Document Type

Finding Aid

Publication Date

2013

Abstract

Mr. Taylor is an attorney from Charleston, WV that fought for the legal and labor rights of workers across the United States. The majority of the people that Taylor represented were members of unions, including both the United Auto Workers [UAW] and the United Mine Workers of America [UMWA]. Taylor's clients fought to secure access to health benefits and the improvement of working conditions. A large portion of the collection centers on Black Lung cases in West Virginia. In 1982, Taylor and his colleagues organized a group of clients to travel to Washington, D.C. in order to attend the Black Lung Lobby.

The most important case that Taylor was involved with focused on former UMWA presidential candidate Fred Carter. Carter, a sixty-one year old resident of Kimberly, WV, was charged with impersonating a federal officer and illegally accepting money from Black Lung claimants. The former Black Lung activist was indicted in August of 1982 and faced a maximum sentence of eleven years in prison and a fine of approximately $11,000.

The materials contained in this collection are primarily personal notes and research pertaining to Taylor's cases, correspondence between his clients and office, newspaper articles, memorandums, meeting agendas, and travel receipts. Various documents, including flyers, placards, broadsides, and newsletters, relate to both labor and environmental organizations.

Rights

Special collections material is obtained from many sources and is intended primarily for research and educational purposes. Certain works may be protected by copyright, trademark, or related interests not governed by the department. It is up to the researcher to verify that they have permission to use these materials for publication or other activities.

Accession Number

2013/04.0809

Access and Use

For more information or to use any of these collections, contact:
Special Collections, Morrow Library
Marshall University
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
(304) 696-2343
speccoll@marshall.edu

Comments

Span Dates: 1969-2007

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