Jewish Grocer and His Wife Prosecuted for Using Their Savings to Feel Starving Kentucky Miners: Indi

How a Jewish grocer, Harry Appleman, and his wife, of Evarts, in Harlan County, Kentucky, used up their savings to supply flour to the starving miners of Harlan County who have been dismissed for joining the union, and fed forty and fifty children daily, until they were prosecuted through the instigation of the Black Mountain Coal Corporation, was revealed at a hearing held at Frankfort, Kentucky before the Commission appointed by former Governor Sampson to investigate conditions in Harlan County.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Appleman have for twelve years conducted a general store in Evarts. The Applemans, immigrants from Poland, had saved up some money to buy a motor-car, and this money they used last Passover to purchase a carload of flour, which was given away in 24 pound bags, regardless of creed or colour, to needy families in Evarts and the surroundings, so long as the supply lasted.

As soon as the flour was distributed the Applemans were arrested, and indicted for criminal syndicalism. Mr. Appleman was forced to go into hiding.

Mrs. Appleman testified that when she asked the prosecuting attorney what he had against her and her husband, he said that he had nothing against them, only the Black Mountain Coal Corporation did not like the fact that the Applemans were feeding the starving miners and their children. Later the indictment was dismissed.

Commenting on the case, the Governor’s Commission states:

Here it seems that the finest trait and virtue, charity, was ill rewarded by the authorities. Mrs. Appleman’s testimony should be read in full for its probative value lies in the detail of circumstances she relates. The Commissioners taking her testimony were greatly-impressed by her sincerity. It is the testimony of a good and truthful woman.