The 1930s were the most violent period in Harlan, County. These men were our fathers and grandfathers, history has not been kind to many pioneer men that reaped the rewards by the sweat of his neighbors brow. From the Governors office July 2, 1935 Ruby Laffoon. Governor Of the Commonwealth Of Kentucky upon affidavits filed with me hereby charge that Theodore Middleton, Sheriff of Harlan County with neglect of official duty committed in manner and form as follows. 1. That the Sheriff of Harlan County, since he qualified and entered upon the duties of said office on or about January 1, 1934, he has, at the request and solicitation of various coal operators at Lynch, Benham, and many other mining camps and operations in Harlan County., appointed Deputy sheriffs of Harlan County, many of whom at the time of said appointment were known by said sheriff to be and to have been men with criminal records and who have been convicted of felonies in Harlan County and other Counties and were men whom he knew at said time to be and to have been dangerous and violent men and men whose reputation were that of being dangerous, vicious and violent men and these said deputy's sheriffs were appointed for the purpose that they might be employed by various coal operators in Harlan County and for the express purpose of harassing, intimidating, and preventing members and field representatives of the United Mine Workers of America from coming into Harlan County and among the miners of Harlan County for the purpose soliciting said miners to become members of the labor organization know as United Mine Workers of America Notes History on the Sheriff; Theodore Middleton Documented by Court Records Putting our history together as it happened. Salary from 1930 to Dec 1933 $ 150.00 wk or $1,800 year Documented: Theodore Middleton as a youngster lived on his parents farm in Harlan, Ky. He joined the military prior to World War One. He was released from the service the year of 1919 after serving for two years in war. He worked for a short period for the Middleton Coal Co, owned by his mother and incorporated as Middleton Coal Company.In the later part of 1919, Theodore operated a poolroom, barber shop and lunch stand in Evarts, Ky. In 1921 he operated a grocery store at Evarts. Theodore left Harlan County, 1922 traveled out west and was employed as a truck driver in Minneapolis. After leaving Minneapolis, he moved to Tacoma, Washington and was a real estate salesman from 1923 to 1925. In the later part of 1925, Theodore went back to Harlan County and operated a restaurant from 1926 to 1928 in Harlan, Ky. Theodore became a patrolman for Harlan Town the year of 1930. 1932 he was appointed Chief of Police and served as chief until he was elected Sheriff January 1, 1934. Theodore's salary as patrolman and Chief of Police was $150.00 a month or $ 1,800 a year. He leased 100 ( (Dairy) farm acres at Baxter, owning 40 head of cattle. Theodore sold milk to Harlan and Louellen at 15 cents a quart and to the Coal Company commissaries at 11 cents.( Sells 700 quarts daily) His sold milk to the following Coal Commissaries: Green Silvers; Clover Splint Coal Company; High Splint Coal Company; Verda Supply co; Black Star Coal Co; Creech Coal Co. He owns a 409 acres farm near Pennington Gap, Va with 100 herd of cattle, sheep, hogs and horse stock. Theodore and wife owns city lots in Minneapolis and an interest in an estate in Tocoma. Owner of two city buildings in Harlan ( Income from Harlan buildings yearly $3,425). Theodore Middleton was the sheriff of Harlan and owned 230 shares in the Crummies Creek Coal Company; One fifth ownership of the William Coal Co, at La Follette, Tenn, incorporated at $ 75,000. Theodore and his wife owned a total of 75 shares in the Green Silvers Coal Co. Mr Middleton and his wife owned 50 shares in the Verda Supply Co;( $ 2,400 stock dividends yearly ). He owns a 409 acres near Pennington Gap, Va with 100 herd of cattle, sheep, hogs and horse stock. 600 hundred acres of coal land in Harlan,, known as The Harlan Wallins Coal Corporation at Molus.( 9 cents a ton minimum guarantee of $ 10,000 ). Elva Harlan County Researcher