More Charles

As a child Charles enjoyed fishing and hunting. He especially enjoyed going hunting with his grandfather, Sam K. Rice. In addition to hunting and fishing, Charles attended school whenever he could. School was only held three months out of the year, but he was seldom able to attend the last month of school because he was needed to help with the harvest.

When Charles was 22 years old he attended a penmanship class that was being taught in the area. He had high hopes of excelling in the class. However, on the second day of class, a girl from a neighboring county joined the class and that was the end of Charles' thoughts of doing well in the class. He was absolutely smitten with the new girl and married her one year later.

Because Charles' father had recently died, when they were first married Charles and Mintie lived with his mother to help with the harvesting of the crops. Then they moved out and made a home of their own.

Times were hard in Magoffin County. Timber companies came to Kentucky in the 1890's, purchasing huge portions of land. They were followed by the coal companies, who moved in and bought mineral rights. This forced the people out of their homes and made them dependent on the coal companies for jobs. When coal was in demand the economy did well, but when coal was not in demand the economy did not do well. Some people migrated, looking for better opportunities.