Sherry Jones Hall. The first of the month is a big time in Harlan. TO JIM CONNOR, jimmy c morgan lives in the big town of sawbriar, near wallins creek. It was gray and you had to add the coloring to it. I loved all your rationale for your boundary lines. Were you in danger? They point to the many fine folks in the county who were (and still are) horrified by the goings on at Eastover. My parents didnt ever say much about their lives or or about my Grandfathers as both of them met violent deaths back then. He used to go visit with Norman during the strike. John I cant believe you didnt even mention the no nothin about. What do you suppose that would translate into? This film documents the coal miners' strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June, 1973. Bloody Harlan is just badass. The vast majority of Harlan Countians are proud to be from Harlan. My Dad was a coal miner, was on oxygen from 2007 until 2010. E Hudson. No matter where Ive traveled in this great country, I never fail to meet someone that is either from Harlan, or knows someone that lives there!! Thanks for the comments. I do think this is good stuff. So please you out landing, loathing spectator, Keep your thoughts on the area you live in now, and the goings on there, we dont need or want you perspective of the people that actually live, work and die here. We were poor and I will say very poor. Many never leave it. Coal mining runs in cycles. And we DID bathe just like people from up north. Hes married married to one of my first cousins for many years. My mom always bought margarine but our housekeeper would get the butter and we thought it was strong. Nowadays, I would love to have some! We werent eligible for cheese, either, but my Dad would get it anyway! To add to my previous comment above, my other Grandfather was Elijah Depew (nicknamed Lidge? I am a born and raised harlan countian. His name was Arthur Johnson, he was from Cumberland, but lived at Harlan County, U.S.A. (1976) captures the story of strike conducted by the United Mine Workers of America Local Union in Harlan County, Kentucky. Im not sure where you found this, but most folks realize that some of it is tongue-in-cheek. . It even had an old balcony whererumor had itblack folks used to be seated. I worked with them both at Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital in the late 60s, early 70s. Me, my brother and sister went to church every Sundaywe werent allowed to even go to the toilet until after church. When attempting to explain to someone where I grew up it was easiest to say somewhere between Harlan and Hazard. I actually grew up on Beech Fork in Leslie County. Were originally from Letcher County and had to leave in 1995 due to the coal mines shutdown. If its hard, its hopeless. As I was merrily driving along, I was suddenly chastised soundly for missing the road. I love your wifes Loll great story! I was blessed to have been raised in the mountains. Mostly, we just hung out. Art worked in one of the maintenance departments (cant remember which one). I dont live in Harlan now, but Im still a Harlan Countian. We only periodically had a movie theater, the fabulous Margie Grand in Harlan. (LogOut/ This was the day that I learned that when we turned the corner at Pineville, my wife changed languages and I needed an translator.. Do you think either one of these fits into your family. I am simultaneously entertained and offended. And of that i am very proud. I really hacked off one guy about the government cheese. I happened across this blog through a friend. My dad was a teacher at JACHS from 1962 to 1968. If you were Basils neighbor, then you lived in Rio Vista, right? I live in Lee Co,Ky. I was raised on Rhea straight, where the old airport was. I dont think I have an accent but get me out of Pike County and they all say I do. A convenient store replaced the gas station and stores. Today, theres not much there for anyone, unfortunately. HARLAN WILL ALWAYS BE HOME TO ME. For many years now, Harlan has had a multi-screen cinema. My mother is Drena Crowder-Leonard. born and raised in harlan ky live in northern. There are doctors, lawyers, accountants, teachers, coaches, laborers, deadbeats and criminals. What happened to Basil Collins in the end? My husband is a retired coal miner. Elliott County is an exception becausewellyou just have to visit there to see. First, much of what I wrote is tongue in cheek. Billy G. Williams. If you live in Harlan, I cant say that I blame you. Sally Simonton. Fleming County has beautiful, rolling hills, but they arent mountains. You can see it in Google Street Views here: https://goo.gl/maps/QoyKa, Hey my cousin owned the fuzzy duck my papa had a poker house there and boot legged beer iwas raised in the first house coming down black mountain love it go back all the time, Right before you get to lynch golf course coming down black mtn there was a house to the right my great great grand pa had a saw mill there and built the house where my great grand pa lived then my mama got it love it there if I ever hit the lottery ill be back to live and put alot of people to work I love the mtns go there every christmas and summers thanks for the memories cool blog sorry for the grammer lol periods commas all the same to me it. Where you from?..Pike Countylol. I wonder if youre related to Clarence Leonard who lived near Evarts. Very funny (and true). I love being from there. Loyallhad a school, a railroad yard, one stop light, a movie theater (at one time), the Corner Store (a genuinesoda shop), a gas station, a barber and a couple of stores. I feel like they are missing something that we experienced, but so is life. Rich Montjoy, I am replying to your post because you didnt say anything bad about Harlan, (Harlan County), Ky. We mispronounce light, fight, white and night. I went to Business College, married my daddys cousin (you had to know that was coming didnt you). When I first saw the documentary, I was on the edge of my seat, wondering how my dad would be portrayed, but his name was never mentioned. . My Dad was born in Evarts andexpect for military service and collegenever lived anywhere else. I definitely would NOT have fit in. ENJOYED YOUR ARTICLE, WOULDNT TRADE THE PLACE I GREW UP FOR ANY PLACE IN THE WORLD . If you have a book related to Harlan County and it's people. I respect ALL coal miners. In Harlan County, tensions were high between the striking miners in Kentucky and the mine owners. My husband and I are the black sheep as I am an attorney and my husband is an accountant. I was mostly raised In Floyd Co. KY & did live in Grundy , Va. at one time. now but have family still in Harlan Co. In fact, when I was down there on business a couple of years ago, I saw a couple hanging out in front of rock store. I was born in Atlanta and moved here when my step-daddy (forevermore referred to as daddy) and my momma met when he was proudly serving this country.He a handsome young man from the mountainsshe a beautiful divorced young woman with two small children. I had friends in Pathfork. Black Diamonds In My Own Backyard-- Rufus J. Bailey 3. A man that loved Im one of those that left for work but I have a brother who still lives there and I occasionally visit. One can argue that its always been over-populated what with the chronic high unemployment and high poverty rate. I knew Lisa vaguely. I miss Government Cheese. The hills and hollers made me who I am today and the people I love still call Eastern Kentucky home. Some are like me. I have no other information on these two at this time. We mourn with the family of Basil Collins for this great loss. I am an outlander. A bazillion of cousins to play with..mountains to explore..farm animals to learn about, a total difference than city life on a quiet street just across from Fort McPherson Army Base. I lived there 6 years and worked in the mines . Plaster would fall from the ceiling and you could throw popcorn on the stage in front of the screen and watch the rats scurry out to eat. Not at all. No worries. Girl fights were always the best. Isolation. Join us . Love your response, I live in central ky for a lot of years now, but when I can go home I stay at the Comfort Inn Hotel, it is a Blessing to us out of towners, I think this page is right on, and I dont like the way most people think of Harlan, we are just like anyone else, even if we have a little accent, awesome page, and I lived in Loyall a few years also, my mother died there, thanks for letting people know that its not all justified, although I have never watched a full episode, they are awful. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Born and raised as you said in Lynch You pretty much hit the nail on the head.. great write-up. Coal Mining. We were just there in July , I love going back to visit. I am a brand new grandma and I am Mamaw to that beautiful baby. We outlanders like our Harlan roots. We have exchanged information over the years. Different, but nice. It was an old theater whose best days had long past. She agreed. I still tell people I am from Harlan because it brings instant recognition. I go back once or twice a year to visit relatives. I loved living in Ages,Ky for the 2 years I was there!! McCreary just has that Eastern Kentucky feel to it. We are made to known about his death on September 16, 2020. On this criterion, Robertson County would qualify, but again, its just too far north. Loved reading your blog and reminiscingI was raised in Harlan County both parents having been from there. Thanks for reminding me of a great memory of my mother! So, I speak of how it was 30 years ago. Harlan County, Kentucky: Basil Collins miner foreman and leader/manager of the scabs confronts picketers with a 45 in his right pocket. It is true that you can take the boy out of the mountains but never the mountain out of the boy. It was a movie experience like no other. I am origionally from Atlanta. They might have gone to college or joined the military. Her husband had been killed during the war. So you see, all of this rambling I have just done is to state the obvious because you have made us sound like we are backwoods, unlearned, in-bred no accounts. I married a Lady, born and raised in Harlan. Still have family there. We know at least one person who has been shot with a gun by someone else or by themselves accidentally. Black lung finally got the best of him but legally these days black lung doesnt exist. My mother drove through Brookside to go to work every day, so I also know the strike was real. I am so grateful to the educators in Harlan who worked so diligently to open our minds, expand our thinking and develop our talents especially in music. If he is still living can you ask him about any Leonard relatives he know about or put him in touch with me. I am a badass.. Myself, Im from Loyall which is three miles from the town of Harlan. I am an outlander from Bell County and so enjoyed reading this! I went for a while to Holy Trinity School, Harlan Elementary for one year, then to Hall before Cawood. Thanks! The people certainly are of Eastern Kentucky stripe, but they do lack isolation. I, too, am from Harlan an outlander like yourself, and I was left laughing and shaking my head at all the things only people like us would know to be true I would love to include a link to this in my own blog, but I dont yet know how to do it, lol. Im on the state Corrections Commission, so Ive seen her name. We like people to think wed kill them for some trivial reason. UMWA itself assisted in larger actions. Just curious, if you struggled with the inclusion of Whitley county..what was your rationale for the inclusion of mccreary county? These books are listed as History and Genealogy reference only. It rated right up there with his song about Jim and Tammy Baker, pretty good actually. Brought back some memories. I have been gone for 40 years I still have my Harlan Co accent and the kids have lost their Eastern Ky accent. Your Great Grandfather John D. and my Grandfather Brack H. were brothers and my Grandmother Geanie and your Great Grandmother Jeanette were sisters. She was a great homemaker and was full of wit, wisdom and love. As for accent and all that, I never noticed having any problems understanding anything anybody said, strange utterances, etc. Like inner cities, there are generations locked into a poverty cycle. We like being the badasses of Eastern Kentucky. My Mom then joined the WAC. Now, far in the past, at least until I visit. Loved this! So, I guess Im just arguing it is in the wrong state If we didnt know them, well they were at the wrong house. Therefore, the kids of this county today only have to step out theyre door and into a pool. Doris, do I know you? He died in 1978, I dont remember the year Basil died, but early 1980s is right. If you do so, you wont be called a bigot or a phobe of any type. Right now, its in a big down turn. I REMEMBER govt. Howdy, Basil was a neighbor of ours when I was a kid, so I know he was real. Also attended and graduated from Loyall High, where I was cheerleader and fairly popular. heres the link: It was quiet then. Maybe they were hoping to see (or experience) some kind of catastrophe. cheese. He was 85 when he starred in this movie. Its a nice place. Tons of great memories and good friends. Finally I tried talking like a city slicker but I was too Eastern Kentucky that way. I dont believe Ive ever been called a mooron before. Harlan Countians like Justified. I live in Northern KY now but all my family still resides in Harlan so I visit a lot. Ive also been criticized for making Eastern Kentucky sound too goodand that came from a guy who lives there! I must say it is a great read. Jeanette McKendrick Leonard was my Me-maw and the best lady you to have ever been born! Graduated Wallins about 1956. Ive really enjoyed reading this article. They might even live in Harlan, but it doesnt suit them. Since Ive been gone, Harlanlike all of Eastern Kentuckyhas been devastated by prescription drug abuse. We visited my grandparents every summer. the Ackley Hotel in Harlan until he retired and moved back to Cumberland. I guess this was one of many reasons my dad thought California was a good choice for me. (LogOut/ I have a heavy heavy accent. My Pappaw Creech was a coal miner, as were most of his brothers. I have lived in Evarts since age 7 this is my home (sals Branch) I had your mom in home Ec. The rest of us (that includes me) hate the image of Harlan Countians as violent, uneducated hooligans. If he called on you and you missed the questionBOOM! Ive been gone for 20+ years now. Im sorry that I didnt do more to keep in closer touch with them both as we grew older. Thanks. We meet in Williamsburg, but I love going back to the Creek. I attended LoyallElementary and Junior High and James A. Cawood High School. Oh, and we moaned and complained about not having anything to do. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. Among this crowd are those that my father called off the grid. He said we had a sub-culture of people so far off the creek that they werent plugged in to the modern world. Pingback: ALL ABOARD THE NERVE GAS TRAIN! I grew up in Eastern Kentuckyborn and raised as we say. We live in McCreary Co now, so still SEKY. Mrs Abraham was my Home Ec teacher @Hall High. Of course you have to wash it all down with whole milk from Chappells Dairy! I wonder why they went to Harlan to get married. Brings back so many memories. We are our own world. I left here when i was 15 came back in my late 20s. I just cant get enough of the haters. They didnt know what to do with me! I think they graduated in the same class at Cawood. In Atlanta, some of the New Yorkers that worked with me at the ad agency used to continually ask me where I was from just to hear me say it. Construction on the house beat the power company by a few years. I still have a lot of family living in Harlan, Evarts, going all the way to Holmes Mill (Alias. I appreciate all commentspositive and negative. Even though I had been lots of places, leaving Harlan took me out of my comfort zone. You probably know others of my family, like my sister Lisa, that worked at the Enterprise for years and now works for Corrections and lives in Georgetown; or my cousins that went to James A.Cawood, Ruth Ann and Gary Cox. Jenny Lynn (Saylor) Moore I was born and raised in Wallins ,lived there until I was 28 moved to Florida w/ My husband David Moore from Graysknob, we both graduated from James A. Cawood, My heart is still in the mountains, you can take the girl out of the country but you cant take the country out of the girl, we long to come back some someday Lord willing, I am a Harlan girl to the bone. Bell county baby.We got the mountains here too. Pingback: My Life in Harlan County | Williams Kilpatrick, PLLC. My Grandfather/Grandmother was Floyd/Janie Clark. My people have been there for over 200 years, since before it was Harlan. now let me add to your story, Harlan has taken a step ferder, and now has a Huge new Comfort Inn Hotel.Yep, John this is LONZO, and we now have more southern hospitality hure..Come see us sometime. In that regard, Harlan is Small Town, USA. We knew Jimmy Meeks very well. I will say Harlan is a great place to be from, I would not want to raise my kids there because of all the struggles I went through, and all the people I knew while growing up there. Fun read. Outside the Highsplint mine in Harlan, County, KY in 1974, United Mineworkers of America (UMWA) strikers and supporters confront state police and strike breakers. Before the union won the right to an election, one miner was shot dead by company security while having a beer with friends. You talked funny. .I didnt think to ask them while they were alive. I would have loved to have had that McDonalds there when I was kid. Not many folks have a clue of my history, and thats fine. U take car cuz. born & raised Pathfork Ky~, Thanks. It is my hometown by choice.I love it, I retired from Ky Dept of Trans (engineering). Were isolated. Some escape, but most dont. Thanks for letting me rant. No complaining here though. Basil Collins was Uncle Basil to us. Women took over the picket lines. And hell, I was taken at knife-point down into the creek at Hall when I was in 6th grade. Harlan Countians did not like that. Someone told me that the best way to commit suicide was to stand around in Smith and act like youre counting money! I am also thankful for the brief time that I knew my grandmother on Turner Hill who taught me how to grow strawberries, to make jelly, string shuck beans, quilt, crochet. (She died in 1995, and I am so glad to have such good and often funny memories of her.) Being a descendant of such a controversial character of those times I may be asking for a social beating on here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/WallinsCreekers/. Fantastic post, though. He died in 1980 at age 63, and 42 years later his name is presented on the roads of Harlan. You hit home with many of your comments being born and raised in Eastern Kentucky, Sandy Hook, Elliott County to be exact. And Misty, April and I grew up together. Our reputation precedes us. I am VERY new to the blogging world. For instance, threats didnt faze me. Thats when people get their checks. LOL LOL..enjoyed the article, One way to prove that someone is from the mountains is if they know someone named Lonzo! I dont remember Chappells slogan, but I do remember: Thats what I saidBunny Bread! I also remember the 1st grade field trip to Chappells, Bunny Bread and Harlan Ice. loved this. Anyway, I just had to leave a note. There arent running gun battles anymore like the famed Battle of Evarts many decades ago. Many who knew of the hair would be shocked to know he wears it pretty much buzzed these days. Thanks. We hiked deep into the woods for good sled trails in the winter. I was able to buy it when we lived in the Corbin area for $20 a box. ha! Dickens said it best . I think we also went to RC Bottling Plant at Loyall. I do not intend to change it now and I am NOT ashamed of it. She always bought some, even though she was never sure if doing so was legal. I had Mrs. Williams for health, would it be your Mom? I have been gone from Harlan now for 40 years, One thing I will say is you are accurate in your writings of Harlan. She taught Home Ec, but also taught other classes. I have always been proud of being from Cawood in Harlan County. Theyre still there. Government checks. About 1,000 people lived there when I was a kid. I know you as a Harlan Countain and also as a fine person. Ive lived a few places in east ky, but never been to Harlan. I never got a straight story from my parents and possibly they didnt know why or what happened. I told him apparently his computer didt speak Hillbilly.I am proud of my head of the holler rasin. Its nice to remember, though. Charles Leonard Birmingham, AL. We didnt have that problem when I lived there. I didnt like a lot of your article, some of it is accurate. Ishas Smiths 2nd cousin. I get the isolation, and the coal mining( although Boyd , Greenup, and a lot of the others have had some minor strip mining now and then.) One of the women told her story about him telling her about the gun he had on the seat next to him, under a rag and that if she brought that stick down on his car, he would use it. It is funny how people from all over the Country know where you are talking about when you say you are from Harlan Co. and many of them visibly tense on that statement. Hollywood Bledsoe from the mouth of Cloverlick in HC, once wrote a song about Government Cheese. Harlan is tough. I was born and raised in Harlan County-Cumberland. Good to hear from you. I dont get back as often as Id like but always thoroughly enjoy coming back to visit. Most of us pass through this phase at some point. Coming Down The Cumberland: History of the Maggard Family-- V. N. Bud Phillips 2. I couldnt quit reading it. Self - Mine Foreman (as Basil Collins) 1976; Credits. Thanks for the reads I have read most of your blogs. I dont know. Im sorry but I dont think so. I was born in Harlan and I remember living there, but I didnt have the experience that my parents had (who were both born in Harlan County) since I didnt grow up there. Its called age, my friend. Abe was in my class @Black Star when it was an elem. BTW until barrack obama declared war on our coal mines,a fact, there were more millionaires in Harlan, Pike,Perry Counties, per capita than in our largest cities. I love your blog, it is a great read. Any of that sound familiar, Pingback: SoWhere Are You From? I aint convinced about mccounty A striking coal miner was in critical condition last night in Harlan County, Ky., after being struck in the head by a shotgun blast.
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