• Home
•  | 
• Login/Register
•  | 
• Help

The story of how Daddy got a job: By David L. Ray 2-25-1999

Daddy was out of work at the time, I think he had been laid off from the Clay Pit at Pryorsburg, Ky. It was in 1947. We were living at the "Red House" on West North Street in Mayfield, Ky. and I suppose he was drawing unemployment while he looked for a job. I was 9 years old. It was winter, and we lived a short walk of about a half block from the railroad yard where the coal was unloaded and taken in trucks to the coal yards.
Dad was down there picking up coal that had been spilled or dropped from the rail cars and coal trucks, to burn in our heater at home. Mr. James A. Wheatley, owner of Wheatley Coal and Ice Company came along and saw what Dad was doing. At first Dad was afraid he would have him arrested or run him away from the tracks, but Mr. Wheatley instead offered him a job! He went to work for Wheatley, hauling coal in the Winter and water in the Summer. He hauled water to people who had cisterns in those days instead of wells. He also hauled water to the dirt race track on the Saturday nights that they had races. Between races he spread water on the track to hold the dust down. I think he was earning $36.00 per week. I know that is the amount he was making for many years. I still marvel when I think how Mom made that $36.00 stretch the way it did, with four kids to feed, clothe, and educate! Daddy worked there many years, I wish I could say how many, until Mr. Wheatley closed the coal yard. He later worked for Mr. Wheatley again when he was in charge of the Mayfield Housing Authority. Dad did maintenance work, from mowing to painting. Note; some of the facts in this story are but a dim memory to me, and may be remembered differently by others in the family, but the basic story is accurate.

You must be logged in to post a comment regarding this story.