Harold Paulk Henderson, Sr. Oral History Collection
OH Vandiver 32
Louise King Aiken Interviewed by Dr. Harold Paulk Henderson
Date: 09-15-93
Cassette #485 (5 Minutes)

EDITED BY DR. HENDERSON
Side One
Henderson: This is an interview with Mrs. Louise King Aiken in Governor Vandiver's home in Lavonia, September 15, 1994. My name is Hal Henderson. Good afternoon, Mrs. Aiken.
Aiken: Good afternoon, Mr. Henderson.
Henderson: Glad to have you with us this afternoon.
Aiken: I'm delighted to be here.
Henderson: I understand that you taught Governor [Samuel Ernest] Vandiver [Jr.] in the fourth grade. Would you tell us about that experience?
Aiken: Well, it was a great experience. Ernie was always a fine little boy. I don't remember having any discipline problems with him--at all. He was smart and just a good round person.
Henderson: Well, was he a good student? Did he like to study?
Aiken: Yes, he did. He was interested in everything and very active in all parts of schoolwork.
Henderson: Is there anything that stands out in your mind about Ernest Vandiver?
Aiken: Well, he always impressed me, even as little as he was, that he had the traits to develop into a wonderful man.
Henderson: Now, what were these traits that impressed you?
Aiken: Well, as I've said, he was so . . . he was a good student, and he was good with other people with his friends. He was just an all-around fine person, even as a little boy.
Henderson: Was there one particular subject that maybe he liked better than something else? [Did] he like math better than history or did he like everything?
Aiken: [Whisper] I don't remember about that.
Henderson: Do you remember his parents? Would you describe them?
Aiken: Yes, I knew his parents and they were a fine, fine couple. Of course, I knew Ms. [Vanna Bowers Osborne] Vandiver better than I did his father, but I liked him very much and I was very fond of Ms. Vandiver. She was a lovely person. We used to go to the same clubs.
Henderson: Was she a leader in the community?
Aiken: Yes.
Henderson: What were some of her activities in the community?
Aiken: [Whisper] I don't know. I don't remember.
Henderson: Anything else you would like to say about Governor Vandiver?
Aiken: Well, I remember that, when they'd take trips, you know, he'd always want me to go with `em. I thought that was great. [Laughter]
Henderson: Well, did you go with them?
Aiken: No. No, I never did, but I appreciated him wanting me to.
Henderson: Now what school is this that he's attending? Is it Lavonia . . .?
Aiken: Lavonia Grammar School.
Henderson: Grammar School. Now, how many students attended that school?
Aiken: [Whisper] I don't know.
Henderson: Okay, but it was a relatively small school?
Aiken: Well, yes. Smaller than it is now.
Henderson: Did the children have a lunchroom, or did they bring their own lunches from home or . . .? You don't remember. Okay, all right.
Aiken: I don't remember. It's been 66 years . . .
Henderson: I can understand.
Aiken: . . . And I don't remember everything.
Henderson: I can understand. Anything else you'd like to say?
Aiken: Well I'll tell you this that I told `em that I was going to get married, you know, my class, [and] after class Ernest begged me not to. [Laughter]
Henderson: Why was that?
Aiken: I don't know. [Laughter]
Henderson: He just didn't want his teacher to be married.
Aiken: I'm afraid not. [Laughter]
Henderson: Well, I want to thank you for this interview. It's been most informative.
Aiken: Well, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you anymore, but, you know, you don't remember everything that long.
Henderson: That's right. I think you did remarkably well.
Aiken: Do you?
Henderson: I do.
Aiken: Well, I hope so. I hope I did all right.
Henderson: Thank you ma'am.
End of Side One
END OF INTERVIEW