OH218 Draffen Schmidt Oral History
Collection Title
Jackson Purchase Oral History Project - Kentucky Dam Project
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Series Number
OH218
Interviewee
Schmidt, Draffen
Interviewer
Hosking, Michael
Date Interviewed
November 13th, 1995
Processed by
Dieter C. Ulrich
Date Processed
November 15th, 2013
Description
1 sound disc (53 minutes)
Abstract
Draffen Schmidt recalls his experiences in rural Marshall County, Kentucky prior to the construction of the Kentucky Dam. He described hourly pay rates, being hired by the Tennessee Valley Authority, job responsibilities, working the nightshift, accidental deaths, employee injuries, safety procedures, apprenticeships and the training of workers. He mentioned relationships between management and laborer, labor unions, segregation, race relations and community activities.
Biographical/Historical Note
Draffen Schmidt was born at Marshall County, Kentucky in 1913. He worked as a water boy, laborer, and pump and crane operator for the Tennessee Valley Authority from July of 1941 until spring of 1945. He was laid off briefly in 1943. After the completion of the Kentucky Dam, he worked various construction jobs along Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. He retired in 1978.
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
Schmidt, Draffen, 1913-
Kentucky Dam (Ky.)
Marshall County (Ky.) – History.
Tennessee Valley Authority. Dams – Kentucky.
Land Between the Lakes (Ky. and Tenn.) – History
Recommended Citation
Hosking, Michael, "OH218 Draffen Schmidt Oral History" (2025). Kentucky Dam. 29.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/oh-kendam/29
Audio Transcript