Based on census data, Corbin states that black miners in the early 1900’s were immigrants from the south rather than descendents of local slaves–and by and large this appears to be correct.  However, both John Cavalier and Roxie Cooper Gillespie indicate that there were families in the Longacre mining community who had been enslaved locally.  Cavalier indicates that before the Civil War, enslaved black miners worked alongside non-union white miners at Longacre and Roxie related the foundation of the story below to her grandchildren and great grandchildren in 1976.  (Corbin [Life], Cavalier, Gillespie Oral History–Interview with Roxie Cooper Gillespie 1976) 

Note: Mrs. Cook’s speech patterns are based on Mamma Roxie’s speech patterns from an interview when she was 76 years old–the same interview that included a story of being sick and of Mrs. Cook telling them about slavery and her time in the rich folk’s house.

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Unfortunately, very little personal black history* from coal camps of the early 1900s told from the point of view of black miners and their families has been preserved where I can find it.  That will change a little as we enter Paint Creek and Matewan, so hold on–it’s coming! (Corbin [Life] , Cavalier, Gillespie Oral History–Interview with Roxie Cooper Gillespie 1976)  

If you’re looking for a historical treatment on black Appalachian miner history, the works of Joe William Trotter, including African American Workers and the Appalachian Coal Industry, are a good starting place.  Trotter documents the lives, conditions, rising influence of the KKK, and increasing prejudicial treatment of black miners and their families with an emphasis on the period during and after World War I.  He also documents strategies for dealing with these conditions, political activism, and successful black regional politicians from the era.

*John Cavalier’s research and writing in Smithers WV is typical of many of the histories of this time period.  Cavalier relies on news reports, official records, and interviews of older residents of the Smithers community–none of whom appear to have been black.  The scope and tone of his writing about the black community is exemplified by the chapter subheading “IMMIGRANTS AND NEGROES IN OUR COAL MINES”. 

Cavalier recounts that there were enslaved coal miners before the civil war in the area and records the joyous response to emancipation.  The crime section of his work includes numerous contemporary news accounts of alleged black crimes.  He notes that the Smithers area continued to be segregated and follows the history of black churches and schools–but does so clearly from the perspective of a white educator and researcher working in the 1970s.   

While some first hand black and immigrant accounts are to be found in congressional testimony and other official hearings I would absolutely love to find long form personal accounts from the period!

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