Interview with Roscoe Davis, June 27, 1987

Interview Summary

Roscoe Davis worked as a coal miner and truck driver in southwest Virginia. He did not have any experience with the Roving Pickets and does not remember any activity by the Roving Pickets in southwest Virginia. Instead, he provides information on his experiences in the coal mines and about growing up in the mountains.

Davis remembers how different conditions were in Appalachia while he was growing up. He recalls helping his mother and father can food for the winter. He describes hunting for food, and using pine knots and carbide lamps for light. Davis attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and remembers the games that he played as a child.

Davis worked as a coal truck driver for more than forty years. Although he started his career working underground in the mines, he states that he found that too scary. Davis talks about hauling coal in the 1950s and 1960s on small trucks that had little more than a pick-up truck engine. He recalls the bad brake systems, and states that if a trucker lost his brakes in those days, he was doomed. During his career Davis has driven every kind of coal truck.

Interview Keyword

Appalachian coal mining Appalachian Region childhood in Appalachia coal camp violence coal mechanization coal mining mechanization coal strikes mining equipment one-room schoolhouse Yuke

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Coal miners Coal mines and mining--Appalachian Region Davis, Roscoe Davis, Roscoe--Interviews

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Interview Usage

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