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