Coosa flyer written by wally avett

I’ve known who Wally Avett was as long as I can remember. I road the bus with 2 of his children all through high school. I knew Wally was a musician and I knew he used to work at the local paper, the Cherokee Scout. However, I did not know that Wally was writing and publishing fiction books until I ran into him a few years ago. Recently Wally brought me one of his latest books Coosa Flyer.

The book is based on the true historical story of Micajah Clark Dyer’s invention of a flying contraption. Dyer filed a patent for his invention  in 1874, a long time before the Wright Brothers took their first flight on the coast of NC.

I believe Wally was surprised that I already knew the story of Micajah Clark Dyer and his flying contraption. Blind Pig readers Ethelene Dyer Jones and son Keith Jones are direct descendants of Micajah Clark Dyer. Ethelene shared the fascinating story of her forefather’s flight with me a few years ago.

Coosa Flyer, has a factual newspaper column written by Wally himself at the beginning of the book. The article gives insight into Micajah Clark Dyer and his love of flight.

The fictional portion of the book quickly pulls you into the story of Jeremiah Hogan, better known as the Professor, and his desire to fly through the sky like a bird.

I enjoyed the book! I found it especially interesting to read about this area. Even though the book is fiction I still felt as though I had a glimpse into the past history of the area. I believe folks who have never even visited the area would also enjoy the book.

Want a chance to win a copy of Coosa Flyer? Leave a comment on this post. *Giveaway ends Saturday March 26.

If you’d like to pick up your own copy of the book check out Wally’s Amazon page here. Or if you are a local drop by the Cherokee Scout, the Highlander Art Gallery in downtown Murphy, the John C. Campbell Folk School Gift Shop, or the Cherokee County Historical Museum to pick up a copy.

To find out more about Wally and the other books he has published, visit his website. If you have access to the Cherokee Scout check out Wally’s Hillbilly Ranger column-it’s always a good read.

Tipper

 

Similar Posts

28 Comments

  1. I love history and this sound so exciting. I had never heard this story and want to know more. Thanks for sharing. I plan on researching today to learn more about Micajah.

  2. I just got around to reading all my emails because I’ve been enjoying a visit with my 86 year old aunt. Hope I’m not to late for a chance at winning…I’m always interested in a good book! Happy Easter to you!

  3. Tipper,
    I would enjoy reading the book…I have flown a few times, but my Dad never did. He always said,
    “Give me a good walking stick anytime, I just as soon have my feet on the ground!” He also would go on to say that he weren’t in any hurry to get anywhere that an old Packard or walking stick couldn’t take him in time…Ha
    We just got in from Dollywood. Spring break for the grandchildren. We sure missed seeing Dolly, she had to cancel her parade appearance at 4;30PM due to the rain that moved in late this afternoon…
    Shucks….however we caught a couple of shows and the kids loved the rides…They were disappointed that the Lightning Rod…new wooden roller coaster didn’t get opened by their visit today…
    The rain on the raised beds today should help the growth of the seed/lettuce we planted yesterday…
    Thanks Tipper,

  4. To be historically accurate the Wright Brothers were from Ohio and built their Flyer there. They took it to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to take advantage of the steady onshore winds that provided the lift to get the Flyer off the ground. Without the engine the machine would have flown much better.
    Just an aside, but my oldest grandson is at OBX with his school class right now. It’s not his first trip there though, his aunt Melanie used to live in Kitty Hawk and sold real estate there. He visited there several times a year.

  5. I would love nothing more than to win a copy of Dyer’s book. I read Blind Pig every day; it’s my early cup of coffee. I also enjoy reading stories that take lace in NC and in th Applacian area. Your daily posts have taught me a lot. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

  6. I enjoy the Blind Pig and The Acorn very much. Wish I had every one of them in print. I enjoy reading about the past history of different places. The book Coosa Flyer by Wally Avett sound very interesting. I would love to win a copy of his book! Please put my name in for the drawing.—Dorothy DeLong

  7. What a great sounding book. I would love to read it and of course “win it”. I bought another book that you had written about and recommended, “The Body at Wrapp’s Mill”, by Celia Miles. The author had actually used a local historic mill, The Dellinger Mill on Cane Creek, as a part of her inspiration and education into grist mills and what a lovely scene for a murder. It was this book, the Blind Pig, the John Campbell School, the Biltmore and the Smokies that called be to visit Murphy and South Western North Carolina last October.
    I loved my time in your area of Appalachia. Have nothing but great memories and I would love to read this new book. The Blind Pig points me to many areas that enrich my life. Love the blog and love the people. Thanks, Tipper (and family) I look forward to your stories, pictures, information and thoughts every day.

  8. Tipper,
    When I called to request “Crazy Arms” by The Pressley Girls, Donna
    Lynn said, ” That was by Chitter and Chatter and they’ll be playing at Martin’s Creek Community Center on Saturday at 6:00.”
    …Ken

  9. Tipper,
    Yesterday, I listened to the CD “Shepherd of My Soul” about all evening. It’s just Wonderful!
    I’m not much of a reader, by the time I read my favorite “Blind Pig and the Acorn, Reflections of Needmore, and Jim’s Newsletter, that’s about all for me. We got a lot of Good Writers around here.
    …Ken

  10. I’d love to have a copy of the book. Seems like most families have ties with history if they’d just share their stories. That’s what is so fascinating about your blog – you keep history alive with family stories and with history in the making.
    For several years I had responsibility for my husband’s aunt and uncle; during that time I learned many things about them that the family never knew. They knew about his early venture into amateur radio – he was one of the first to get a ham radio license not only in the state of Texas, but in the country; and he taught his nephews morse code so they could communicate with the world. He had a commercial license as well, working on a maritime barge, on merchant marine ships, and on the first airlines including Braniff’s early flights out of Miami into Cuba. He also flew the South American flights (mostly centered in Lima, Peru with an airline called Panagra) and flew as the radio man and navigator on some experimental flights which included a crash landing on the Brazilian Coast with Howard Hughes. All survived but they were stuck there for about a week before rescue arrived. Apparently they had plenty of rum and thoroughly enjoyed their “vacation” – which is also why he and his wife were ostracized by the rest of their Baptist and Church of Christ families back in the 30s and early 40s.
    In the “amazing coincidence” category: when my husband and I moved to our current home and were making acquaintance with our neighbors, I noticed a Panagra sign hanging on the walls of our “next door” neighbor. Turns out, they knew and worked with husband’s aunt and uncle in Lima! The sad irony is that we had just buried uncle -he would have so loved to share stories with our neighbor.
    -sigh!- I know this isn’t Appalachian history – but thought some of your readers might be interested anyway. If you choose to eliminate these last ramblings, I understand.

  11. It sounds like an amazing story. Obviously, Dyer’s name needs to become better known. What a pioneer! I’d love to read the story.

  12. I always love a good story, even better if it is true. Storytellers like Wally have been such a great part of Appalachian heritage. I enjoyed the story.

  13. I always love a good story, even better if it is true. Storytellers like Wally have been such a great part of Appalachian heritage. I enjoyed the story.

  14. I always love a good story, even better if it is true. Storytellers like Wally have been such a great part of Appalachian heritage. I enjoyed the story.

  15. I always love a good story, even better if it is true. Storytellers like Wally have been such a great part of Appalachian heritage. I enjoyed the story.

  16. That’s pretty cool. We were all taught that the Wright brothers were the first to fly, but they weren’t. Wonder how much else we were taught that was wrong!

  17. “coosa flyer” sounds interesting. when i was very young i thought i could fly if i could just get off the ground. of course i never did, but i had a few bumps trying. i guess most very young boys think about doing things like that. i do love your beautiful area of this great country.

  18. I spent 35 years working in the aviation industry. It amazes me the strides that have been made in just over a hundred years, but it really amazes me that I have never heard of Micajah Clark Dyer! I have to do some research now to get myself up to speed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *