Federal Writers' Project – Life Histories/2021/Summer/105/Section 06/Tom Alsobrook

Tom Alsobrook
Born	Around 1866
Died	Unknown
Occupation	Cotton Mill Worker
Children	2
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Overview

Tom Alsobrook was a mill worker in Alabama during the early 20^th century. He was interviewed by the Federal Writer's Project on October 18, 1938.

Biography

Personal Life

Tom Alsobrook was born in 1866 and moved to the Cowikee Mill Village in Eufaula, Alabama with his mother, Annie Lou when he was twenty years old. There is no information about his childhood and early life. Alsobrook had two marriages, the first being with Minnie Lee Price. They had two boys by the names of Thomas and Earnest. His mother and wife passed away together leaving the two little boys with him. Thomas got run over by a wagon which ended up killing him. Earnest passed away from a bone infection in 1922. Alsobrook had a second marriage with Annie Lou Freeman in 1912. She had been working in a mill since she was 9 years old.

Working at the Mill

Interior of Magnolia Cotton Mills spinning room

The Alsobrook family spent their entire lives working in the cotton mill. They described the horrors at the mill and the strenuous work that had to be put in during this time. Alsobrook had a strict working schedule where he would work 8 hours a day for $0.30 an hour. Life in Alabama during the Great Depression was not easy by any means. Everyone had to work to provide for the family including the children. Mrs. Alsobrook began working at the mill at 9 years old. Families got up at 5 in the morning to get ready for work.

Later Life

Mr.Alsobrook and his wife spent their entire lives working at the cotton mill. After 52 years in the industry, they have essentially retired and committed to rest. They moved away from the village to a farm but visit and come back for special occasions such as voting for the Democrats.

Social Issues

Labor Issues in Cotton Mills

Cotton Mills were factories where people weaved cotton fibers into cloth. These mills were immensely important to the economy of the south. Cotton was the main crop coming from Alabama and the south. This job was not easy by any means. Workers were expected to work six 12 hour days a week. On top of that, they weren't paid very well. Wages varied from $2.50 to $12 a week depending on the position in the mill. The working conditions at these mills caused serious health issues. The cotton dust caused lung problems such as byssinosis. There was also a great deal of danger for physical injuries. The machines could take fingers and limbs when tangled up. No one was guaranteed safety and people worked with no insurance on their names. There were attempts to try and make it safer and higher-paying but the National Union of Textile Workers was not powerful enough to bring any serious change. Over the years, there were many strikes and protests. For example, in 1934 65000 mill workers from North Carolina went on a 23-day strike fighting for better conditions. They wanted to work fewer hours and get paid more. They did not succeed and were told to get back to work by President Roosevelt.

Some of the spinners in a cotton mill, Alabama, 1910

Child Labor

Child Labor was very common in Cotton Mills during the 1900s. Families were not making enough money to supply for themselves so they needed all the working power possible. A lot of mills had mill villages that supplied families with their living needs. They were not ideal and families would often be crammed in small spaces. Children would grow up in these villages living harsh lifestyles, trying to make the most of it. They would be forced to start working at the mills around ages 8 to 9. Once they reached the age of 12, these kids would be working full time under their parents. All their focus was the millwork. Children had to drop out of school and sacrifice their education. They couldn't play as much, ruining their childhood fun.