Interview with Samuel M. Cassidy, April 5, 1989

Interview Summary

Samuel Cassidy recounts his mining career with the Consolidated Coal Company, and looks at the present and future prospects for the coal mining industry. Cassidy describes his first experience in Jenkins, Kentucky in 1922 when he took a summer job in a coal mine while he was an engineering student at the University of Kentucky. He talks about what it was like to live and work in a coal camp, and describes the management style used by the Consolidated Coal Company both at Jenkins and Van Lear. Cassidy discusses coal mining before and after unionization in eastern Kentucky. He describes mine safety and changes to mechanization. He expresses his views about state and federal regulations and inspection. He talks of meeting with union leaders including John L. Lewis, and hiring David Zegeer.

Interview Keyword

Coal Operators

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Cassidy, Samuel M., 1902- Cassidy, Samuel M., 1902- --Interviews Coal miners Coal mines and mining--Appalachian Region

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

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