Interview with Clarence Dotson, Jr., April 11, 2015

Partial Transcript: This interview is taking place on April 11th, 2014 with Clarence Dotson in his home in Dunham?

Segment Synopsis: Clarence Dotson, Jr. is introduced. Dotson, Jr. talks about his parents' decision to move from Pound, Virginia to Jenkins, Kentucky. He also discusses growing up in Jenkins and why he eventually chose to stay in Jenkins.

Keywords: Burdine (Ky.); Coal companies; Coal families; Dunham (Ky.); Job opportunities

Subjects: Coal miners; Consolidated Coal Company; Family history; Gold mines and mining; Jenkins (Ky.); Pound (Va.)

Partial Transcript: So other than the, the gold mining stint, you were primarily a coal miner?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. talks about the difficulty of finding work after his service in World War II. He also talks about going to vocational school for the machinist trade and working for Consolidation Coal Company, Pet Milk Company, Southern Belle Dairy Company, and now, a tobacco warehouse in Morehead, Kentucky.

Keywords: District managers; Employment; Salesmen; Salespersons; Southern Belle Dairy Company; Territory managers; Tobacco warehouses; Vocational schools; Work histories

Subjects: Bethlehem Steel Company; Consolidation Coal Company; Jenkins (Ky.); Machinists; Morehead (Ky.); Pet Milk Company; Wise (Va.)

Partial Transcript: Will you tell me a little bit about your wife?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. talks about his wife, who also grew up in Jenkins, Kentucky. He talks about how they met, being married for sixty-five years, their relationship, and raising their five children as well as a number of children in their neighborhood.

Keywords: Dating; Dunham (Ky.); Marriages; Post offices; Raising children; Raising families; Relationship dynamics

Subjects: Children.; Families.; Jenkins (Ky.); Neighborhoods.; Wives.

Partial Transcript: Jenkins really--(clears throat)--Jenkins really, in, in my opinion--this is the way I've took it, uh--has always been a good place to live.

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. talks about how the Consolidation Coal Company shaped community dynamics in Jenkins, Kentucky. He discusses Consolidation Coal's role in managing community behavior, schooling, curfews, healthcare services, infrastructure, and recreational facilities. This was rooted in the idea that home life affects work life. Dotson, Jr. expresses his admiration of the Consolidation Coal Company's impact on Jenkins.

Keywords: Burdine (Ky.); Coal towns; Community controls; Community dynamics; Community guidelines; Community rules; Company doctors; Company healthcare; Dunham (Ky.); Healthcare; McRoberts (Ky.); Number Three Section (Ky.); Public transportation; Recreational facilities

Subjects: Consolidation Coal Company; Curfews; Education.; Harmony.; Infrastructure; Jenkins (Ky.); Medicine; Recreation; Reputation.; World War, 1939-1945

Partial Transcript: I've been here as I said--I've been here all my life now and, uh, I've had opportunities to go other places but I found out many years before, opportunities that, uh, it--the grass is not always greener over there.

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. discusses his philosophy behind staying in Jenkins, Kentucky and always doing good. Dotson, Jr. also expresses his satisfaction with his life, work, family, and community.

Keywords: Community pride; Gratefulness; Life mottos; Life satisfaction; Morals

Subjects: Ethics; Jenkins (Ky.); Philosophies

Partial Transcript: I, I love your descriptions of the town and I wondered--

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. gives a physical description of Jenkins, Kentucky, especially in the downtown area. He also discusses recreational life and community attitudes.

Keywords: Barber shops; City parks; Cost of living; Downtown Jenkins (Ky.); Entertainment; Main streets; Public transportation; Recreational buildings; Spittoons; Taxis; Traffic

Subjects: Automobiles; Beauty shops; Bus lines; Buses.; Concessions.; Hotels; Jenkins (Ky.); Recreation; Socialization.; Transportation.; Walking.

Partial Transcript: What do you think my, my first impression would be if I walked into Jenkins as a visitor?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. talks about how Jenkins, Kentucky operated as a big city. He then discusses segregation in the town, segregation as implemented by the Consolidation Coal Company in work and everyday life, and people's general attitudes towards foreigners, immigrant families, and African Americans in Jenkins.

Keywords: Attitudes towards segregation; Prejudice; Segregated housing; Segregated neighborhoods; Segregated schools; Social behavior

Subjects: African American coal miners; African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Segregation--Southern States; Coal miners; Coal miners--Kentucky--Letcher County; Consolidation Coal Company; Foreign workers.; Immigrant families; Jenkins (Ky.); Segregation; Segregation in education; Segregation in education--Kentucky; Segregation in education--United States

Partial Transcript: Can I, can I ask you to walk me through the company store? Like say I was entering one of the company stores. What would I see in there? What was for sale?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. describes the five, big Consolidation Coal Company stores in Jenkins, Kentucky and the vast variety of products they had to offer. Dotson, Jr. also discusses how coal families earned their income, how families spent that income, and sharing of groceries between families.

Keywords: Buying; Clothing; Coal families; Community dynamics; Community provisions; Consumer habits; Purchasing habits; Women in the community

Subjects: Community relations; Company stores; Consolidation Coal Company; Food.; Groceries; Hardware; Income.; Jenkins (Ky.); Medicine.; Partnership.; Sharing.; Shopping.

Partial Transcript: I know, uh, th--we were lucky here in Jenkins. We had electricity in 1912. Every house had electricity in it, and I'd say 98 percent of the homes had running water inside, with a sink.

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. describes typical housing facilities in Jenkins in the early 1900s.

Keywords: Central heating; Cook stoves; Housing utilities; Outside privies

Subjects: Electricity.; Fireplaces; Heating.; Housing; Housing development; Jenkins (Ky.); Kitchens.; Water.

Partial Transcript: I, I, uh, that's just like, just like I told you a minute ago--(clears throat)--in World War Two, I was in Egypt and Morocco and Iran--but anyway, I'll tell you, uh, in Egypt and, uh, well, in all those places, the women is the lowest piece of humanity.

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. recalls his impression of other cultures overseas, especially in the treatment of women. He compares their culture to culture in the United States and Jenkins and expresses his gratefulness about growing up in Jenkins.

Keywords: Cultural experiences; Cultures; Treatment of children; Treatment of women; World War II

Subjects: Children.; Egypt.; Great Depression; Iran.; Morocco.; Women.; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American

Partial Transcript: What was it like to be a kid in Jenkins?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. describes his childhood in Jenkins, Kentucky and expresses his fondness. He recalls how his family never went hungry due to his father's work at the coal mines.

Keywords: Clothes; Eating; Family dynamics; Provisions

Subjects: Childhood; Children; Coal miners; Coal miners--Kentucky--Jenkins; Income.; Jenkins (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Now see, when they came here, there wasn't enough people here to start a fight.

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. describes how at first, there were not enough people in Jenkins to work for Consolidation Coal Company. He discusses the company bringing in many foreign and immigrant workers and how the town grew from there.

Keywords: Coal companies; Employment; Hiring workers; Immigrant workers; Town development

Subjects: Coal miners; Coal miners--Kentucky--Jenkins; Coal mines and mining--Kentucky--Jenkins; Consolidation Coal Company; Foreign workers.; Jenkins (Ky.); Wages.

Partial Transcript: Did people, did people resent, um, the company for controlling the town? How do people feel about the company?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. describes a generally positive opinion towards Consolidation Coal Company. He discusses what the company provided workers, such as improved housing.

Keywords: Coal companies; Collective attitudes; Company housing

Subjects: Coal miners; Company towns; Consolidation Coal Company; Housing development; Jenkins (Ky.); Plumbing

Partial Transcript: But now I have never, I have never went to Jenkins from my birth up that I got able to speak to someone. I could speak to them and they'll speak back to you.

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. describes how he has witnessed patterns of communication change over time. He expresses concern over a lack of communication and human connection he sees today.

Keywords: Conduct; Cultural change; Human connections; Societal change; Speaking; Talking

Subjects: Communication.; Respect.; Socialization.

Partial Transcript: It wasn't, it wasn't bad times, not, not in my opinion. I, I know it was bad on the parents. It has to be.

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. talks about the pressure on parents in the 1920s and 1930s, especially during the Great Depression. He talks about parents' struggle to feed their children.

Keywords: Hand-to-mouth; Providing; Supporting families

Subjects: Coal miners; Coal miners' spouses; Families.; Fathers.; Hunger; Mothers.; Parenting; Parents.; Poverty.; Work

Partial Transcript: How did folks usually pay for things? Did they prefer to use cash or did everyone use scrip primarily?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. describes a popular method of payment, paying on lease, which was separate from credit. Food could be purchased with scrip, and anything except food could be purchased on lease. He also discusses scrip payment and youths with credit cards.

Keywords: Buying; Cash; Coal companies; Company property; Currencies; Leasing; Payment; Payment methods; Scrip; Scrip cards; Scrip offices

Subjects: Consolidation Coal Company; Credit cards; Credit.; Great Depression; Leases.; Money.; Paper money; Purchasing.

Partial Transcript: How about stores in East Jenkins?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. discusses the independent sector, East Jenkins. This community of potters did not sell their acreage to coal companies and thus maintained their own businesses, houses, and livelihoods.

Keywords: Burdine (Ky.); Coal companies; East Jenkins (Ky.); Independent; Kentucky potters; Number Three Section (Ky.); Potters; Unincorporated towns

Subjects: Consolidation Coal Company; Independence; Unincorporated areas; Whiskey.

Partial Transcript: Did people prefer to shop in either East Jenkins or the company store?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. criticizes some people's lack of financial responsibility in his time. He comments that it seemed more women than men were not careful about spending on credit.

Keywords: Finances; Financial insecurity; Financial responsibility; Self-discipline; Spending habits

Subjects: Credit.; Great Depression; Money.; Self-control.

Partial Transcript: Was it common for folks to garden in Jenkins?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. recalls how most people in Jenkins did not have room for a garden but where there was room, a garden would be raised. He also recalls people using free space to raise hogs, cows, and chickens.

Keywords: Animal agriculture; Hogs; Raising gardens; Small spaces

Subjects: Chickens.; Cows.; Gardens.; Jenkins (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: What sorts of programs did the company sponsor?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. describes a number of company-sponsored programs for the community, including a baseball league, boxing arena, other sports facilities, fireworks displays, a bowling alley, dance halls, and musical bands. He also talks about first aid classes offered, especially to coal miners.

Keywords: 4th of July; Baseball leagues; Coal companies; Community programs; Company programs; Company schools; First aid classes; Lonesome Pine Baseball League; Lynch Coal Company

Subjects: Baseball.; Basketball.; Boxing.; Consolidation Coal Company; First aid; Jenkins (Ky.); Lynch (Ky.); Schools.

Partial Transcript: Do you remember any programs specifically for women about--

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. emphasizes that although people in Jenkins were poor, they were not "nasty," since cleanliness was a sign of self-respect. He discusses how they washed their clothes, bathhouses, and a cultural emphasis on cleanliness spearheaded by mothers.

Keywords: Clothes lines; Gender roles; Washing boards; Washing lines

Subjects: Bathhouses; Cleanliness; Health.; Hygiene.; Jenkins (Ky.); Mothers.; Women.

Partial Transcript: Can I ask you about the Lakeside Neighborhood--about the folks who lived in Lakeside?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. discusses his impressions of the Lakeside area of people and their attitudes towards others outside of the community.

Keywords: Community tensions; Economic classes; Lakeside (Ky.); Lakeside area; Lakeside neighborhood (Ky.)

Subjects: Social classes--United States; Social classes.; Socioeconomic status; Wealth.

Partial Transcript: When I first started school, I was about five. They started us about five back then--or maybe six. I, I--it couldn't have been no more than six, I know.

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. recalls a special treat of graham crackers, peanut butter, and milk from his early years in school.

Keywords: Primary schools; Primer; Snacks

Subjects: Elementary schools; Jenkins (Ky.); Memories.

Partial Transcript: But now what mothers did back then--and you know, I'm just thinking what happened--I think mothers then, back then--and, and fathers as well--they had, they had the most tremendous pressure on them that ever was.

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. shares how difficult it was for parents to raise children in the late 1930s. Dotson, Jr. recalls his own mother and the "children ate first" mentality shared among parents. Dotson, Jr. reflects on how tough those times were.

Keywords: Eating; Great Depression; Parental sacrifices; Sacrifices

Subjects: 1930s; Childhood; Depressions--1929; Mothers.; Parenthood.; Parenting.; Work.

Partial Transcript: Can I ask you about some good memories, then?

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. describes his deep admiration and love for growing up and living in Jenkins. He describes his family and their emphasis on education. He also expresses that while most people in Jenkins are "good people," he holds disdain for those who "live off welfare" and do not work.

Keywords: Community dynamics; Family; Federal assistance; Friendships; Social welfare; Welfare

Subjects: Education.; Families.; Jenkins (Ky.); Work ethic.

Partial Transcript: What do you think some of the biggest changes have been in Jenkins from--

Segment Synopsis: Dotson, Jr. describes how Jenkins changed after the Consolidation Coal Company left. He describes how wealthy "outsiders" bought almost all the public property in an attempt to become "filthy rich," but after a lack of investment returns and growing tax burden, all the buildings were torn down. Dotson, Jr. laments the historical coal town Jenkins had the potential to be today.

Keywords: Coal towns; Cultural tourism; Developments; Historical coal towns; Historical towns; Town histories; Town identity

Subjects: Jenkins (Ky.); Tourism.; Transformation