03/15/2026
Respect to those who came before us 🫶🏽🙌🏽 🌱 🧑🌾
This week's local history spotlight recounts the fascinating and unique legacy of Clarence “Catfish” Gray, an Appalachian herbalist who saw popularity during the folklore revival of the 1970s. Before a workplace accident in the 1950s left him unable to perform any extensive physical labor, Gray worked a variety of different jobs across Jackson County as he raised 10 children. Without the ability to hold a traditional job, Gray opted to share his vast knowledge of traditional remedies in order to turn profit. Gray first began selling his remedies at Huntington’s farmer’s market, where he saw great success due to his kindness. Gray is most well known for a concoction he called “Bitters,” which was a potent blend of 15 local herbs that he was able to gather through foraging. Regardless of the effectiveness of these remedies, Gray claimed that his herbal knowledge had been passed down through his family for generations. Gray was known as an incredibly eccentric and altruistic person, which greatly contributed to his success. Gray was featured in many different articles and interviews, most notable were his features with The Johnny Carson Show and Goldenseal. Gray also received his own documentary with Appalshop in 1974, which permanently captured his personality. Gray passed away on March 13, 2002 in Huntington, leaving behind a legacy of eccentric folklore and history.
