Collection Title: Jackson Purchase Oral History Project - Lifestyles
Series Number: OH95
Interviewee: Beasley, Charlie
Interviewer: Jordan, Thelma
Date interviewed: November 19, 1979
Processed by: Tara Marcum
Date processed: April 25, 2011
Description: 1 sound disc (36 minutes)
Abstract: Charlie Beasley was a native of Ballard County, Kentucky. He discusses his early childhood years and the employment opportunities he had during his life. He describes African American communities in Paducah, Mayfield and Murray, Kentucky from the 1920s to the 1950s. He mentions the 8th of August celebration or “Colored Folk’s Day” at Paducah and also describes his encounters with racism by employers and community members.
Biographical / Historical note: Charlie Beasley was born in Ballard County, Kentucky on August 7, 1906. His mother and father were both farmers. Charlie had five brothers and two sisters. Charlie attended Bethel/Barlow church for his education. During his adolescence, Charlie cut tobacco. In 1922, Charlie moved to St. Louis to work for a contractor that constructed railroad switches. He then relocated to Mayfield to work for the company of Bradley and Wilson that assisted in the construction of Highway 60. In 1952, he moved to Paducah where he helped construct local shops downtown. Charlie moved to Murray, Kentucky in 1955. He retired in 1971.
General information: No user access to original recordings. Use audio user copies, digital derivatives, transcripts, and/or tape indexes. This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Permission for reproduction must be requested from Murray State University.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
Beasley, Charlie, 1906-
African Americans – Kentucky – Ballard Kentucky.
African Americans – Kentucky – Paducah.
African Americans – Kentucky – Mayfield.
African Americans – Kentucky – Murray.
Ballard County (Ky.) – History.
Paducah (Ky.)
Mayfield (Ky.)-History
Murray (Ky.)-History
St. Louis (Mo.)
