Interview with Louise B. Hatmaker, July 17, 1987

Interview Summary

Ms. Louise Hatmaker is the owner, editor, and operator of both the Jackson Times and the Beattyville Enterprise. She was a reporter for the Hazard Herald during the roving pickets' movement. Hatmaker maintains that the men on the picket line did not understand what the movement was all about, and she sees the movement in a negative light. She holds Berman Gibson, the leader of the Roving Pickets in Perry County responsible for most of the violence associated with the movement. She states that Gibson used the miners to further his own personal interests. Hatmaker describes the Roving Pickets as a band of outlaws who rode around the town square in Hazard terrorizing the citizens.

Ms. Hatmaker also discusses the stories that she wrote as a reporter for the Hazard Herald that described communists in the mountains of eastern Kentucky. She maintains that communist organizations supported the strikers and cites evidence from the communist newspapers, Daily Worker and Progressive Labor to support her claim. Hatmaker believes that the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) was behind the movement and provided the strikers with funding. Hatmaker also recalls reporters from national news organizations who came to Hazard, especially a crew from CBS.

Hatmaker describes the newspaper business as a whole in eastern Kentucky. She recalls how she became involved in the newspaper business, first as a reporter for the Hazard Herald and then as owner of the Jackson Times and Beattyville Enterprise. She also discusses advancements in technology in the newspaper business

Interview Keyword

Berman Gibson communism in eastern Kentucky Hazard Herald 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 Hatmaker, Louise B. (Louise Bolton) Hatmaker, Louise B. (Louise Bolton)--Interviews

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.