Interview with Russell Rucker, November 19, 1988

Interview Summary

Russell Rucker grew up in Hitchens, Kentucky in Carter County where his parents owned a small farm and orchard. His father worked in the brickyard plant, and his family moved to Van Lear around 1930. He describes moving to Van Lear with what they could fit in the back of their car. Rucker recalls attending school and the clothing that he and his siblings had. Russell went to work in the mines during what would have been his senior year in high school. He describes the social dynamics of race in the coal camp and in the mine. He remembers two African American men who would take the hardest jobs in the mines because they paid more money. He states that black men and white men were always joking comfortably in the mine or in the bathhouse, but "when we were out in the community they took their place and I took my place." Rucker also explains that he served in the Army Air Corps.

Interview Keyword

Appalachian people Appalachian social issues Black coal miners Coal mining Consolidated Coal Company Family farm Johnson County (Ky.) Van Lear (Ky.) Education--Kentucky Race relations--Kentucky Coal miners

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Rucker, Russell Rucker, Russell--Interviews

Interview Rights

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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.