Interview with Jimmy Dale Hensley, Joyce Caudill Fugate Hensley, August 12, 2022

Interview Summary

Jimmy Dale Hensley chronicles the daily perilous life when mining coal underground in Benham, Kentucky, inside International Harvester’s only captive coal mine, and also highlights the joys of friendship, community and family life in Benham, Kentucky, and the critical role coal played in America’s decisive victories in WWII. Jimmy Dale’s career spanned 30 years (1952-1982), beginning with pick and shovel to the automation of mining, and ranging from peak production to the beginning of the demise of traditional coal production. He recounts how a miner’s daily existence depended on his fellow miners, and Company provided lights, methane gas removal, strength of supports in man-made shafts deep within the earth, mutual dependence on fellow miners, and the grace of God.

Interview Keyword

Benham Kentucky International Harvester Wisconsin Steel Benham Credit Union Benham School Big Store sports underground mining pick and shovel mine safety payment to coal miners Script family life Benham houses friendship community life Progressive Union Joyce Caudill Fugate WWII

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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