BAD JOHN WRIGHT
The Law of Pine Mountain

Phillip K. Epling
The legend of John Wright, better known as “Bad John Wright” or “Devil John Wright,” is one of the most enduring tales to come out of the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and Southwest Virginia. It is a tale of heroism without bounds, about a man of impeccable character serving as a U.S. Marshal in the late 1800s; and it is the true love story of a man and a woman who shared the hardships of living in the backwoods of Appalachia for over fifty years.
Martha Humphrey gave up a life of luxury as a Bluegrass aristocrat to marry the rugged, unpolished mountain man who chased outlaws. Her family had opposed the marriage; but after a few months, they realized she had chosen wisely. When John became homesick for his old homeplace, Martha readily gave up the life she had known and went with him to the mountains of Letcher County, Kentucky.
John’s work brought the violence of outlaw gangs literally into their home and he was often away for extended periods of time. When peace finally came to the mountains after decades of turmoil, John and Martha settled into the life they had hoped for together.
Bad John Wright: The Law of Pine Mountain is a true story—a legend of the mountains that includes all the excitement, sensitivity, love, and adventure of the best of Hollywood scripts.