The Real John Henry was a "steel driving man."

Fascinating story from Sunday's Charlottesville Daily Progress

Many believe the contest between John Henry and an experimental steam-powered drilling machine is just a figment of American folklore. Some would say it’s no more true than the exaggerated tales of Minnesota lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe.

But Sylvester Adams of Green Springs in Louisa County knew better. He knew because he had driven steel with the legendary man of song and story.

There is bit of social justice discussion in here as well. Maurer writes about how technology improved safety and productivity but threatened the jobs of steel driving men.