Bloody Harlan

[pistolpete1960]

My Gandfather, Henry Gilmore Ayers was a Union Miner at Twila, KY. When Happy Chandler sent the National Guard into Harlan County to restore order, my grandfather said that he would never vote for Chandler again because he sent paid thugs to restore order, when in actuality, pandemoniun set in and there were more gunfights after that. RIP my dear Grandfather.

[hmldjr]

The Harlan union workers are heroes and an inspiration to the workers of the world!

[Fandaanx]

@hmldjr I strongly agree, this is what unions are for and this also shows why School Teachers, PIGS, Fireman and government workers should not be unionized. Union has a place, but "NOT" in government because it breeds corruption.

[hmldjr]

@Fandaanx BS. Unions do not breed corruption anymore than institutions without unions. When there were no unions corruption was rampant and theft was the norm not the exception especially by the bosses. They would hire you in the morning and fire you that night. I guess you never heard of the company stores? You think the unions of those organizations are any good? Nope. Most are pretty toothless.

[yoridevynbestiez]

Harlan is amazing I live there I was raised in Harlan and I play fiddle in a band with my friend

[LegalEagleX]

@yoridevynbestiez I love Kentucky bluegrass music.....it's unique all the world and a cultural treasure......and I'm saying this as a city-born, city bred, Northeast corridor gay man.

[ZackisDead]

Funny, how unions were created to help the backwoods common man get his due. Now people from that land are calling for the end to collective bargaining and lowest taxes for the wealthy in history.

Talk about voting against your own interests.

[Fandaanx]

Unions have a place, and there are places where unions don't belong...

Unions DO NOT belong in government in any way, there is no reason for COPS, Firefighters, Teachers, and other government workers to be unionized because it is a conflict of interest.

Iron Worker local 623, 18 years!

[ZackisDead]

@Fandaanx Ah, but it's OK for YOU to be unionized. How convenient for you. What would you do if the person you elect one day turns around and says your union is bad for job creation and that it deters competition?

Define the conflict of interest. The conflict of interest of wanting to get paid fair? What conflict of interest exists? They've not a public employee for charity, they're public employees because they were lured into it just like a private company does, with wages & benefits.

[Fandaanx]

@ZackisDead Government corrupts and when the unions are involved it is even worse.

[LegalEagleX]

@Fandaanx so having no workplace protections and no social security is a better deal? so if the employer fires you, then your family starves, right?

[vertigo453]

@Fandaanx You sound like a nazi conservative trying to dictate who is entitled to belong to a union...Typical republican!

[bapyou]

@Fandaanx "there is no reason for . . . Teachers and other government workers to be unionized"

Finland has the best education system in the world.

Do you know why they have the best education system in the world? You do not, because the conservative media want you to hate unions. Finland's teachers are all unionized. They have job security, government health care, and well-funded schools. As an educator myself, I can say that not having any of these things makes me NOT care about teaching.

[79797937]

my daddie worked for Peabody..... Sure miss him .good person .proud union member, me Im union also. America Forever

[bloodydager]

@COWGURL4LIFE11 me to

[brobdingnagianjackas]

You're preaching to the choir boy!....

[39tommyboy]

working for the rail road we was union but we was controlled by the federal government. we wasnt even allowed to speak after a accident happend. we was always told what to say. everytime we striked the president ordered us back to work the second day. he said get them trains running boys. and so we did. its sad it really is. we killed ourselves working for them and i was lucky i am still alive but in a wheel chair now.

[brobdingnagianjackas]

What's lower than a scab? -- Nothing!

[39tommyboy]

@brobdingnagianjackas well id have to say the sore that they work for and doesnt sign contracts to take care of its workers? hows that? godbless the unions in america.

[MrLongtimegone]

I watched my best friend die with black lung. He couldn't get one last breath down in his lungs they were so full of mucus and coal dust. At least the unions helped some. I seen some crazy fights and bad ass beatings back in the day.With out the

unions you are but a slave.

[MetalTeamster]

Blue collar workers are here to serve the rich. Don't like your job.. fine an illegal Mexican will do it. Get down in that mine and produce, or be replaced, blue collar scum.

[MOMXXXXX]

RED WATER AND BLACK LUNG IS THE LEGACY OF THE COAL INDUSTRY IN KENTUCKY.

[tcc187620]

Thanx to YouTube and the Historians who saved this material... I can now "see" what my Father often told me about...in the place He always called "Home"...

[tulagKY]

Thank God Kentucky is a "Right-to-Work" state!

Unions are a source of money and power for organized crime.

[cactuswriter123]

@tulagKY Actually, Kentucky is the southernmost state that is not right-to-work (at least in the southeast).

[cactuswriter123]

@tulagKY Actually, Kentucky is the southernmost state that is not right-to-work (at least in the southeast).

[beretta1342000]

Wow! This is really good..

Love the pictures.. I'm sure there a great story to all of these..

[Deleanredtiger]

1:06 was from the documentary

[krevice]

it's funny thing about words. if you go after the management and the shareholders,the people who make the most money it's called socialism.not to mention if you dare suggest they lower the profit margin. but going after the lowest earning people the unions thats ok because its called capitalism. fuck their words and fuck capitalism!

[carson3007]

@krevice amen brother. well said

[DreamSeekerOne]

The union as an idea is excellent, but like so many things in life, the reality of the union has fallen woefully short of the idea. I should know Iv'e been a union member for years.

[1canyonguy]

@DreamSeekerOne I guess your right - maybe the union is as strong as the men in it? or maybe we should look for work in solar- hell it is a lot cleaner and safer for all

[1canyonguy]

@DreamSeekerOne dont ever give in friend-

[johnlennonbullshit]

The scab is a traitor to his God, his mother, and his class.

Long live the labor unions!

[krevice]

@johnlennonbullshit you said it!

[bmfox123]

God bless Union People! Stand up for your rights!

[Petie1]

Remember division is not just a labor issue,but look at our political division or our countries = no unification on any front!

[jdkeith28]

I work in the coal mines.. One day in the coal mines you will change your mind if that's the way you think turn your heat off this winter.. I don't think you will.

[Petie1]

God bless you for my electric and I grew up in Harlan,Co,so I know what you men give up for us to have a better life.

[Petie1]

I just watched a segment on where robots were building all these cars,I hope those robots can but those cars don't you?????...Oh btw thanks for the coal it took to melt the steel for buildings and cars etc!...My Grandfather and other kin and good friends ate that coal dust for all of us to have a life abundent...God Bless Them!

[dieselman1988]

@jdkeith28 how is it working in coal mines

[Petie1]

You watch video's about drugs.First off I care about these people you down and yet I have seen nothing to show me to care about you.I am here for a simple reason and that's to find out if you're worthy of anything and yes your life is great for now?..Watch it change fastly or treat your workers kind and give them a fat bonus,because from your remarks they gave you one!...Do this for them or pay the piper!

[Petie1]

According to the history channel,did you know in 1978 a single coal mines produced 3 million a day and griped about paying someone 18 a hour,now let's all go out and get our own business and then those who got 3 mill a day wouldn't have gotten it without those simpletons as you called them.Go back and learn what people fought for such as their children having their own bedroom and a toilet inside the house and come back and tell me!..I doubt you'd be where you are today regardless parental money

[Petie1]

A proven fact is inbreeding so to speak happened even from kansas to michigan!...You lame azz!

[WillBackbone]

mostly inbred rednecks and hicks what a bunch of simpletons.

[Petie1]

Yeah and when you can't feed your kids I hope you'll remember what those simpletons fought for!...People like you make me glad to know there will come a day when you wish you had G.M.,Chrysler and Ford Motor company back for a decent waged job!..Get some real backbone and go down there and express the same feelings you just did here.

[WillBackbone]

I will always be able to feed my kids. I don't rely on some Union to make sure I get a paycheck. I started my own business at 19 and worked 80-100 hours for 7+ years building it up. Now I can reap the rewards and my effort has equaled great results. I employ over 100 people & they EARN a higher than average income & are paid based on their performance. They themselves would not let a Union in the door. Who signs your paycheck the business owner or the Union ?

[WillBackbone]

People who live paycheck to paycheck are idiots. Most of them live this way due to poor money management. They go out and get all this debt and when their income drops or they have a medical problem or lose a job they have no money saved. Still they have $ for lotto tickets, cigs, tattoos. They don't even have an IRA or 401K, Ask them what their 5-10 yr. plans are & they have none, day to day the'll tell you, poor planning=failure. They need to stop blaming other for all their problems.

[Petie1]

Merry Christmas and I'll stop blaming idiots like you for under paying people so you can have it all.Idiot's like you that have the power to raise prices to make all you need to live..I was a supervisor and saw how companies can charge 3 to 5 times a hour what my wage was and I hope you get your ferrari and yacht as fast as you want.I have worked those kind of hours,so go pat your own back and rub your own belly and keep feeling proud and full of yourself!

[Petie1]

I wouldn't want to be a simple minded bastage like you who will never make the gates of Heaven!..Of course I know you do not believe in Heaven,but moreso in yourself!...I don't know wether to be impressed or sad..Hey let's play Adolph Hitler and kill all the hippies and maybe cripples or maybe some nationalitiy!,,,Just suggesting it's asses like you that might suggest such and hey start with my crippled ass!

[WillBackbone]

You know nothing about "backbone' you want to talk courage & backbone.Go out & start your own company.Risk everything U ever had to get it off the ground.Work an avg 90 hrs a week for the first 7 yrs & live off very litte $ During that time & NO my parents were not wealthy Dad was a Union worker & never saved a dime.Now that my business is very successful I can reap the rewards.Lots of $ saved,travel, nice house(s)cars,I EARNED it all & you have NO clue what it's like to own or start a business.

[WillBackbone]

Each Ford or Chevy costs $1500-$2000 more than it should do to the benefits that are paid to retired line workers, That's why I hesitate to buy any American Car, but I do have a Corvette as it's still on the best performance cars on road for the value and I have ordered a new Camaro, I try to buy American but I also look at quality of the product, and the value of it. I have heard so many factory Union workers talk about getting paid well for watching a machine do all the work Unons are dying.

[Petie1]

Good,unions are dying and hopefully will your cheap labor based company!Soon even mexicans won't be able to buy your crap!..You claim to a good business and getting fat,but the only thing getting fat is your head!...I'm glad you won't buy a american car and I hope the 1.35 a hr japanese dude can buy your product!

[Petie1]

Now will one day you'll wish you'd have unionized also,not for your job,but as a American and stood up for something like rights!....Let this Congress and such you pray have their way and you'll one day wish you would have stood with a group to save your America!..Trust me!

[redbeakman]

unions have served their purpose. Most of what they fought for has been legislated. Now all they do is steal from their members and run the jobs out of town.

[Petie1]

@redbeakman Cheap Labor has always ruled and the rich will make sure of it.I am not disagreeing and you do have a good point,but remember there are a few good phrases that will always pertain in life.Such as United we stand and divided we fall and look how we fall!..Remember those at the top are thieves and always have been,moreso than those below them!

[redbeakman]

@Petie1 Part of the problem Petie is that unions have "the rich" at the top. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with wealth which is what many get hung up on. The power that comes with it is the problem because it corrupts those who gain it by ill means. The union bosses wield political power for their own sake. They don't go out and build a car or pave a road, they use the membership to line their pockets and those of their friends.

[jrshipley]

@redbeakman It's true that unions, like all institutions, are subject to corruption at the top. That's something union members should be vigilant about. That's what Miners for Democracy was all about. That's what Joseph Yablonski died fighting for. Corrupt union leaders aren't any more a reason to do away with unions than corrupt bankers are a reason to do away with capitalism. The point is that we all have to just keep fighting for justice and democracy.

[Itsaboutthewaterlife]

@jrshipley Well said my friend. Well said.

[Petie1]

@redbeakman I agree and sounds like what I was driving at!....Agreed no doubt!

[Deleanredtiger]

@redbeakman

Agreed!!!!!!!!! Is it any wonder why unemployment is like 10% in this country.

[COWGURL4LIFE11]

hey i live in harlan....

[howardrhughes]

My Family lives in eastern kentucky, i remember when i was a little kid turning onto the Harlan bridge by the gas station and the chained rock mountain to our right. Allot of accidents happened there from people flying down that bridge in the fog and slamming into the mountain.

[amozartii]

Interesting! My grandfather died there, worked the coal mines way back in the 30's & 30's. He lived in town called Chevrolet, I'm sure it's long gone now...it's where my mother was from and her family. I loved the music on this post, real montain...

[KasimirMaser99]

I know exactly where Chevrolet is. My mother grew up in the Yancy camp, up above Mary Alice. There really isn't much there now except the Chevrolet church. There's a big old by-pass there now.

[edebbws07]

I saw a documentary about the strike back in the 1970s, and it was Independent Film Channel, and it sparked my interest in this. I found this video absolutely wonderful. Thanks

I'm rating it 5 stars

[princessxmommy]

Great video. My Mom and Grandma left there many years ago but they were there during this and they enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing :]

[ryanwellsSS2009]

Thank god for all the miners fighting to survive, the Italians gave there share to the fight

[Petie1]

The words at the end of the vid!...Amen! I love Harlan and will always be my home even if I left years back!..My Grandfather mined there also!...Suckie job,but provided us with electricity and the ability to heat and melt steel for buildings and cars and as a ex sheetmetal worker gave me a job as well!...Hats off and many thanks to these men who risked and even lost their lives just trying to make a living!God Bless!

[DanisTooFamous]

oh yeah, & my grandfather was a coalminer there too!

[DanisTooFamous]

my mom was born there. [harlan] and i love it there, i was up in the mountians there a few weeks ago! :)

love the video. <3

[springwidow]

I was born and raised in Harlan and both my grandfathers were coal miners. One of them was tragically killed in a mining accident. I appreciate the video and the images! : )

[peachmelbatoast]

My mother, Lois Scott (now deceased) myself, and others lead the women in the battle stopping scabs crossing the picket lines at the Eastover mines. The strike lasted 13 months and I was on the picket line a good bit of 7 months of it. It was a bitter fight ending in the death of a young union miner. The scab that killed him never spent a day in prison. Mining companies have been getting away with murder since the the first mines were opened. Nothing changes, but we can never give up.

[buddyboy55]

God bless you and the memory of your mother...

[bluetoad2001]

all good thanks for the great images

fight the good fight buzz

[kkkaaakkkaaa999888]

my papaw is from letcher county and he used to tell me stories of bloody harlan

[royalfuzziness]

I can't think of a more dangerous job than coal mining, don't you think the workers should get decent pay, and medical benefits i do. The union is the only voice the workers have without that,companies can treat the workers like dirt and not just in Harlan County. That's why i say union today tomorrow and forever.

[wetwillydude]

the only other job that i could compare to this would be crab fishing in the bearing sea. deadliest catch. i watch it and ssome episodes sends chills up my spine... this is the only other job that i thunk comes close.

[marcusvwvuspa]

Harlan Kentucky should've been bulldozed over a century ago. It's a dump. Plain and simple.

[jerdeb4evr]

next time you turn on a light, turn your thermostat down or watch television think about what you say. Wouldn't it make more sense to work on technology that would make it safer. We can remove a fetus from the womb, perform surgery and replace to womb, and have a normal birth. Why can't we make coal gettin a little safer. I have never had to rely on a million dollar ball player to light my house, but i rely on coal miners every single day. Everyday. my Thanks to coal miners.

[Petermax99]

That was a nice song I enjoyed it

[grummeper]

Great!

Many Thanks!

[ruracinme50]

My Uncle, Hugh X Lewis wrote a song about this entitled "Bloody Harlan" and it was a hit for him in the late 50's I believe. He also wrote BJ the DJ for Stonewall Jackson. My people are from Harlan County!

[jeffchandler28]

my great grandfather name was Tom Hicks the story be told he took the blame for the killings at Evarts. Of course he was a coal miner they worked him day and night in those mines. but greatgrandfather tom was never at evarts when the killings happen he was out robbing the commissary for the people. now great grandfather brother was at evarts when the killings happen his name was Sam Hicks they say he had the machines gun.. any info about this can someone please message me

[jeffchandler28]

great video i will never forget my roots. my mother came from harlan she was born in molus, ky. my grandpa was a coal miner his name was Alonzo Wilson. i have read storys in a book call HillBilly Women by Kathy Kahn my mother and my grandma ands mama are in the book title blue ridge mountain refugee..my grandma was a hick from in the story the hicks seemed famous back in the miner strike gun thug days...

[johnnny5555]

it is about time for a new "orphan brigade"

[blu65gibson]

great video,brings back some memories.

[weshenjr]

My Dads Hometown the Henderson's he was a Rowsenwald Harlanite.

[powerface71]

Great video. My grandparents came to MI from KY when they were just 18 and 16. My Grandmother was a Blanton from Harlan county and my Grandfather was a Lawson from Corbin a few miles away. My Grandmother remembers vividly Bloody Harlan. These people did what was right, I mean seriously. What are we to do when the people with all the power abuse those with none. All we have is each other and family. God bless you all!

[flatpicker1234]

My Dad was a Lowe. He was from Liggette Hollar in Harlan and moved to michigan when he was 18. that was over 40 years ago.

[princessxmommy]

Thanks for the video. My Grandma was a child during this time and she moved away from Harlan County about 20 years ago but I showed her this video and she enjoyed the pictures from that time.

[Johnnysuicide941]

I grew up in Harlan county. I miss it from time to time. Their is nothing like the mountains...

[xXlone2soldureXx]

this place has changed so much it seems its never happened

[greenfly70]

WHAT?

[catherinetodd]

Dapreux: "The place I grew up in Holmes Mill 45 years ago used to be Green and Beautiful, Spakling Rivers like IRELAND)"

I wish I could be there, too. Sounds wonderful and what I always imagined Kentucky to be like. I thought strip mining had been outlawed; apparently not. What a terrible, crying shame. Keep writing about the "sparkling days" of Ireland and Kentucky; it makes my heart sing! Even if only for the "old days." God bless you, Ireland and Kentucky!

[cottoncandy11787]

I live in Harlan..I love it here!! There's no place like home!

[Dapruex]

I will be in KY Oct,. 11- 19..2008, I will be headed to HOLMES MILL, my birthplace,which is about 30-60 miles above Evarts, near the Virginia and Ky Border, over the hill from Applachia!,what bothers me most is they are destroying all the beauty there with the Strip Mining.)The place I grew up in Holmes Mill 45 years ago used to be Green and Beautiful, Spakling Rivers like IRELAND), Strip Mines has destroyed it all I'm afraid! (I live in Canada for now,but my HEART is still in KY!)(Jdapro)Canada

[zslam]

i live in harlan, and everyone thinks their all hillbilly's, i only know of about 3 though

[Dapruex]

I can still hear the IRISH in these Mountains.......Kentucky slang (Speech) Is an old form of IRISH BROQUE... once that dialect is gone, then it will be missed...so stop making fun of their accents, it is a form of OLD IRISH BROQUE, (Slang) as most call it! ( I was born in KY...KY ROCKS! (JD)Canada

[zslam]

???

[catherinetodd]

Dapruex: I'm part Irish and I had NO IDEA it was Irish they were speaking! Now this starts to make sense.

When my mother's family came over from Ireland, they were met at the boat in New York and sent to the coal mines of Pennsylvania. Same thing later on for my father's family, who were from Hungary. It was a rough life for all of them.

I love the Irish and can't wait to go visit my ancestors homeland. "Top of the morning" to ya! Thanks so much for this bit of information!

[Dapruex]

Catherine:)The Slang and language they use today in some parts of KENTUCKY is an old form of Irish Broque,but it may be all gone soon as each generation is born)People that have no clue about it,can often make fun of the slang or call it Uneducated,but it's an Old Form of IRISH Broque.)I left KY years ago,but love 2 go home sit & listen 2 the People,I know people with a PHD that speak it.)TRUE Kentuckians will give the shirts off their backs,but U must NEVER Double-cross one! :))(Jdapro)Canada

[meddetect10]

I'm writing a screen play about Harlan County. I watched the movie "Harlan Co. U.S.A. and they seem like hard-working, sincere people. I hope to further my research by visiting.

[catherinetodd]

meddetect10: "I'm writing a screen play about Harlan County."

Can't wait to see it! Keep us all informed... Yours, CT

[Dapruex]

"KENTUCKY, The Last Innocent State")..

I will RETIRE In KENTUCKY)I will be back home to live.) I come home now and then to see how thing are,I find it very refreshing to come home,cleanse my soul and spirit.)Just to walk in the Mountains of KY, lifts my spirit and soul)Please keep it Kentuckian / AmeriCANA. DO NOT LET ANYONE COME IN AND TAKE AWAY ALL THE TRADITIONS,(I am sure YOU know what I mean by this).If that happens then it will NOT be KY anymore)..

Please keep KY, Kentuckian!(Jd)Canada

[catherinetodd]

Dapruex: What a beautiful thing to look forward to. Lucky you, and have a good life. I'm sure you will!

[Dapruex]

Catherine:)The Slang and language they use today in some parts of KENTUCKY is an old form of Irish Broque,but it may be all gone soon as each generation is born)People that have no clue about it,can often make fun of the slang or call it Uneducated,but it's an Old Form of IRISH Broque.)I left KY years ago,but love 2 go home sit & listen 2 the People,I know people with a PHD that speak it.)TRUE Kentuckians will give the shirts off their backs,but U must NEVER Double-cross one! :))(Jdapro)Canada

[JacobsNan]

My Daddy walked those picket lines with those men,& my Momma with the women. That is until those sorry gun thugs for the company blew that young man on the picket line's brains out!Left a wife an two little children.Best memory is when those women took switches to the State Cops that the company sent down there because the ladies had laid down in the road to keep the scabs from crossing the picket line. Need some of that backbone transplanted into people today.

Thanks,

Reb's daughter.

[catherinetodd]

JacobsNan: someone must have hit thumbs-down by mistake on your comment. You get ten thumbs-up from me! What a great story. Keep telling 'em; maybe some day people will get the message and learn to stand up for themselves. * * * * *

[Stikkmann]

The company didn't send the State Cops down there. The company had its own men called "strike busters" or "gun thugs" that were either company employees or worked for a security company hired by the mines. The State Cops were sent by the governor to try to keep roads open, contrary to the false belief that they worked on behalf of the coal company. My daddy was an eastern Ky coal miner too and says the state cops get a bad rap they don't deserve.

[hwy66biggem]

Awesome video, I just found this.

[letvols1]

my dad was killed half way betwee harlan and pineville... do any of you remember the man who sold used work clothes to the miners? during the 70s and 80s.... please respond..

[imog6]

awsome job on this video! my daddy was a coal miner here and i remember him telling stores about fighting for the union. Bless you all.

[KORNIEKOB]

WONDERFUL...........hasn't changed very much over the past 50 years!

[SouthernDancer23]

Nice vid. My father was born at Balkan in Harlan County and I was born in Bell County (created from parts of Harlan and Knox counties). This sure looks like home to me!!

[TheDonnyHope]

Thanks so much for posting this Video-*******

It's Harsh BUT SO REAL-!! Let's

Pray for Peace to all who suffer

Anywhere for any reason! God Bless them all!

[slicknicktheprick]

wooo im a black moutian boy and a kenvir tiger born and raised in bloody harlan!!!!!!!!!

[jbates619]

yea harlan county kentucky's a good old place to be in i have family who worked in the mines all their lives and still nows day's my papaw's reitred and home sleeping all day lol but im 14 in harlan county living in putney and its been good for me so far harlan county's a good place.=)

[keepgon]

born in harlan ky 1959 my mom was willia henderson and dad ernest robinson

[dynod63]

nice video,my folks are from harlan co. thats my uncle on the far right standing next to the brookside sign were he worked at 1 time,that was a bad time but not near as bad as years before,my mom has told me many stories of that time and man was it a awful thing,

[tcc187620]

My Grandfather worked those mines.

[alal77alal]

Working man is always getting screwed. But sometimes he wont help himself, lets his preachers lead him astray and puts the next world ahead of this one. Shame about it.

[kingkonut]

spot on

[fishpond01]

i lived in the upper cumberland area till i was 21 then i moved south but my heart always goes back to those mountains and the good people there. almosr 20 years have gone by and i still remember it like it was yesterday

[bigblade575]

Harlan is not known as bloody harlan, is bloody breathitt

[nanners2886]

EXACTLY!!! I am from Bloody Breathitt!

[Lewsinger]

Harlan was also known as Bloody Harlan. My uncle wrote a published song called Bloody Harlan, by Hugh X Lewis

[hoggnogg]

There is a great movie about the Coal Miners Strike Of 1973 called "Harlan County War".It has Holly Hunter,Ted Levine,and Stellan Skaarsgard in it.

[kingkonut]

did you see 'harlan county, u.s.a?' documentary shot during the 1973 strike, it's fucking epic.

[TennesseeV0lunteer]

I saw it a few years ago. My family hates it. They were union back in the 1950s but by the strike, they thought the union was a bunch of gangsters. - son of a Harlan man

[bulbheadmyass]

Well done video. Very well done. The comments along with the video make me feel like I'm visiting Harlan County and hearing these stories first hand.

[m48tkr]

born in ky as all my ancestors were back to 1700's, i went with my dad back to the mines to haul coal back in 40's and 50's. it was really rough back then. i love ky.

[emotionalrobot]

I'm from ky, and my grandpa was a coal miner. he died from the black lung.

[imnotaj]

ahh, my grandfather worked in the mines during this, I still live right here in harlan actually, loyall to be exact =)

[shawnakay28]

Awesome video....my family comes from Harlan County....good ol Cawood KY. I miss it up there.

[wyncrtr1]

Hey Great Video. My mothers folks are from Evarts, Harlan, Red Bud, Verde, Baxter, Black Mountain aarea.

[Kehalacante]

Thanks for posting, my paternal Grandmother was from Bloody Harlan up on the Cumberland and she lived there her early years before going to Michigan. I still have family there. I was there in '73 while all this was going on, staying in a mining camp. I see some of the others posting comments originate there as well...could be relations, all of us lol.

[cuntandwhiskey]

very good video, i loved it. my whole family comes from down there, my grandparents told me about distant relatives i've got buried in the side of the mountains down there, ive always wanted to do a geneology trace of my family and everyone tells me to start in Harlan. oh well good video!!

[AxlRose321]

Good video. My great grandfather was the judge in Harlan County back when Bloody Harlan happened. I've always heard stories that when my grandfather was growing up a guard would sit with a rifle by the window in his bedroom while others were stationed outside.

[thecreechmyster]

if he was the judge presiding over the eastover mine dispute, then his name must be F. Byrd Hogg, his mother and my grandmother were sisters. Her name was Cynthia Ison Hogg.

My grandmother was Pearl Ison Creech

[AxlRose321]

If you're replying to me, no that's not my great grandfather. I believe my great grandfather was the county judge. His name was Morris Saylor.

[DeathsDarkAngel07]

wow so wierd to see your town history

[Kehalacante]

My dads and grandmas hometown, up on the Cumberland River...

[fordroad]

Thanks for the posting. History of Harland County Kentuky.