Jefferson Robinette was born in 1891. In 1979, UNC researchers recorded his story so later generations could understand his life. He was raised in Charlotte by James and Martha Robinette. James worked as a textile worker and his mother worked in the home. Jefferson began work at Plaid Mill textile manufacturing plant, Burlington, North Carolina, in 1917. Nine years later, his plant was bought by Spencer Love of Burlington Industries. Robinette retired from Burlington Industries forty years later, in 1966, having spent most of his Burlington career working in Plaid Mill's dye room. He never made much money, he said in 1979, but he thought he did well considering his education. Listen to Robinette (369K) explain the situation. (text only with reference)

Robinette also recalled a violent strike in 1934. The United Textile Workers attempted to unionize Plaid Mill plant that year (picture of the plant to the right). gifMany workers continued their tasks inside the plant, while others left their positions in protest of low wages. Two employees later exploded dynamite outside the plant during the night. No one was hurt during the explosion. Robinette recalled the national guard (358K) being called in to disperse the picketers. (text only with reference)


Icy Norman grew up in the coal hills of West Virginia. She was born in 1908 to David Norman, a coal miner, and Charity Norman, a home maker. She worked at a shoe factory in Wilkes County, West Virginia, until 1929, when she moved to Burlington. Burlington's Plaid Mill plant needed weavers, and plant managers hired Icy. She worked for Burlington Industries until 1973, when she retired at age 65.

She vividly remembers the strike in 1934. Months before the strike, union organizers lobbied workers outside Burlington factories. Beside the dynamite incident, she remembered shooting and rock throwing(908K) at both the Plaid Mill plant and another factory.(text only with reference)

Comparing rural West Virginia life and life in Burlington, Icy said she preferred living in the country. Listen to Icy(1.1M) explain her views on city life.(text only with reference)

Inside a textile plant dye room



Lloyd Davidson was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia in 1902. His father worked as a mill worker in Virginia and his mother worked at home. Davidson followed his father into the textile mills. In 1932, he lost his job in Virginia because of a plant closure. "Everything was closing at that time just about," he told an interviewer in 1979. A North Carolina relative said Burlington Industries in North Carolina was growing despite the depression and needed workers. Davidson worked at the Plaid Mill plant as a weaver until 1962 when he retired.

Davidson recalled (521K) the 1934 Plaid Mill strike.(text only with reference) He disagreed with the striker's cause and refused to join the picket lines. He did testify at the trial of one man later convicted for dynamiting Plaid Mill. Please listen to Lloyd tell the story (670K).(text only with reference)

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