It is a tragedy what Black Jewell Coal company has done to honest, hard working coal However, it is likely that the presence of the camera kept the level of murder down during the strike. Im on the state Corrections Commission, so Ive seen her name. I spent at least a week during the summer vacation every year growing up visiting the Harlan area and family enjoying every visit which included rail road tracks and slate dumps on one side of house and the Cumberland River on the other side all residing in a big holler off HWY 38. I absolutely LOVE this! There arent running gun battles anymore like the famed Battle of Evarts many decades ago. Ruth Ann was my older brothers age. Now kids go to Harlan County High School which consumed Cawood, Evarts and Cumberland High Schools. Thanks for the kind words. Were about the same age. Dickens said it best . I dont know exactly when died, but it was sometime in the 1980s. Witness strikebreaker Basil Collins as loathsome a screen villain as fiction ever invented targeting her during a drive-by shooting caught on camera. A miner was Basil Collins; Did you know. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Id hate to have to kill you. ENJOYED YOUR ARTICLE, WOULDNT TRADE THE PLACE I GREW UP FOR ANY PLACE IN THE WORLD . After hours we would head to the American Legion behind the Post Office. I remember Alafair. In reference to going swimming in the river and the city pool, we did that too. My mom was from Lynch and my dad from Without. Weve been in the Lexington area since then, but we still say back home when we are talking about Neon and Jenkins. He died in a house fire a few years ago. The strikers made bumper stickers supporting their cause and drove around the community in a truck with loudspeakers to explain their grievances and hopefully gain support. I have resided in Knoxville, TN for 26 years but Eastern Kentucky will always be home because that is where my extended family and my husbands extended family continue to reside. Stumbled across your post. Well, I have rambled enough. But I have lived in Harlan Co. since 1986 & now I couldnt imagine living any where else. We were just there in July , I love going back to visit. I didnt want to leave. Thank you. Thanks for the comments. Many never leave it. Black lung finally got the best of him but legally these days black lung doesnt exist. The first of the month is a big time in Harlan. Some are like me. My Mom was a nurse at the hospital there (where I was born in 66). It definitely has an Eastern Kentucky feel to it, but its out. It was a Best Western when it was first built. Maybe they never left. John, enjoyed your comments. I know that area, well, too. Im from a family of 12, but no inbreds here, but I do know cousins who married. Really enjoyed the read. Jenny, I worked in Harlan Co. in the 90s on the railroad and worked with a Saylor but cant remember his first name. Construction on the house beat the power company by a few years. I had him for a health class. McCreary just has that Eastern Kentucky feel to it. While not as corrupt as his predecessor Boyle, he seems on his way down that pathor not. I was born, raised and still live in Pike County. And should I know you? Our teeth arent all that bad, although mine arent great. Knew a few Edsels which I never met outside Harlan! We hung out at Denny Rays, Kens and I cant remember the drive in on the road to Loyall?? Harlanthats what we call itisnt a destination, either. 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. born and raised in harlan ky live in northern. For instance, threats didnt faze me. I left here when i was 15 came back in my late 20s. but was always glad to talk to her by phone. its more home to me than anywhere ever will be. About 1,000 people lived there when I was a kid. Oh, you might go to Garys Lounge and Roller Rink sometimes. I was about 11-12 and I remember we played outside constantly. 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. The actress claimed family friend Val Dumas said her mum whored her out to him for 400 She later claimed family friend Val Dumas said her mum whored her out to him for 400. Im sure youd know if you were related. A convenient store replaced the gas station and stores. I moved to the Tampa Bay area as a teenager and it was a bit of a culture shock. I have more memories of the younger Brittons that are closer to my age. I lived in Harlan for many years just ended up there one day and loved it and stayed I was not born or raised there just lived Place is wonderfull Im 25 so I would love to go back I call it home I feel home there I moved bout a year ago to Indiana. Home; Movies; TV Shows; People. My husband is a retired coal miner. I grew up in Browning Acres, just down the street from both the hospital and Cawood High School. Being a descendant of such a controversial character of those times I may be asking for a social beating on here. I guess this was one of many reasons my dad thought California was a good choice for me. One can argue that its always been over-populated what with the chronic high unemployment and high poverty rate. We were driving down the road from Pineville toward Harlan and I was looking for the turn off to get to sister Normas place. Restoring any closed widgets or categories. Daughter has owned her own business in Harlan for thirty years. Anyway, thanks again. My dad taught there from 66 96. U may or may not remember it and I also did alot of the fencing around the many many acres he and ur moms own. It was quiet then. Im from Loyall. To add to my previous comment above, my other Grandfather was Elijah Depew (nicknamed Lidge? If I knew them personally I would surly let them know about it too. I happened across this blog through a friend. I guess teenagers everywhere just hang out. Ive really enjoyed reading this article. His first feature film was Harlan County U.S.A. (1976, as Himself - mine foreman). Fleming County has beautiful, rolling hills, but they arent mountains. So, watch your step. I remember an encounter with the business end of a 38 special at the Smith lake boat ramp late one night. TOP 10 what happened to basil collins harlan county I dont live in Harlan now, but Im still a Harlan Countian. Ishas Smiths 2nd cousin. Honestly, I laughed out loud, because it was so venomous. John We are made to known about his death on September 16, 2020. my growing up years were behind the old telephone company next to Robinette Chevrolet which was across from the old Macks Supper Market and down the street from Hackneys. Harlan County, Kentucky: Basil Collins miner foreman and leader/manager of the scabs confronts picketers with a 45 in his right pocket. Who are we? When Sheriff It has been both fascinating and sad as well to learn so much about the history, struggles, strength and resilience of the Harlan countians. In Harlan County, tensions were high between the striking miners in Kentucky and the mine owners. Thats righttheyll pretend. I wonder why they went to Harlan to get married. I loved it AFTER the mob left that came to my door the day I moved in, demanding to know Who are you and what are you doing here? Now, far in the past, at least until I visit. We were not eligible for the government cheese, but my aunt was, & she would always bring us some, every month. Harlan is tough. People may had been living on Government cheese when you grew up and the first may had been like a amusement park, but all that has changed. I was able to buy it when we lived in the Corbin area for $20 a box. They know whats best for Harlan, though, and wont hesitate to tell you. Thanks for letting me rant. Facts about Basil Collins, birthday, facts, bio and more. Heres my personal map of the area: This seemingly random boundary results in some folks calling it Southeastern Kentucky which, geographically speaking, is more accurate. However, I always tell my two teenagers that some of the smartest people they will ever meet come from the mountains of Kentucky and may have never finished high school! My Mom moved to Cumberland from Pike County when she was 10. If you do so, you wont be called a bigot or a phobe of any type. Then it was quiet except when the trains ran, which seemed like every 15 minutes or so. Id love to learn more about the people, especially on the other side of the strike. We had our own post office, City Hall and fire station. Im sure they knew each other. This excludes Boyd, Greenup, Lewis, etc. But my Harlan upbringing gave me my core values. Robertson County is the toughest to exclude. Do you remember the Chappells Dairy slogan? Now, sadly, its a way of life in the mountains. I am an Outlander (orlando), looking to be a Stalwart. A rural county of 27,000, Harlan Countys average household income is about $29,000. Theyre still there. In that regard, Harlan is Small Town, USA. It reeked of Pine Sol. I graduated from Cumberland High School in 1975. Wouldnt trade it for anything. Basil Collins is recorded in slow motion firing a gun at the camera while members of the strikebreakers beat Ms. Kopple and her crew. The Short area), my last name being Short When I was young, the Government Cheese truck looked like a scene from an African relief mission. . They might as well have been in different states. I am a faithful Kentucky Basketball fan and follow them year in and year out, through good and bad GO BIG BLUE.. Harlan Countians did not like that. The truth, of course, probably lies somewhere in the middle. Criterion Commentaries: Harlan County U.S.A. These folks are Harlan Countians, but they dont like it. My mother drove through Brookside to go to work every day, so I also know the strike was real. We know at least one person who has been shot with a gun by someone else or by themselves accidentally. Its called age, my friend. Were also the last of a breedand this applies to all of Appalachia. I got away. My dad spent much of childhood there in the 30s. Im very impressed by your writing. 62 (10) 1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1921. He was my English teacherand a good one at that. Thanks for the kind words. It is not, as you might think, simply the eastern half of the great Commonwealth of Kentucky. Whats up with that? Garys was a fun place. My cousin posted the link on Facebook and I have not been able to move till finishing the read. Sheriff of Hanrlan County. Rarely is an Eastern Kentucky county a destination. Just found your blog while attempting to refresh my memory about the name of the theater, the Margie Grand, in Harlan. I would make mom break me off a chunk. As I was merrily driving along, I was suddenly chastised soundly for missing the road. You have to sound like us. I was born in Pineville, Ky but grew up in Pathfork. I also have no desire to change this wonderful region.am I forgiven? I went to college and had personal and professional opportunities that pulled me away. Finally I hang on long enough to get a real person. Hi aurea, Ive helped ur grand paw make many many gallons of moonshine just over the hill from ur mom n dads house. Mikes Drive In was in Loyall. 1. I was born and raised in Harlan, KY a lil place called Sunshine. Sherry Jones Hall. Hell, it was the best cheese everthe only thing the Federal Government ever perfected! I need to work Watts Creek in to a future post, for sure. On future blog give Watts Creek a mention. my husband was raised knowing your dad and all your family I love your blog. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. There are differences: we`re north east, you`re south east. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. Theyre usually the folks who dream of turning all of Eastern Kentucky into a massive tourist destination by having all the people who live there pack up and move. I really hacked off one guy about the government cheese. My grandad lived and mined Stone Ky, in Pike County. Billy G. Williams. God do I ever remember the Government Cheese and all the other free food provided by the gov. Maybe they just didnt have much else to do. wilson combat magwell p320 I cant read some of these posts because of the negative way they talk about MY hometown. Edit. I dont know. Some of these folks do leave Harlana lot of them, in fact. Paddling. We wore machine guns with semiautomatic carbines. I was rather disappointed to read all about my competition Garys Lounge. We used to sprinkle sugar over the cheese, before grilling them! SO neat to see my family talked about on here! Harlan County U.S.A I went to Cumberland College, Austin Peay Univ for my first masters, Trevecca University for my doctorate, second masters, and administrative certification. Bad-ass wasnt the first word to come to mind, but I sure didnt want to mess with those folk! We were poor and I will say very poor. That is certainly true, but I must say that those unfortunates (if thats what they are) are the in minority.. He was 85 when he starred in this movie. Ive often heard that anywhere you go on Earth you can find someone from Harlan county. Well.. My great aunt Alafair lived there till she died and her beauty shop was still there, run by one of daughters the last time I was there. Thanks for the article. Besides the accident of birth, we have certain commonalities: Harlan Countians can be found everywhere. Again I will say Harlan is a great place to be from but I would not want to live there today. Youve made me think about Harlan all day today and its been a good day. Director Barbara Kopple lived among the miners families and captures an intimate portrait of a movement. My parents who were also my papaw and mamaw owned Tiny Jos market in Baxter. what happened to basil collins I had friends in Pathfork. Have you checked out Welcome To Watts Creek site? I am a born and raised harlan countian. My brother and I thought we had died and gone to Heaven. When I went to college, I befriended other Eastern Kentuckians. I was born in Pike County but grew up in Flatwoods in Greenup County. The other side was the Lounge, a long, narrow open room with a dance floor. Great story and oh so true, every word of it. I believe you will see that I have great affection for Harlan, much more than many of the people who still live there. Girl fights were always the best. I knew Lisa vaguely. Right now, its in a big down turn. Ive never known anyone who didnt wear shoesand I knew some pretty rough characters. 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. My children are fascinated and perhaps slightly horrified that I grew up in Harlan. We are our own world. . She always bought some, even though she was never sure if doing so was legal. I was born and raised in Liggett. Also, I find the surest way to know someone is from SEKY is after telling them where Im from they follow up with, do you know so-and-so? I love that.