Introduction to Coal Creek War
Title
Introduction to Coal Creek War
Digital Object
Performer
Vowell, G.D.
Date Recorded
1937-09
AFS Number
1381A1
AFC Collection
AFC 1937/001
AFC Collection Name
Alan and Elizabeth Lomax Kentucky collection
Editor Note
Vowell, who announces his birthday as Dec. 13, 1872, at Coal Creek, Tenn., discusses the "convict war" that became known as the "Coal Creek Troubles" or "Coal Creek War." He recalls seeing the possible composer of the ballad, Day (presumed to be songster and fiddler J.W. Day, "Blind Bill" Day or, as Jean Thomas dubbed him, "Jilson Setters,") perform the ballad at labor picnics in Coal Creek. Archie Green, in his "Only A Miner," points out that Vowell strenuously suggests herein his view that the coal companies were "all in favor of doing all they could to get the convicts out of the coal mines." Identified on AFS card as "Cole Creek War."
Genre
Commentary
State
Kentucky
County
Harlan
Town
Harlan
Collection
Citation
“Introduction to Coal Creek War,” Alan Lomax Kentucky Recordings, accessed December 7, 2023, https://lomaxky.omeka.net/items/show/1759.