Interview with William B. Sturgill, November 14, 1988

Interview Summary

William B. Sturgill provides some details about his family's background. His great-grandfather came to Kentucky from North Carolina after the Civil War. Sturgill's father moved to Lackey, Kentucky in Floyd County and started a general store and that is where Sturgill grew up. He describes growing up in the mountains and the importance of close ties with families and friends among the people of eastern Kentucky.

Sturgill got into the coal industry right after college. He discusses the bad image of coal due to such things as the labor problems of the 1930s. He states that part of the bad image of coal operators stems from their lack of public relations. Sturgill also talks about eastern Kentucky politicians whom he admires including former Kentucky Governor Bert T. Combs. He explains that politics is Kentucky's biggest business.

Interview Keyword

B.F. Reed Breathitt broad for deed Brown Carrol Coal Operators Collins and Wilkinson costs of mining David Zegeer deregulation energy policy Floyd County Ford George Evans H. Kirkpatrick Harry Caudill Hazard coal field J.O. Matlick Jackie Swigart Kentucky Coal Association Kentucky governors Combs mine media mine safety mine technology miner attitudes miner education and training Nunn politics in mining reclamation Roving Pickets severance tax strip mining surface mining United Mine Workers of America unmined minerals Widow Combs Willard Stanley

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Coal miners Coal mines and mining--Appalachian Region Sturgill, William B. Sturgill, William B.--Interviews

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All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.