Jenkins, Andrew, 1885-1956

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1885 - 1956

Biography

Andrew Jenkins (1885-1956) was a blind evangelist and songwriter in Atlanta who was persuaded by Polk Brockman, a record company executive, to write a song about Floyd Collins*. Jenkins's composition, "The Death of Floyd Collins," was recorded by Vernon Dalhart (1883-1948), born Marion Try Slaughter, a prolific county music recording artist from Texas.

*Floyd Collins (1890-1925) died after being trapped in a cave near Mammoth Cave in Edmonson County, Kentucky. The attempts to rescue Collins were widely publicized on radio and in newspapers.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Blaustein-Songer Collection

Collection — Other 1 packet

Identifier: AppMs-0383

Scope and Contents

The Blaustein-Songer Collection consists of "The Death of Floyd Collins," sheet music published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., New York; and a ten-inch vinyl recording of "Death of Floyd Collins" and "Dream of a Miner's Child" by Vernon Dalhart.

Dates: circa 1925

Found in: Archives of Appalachia