Interview with Charles Bole, May 15, 2015

Partial Transcript: Okay, so Charles we were here--last time I was here we talked about growing up in Newport.

Segment Synopsis: Charles Bole talks about his work as a spray painter. He says a doctor told him about an issue with his lungs and advised him to become a coal miner instead.

Keywords: Coal mines; Eastern Kentucky; Health issues; Illness; Lungs; Newport (Ky.); Sick; Spray booth; Spray painter

Subjects: Diseases.; Health.

Partial Transcript: So I, I knew a little about the coal mines.

Segment Synopsis: Bole describes the mine disaster at Hurricane Creek Mine and his family's involvement in the catastrophe. He talks about the resulting investigation of the incident.

Keywords: "Blow it down"; Blame; Brother-in-law; Charges; Danger; Deaths; Dynamite; Explosions; Investigations; Prima cord; Snowstorms; Trials; Walter Bentley; Wife

Subjects: Coal mine accidents; Coal miners; Coal mines and mining--Kentucky; Mine safety

Partial Transcript: How long did you work in the coal mines down in Eastern Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Bole talks about his experience as a coal miner in bank mines, including his wages and hours, his home life, rural conditions, and returning to work as a painter.

Keywords: "Blow it down"; Bank mines; Creek beds; Depth; Doctors; Eastern Kentucky; Flooding; Home life; Hours; Jobs; Lunch; Lungs; Newport (Ky.); Primitive; Raining; Spray painting; Tipples; Underground mines; Wages; Water

Subjects: Coal miners; Coal mines and mining--Kentucky; Diseases.; Health.; Rural conditions; Small houses.

Partial Transcript: What was a good decade for you?

Segment Synopsis: Bole discusses various events of the fifties including the nation's fear of Communism, President Roosevelt, and the Korean War.

Keywords: Communism; Conscientious objectors; Decades; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Joseph McCarthy; Poor; Presidents; Radio; Russia; Spaceships; Sputnik; Useless; Worried

Subjects: Communists; Korean War, 1950-1953--Veterans; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Partial Transcript: You know I'm thinking you've been through a lot.

Segment Synopsis: Bole discusses his views on politicians. He talks about experiencing several floods during his childhood.

Keywords: "On the right track"; Changes; Childhood; Experiences; Flood walls; Newport (Ky.); Politicians

Subjects: Flood damage; Floods--Kentucky; Politics and government

Partial Transcript: Do you remember hearing about forced integration in the South?

Segment Synopsis: Bole talks about race issues during integration and how they have continued to this day.

Keywords: Forced integration; Race issues; Race riots; Race wars; Shame

Subjects: African Americans--Social conditions.; Integration; Race relations

Partial Transcript: Do you remember getting a television or did you always have one?

Segment Synopsis: Bole says his family got the first television on the block in 1950. He talks about his favorite music, and why he never saw Elvis in concert. He talks about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Keywords: Concerts; Country music; Elvis Presley; Expensive; John F. Kennedy assassination; Mood; Television shows

Subjects: Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963; Music; Presley, Elvis, 1935-1977.; Television; Television programs.

Partial Transcript: Is there anything you want to bring up? Anything--any topics that you want to discuss?

Segment Synopsis: Bole talks more about current race issues.

Keywords: 1960s; Cycles; Death; Protests; Race issues; Race wars

Subjects: African Americans--Social conditions.; Integration; Race relations

Partial Transcript: Well Charles you're a very well-educated man. You've had a lot of life experiences.

Segment Synopsis: Bole says he has had a good life. He talks about the advice his father gave him for having a good life. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: "Don't go to bed mad"; Advice; Fathers; Jail; Legacy; Parents; Wife

Subjects: Families.