From Old-Time String Band Songbook (Oak, p. 224):

Both the McGees and Delmores claim authorship of this song, which by now seems deeply entrenched in country music. In the late '30s and early '40s, there was a group called the Brown's Ferry 4, consisting of Merle Travis, Grandpa Jones and the Delmore Brothers. At an earlier period both the McGees and Delmores worked with Fiddlin' Arthur Smith, so the possible contributors to this song are many. With slight variation, this tune was used by Woody Guthrie for "Jackhammer John," by Bill Monroe for "Dog House Blues," Charlie Monroe for "Rubberneck Blues," and by others.

~Masato