Interview with Tony Funich, August 19, 1986

Interview Summary

This second interview with Tony Funich, a Yugoslavian immigrant who worked his way to the United States on an ocean-going freighter, states that his life philosophy is "work hard and do what the boss tells you." Before being employed at the U.S. Steel mine at Lynch, Kentucky, he worked in horrible conditions in a deep shaft mine in western Pennsylvania. According to Funich, the mine had too much methane gas and too little ventilation. For this reason he moved to Lynch where the coal mine was relatively gas-free.

Funich discusses how U.S. Steel treated the miners it employed at Lynch. He states that if a miner did anything to displease the company, he was fired and thrown out of his company-owned house in a matter of hours. He describes an incident that almost led to his dismissal. Funich also talks about the company-sponsored baseball team, and says that the players were given plum assignments and were required to do only light duty outside or inside of the mine.

Funich also discusses mine safety and how miners recognized danger and avoided accidents. He states that until the U.M.W.A. was organized in eastern Kentucky, miners had to work under unsafe conditions, and had to walk thirteen miles to the mine face. Once the U.M.W.A. was organized, the men rode to work.

Interview Keyword

Appalachian Immigrant Community Appalachian Region baseball in coal camps coal mining in Pennsylvania Immigrant Coal Miners Immigrants Lynch Kentucky mine safety United Mine Workers of America

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Appalachian Region--Social conditions Coal miners Coal mines and mining--Appalachian Region Funich, Tony Funich, Tony--Interviews Immigrants

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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.