JOHN HENRY AND HIS HAMMER BY HAROLD W. FELTON

John Henry was born with a hammer in his hand during a strange wild night that was black and white and red. He worked hard as he grew up on his parents' farm, but he never used a hammer. He was the strongest worker on a steamboat and the best fireman on the railroad. Before long he took a hammer in hand and quickly became the best worker on the crew that built the Big Bend Tunnel. He broke through to the far side three times. John Henry encouraged the other men and saved the crews' lives twice. He raced against the white men's steam drill to drill a railroad tunnel in West Virginia and John beat the machine, but his heart burst with the effort and he died "with his hammer in his hand." Some people say his friendly spirit still haunts the dark.