memories from the mountains

I am from a little town in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. I have lived in Ohio on and off since I was in 7th grade, this time the last 13 years, but my heart will always belong down home. My grandfather was a coal miner in the Auxier and Van Lear coal mines. He was and is my hero. I'm 53 years old and the way I grew up in the hills is a lot different than most people here, all thought there are a lot of misplaced hillbillies, as I call myself, here. Guess I'm just feeling a little homesick and wondered if there was anyone else that would like to share some of their memories for the mountains with me. Thanks and have a great night.

My grandfather and great-grandfather and all my uncles were coal-miners on the Kentucky-Tennessee border in a little podunk town called Jellico. Coal mining is a tough life but that is no excuse for the abusive alcoholic son-of-a-bitches they became. I'm glad you have a nice happy childhood memories but leaving that godforsaken hell-hole was the best gift my father ever gave me. No doubt I would have become the same type of wife-beating dirt-poor toothless meth-addict that all my unlucky relatives are who still live there. So go ahead, sing a Loretta Lynn song and romanticize those happy mountain memories all you want, just don't ask me to join you.

Kathy, I still live in Johnson County. And I graduated from JCHS, the first class. Just had or fourty year reuion. I make a living hauling coal. Played ball in the old bank mule gym. Do you remeber the Van Lear tipple, that James Witten owned. Worked there when I was 19. I love it her also. I saw you on Paintsville forum, can you see, how bad this place is gettin? A buddy come up from Fl., took him to Loreta's home place, he thought that was awsome. Ha!!

C Mike Crotch wrote:

My grandfather and great-grandfather and all my uncles were coal-miners on the Kentucky-Tennessee border in a little podunk town called Jellico. Coal mining is a tough life but that is no excuse for the abusive alcoholic son-of-a-bitches they became. I'm glad you have a nice happy childhood memories but leaving that godforsaken hell-hole was the best gift my father ever gave me. No doubt I would have become the same type of wife-beating dirt-poor toothless meth-addict that all my unlucky relatives are who still live there. So go ahead, sing a Loretta Lynn song and romanticize those happy mountain memories all you want, just don't ask me to join you.

Kathy, quit twisting his arm.

I'm sorry everyone didn't have happy memories of the mountains. There are bad memories in every family, not just ones from the mountains. I can only share my memories. I lived in Paintsville, Van Lear, and Hager Hill. My first school was the old 2 room school house in Hager Hill. I can remember walking up the mountain every time it rained to clear the branches from our television line. We only had 3 channels. Guess I'm showing my age. Ha! Ha! Anyway its fun to remember the old days. I know things have changed in Johnson County, some for the good, some not so good, but I will always love my eastern Kentucky home, and the wonderful people there. You can take the girl out of the mountains but you can't take the mountain out of the girl. Have a great day.

Ron S wrote:

Kathy, I still live in Johnson County. And I graduated from JCHS, the first class. Just had or fourty year reuion. I make a living hauling coal. Played ball in the old bank mule gym. Do you remeber the Van Lear tipple, that James Witten owned. Worked there when I was 19. I love it her also. I saw you on Paintsville forum, can you see, how bad this place is gettin? A buddy come up from Fl., took him to Loreta's home place, he thought that was awsome. Ha!!

Ron, I moved to Van Lear in 1974. My grandmother and I lived by the No. 5 store. Times have sure changed. It breaks my heart to read some of the things that are written on the Paintsville forum. I wish people would appreciate and be proud of their home. Thanks for your memories. Have a great day.

Kathy, as you come from Van Lear, turn left into Powell addition, the second or three house on the left, is where my step dad was raised. I think Do Little was his second cousin. Just a little further, the horse barn, on the left, my uncles built. when I was about 11 snd I helped.

LOVE JESUS wrote:

Kathy, as you come from Van Lear, turn left into Powell addition, the second or three house on the left, is where my step dad was raised. I think Do Little was his second cousin. Just a little further, the horse barn, on the left, my uncles built. when I was about 11 snd I helped.

My aunt and uncle, Maynard and Roberta Dials, used to live in Powell Addition. I'm not sure if they still do. That's a great horse barn. I had a friend that worked there shoeing horses I think. Thanks for your memories. I love to think about home. Do you still live close?

Yes,201 Stika. My grandmother raised me, she wore her hair in a bun. Her dresses were made out of feed sacks. Late at nite, she'd have her churn, just workin away to make butter, singing old united baptist songs. In the summer ,a couple times year, they would get chairs from Preston Funeral Home, uncles would make tables from saw horses and ply wood and we'd have church , in the yard, then dinner on the ground. My god, the food people would bring.

My Grandma was a Bowling born in Breathitt county and my Grandpa was a Barnes. My Grandpa died in a mining accident around a place called Hardburley where my Mom was born.
Mom spent summers with her aunt in that area until she was about 10. She loved it. She said even though it was a mining settlement, she had the freedom to run free there.
Mom died in 2007 and Grandma a few years earlier, but I always loved to hear the stories they told.

History

Paintsville serves as the county seat of Johnson County. It is located along the mouth of Paint Creek at the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. Originally called Paint Lick Station, the town was established in 1834, after being laid out in 1826. Paint Lick Station was referred to in military dispatches as early as 1780. Paint Creek and Paintsville were named in reference to drawings found on trees, believed to be drawn by Native Americans. It is believed that the post office was originally known as Paint Creek, but was renamed to Paintsville before 1843. The founder of the town is acknowledged to be William Henry Dixon.

The Civil War found Johnson County Fiscal Court passing an ordinance barring both Union and Confederate flags from being flown. This was quickly repealed when then Col. James A. Garfield marched his brigade on the city of Paintsville.

Paintsville is rapidly growing. This is due in part to some business developments in the past few years, as well as growing tourist interest.

Though you might, like this.

Ron S wrote:

History
Paintsville serves as the county seat of Johnson County. It is located along the mouth of Paint Creek at the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. Originally called Paint Lick Station, the town was established in 1834, after being laid out in 1826. Paint Lick Station was referred to in military dispatches as early as 1780. Paint Creek and Paintsville were named in reference to drawings found on trees, believed to be drawn by Native Americans. It is believed that the post office was originally known as Paint Creek, but was renamed to Paintsville before 1843. The founder of the town is acknowledged to be William Henry Dixon.
The Civil War found Johnson County Fiscal Court passing an ordinance barring both Union and Confederate flags from being flown. This was quickly repealed when then Col. James A. Garfield marched his brigade on the city of Paintsville.
Paintsville is rapidly growing. This is due in part to some business developments in the past few years, as well as growing tourist interest.
Though you might, like this.

Thanks Ron for the information. It's very interesting.

lulah wrote:

My Grandma was a Bowling born in Breathitt county and my Grandpa was a Barnes. My Grandpa died in a mining accident around a place called Hardburley where my Mom was born.
Mom spent summers with her aunt in that area until she was about 10. She loved it. She said even though it was a mining settlement, she had the freedom to run free there.
Mom died in 2007 and Grandma a few years earlier, but I always loved to hear the stories they told.

My Papaw was a Hyden and worked in the coal mines. He died in 1968 of black lung. My Mamaw was a Hatfield, yes kin to Devil Anse, and a very colorful person. I loved to hear her tell stories of her life. She died in 1982. I still miss them both. Thanks for sharing your memories with me.

Did you ever go to Chick's drive in. The best Onion rings.

Ron S wrote:

Did you ever go to Chick's drive in. The best Onion rings.

Yes I remember Chick's drive in. It was the place to go before the plaza.

Its a music store now. And the kids don't hang out in the plaza, anymore.

Every summer, we used to drive down south and away from Dayton, upon the Dixie Highway to old Route 15, to go down home to Berea and Rowdy, just to say "HOWDY!".

You guys make me homesick.

Ron S wrote:

Its a music store now. And the kids don't hang out in the plaza, anymore.

Wow I am getting old.

Leave it to Duke aka Leon to get into a hillbilly thread. He claims to be a magazine editor, well, if you count the East KY Jelly Mag Rag.