio, but that he was asleep out in the car and shouldn't be bothered; and that this was likely what led her to tell the story that Hank himself, had walked into her store, when this MOST ASSUREDLY, COULDN'T have been true! **One last, RATHER CURIOUS note: There are various differing accounts about the length of time, which Charles Carr's hired, co-driver, Don Surface; actually spent in the car, with Charles and Hank. Some stories I've read stated that he was still with Charles Carr when he arrived at Oak Hill, but took off QUITE ABRUPTLY once he learned that Hank was dead. Other books and articles gave 2 differing accounts on this, supposedly, from Charles Carr himself. They are as follows: 1). That Don Surface WAS still with him when he arrived at Oak Hill. 2). That he (Carr) had become unnerved with Surface's driving in the bad, snowy conditions that morning and suggested that Surface go on his way at some point BEFORE, arriving at Oak Hill! It's also been written that during his lifetime; Don Surface didn't speak much about the night Hank died, but of course; I couldn't say for sure. It could be that it rather haunted him, as I'm sure it would have for most of us, if we'd have been in his shoes, on that fateful night! In closing, I want to say that it's a real shame that SO MANY differing stories have been told, about the events which transpired, on the night/morning, that Hank Williams passed away, and that it's caused a portion of the TRUE facts, to become clouded and convoluted and it'd sure be nice, if much of it could ever be cleared up! Highest Regards! Ron Abilene, TX.
@thehillbillyfiles Thank You, So Much! I'm glad that you appreciate it all! I was almost afraid that some folks might think I wrote too much!! LOL!!! I find myself hoping that my memory is good in regard to the various books and documentaries that I quoted some of my info from! It's actually been quite a long while since I last read or watched any of them! 🙂 Thanks Again! Ron
Thanks so much for sharing the video guys. I'm a huge Hank fan. Heather I am in agreement with you. Things don't line up. Great video as always. Y'all take care.
The documentary I watched on Hank, which was on PBS, revealed that while Hank did drink quite a bit, it was found later in his life that he was in constant pain from a medical condition similar to spinal bifida, but different in that the abnormalty was more to the inside of the spine rather than outside. The alcohol may have helped short term for a time but the morphine was his only relief. There was not a lot known about morphine in this time; so the very painful condition which was unending in Hank's case could only be eased by this powerful drug. And considering the type of birth defect he had, it only really dulled the pain to make it tolerable.
Yes, Hank was evidently born with spina bifida occulta, but it wasn’t diagnosed until Hank was 27 in the spring of 1951. By then, with the state of early 1950s medicine, there was no cure and little could be done. 😔😔😔
WOW! Do I remember that song growing up? Absolute;u!!! When I was a 9 or 10 years old, I would walk around the house singing "Hey, Hey, Good Lookin'". Still sing it from time to time. Loved this song and Hank Williams. I never knew he was ever in WV.. WOW! What a tragic story! How sad!!! Thank you for this delightful and wonderful video. Thank you for taking me along. I haven't been to Oak Hill for some time.
@@thehillbillyfiles You know, one of these days we need to meet each other. I am the former Coordinator of Social Studies and History for WV. So, I suppose you might say that I love history.
i've been a fan of hank for many years. we share the same birthday ( i'm 54 ) your video brings up intresting questions... thanks VERY Much for makin it
I heard the story where old Hank died in the back of his car on the way to his new years show from alcohol poisoning! But of his heart and health ailed him being the doctors didn't have the knowledge of many health issues that plagued people, he could have been self medicating and his heart could very will be the reason!
It was about a year. Hank fell on his back, reinjuring it while squirrel hunting with Jerry Rivers in late November of 1951. His spinal-fusion surgery was on December 13, 1951, but it brought him little relief and he never fully recovered from it. Hank died just over a year later, on the early morning of January 1, 1953, near Oak Hill, WV.
Great video. I had thought that I remembered him dying in Alabama. This video refreshes my memory. Those hot dogs looked real good! Y'all do both videos about famous stuff and also some very remote and obscure subject matter. The story of how Virginia was divided in two after the War is interesting.
Before I watched this video, I also thought he died in Alabama. I think I remember seeing a documentary that claimed that. He was born there, maybe the documentary got it wrong.
How would a 18 year old kid. Act bye discovering a dead body in your back seat. I would brobably be upset myself. Thanks for doing this story on Hank R.I.P Luke the drifter. AKA HANK WILLIAMS 😢
Hank was working the road because he was trying to rebuild his career, he was fired from the Opry in Aug. and despite excellent royalties from music copyrights and record sales, he was cash poor, he didn't manage money well, and like many musicians I know got most of his income from live shows, Hank had a bad rep for being drunk, missing shows etc. he was hard to sell by this time, the Canton show was sold out ,he certainly needed the money
Absolutely, but still June Carter at the time. She married Carl Smith later that year, 1952, and did not marry Cash until 1968, her third and final marriage, and Cash’s second and final.
Ive been researching this story the past couple days, and im confused. was the skyline drive in where he told his driver no, or the burger bar in bristol where he said that? Ive seen videos claiming both. it would make more sense that he was alive in bristol and said no he didnt wanna eat, then wouldnt respond at skyline because he was dead.
According to driver, Charles Carr, he last talked to Hank in the parking lot at the Doughboy Restaurant in Bluefield, WV. Carr had stopped to recruit a relief driver. Hank got out his Cadillac to stretch but didn’t want anything to eat and didn’t go in the Doughboy. The time was about 4 am New Year’s Day 1953. Hank must have died somewhere between Bluefield and Oak Hill, WV. The emergency room doctor at the Beckley, WV hospital said Hank was dead when Carr stopped to have Hank examined. The doctor told Carr to go on to Oak Hill because Beckley didn’t have a morgue. Hank must have have died before reaching Beckley at close to 5:30 am, New Year’s Day, 1953. Carr always denied stopping at the Beckley Hospital. Colin Escott found in his research that the Skyline Drivein was closed early in the morning on New Year’s Day, and thus, Carr must have discovered Hank unresponsive somewhere a few miles south, perhaps at a small mom and pop gas station/store that was open early that morning despite the holiday.
I think Hank died in WVa or close to the WVa/Va border. I think Charles Carr was a scared 18 year old driving a legend in a unfamiliar area and didn’t know how to handle the event. I think if Patrolman Swan Kitts thought the passenger in the back seat (Hank Sr) was dead, he would of investigated to make sure. “Dr” Toby Marshall was responsible for Hank’s death. And a poor investigation at that time has caused this confusion. I like your report. I was born in Princeton WV, where a dead or dying Hank drove through and grew up in Canton, Oh where Hank was traveling to.
I grew up bout 10 miles from the old stucco Spanish looking gas station that they pulled into . There was a hospital right beside it ! The stories I grew up with ( born in 58 ) was that Hank and his driver pulled into the "Skyline " ( it was a rough red neck bar when I lived there) Hank kept on sleeping while the driver got "something to eat " , then he left and noticed Hank being dead ? And pulled into the gas station in Oak Hill. That's the local take that I heard growing up. Hank died cause he was drunk and got a morphine fix in Kville that plum killed him. The sad part also being of the spectacle of a dead Hank in a caddy and folks stealing clothing, hat, hair and pieces of the caddy before he was removed from the scene. Hank Williams, thanks and R.I.P
Nice little corner store, with the outside eatin area. Now that's relaxin and homey feelin doin that. Great video on Hank y'all. Yea, I kinda feel like y'all, something wasn't right with his death and timeline. The guy driving him,so called pretend Dr., mighta gave him something else after the Dr., seen him in Tennessee at motel/ hotel and realized he was gonna be at fault idk.. but thank y'all very much for another wonderful/ sad video.
Thank ya'll for another great video. Regardless of exactly what happened or who lied. This was just another great performer that left this earth way too early. Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, Johny Horton, Jim Reeves, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, Marty Robbins, Keith Whitley, Glen Miller, Roy Orbison. I'm certain I have missed several others, but they all impacted music probably in ways they would never know. All gone way too early. But your story on Hank. Williams Sr. does not pass the smell test. I don't think the story we got was the actual truth, but an attempt to make Hank look better. If you were / are a fan of Hank Sr. the absolute truth wouldn't have mattered, except possibly putting some folks in jail. Thank ya'll for bringing this story to us. Dadgum I wish ya'll would stop with stories that leaves us with more questions than answers, but that is just the nature of investigating history. I really appreciate all yall's effort in researching these stories and showing us all the places. God bless ya'll for all your efforts on these stories and trying in cases to bring closure. Please stay safe on your travels.
Man, lemme tell you. Driving around the unlit backroads of the South is not fun, especially if you're not familiar with them. Many times I got lost at night, in my own county. Then you add driving in the dark and ice in them hills at night. That had to be a miserable ride, freezing, exhausted and sick. Hank probably wanted to go. RIP.
Hafta agree with you Leo, I have never been to an Applebees and probably never will. You just can't beat a good Hotdog. Must be the Hillbilly in me. Enjoyed this video very much. Good job Heather.
I could never understand how they ended up in Oak Hill when they were driving from Tennessee to Charleston, WV. Isn't that out of the way? Also, rigor mortis wouldn't have set in that quick. It usually takes about 12 hours.
They cancelled the show in Charleston due to the fact that they wouldn't make it on time and Hank's management instructed them just to try and make the Ohio show instead.
Hank and his driver, Charles Carr, were traveling from Montgomery, AL (not Nashville) initially to Charleston, WV, but when the show there was canceled due to snow and ice, they checked into the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville at about 7 pm. They then got a call from the promoter to proceed directly to the next day’s shows in Canton, OH on New Year’s Day. They left the hotel at about 10:45 on New Year’s Eve. Carr later reported that he picked up a relief driver, Donald Surface, at the Doughboy 24-hour restaurant in Bluefield, WV. Hank reportedly got out there to stretch but did not go inside. With Surface at the wheel, Hank must have died somewhere between Bluefield and Oak Hill, WV at approximately 5 am.
According to Hank researcher Brian Turpin, rigor mortis likely set in more quickly than usual due to the winter temperatures as well as Hank’s zero body fat.
Hank and Carr left Montgomey for the shows ahead, they did try to fly out from Knoxville, but the weather made the plane return, and they had to hit the road again, Montgomery to Canton was 800 miles, the roads then were 2 lane and narrow, not a nice trip in winter
Charles Carr was with Hank from the time they left Montgomery, until they carried his body into the hospital in Oak Hill. He told what happened, why create fiction?
Good point generally, except that some details of Carr’s stories changed from time to time, and some of his details are at odds with other witnesses’ details.
A lethal combination, stopped his heart. But you are dealing with a long-term alcoholic, a real and possible uncurable back problem. In a pressure and demanding business, that so many with that rare level of fame, would love a break from, to a simple life. Like some of the rock stars of the late 60’s and 70’s and in their 20’s. Some like this man, in truth died of old age.
Thanks for another great video. It seems the time of death could be determined by the stage of rigor mortise. It starts about 2 hours in the facial muscles. It's complete 6 to 8 hours later and lasts approximately 8 hours. How long does it take to get from Knoxville to his final stop? Hank Senior was and is a legend. RIP Sir.
@@thehillbillyfiles for him to be in rigor enough for the driver to notice, he had to have been gone for longer than 4 hours. Also, I just read an old article from the New York Post that said Hank also had multiple bruises on his body like he had just been in a fight. There's no doubt in my mind that we don't know the whole story. This is one of my favorite mysterious.
Rigor mortis sets in more quickly with low temperatures and for unhealthy emaciated bodies like Hank’s. Hank’s driver, 18-year-old Charles Carr, was always emphatic-Hank was not involved in any fights whatsoever on his last ride. According to Oak Hill funeral director, Joe Tyree, Hank’s body could be easily bruised because of its emaciated state. Further, his bruises were from routine handling by hospital and funeral home personnel after Hank had already passed.
Great video but such a sad story. I was around rock n roll bands as a younger guy and well let’s say it was often low pay and three sets a night. Beer, rum and sometimes friendly ladies made up for feeling like this just ain’t gonna work out. We ain’t the Beatles or The Who, we better find a day job. Drugs were definitely around but I did pretty good myself at staying away from that. I knew enough about biology and chemistry to be very wary. I watched band mates sort stuff up their nose I wouldn’t ever do. Wasn’t even sure exactly what the stuff was in truth. Fortunately I was not a very good musician and my decision was easy. Still love music but glad I gave up playing and going from nightclub to bar dive to fraternity house. Hope you stay safe on the roads out there. I am from up north originally, closer to Morgantown and the pepperoni roll area, a staple of our diet in my youth. Love a good hot dog 🌭
If he was dead when they left the hotel and the hotel kicked them out because of that then why would the hotel confess to carrying him out? Makes them look like a disreputable place either way. The reality is they left the hotel to get started on the journey to Ohio. Better to get there early and catch up on rest before the show if possible than risk further delays on the trip causing another cancelled show. And don't be naive in thinking the random college kid hired as a driver wasn't into the "scene". A typical morally upright student of the time wouldn't have stayed involved. Old Hank wasn't a one-off personality, nearly every touring musician of the time has stories that parallel Hanks, to a point. They had agents and dealers and enablers and lackeys. Chances are the real story is much different than you'll ever imagine. As the story goes it's close enough. He was in pain, he was driven to succeed, he used drugs and alcohol to cope, he trusted people that didn't necessarily have his best interest at heart, and he died on a lonely road far from the people who loved him.
Maybe they didn't know he was dead, they fell for the sedated thing. He wasn't kicked out. They checked out. I guess we can guess all we want but we wont ever know in reality. I just wanted the whole story, both versions told. I don't believe either version, like you said, its somewhere in the middle.
Native of Fayette, WV...I was always told, SkyLine was where they realized he was dead. Driver took him on up into town ,@ the gas station where Tyree funeral home picked the body up. Tyrees is still in existence. At that time, skyline was only a restaurant, a real drive inn. Spent many years dormant. The name on the library, Hubert E Jones also built the mansion x street with the columns ....he was founder of Amherst Madison river coal barging company, acquired from Logan coal co. back in the day. ❤ Your vids, reside in chapmanville
If you'd have gone a block further into town, there's a monument plaque, dedicated pretty recently, entitled Hanks last stop/ride. Is official historical marker with ceremony in which Jett Williams ,Hanks daughter attended. ( on the L , by the amphitheatre) Lol
According to leading Hank biographer, Colin Escott, drivers Donald Surface and Charles Carr were escorted from Oak Hill’s Pure Oil Station to the local hospital by an Oak Hill police officer.
Escott also reported that Hank’s drivers, Donald Surface and Charles Carr, couldn’t have stopped at the Skyline early New Year’s Day morning for any service because it wasn’t open that early, perhaps not at all that day given the holiday.
I researched this in depth.... I concluded Hank was alive when he left Knoxville and getting on the road when they did was due to a severe ass chewing from the promotor over the phone. I think he died not long after they left Bristol. This came from weighting the possible relative veracity of of all the hearsay. Also the fatigue from driving on those roads at night in snowstorms can not be discounted. I think the tired kid was pretty freaked out just from what happened. I don't think they made good time and I think he died like 12:30 -1:00 AM as the doctors estimated. And it took a lot longer than most people would think to cover the distance and accounts for the condition of the Body at about 7:00
Hank’s driver, Charles Carr, reported that Hank got out of his car and stretched outside the Doughboy Restaurant in Bluefield, WV, at around 4 am on New Year’s Day 1953. This, he must have died somewhere between there and Oak Hill, WV, probably sometime around 5:30 am.
How about the hitchhiking Army soldier, they are supposed to have picked up, to give him a ride further down the road, closer to his home? That has not been substantiated or disproved.
The doctor who gave Hank the two shots at the Andrew Johnson Hotel was a licensed MD and the hotel’s house doctor. Dr. Cardwell was the real deal. It was Hank’s personal “doctor,” Toby Marshall who was the quack. He didn’t even have a high school diploma, let alone a medical degree.
I have been in 3 bands. Punk early on then rock n roll. I found a dead guy in my garage once. Didn't know him, never knew he was there. Till the morning. Heroine overdose. I didn't even smoke pot so big deal fir me at the time trying revive him. Don't want the fame. If I got famous I'd have to fake my death.
I don't know what happened. But I feel hellish sorry for that kid Charles Carr. He was just a kid and didn't know the best thing to do probably. Very easy for that to lead to seemingly suspicious behaviour. I've been there,though luckily never had a famous country singer near death in the back of my car.
My daddy would drive down to Nashville on Friday nite and set in as a extra player for base fiddle and he said he would be in so much pain and drunk he felt bad for him. I still have some 78 records from him. Their around 75 years old. Thank you Heather and Leo
How very interesting! thanks for the information
Hank Williams was one of a few performers that was removed from the Grand Ole Opry. All members have to vote yes to get membership. But it takes only one vote to remove someone. Hank was born with a defect that was so painful that his death was accelerated by everything he took to kill the pain.
And I would like to add when I said that he killed himself I did not mean intentionally because I was a musician and came very close to doing it myself GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY AND FANS HE WAS AND STILL IS ONE OF MY HEROES
Hank Jr. Was hurt by what the grand ole Opry did to his father. Hank Sr. Brought a new age to western music. I grew up on his music along with lefty frizzle sons of the pioneers.
Wow so fascinating.
Hank Williams and George Jones are great country singers. They both sure can sing gospel music as well as country music. RIP Hank Williams and George Jones ✝️🙏❤️
I adore Hank Williams music what a talent he has left to all of us I could never get sick of watching anything about him
Some Mingo County-Hank Williams related history. My grandmother, Virginia Cline, owned and operated a "beergarden", called the "Blue Moon", in Baisden, WV (Gilbert Creek). Just before his death, he stayed there for a week and to pay for his room and board, he performed there at night. My grandmother, who died in 2003, at age 93, told me that "he was the skinest and ugliest little man she had ever seen" and that "he ate up all her bologna and drank up all her Falls City beer."
That made me laugh outload about the skinny and ugly, thanks for the inside scoop!
Don helms said Hank rarely ate but preferred to drink cause believe me it helps to ease the pain...
He wasn't ugly period your grandma is judgmental and rude hank was the best man had women all over him so he was the best God judges all of us for everything we have done! Hank your good looking
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Hank did not regularly eat well, but he would only quit eating on binges, which could last for up to two weeks. Before Hank’s final year, 1952, he was a binge drinker, routinely going for up to six or seven months without having a drop, then another full-tilt blowup.
Following Hank’s unsuccessful back surgery on December 13, 1951, and the resulting increased pain, Hank’s long dry spells lasting weeks or months vanished to never appear again. Sad, sad, 😔😔😔
Really good detective work! As an Alabama-born West Virginian, this story has been a stable in my legacy stories told me by my family. I really enjoy and appreciate ya'lls channel.
Thanks we appreciate it!
A true Country legend. His songs will live on forever. Thanks for sharing this story.
My goodness Hanks wife was 1 beautiful lady!!! I had no clue about this story of Hank. Thank you so much Heather and Leo. Keep doing what you do!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it! She was gorgeous
Thanks for sharing Hank Williams story. He is truly a bigger than death figure for all of us who love all he did for people with his music and life.
Yesterday (January 1) was the 71st anniversary of Hank's passing.
I tend to agree with y'all on Hank's death location. At least he didn't die in Oak Hill. I think, as you stated, certain people and / or locations didn't want to be associated with his death so they took him to Oak Hill. Why? As you stated, Hank was considered a drunken outlaw. The "prominent" people wanted nothing to do with him. In fact, I watched another video that said Oak Hill officials decided not to erect a monument in his honor for that very reason. It was Hank's fans that had one erected.
Great video as always.
This will forever be a mystery and a sad story. Thank you Leo and Heather
Awesome! thanks for watching
Hank Sr is my favorite. Thank you for this.
He was in so much back pain. I know what he was going through. His whole life he was being treated for back pain.
Yes he was, so sad, my mom had horrible back pain and led to more and more pain meds
What was wrong with his back?
his back pain was due to spina bifida, lack of folic acid, he used alcohol to mask the pain and no medical treatment at that time could fix his problem
me too since I was 25 and im 57 now, it's ruined my whole life, it led me to drink a lot too but i stopped..there really is nothing that helps it much
Great video guys. I live in knoxville Tn and I’ve always heard that Hank really died while staying at the Andrew Johnson Hotel.
My dad loved Hank Williams. Thanks for doing this.
Our pleasure!
I can remember hearing on the old radio of Hank’s death the exact day as a child in McDowell County, WV. Parents were avid country music fans. I later became an RN with some knowledge of all the terms surrounding Hank’s death. My personal thought is considering the times, tests were not done with the rules and oversight now followed. 1) Everybody knew Hank consumed pain killers, so the biggest red flag for me was the toxicology report showing NO morphine. Morphine shares classification with numerous pain killers called opiates. He had to have had some opiates in his system, and is stranger that he did not. You have to actually specify and look for the morphine/opiate to find it in toxicology. Lots of times a doc will order a repeat lab if he suspects something. He had to have had opiates in his system from the injection or previous pills, so I think that toxicology was not done without a focus on the morphine. Thus 0 morphine results. 2). The driver was very young and immature, and back then young adults tended to respect and not always challenge elders-the doc. It is surprising how some young people are not observant and lack sound judgment-reason so many laws on voting, smoking, drinking??? Maybe the young man did not want to admit how careless he was with the safety of this famous man-it would have been scary. I don’t think he was involved, but innocently fell victim to a series of situations that led to the death of Hank Williams Sr. and then became not totally forthright. I truly believe Hank Williams was already gone when they stopped at the restaurant and when the policeman pulled over the driver. This young, probably half asleep driver, did not know he was finding a place in history as he drove up that dark and winding route 19 to where it became obvious Hank was gone. How would we have handled it at that age? Hank, being an addict, nobody questioned doctors, labs, or medical findings in those days. I use to travel that same road driving to Beckley, and pondered this every time. Too late now to prove anything, except we do know Rigor Mortis sets in after about two hours and lasts awhile. I would like to add, more importantly, that back pain is an unbearable pain that often started many on the road to addiction.
Very good insight, thank you!
Hank was given drugs by a quack doctor, Toby Marshall, Hank often took more pills than Marshall had prescribed along with alcohol -- he smoked, ate poorly, and was alcoholic for most of his life, add this up, and it's no surprise he died so young
Because Hank's body was in rigor mortis, I'm guessing that he died around Bluefield. What would your guess be?
Hank biographer, Colin Escott, concluded that Hank’s autopsy found no drugs because they didn’t normally test for them in early 1950s. Over Hank’s last three days, he clearly ingested alcohol and a very powerful sedative, Chloral Hydrate. On top of at least one morphine shot on New Year’s Eve, this combination could have killed a healthy 29 year old, and Hank was far from healthy, with heart disease and probably early cirrhosis as well.
Escott’s, others’, and my research showed that Hank probably died around 5:30 am, New Year’s Day, shortly after leaving Bluefield, WV headed for Canton, OH. He was pronounced dead at the hospital in Oak Hill, WV, sightly after 7 am on New Year’s Day.
The man was a master, the artist of the human heart...so sad that we lost him, so soon...RIP, Hank...♥
The fact the I watched I Saw The Light last night and then this pops up today is a little spooky.... Fantastic as always!
Thank you! Quite interesting timing for sure
I saw the light was straight B....
The gas station attendant in Bristol VA. said that Hank looked dead when Charles Carr stopped there.
Thank you for telling the story of his death the way it should be. As you said we may never know!!
Thanks so much!
Love this story! From the time I could understand, I was told the story of Hank and his last ride. It was sad when they tore down the gas station. The hospital they took Hank to is where the water tank is at the beginning of the video.
The Skyline was closed for about 10 years and just reopened a few years ago. I lived about 3 miles down the road in Glen Jean for awhile. Had a friend who wrote a song about Hank called The Legend, the band name was Borderline.
Awesome information, thank you!!
In my opinion Hank Williams died at the hotel. According to research it takes rigor mortis occurs two hours after death. How could the driver be hungry when supposedly they had steaks at the hotel. With the speeding ticket and the officer account that the passenger looks deceased confirmed my opinion. Great job and thank you guys for another great job 👍
My real question is how Hank talked at Skyline drive in, 10 mins before being found dead! Thanks for watching
@@thehillbillyfiles exactly, it must have been his ghost 😂
Driver, Charles Carr, consistently reported that Hank climbed into the backseat of his Cadillac convertible at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville under his own power, “I clearly remember that,” reported Carr. He ordered steak dinners for Hank and him at around 7:30 pm on New Year’s Eve, and didn’t stop for anything else to eat until early the next morning in West Virginia en route to Canton, OH.
Carr reported that he last saw Hank alive in the parking lot of the Doughboy Restaurant in Bluefield, WV, where Carr had stopped to hire a relief driver and Hank had gotten out of his Cadillac to stretch. The time was about 4 am New Year’s Day. Thus, Hank must have died somewhere between Bluefield and Oak Hill WV, at around 5:30 am New Year’s Day.
I was born & raised in Oak Hill until 1964, ate at skyline often, even on visits back home, then a trip in 2004 it was a shock to see it was closed, & was still closed in 2012
the place sorta looks about the same except no old ratty linoleum flooring,seems like I remember an old wood/coal burner too
Fascinating story!
I didn’t realize he was so young!
You did great sleuthing on this story and it made it so interesting 🤔🥸
Thanks for all your hard work and God Bless🙏
Aww thanks so very much!!
Charles Carr stopped at a taxicab company in Bluefield to try to hire another driver to help him drive to Ohio.
Carr reported that the stop was at Bluefield’s Doughboy restaurant, which was open 24 hours a day, where cabbies often hung out between riders.
Tragic story. He was so young! His death seemed to haunt his son Hank Jr. for many of his adult years, and i wonder if that was (in part) because he grew up in the 'industry'.
At some point with the magic of technology Hank Jr. did a duet with Hank Sr. 'A Tear in My Beer' i believe it was.
May he and his wife rest in peace 🙏
Thanks for this. I'm really glad i found your channel. The work and travel you two put into your documentaries is impressive!
Hope you both have a wonderful evening and 4th of July! 🎆
Thanks so much! all kind words make it all worth while to us
Dang that Chloral Hydrate was a highly prescribed drug back in the day... First Hank Williams in 1953 and Marilyn Monroe in 1962....Probably countless others that died from this drug... I agree with you Heather...There is definitely some holes in the story...Good stuff as always...Thanks for sharing!!!!! Heather has the idea... Some Cole slaw on those hotdogs is awesome!!!!
Thank you! The coleslaw was delicious 😋 it made the hotdog I think
Hank had one or two heart attacks in Dec. a few weeks before he died, he played a show in Austin, TX in Dec. 1952, he was so ill and shaking he had to be helped off the stage and couldn't finish the show
Love Hank Williams. Always have, always will. R.I.P. Hank.
And I thank you two for making this road for trip, I’m really loving it. Thank You,❤,❤Blessings.👍
Our pleasure!
My Mother and Father grew up in the Montgomery area, my Dad said before Hank made a name for himself, Dad said they would pay 10 cents to see him perform, my parents and all of my aunts and uncles went to his funeral, there's all kinds of stories I've heard growing up
The one particular song 🎵 of his that I like is, your cheatin heart. Country music has certainly changed a lot since Hank's time.
I believe you are correct Heather, Hank must have died in that hotel room, or was dying fast, thanks to an incompetent Doctor. Rest in peace Hank 🙏 Thank you very much, Leo and Heather, for another great video. 😊
Your welcome =)
Hank’s doctor at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville was a licensed MD, Dr. Cardwell. The quack was Hank’s personal “physician” Toby Marshall, who was from OKC. He didn’t even graduate from high school, let alone medical school. He “prescribed” a very powerful sedative for Hank, chloral hydrate, which should never be mixed with alcohol. Doing so could kill a healthy 29-year-old, and Hank was very far from healthy for all of 1952!
@@paulnail7273 Thank you very much for the explanation. I hope that " quack " got exposed for what he was.
Also if the driver was 18 or just a young fella,why would a State Trooper simply take the word of young man,ignoring his own suspicions, experience and guidelines of a State Trooper to insure the safety and welfare of any citizen?
Good question
Thanks for sharing! I love Hank Williams!
Hi Folks!
First of all, let me say that I think that your video here, was very well done!
Secondly, I was very glad to see that you kept all the facts straight, (as I've come to know them anyway), which is from several biographies which I've read on Hank; and also, from several documentaries about him, that I've watched over the years, as well.
All of that being said, I'd like to offer my theory on what I feel transpired on that fateful New Years morning, and why??
My theory and thoughts parallel yours a great deal, but I think I can offer a bit of additional insight as to the motive(s) behind it all.
Before I begin, let me state here, that I wasn't born until 1966, and will soon be turning just 57 years young, so of course, I wasn't anywhere near thought about, on Jan. 1, 1953! LOL!!
I've never worked in law enforcement, nor in the field of "Criminal Investigation" in any way, but as I say, I do have what I feel, is a very plausable theory; as to certain events that transpired on the eve & morning of Hank Williams Sr's. death, and the motives behind them. So, here goes....
1). I very much believe that when Hank was carried out of that Hotel in Knoxville: If he wasn't already dead, then he was either "in the throes" of dying, or surely in a GREAT STATE of duress!!!
2). Why?? Because of the following:
A). Hank had supposedly, already consumed a few Beers & had already consumed a certain amount of Chloral Hydrate, as you stated in your narrative.
B). Having been given the shot of Morphine on top of the aforementioned (especially the Chloral Hydrate) I would say that it couldn't have helped, but to send Hank into a state of duress!!
3). Hank's 2nd wife, (and widow), Billie Jean; has been quoted as saying that even before departing from their home, for that ill-fated tour; Hank's palor, was beginning to look pale and even somewhat ashen then, indicating that he may have already been going "into the throes" of some type of coronary crisis, at that time!
4). Put all of the aforementioned on top of an underlying coronary problem, & I'd say that Hank was sure to go into Cardiac Arrest!!
5). As I understand it, if over a certain amount of Morphine is administered; then the patient needs to be put on oxygen, in order to keep from asphyxiating, due to the heavy effect of sedation. --
-- Case in point: I had an uncle, (Joe), in Pennsylvania; who succumbed to Metastatic Kidney & Bone Cancer on Jan. 8th, 2014.
My Uncle's Dr's. first tried to put him on a Morphine regimen at home, in effort to make his last days comfortable. However; the strength of the dosage was so strong that it began to make Joe VERY SHORT of breath.
As a result, they had to re-hospitalize him, and put him on oxygen, so that they could continue to administer a large enough dosage of Morphine to ease his pain, without him having to constantly fight for his breath - and I should add that my uncle never drank, nor smoked; used any kind of drugs, nor had any pre-existing breathing problems!
6). Thus, after hearing what my uncle went through, I now truly believe; that the Knoxville Doctor, (whom that quack: Toby Marshal found and sent to give Hank those injections), likely shot Hank up with enough Morphine, that when mixed with whatever amount of Chloral Hydrate that Hank already had in him, it likely stifled Hank's breathing to a dangerous degree, + "put him under" way too far, to survive very long, without additional oxygen!
7). I also believe that either the Dr. who administered the shots to Hank, or someone else who was there, (besides Charles Carr), quickly came to realize that Hank had fallen into duress, and that there was nothing they could do bring him out of it, there @ the Hotel!
7b). If that was the case, then no doubt, that Dr. didn't want his name to come up in connection with this and that either he, or someone else, called Toby Marshal back & explained the severity of the situation and asked him: "Just WHAT IN THE HECK should we do NOW!"
7c). If the above is/was true, then I STRONLY FEEL, that Toby Marshal VERY LIKELY instructed them to load Hank into his car, and to tell Charles Carr to head on towards Ohio, and possibly, to drive on until at least daybreak, and if Hank had not awakened by that time, nor had his condition improved; to THEN AND ONLY THEN, seek to get medical help for him!!!
8). As I'm certain that most of you can figure: If any of the above did occur in the way I've theorized, AND IF Toby Marshal and/or the other Dr. gave the instruction for it; you can bet that the reason they did so, was to make it look like Hank died somewhere en route, so that hopefully, it would erase all cause, for the authorities to wanna think that Hank's death was connected to THEM!
Note: One other curious story, which has been told in at least 2 books, and in an article or two, written about Hank Sr; is that once Charles Carr arrived in Bluefield, WV; he supposedly stopped @ a little country store there, and bought Sandwiches and Beer.
The lady who ran the place, has been quoted as saying that both Carr and Hank got out of the car & walked into her store, and that supposedly; Hank walked in, "without his hat on."
This statement seems somewhat "off," as Hank's hair was beginning to thin out, and it was snowing pretty heavily, & was extremely cold, and no doubt, a bit windy as well! So one would think that Hank surely would've chosen to wear his hat once he exited the car...
As you pretty much stated in your video though, AND as forensic evidence bears out; the above story could NOT have been true, as Hank had to have been deceased by that time, in order to have been in FULL RIGORMORTIS, by the time his body was examined at Oak Hill!!
In the one book I read, which mentioned this story, the author himself, expressed his doubts about it; saying that the lady in question, likely just told that story to previous interviwers, in order to see herself AND her establishment, mentioned in print!!
On that same note though, it IS believed, that Charles Carr DID in fact, stop at Bluefield, and either went in by himself, or with Donald Surface, (a Blufield Cab Driver whom he recruited to share the driving), as empty Beer Bottles SUPPOSEDLY WERE noticed in the car after Hank's death became known, there in Oak Hill.
Another interesting occurrence (which concerns those empty beer bottles) is that they reportedly disappeared from the car at some point, while Charles Carr was either inside the hospital or the Tyree Funeral Home.
I figure, if it IS true, that Carr DID stop @ that store in Bluefield; then it's QUITE LIKELY that he told the lady there, that he was chauffeuring Hank Williams to Ohio, but that he was asleep out in the car and shouldn't be bothered; and that this was likely what led her to tell the story that Hank himself, had walked into her store, when this MOST ASSUREDLY, COULDN'T have been true!
**One last, RATHER CURIOUS note:
There are various differing accounts about the length of time, which Charles Carr's hired, co-driver, Don Surface; actually spent in the car, with Charles and Hank.
Some stories I've read stated that he was still with Charles Carr when he arrived at Oak Hill, but took off QUITE ABRUPTLY once he learned that Hank was dead.
Other books and articles gave 2 differing accounts on this, supposedly, from Charles Carr himself. They are as follows:
1). That Don Surface WAS still with him when he arrived at Oak Hill.
2). That he (Carr) had become unnerved with Surface's driving in the bad, snowy conditions that morning and suggested that Surface go on his way at some point BEFORE, arriving at Oak Hill!
It's also been written that during his lifetime; Don Surface didn't speak much about the night Hank died, but of course; I couldn't say for sure. It could be that it rather haunted him, as I'm sure it would have for most of us, if we'd have been in his shoes, on that fateful night!
In closing, I want to say that it's a real shame that SO MANY differing stories have been told, about the events which transpired, on the night/morning, that Hank Williams passed away, and that it's caused a portion of the TRUE facts, to become clouded and convoluted and it'd sure be nice, if much of it could ever be cleared up!
Highest Regards!
Ron
Abilene, TX.
Fantastic input, thank you!
@thehillbillyfiles
Thank You, So Much!
I'm glad that you appreciate it all! I was almost afraid that some folks might think I wrote too much!! LOL!!!
I find myself hoping that my memory is good in regard to the various books and documentaries that I quoted some of my info from!
It's actually been quite a long while since I last read or watched any of them! 🙂
Thanks Again!
Ron
How sad to have wealth and fame but still not enjoy a happy life.....
The concert audience in Ohio, upon hearing of Hank Williams death, began singing "I saw the light".
Thank you so much! I learned something new today❤️
Thanks so much for sharing the video guys. I'm a huge Hank fan. Heather I am in agreement with you. Things don't line up. Great video as always. Y'all take care.
Thanks for watching!
The documentary I watched on Hank, which was on PBS, revealed that while Hank did drink quite a bit, it was found later in his life that he was in constant pain from a medical condition similar to spinal bifida, but different in that the abnormalty was more to the inside of the spine rather than outside. The alcohol may have helped short term for a time but the morphine was his only relief. There was not a lot known about morphine in this time; so the very painful condition which was unending in Hank's case could only be eased by this powerful drug. And considering the type of birth defect he had, it only really dulled the pain to make it tolerable.
Yes, Hank was evidently born with spina bifida occulta, but it wasn’t diagnosed until Hank was 27 in the spring of 1951. By then, with the state of early 1950s medicine, there was no cure and little could be done. 😔😔😔
WOW! Do I remember that song growing up? Absolute;u!!! When I was a 9 or 10 years old, I would walk around the house singing "Hey, Hey, Good Lookin'". Still sing it from time to time. Loved this song and Hank Williams. I never knew he was ever in WV.. WOW! What a tragic story! How sad!!! Thank you for this delightful and wonderful video. Thank you for taking me along. I haven't been to Oak Hill for some time.
So very welcome!! We appreciate you watching
@@thehillbillyfiles You know, one of these days we need to meet each other. I am the former Coordinator of Social Studies and History for WV. So, I suppose you might say that I love history.
I find this to be a painful story about a very young man. He wasn't even 30 yet!
Interesting scenarios. Love your channel.
Thanks so much!
i've been a fan of hank for many years. we share the same birthday ( i'm 54 ) your video brings up intresting questions...
thanks VERY Much for makin it
It’s all about his singing songwriting talents. Way too young. Rip.
Hanks my all time favorite.. a legend.
So sad, addiction takes many talents away from us way to soon
It sure does
Well done video. Very well put together. Thank you.
Thanks so much!!
Another great video. Thank you!
Nice video.....I ,m with ya on the overdose when he first left Knoxville.....who knows what that driver was thinking/lied.
I heard the story where old Hank died in the back of his car on the way to his new years show from alcohol poisoning! But of his heart and health ailed him being the doctors didn't have the knowledge of many health issues that plagued people, he could have been self medicating and his heart could very will be the reason!
Well his heart was the reason, the cause of overdose abd abuse leading to heart attack wasn't really in debate. The timing where it happened is though
Yes theres always a few different versions!
Poor Hank.. His music should be
Re re Leased.. 💝
Hiram was getting better then he fell and reinjured his back. Think he made it almost a year after that. Heres to all that have real pain.
Very sad 😔
It was about a year. Hank fell on his back, reinjuring it while squirrel hunting with Jerry Rivers in late November of 1951. His spinal-fusion surgery was on December 13, 1951, but it brought him little relief and he never fully recovered from it. Hank died just over a year later, on the early morning of January 1, 1953, near Oak Hill, WV.
You should do a part 2,and come down here,too Montgomery,too the lost highway and graves,where the Real legacy lies!
I'm sure we will eventually!
Great video. I had thought that I remembered him dying in Alabama. This video refreshes my memory. Those hot dogs looked real good! Y'all do both videos about famous stuff and also some very remote and obscure subject matter. The story of how Virginia was divided in two after the War is interesting.
Thanks! We appreciate you Ted
Before I watched this video, I also thought he died in Alabama. I think I remember seeing a documentary that claimed that. He was born there, maybe the documentary got it wrong.
How would a 18 year old kid. Act bye discovering a dead body in your back seat. I would brobably be upset myself. Thanks for doing this story on Hank R.I.P Luke the drifter. AKA HANK WILLIAMS 😢
Well of course, doesn't answer all the questions though to me
Hank was working the road because he was trying to rebuild his career, he was fired from the Opry in Aug. and despite excellent royalties from music copyrights and record sales, he was cash poor, he didn't manage money well, and like many musicians I know got most of his income from live shows, Hank had a bad rep for being drunk, missing shows etc. he was hard to sell by this time, the Canton show was sold out ,he certainly needed the money
I think we will never know what really happened that night/early morning. I think the “facts” are fuzzy.
Hank deserved better.
Definitely
Is that June Carter (Cash) in the opening scene? I rewatched the beginning and he says "June, honey" so it must be her.
It is! I didn't even know that till I looked it up just now
Absolutely, but still June Carter at the time. She married Carl Smith later that year, 1952, and did not marry Cash until 1968, her third and final marriage, and Cash’s second and final.
I remember when he died. I was about 10 years old. I did not know who he was.
Ive been researching this story the past couple days, and im confused. was the skyline drive in where he told his driver no, or the burger bar in bristol where he said that? Ive seen videos claiming both. it would make more sense that he was alive in bristol and said no he didnt wanna eat, then wouldnt respond at skyline because he was dead.
Both restaurants claim it happened there, so yes there's confusion.
According to driver, Charles Carr, he last talked to Hank in the parking lot at the Doughboy Restaurant in Bluefield, WV. Carr had stopped to recruit a relief driver. Hank got out his Cadillac to stretch but didn’t want anything to eat and didn’t go in the Doughboy. The time was about 4 am New Year’s Day 1953.
Hank must have died somewhere between Bluefield and Oak Hill, WV. The emergency room doctor at the Beckley, WV hospital said Hank was dead when Carr stopped to have Hank examined. The doctor told Carr to go on to Oak Hill because Beckley didn’t have a morgue. Hank must have have died before reaching Beckley at close to 5:30 am, New Year’s Day, 1953. Carr always denied stopping at the Beckley Hospital.
Colin Escott found in his research that the Skyline Drivein was closed early in the morning on New Year’s Day, and thus, Carr must have discovered Hank unresponsive somewhere a few miles south, perhaps at a small mom and pop gas station/store that was open early that morning despite the holiday.
Love your work, beautiful Heather !
Thank you so much! Means a lot
I think Hank died in WVa or close to the WVa/Va border. I think Charles Carr was a scared 18 year old driving a legend in a unfamiliar area and didn’t know how to handle the event. I think if Patrolman Swan Kitts thought the passenger in the back seat (Hank Sr) was dead, he would of investigated to make sure.
“Dr” Toby Marshall was responsible for Hank’s death. And a poor investigation at that time has caused this confusion.
I like your report. I was born in Princeton WV, where a dead or dying Hank drove through and grew up in Canton, Oh where Hank was traveling to.
I grew up bout 10 miles from the old stucco Spanish looking gas station that they pulled into . There was a hospital right beside it ! The stories I grew up with ( born in 58 ) was that Hank and his driver pulled into the "Skyline " ( it was a rough red neck bar when I lived there) Hank kept on sleeping while the driver got "something to eat " , then he left and noticed Hank being dead ? And pulled into the gas station in Oak Hill.
That's the local take that I heard growing up. Hank died cause he was drunk and got a morphine fix in Kville that plum killed him.
The sad part also being of the spectacle of a dead Hank in a caddy and folks stealing clothing, hat, hair and pieces of the caddy before he was removed from the scene.
Hank Williams, thanks and R.I.P
Nice little corner store, with the outside eatin area. Now that's relaxin and homey feelin doin that. Great video on Hank y'all. Yea, I kinda feel like y'all, something wasn't right with his death and timeline. The guy driving him,so called pretend Dr., mighta gave him something else after the Dr., seen him in Tennessee at motel/ hotel and realized he was gonna be at fault idk.. but thank y'all very much for another wonderful/ sad video.
Thanks Lisa!
Hank was all American! God Bless Him!
Great show keep up the good work be safe my friends God bless all
Thank ya'll for another great video. Regardless of exactly what happened or who lied. This was just another great performer that left this earth way too early.
Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, Johny Horton, Jim Reeves, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, Marty Robbins, Keith Whitley, Glen Miller, Roy Orbison. I'm certain I have missed several others, but they all impacted music probably in ways they would never know. All gone way too early.
But your story on Hank. Williams Sr. does not pass the smell test. I don't think the story we got was the actual truth, but an attempt to make Hank look better. If you were / are a fan of Hank Sr. the absolute truth wouldn't have mattered, except possibly putting some folks in jail.
Thank ya'll for bringing this story to us. Dadgum I wish ya'll would stop with stories that leaves us with more questions than answers, but that is just the nature of investigating history. I really appreciate all yall's effort in researching these stories and showing us all the places.
God bless ya'll for all your efforts on these stories and trying in cases to bring closure. Please stay safe on your travels.
Thanks! yes we cant solve them, but we like to bring the locations to you, its only thing we can do I guess
A few more sadly Ronnie Van zant. Justin Townes Earle. Jim Groce. Bon Scott. So so many rip.
Also Janice Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Curt Cobain, and Gram Parsons. The first four all died at age 27, Parsons at 26. 😔😔😔
King of Country Hank Williams Sr, sounds a lot like Michael Jackson, King of Pop... killed by incompetent Doctor.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching
Man, lemme tell you. Driving around the unlit backroads of the South is not fun, especially if you're not familiar with them. Many times I got lost at night, in my own county. Then you add driving in the dark and ice in them hills at night. That had to be a miserable ride, freezing, exhausted and sick. Hank probably wanted to go. RIP.
Hafta agree with you Leo, I have never been to an Applebees and probably never will. You just can't beat a good Hotdog. Must be the Hillbilly in me. Enjoyed this video very much. Good job Heather.
I could never understand how they ended up in Oak Hill when they were driving from Tennessee to Charleston, WV. Isn't that out of the way? Also, rigor mortis wouldn't have set in that quick. It usually takes about 12 hours.
They were headed to ohio, yea the story makes no sense
They cancelled the show in Charleston due to the fact that they wouldn't make it on time and Hank's management instructed them just to try and make the Ohio show instead.
Hank and his driver, Charles Carr, were traveling from Montgomery, AL (not Nashville) initially to Charleston, WV, but when the show there was canceled due to snow and ice, they checked into the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville at about 7 pm. They then got a call from the promoter to proceed directly to the next day’s shows in Canton, OH on New Year’s Day. They left the hotel at about 10:45 on New Year’s Eve.
Carr later reported that he picked up a relief driver, Donald Surface, at the Doughboy 24-hour restaurant in Bluefield, WV. Hank reportedly got out there to stretch but did not go inside. With Surface at the wheel, Hank must have died somewhere between Bluefield and Oak Hill, WV at approximately 5 am.
According to Hank researcher Brian Turpin, rigor mortis likely set in more quickly than usual due to the winter temperatures as well as Hank’s zero body fat.
Also at the end of my Hank video hear a new perspective on the Andrew Johnson Hotel that’s never been told till now.
Hank and Carr left Montgomey for the shows ahead, they did try to fly out from Knoxville, but the weather made the plane return, and they had to hit the road again, Montgomery to Canton was 800 miles, the roads then were 2 lane and narrow, not a nice trip in winter
It will probably always be a mystery.
Charles Carr was with Hank from the time they left Montgomery, until they carried his body into the hospital in Oak Hill. He told what happened, why create fiction?
Because its not fiction, its the real facts, why do you believe everything you read? Have you not learned anything in this life?
@@thehillbillyfiles ive learned Okham's Razor; the simplest scenario is the most likely one. A conspiracy is not simple.
Good point generally, except that some details of Carr’s stories changed from time to time, and some of his details are at odds with other witnesses’ details.
Growing up in southern West Virginia I recall the day my father came in the house and announced to my mother “Hank Williams is dead “. 6:51
A lethal combination, stopped his heart. But you are dealing with a long-term alcoholic, a real and possible uncurable back problem. In a pressure and demanding business, that so many with that rare level of fame, would love a break from, to a simple life. Like some of the rock stars of the late 60’s and 70’s and in their 20’s. Some like this man, in truth died of old age.
Thanks for another great video. It seems the time of death could be determined by the stage of rigor mortise. It starts about 2 hours in the facial muscles. It's complete 6 to 8 hours later and lasts approximately 8 hours. How long does it take to get from Knoxville to his final stop? Hank Senior was and is a legend. RIP Sir.
4 hours to final stop.
@@thehillbillyfiles for him to be in rigor enough for the driver to notice, he had to have been gone for longer than 4 hours. Also, I just read an old article from the New York Post that said Hank also had multiple bruises on his body like he had just been in a fight. There's no doubt in my mind that we don't know the whole story. This is one of my favorite mysterious.
@@jojoelf1 oh very interesting!
Rigor mortis sets in more quickly with low temperatures and for unhealthy emaciated bodies like Hank’s. Hank’s driver, 18-year-old Charles Carr, was always emphatic-Hank was not involved in any fights whatsoever on his last ride.
According to Oak Hill funeral director, Joe Tyree, Hank’s body could be easily bruised because of its emaciated state. Further, his bruises were from routine handling by hospital and funeral home personnel after Hank had already passed.
Thanks! You Rock !
You too! Thank you
I have been to three star's grave's Hank, Johnny Horton, and Elvis !
Sang from his heart got most all his recordings
Great video but such a sad story. I was around rock n roll bands as a younger guy and well let’s say it was often low pay and three sets a night. Beer, rum and sometimes friendly ladies made up for feeling like this just ain’t gonna work out. We ain’t the Beatles or The Who, we better find a day job. Drugs were definitely around but I did pretty good myself at staying away from that. I knew enough about biology and chemistry to be very wary. I watched band mates sort stuff up their nose I wouldn’t ever do. Wasn’t even sure exactly what the stuff was in truth. Fortunately I was not a very good musician and my decision was easy. Still love music but glad I gave up playing and going from nightclub to bar dive to fraternity house.
Hope you stay safe on the roads out there. I am from up north originally, closer to Morgantown and the pepperoni roll area, a staple of our diet in my youth. Love a good hot dog 🌭
Great video ❤️
Thank you!!
If he was dead when they left the hotel and the hotel kicked them out because of that then why would the hotel confess to carrying him out? Makes them look like a disreputable place either way. The reality is they left the hotel to get started on the journey to Ohio. Better to get there early and catch up on rest before the show if possible than risk further delays on the trip causing another cancelled show. And don't be naive in thinking the random college kid hired as a driver wasn't into the "scene". A typical morally upright student of the time wouldn't have stayed involved. Old Hank wasn't a one-off personality, nearly every touring musician of the time has stories that parallel Hanks, to a point. They had agents and dealers and enablers and lackeys. Chances are the real story is much different than you'll ever imagine.
As the story goes it's close enough. He was in pain, he was driven to succeed, he used drugs and alcohol to cope, he trusted people that didn't necessarily have his best interest at heart, and he died on a lonely road far from the people who loved him.
Maybe they didn't know he was dead, they fell for the sedated thing. He wasn't kicked out. They checked out. I guess we can guess all we want but we wont ever know in reality. I just wanted the whole story, both versions told. I don't believe either version, like you said, its somewhere in the middle.
Actually Hank had JUST TURNED 29, having been born in the month of September.
Native of Fayette, WV...I was always told, SkyLine was where they realized he was dead. Driver took him on up into town ,@ the gas station where Tyree funeral home picked the body up. Tyrees is still in existence.
At that time, skyline was only a restaurant, a real drive inn. Spent many years dormant.
The name on the library, Hubert E Jones also built the mansion x street with the columns ....he was founder of Amherst Madison river coal barging company, acquired from Logan coal co. back in the day. ❤ Your vids, reside in chapmanville
If you'd have gone a block further into town, there's a monument plaque, dedicated pretty recently, entitled Hanks last stop/ride. Is official historical marker with ceremony in which Jett Williams ,Hanks daughter attended.
( on the L , by the amphitheatre) Lol
According to leading Hank biographer, Colin Escott, drivers Donald Surface and Charles Carr were escorted from Oak Hill’s Pure Oil Station to the local hospital by an Oak Hill police officer.
Escott also reported that Hank’s drivers, Donald Surface and Charles Carr, couldn’t have stopped at the Skyline early New Year’s Day morning for any service because it wasn’t open that early, perhaps not at all that day given the holiday.
I researched this in depth.... I concluded Hank was alive when he left Knoxville and getting on the road when they did was due to a severe ass chewing from the promotor over the phone. I think he died not long after they left Bristol. This came from weighting the possible relative veracity of of all the hearsay. Also the fatigue from driving on those roads at night in snowstorms can not be discounted. I think the tired kid was pretty freaked out just from what happened. I don't think they made good time and I think he died like 12:30 -1:00 AM as the doctors estimated. And it took a lot longer than most people would think to cover the distance and accounts for the condition of the Body at about 7:00
Hank’s driver, Charles Carr, reported that Hank got out of his car and stretched outside the Doughboy Restaurant in Bluefield, WV, at around 4 am on New Year’s Day 1953. This, he must have died somewhere between there and Oak Hill, WV, probably sometime around 5:30 am.
Hank had a heart attack a few months earlier in TX, he was in bad shape in the final months of his life
How about the hitchhiking Army soldier, they are supposed to have picked up, to give him a ride further down the road, closer to his home? That has not been substantiated or disproved.
Imagine requesting a Dr today for pain at a hotel.
The police would show up and arrest you on a drug charge if you're lucky
Hank Williams, 3rd looks and sounds like his grand-daddy.
We still do, thanks
Still do what?
You are so right.
Wonder why the officer didn’t check on him also? 🤔
Good question 🤔
Hello Leo and Heather
After that "doctor" gave him Morphine, I bet he was "resting" like a Monty Python Parrot. Everyone then scattered to escape blame!
The doctor who gave Hank the two shots at the Andrew Johnson Hotel was a licensed MD and the hotel’s house doctor. Dr. Cardwell was the real deal. It was Hank’s personal “doctor,” Toby Marshall who was the quack. He didn’t even have a high school diploma, let alone a medical degree.
This story makes a lot of sense
I have been in 3 bands. Punk early on then rock n roll. I found a dead guy in my garage once. Didn't know him, never knew he was there. Till the morning. Heroine overdose. I didn't even smoke pot so big deal fir me at the time trying revive him. Don't want the fame. If I got famous I'd have to fake my death.
I don't know what happened. But I feel hellish sorry for that kid Charles Carr. He was just a kid and didn't know the best thing to do probably. Very easy for that to lead to seemingly suspicious behaviour. I've been there,though luckily never had a famous country singer near death in the back of my car.
Hank’s Problem, Spina Bifida and “ Pain”. Rest in Peace ! Hotel death likely….but no one will ever know.