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Oral History Interview with Robert Cole, May 10, 1981. Interview H-0311. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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  • Abstract
    The focus of this interview is a textile mill strike that appears to have taken place near Stoney Creek, Tennessee. Robert Cole is not particularly forthcoming about details or reflections about the strike. This lack of depth is unfortunate, because Cole appears to have played an active role on both sides of the strike, initially crossing the picket line but soon thereafter joining the strikers and even serving as one of its organizers' bodyguards. Most of Cole's recollections concern some of the violence surrounding the strike, including fights, acts of terrorism, and shootings, none of which he participated in but for which he was arrested and tried. Researchers interested in labor clashes may find some useful material here.
    Excerpts
  • A textile mill strike turns violent
  • Reasons for joining a textile mill union
  • Legal implications of union participation
  • Wide community support for a strike that netted fewer hours for better pay
  • A textile mill strike turns violent
  • Ever-present guns during textile strike
  • Learn More
  • Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
  • Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
  • Subjects
  • Cole, Robert
  • Elizabethton (Tenn.)--Social conditions
  • Textile workers--Tennessee--Elizabethton
  • Strikes and lockouts--Textile industry--Tennessee
  • Labor unions--Tennessee
  • The Southern Oral History Program transcripts presented here on Documenting the American South undergo an editorial process to remove transcription errors. Texts may differ from the original transcripts held by the Southern Historical Collection.

    Funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services supported the electronic publication of this title.