| My Dad and Mom... Clinton Fleming, b. 04 May 1926 in McRoberts, Letcher Co., KY. Retired coal miner of over 40 years. Made Letcher Co., his home for nearly all his life. Clinton married Lessie Mae Johnson on Dec. 24, 1942 at the Whitesburg Courthouse. She is the daughter of Kennis and Caldonia Johnson. |
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In January of 1842, at only 16 years old, he was hired first in the coal mine at Hemphill. His dad and two brothers, Tom and Ezra, were already working at the mine. Elkhorn Coal was well established in eastern KY. The only good paying jobs were in the mine. Walking to work every day, Clinton appreciated the job very much.
He met Lessie while walking back and forth to work. She lived along the way and would watch for him every evening. With only $10. to his name they decided to go to Whitesburg and marry. It cost $5. for the license and $2. for the Taxi. They began their life together with $3. Within a few months after their wedding Clinton was called to register in the army. WWII was in full swing. When he had to reveal his age, 17, to the government, the mine laid him off because he wasn't 18 years old. However when he became 18 he immediately went back to work in the mine.
Lessie was the middle child of Kennis and Caldonia. She was raised at a time when toys were rare. She only had a few dolls as a child. She is the mainstay of the family. Everyone goes to her with problems and seeks advice. She has suffered greatly over her children. Many accuse her of being a worry wort. She worked several months in a little grocery store in Grassy Fork for her brother and sister-in-law in the early sixties. Roscoe owned the little feed/grocery store just above the mouth of Grassey and Lessie worked several hours a week. Clinton was inbetween jobs. Southeast had gone non-union and he had not yet been hired at Beth-Elkhorn. The sixties were difficult years for Clinton and Lessie. Family problems were great. Clinton would have three brothers killed in the mine and also his Dad would pass away. Clinton and Lessie have lived several places in Pike and Letcher Counties. Most of their time has been spent in Letcher. Lessie continues to cook and take care of her family. Clinton is now retired nearly 38 years of UMWA credit. Hobbies for the both of them is a sincere love for their family.