Interview with Lee Sexton, July 26, 1987

Interview Summary

Lee Sexton, a retired miner from Lime Fork Creek just outside of Blackey, Kentucky, talks extensively about his activities as a Roving Picket in the early 1960s. He maintains that the roving pickets' movement was a United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) sponsored effort to shut down non-union mines in Letcher and Perry counties in Kentucky. Sexton recalls the process of picketing. He states that the pickets would meet at a predetermined location, and once there decide what mine they would try to close down that day. He recalls that the police treated the pickets very badly in those days, and states that he still has outstanding warrants against him. The charges were apparently forgotten after the roving pickets' movement ended. Sexton also remembers that even some of his friends were not very kind when they found out he was a picket. He had water thrown in his face and was cursed.

Sexton also discusses his career as a mountain musician. He has traveled across the country playing the banjo at folk music festivals, and has cut an album with JuneAppal, the recording division of Appalshop in Whitesburg. Sexton states that he plays the banjo the old fashioned way.

Interview Keyword

Appalshop Coal Mining Roving Pickets United Mine Workers of America

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Coal miners Coal mines and mining Coal mines and mining--Appalachian Region Coal mines and mining--Kentucky--History Sexton, Lee Sexton, Lee--Interviews

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