Interview with Samuel M. Cassidy, December 13, 1988

Interview Summary

S.M. Cassidy was born in 1902 in Lexington, Kentucky. He studied mining engineering in college and worked summers in the coalfields of eastern Kentucky. He describes his first experiences in the coal mine, and states that he knew that he wanted to go into mining operations. He talks about some of the cultural differences between mountain people and himself. He explains that a boss would have to request that a miner do something and not order the miner around. He recalls that a man would just walk off the job if he felt offended. Cassidy worked as superintendent of Carbon Glow Coal Company in Carbon Glow, Kentucky and for Greenough Coal and Coke Company in Hellier, Kentucky among other management positions in mines in Illinois and Pennsylvania. Mr. Cassidy talks about the changing demographics of the mining population. He states that in the early years most of the miners were immigrants and African Americans. By 1936, in his opinion, native whites were the majority of the miners. He provides an overview of the development of mining in eastern Kentucky, and also talks about the rough life of miners at Carbon Glow.

Interview Keyword

Appalachian people Appalachian social issues Black coal miners Carbon Glow (Ky.) Class distinctions Consolidated Coal Company Drinking Gender roles Immigrant coal miners Jenkins (Ky.) Johnson County (Ky.) Letcher County (Ky.) Van Lear (Ky.) Coal mining Coal operators

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Cassidy, Samuel M., 1902- Cassidy, Samuel M., 1902- --Interviews

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