Interview with Edith Easterling, Jake Easterling, August 22, 1987

Interview Summary

Jake and Edith Easterling discuss their memories of the efforts to unionize mines in the Elkhorn area. They discuss the strikes and other union activities, as well as the dangers of striking, including the death of Perry Adkins. They talk about working conditions in the mines, the low pay the miners received, and describe life in the coal camps, including the divisions between social classes. They talk about accusations of Communism in the area and discuss the trials of Joe and Karen Mulloy, Carl and Ann Braden, and Al and Margaret McSurely. Edith Easterling was herself tried for accusations of un-American activity, and she discusses the political situation surrounding the water and sewer system in the area that led to her being accused, the testimony that she gave, and why all of the charges against her were dismissed.

Interview Keyword

Appalachian Volunteers Black lung Bosstown Class divisions African Americans--Segregation Perry Adkins Coal mine guards Coal mine violence Coal mining Coal operators Elkhorn Coal Field Fire-clay mines Louie Nunn Marrowbone Creek Mine accidents Mine inspectors Mine safety Moonshine Poorbottom (Ky.) Strip-mining Sulphuring apples Thomas Ratliff Unionization Murders Wages African Americans--Social conditions Poor People's Organization Lawyers--Kentucky Law enforcement. Coal mines and mining--Safety regulations Coal mines and mining--Safety measures.

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Coal miners Coal miners--Kentucky--Elkhorn City Coal miners--Kentucky--Pike County Coal mines and mining--Kentucky--Elkhorn City Coal mines and mining--Kentucky--History Coal mines and mining--Kentucky--Pike County Easterling, Edith Easterling, Edith--Interviews Easterling, Jake Easterling, Jake--Interviews Pike County (Ky.) Pike County (Ky.)--Social life and customs Strikes and lockouts--Coal mining Protest and social movements Protest movements. Collective bargaining--Coal mining industry Coal miners--Labor unions--Organizing Poverty--Appalachian Region Political activists. Communism Communists United States--Trials, litigation, etc. Appalachian Volunteers, Inc. Families Occupations Coal miners--Labor unions Communities

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.