History: Paoli, Indiana

James A. Babcock, born in 1937, is a long-time resident of Paoli, Indiana. He was educated in its public schools and later returned to the area after college and serving in the United States Army. He became a teacher, assistant principal, and then principal of Paoli High School. He describes growing up in a rural area outside of Paoli, including the advent of plumbing, telephone, electricity, and home appliances. He also discusses leisure activities and the one-time social importance of the Orange County courthouse square. Further, he describes how the community viewed World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights and Women's Rights movements. Finally, he discusses the evolving state of the community and its school system.

Marshall Howard "Bill" Barnes was born in 1915 in Williams, Indiana, and spent the great majority of his life in Paoli, Indiana. He recalls life in the town over the years, especially in the nineteen twenties and nineteen thirties regarding automobiles, leisure activities, and schooling. He also describes the myriad of jobs he held over the years, including painter, fireman, newspaperman, clock custodian (for the Paoli courthouse clock), and movie projectionist. The interview was never completed due to the illness and subsequent death of the interviewee.

Hazel Laura Bosley, born on May 11, 1899, recalls her childhood and life at the beginning of the twentieth century, including growing up in a log home with eight siblings and her parents. She discusses the Great Depression, during which she and her family canned beans, vegetables, and fruit, made butter, and ground wheat into flour for themselves. She remembers horse-driven school wagons in Paoli, Indiana, her one-room school, and her chores and family life. In addition, she comments on the children's games she played, cooking in that time period, the traditions of Sunday dinner after attending church, quilting, and homemakers' clubs.

Cora Brown, born on April 5, 1913, recalls her youth and life in Paoli, Indiana. She describes farm and small town life in the area before and after World War I. She discusses automobiles, the importance of the Baptist church to community activities, and community life in general. In addition, she comments on the women's rights movement, the tumultuous decade of the nineteen sixties, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and local economic changes. She also speaks of her uncle's death in a robbery by Clyde Barrow, of Bonnie and Clyde fame, and notes their deaths.

Bethel Cornwell, born in 1915 and a graduate of Paoli High School, discusses her childhood and education in Orange County and reflects on various changes during her lifetime. Cornwell details the circumstances of her daily life as a child and later her experience as a college student in Terre Haute. She also elaborates on her career as a teacher. The interview offers insight into Paoli and surrounding towns during the Great Depression and considers the various societal and technological changes that have taken place in the last seventy years.

Paoli resident Brenda Cornwell, born in 1948, discusses her life in the town. She recalls Saturday night social gatherings, high school sports, school, Vietnam, and national events such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy. She shares her thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of living in a small town.

Mable Davis, born 1897, discusses her life growing up in a small town in the early twentieth century through her married years. She recalls school, courting, social events, and the emergence of the automobile. She discusses the impact of national events such as World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, and women's rights.

Musician Lotus Dickey, born in 1911, in Muncie, Indiana, speaks about his family genealogy, factory work, world wars, and the technological changes that occurred during his life. He shares anecdotes about his and his parents' lives, such as his father's strength, walking to school, or visiting the home of Annie Oakley.

Arthur Dillard, born in 1938, discusses his life in Paoli, Indiana. His earliest memories are of patriotism and the return of World War II veterans, followed by the Korean War and McCarthyism. Later, during college, he recalls the death of President John F. Kennedy, Vietnam, and the hippie movement. Dillard has fond memories of Paoli and describes both the advantages and disadvantages of living in a small town.

Lucille Dillard, born in 1918, grew up in Paoli, Indiana. She recounts her early childhood experiences about World War I, school, home life, strawberry picking, Prohibition, and the Great Depression. During World War II, she and her husband moved around the country to work on construction of defense plants, and later she recalls her experience in factory work, particularly sewing. She also discusses social events, holidays, celebrations, and the benefits of living in a small town.

Winston Flick and his wife Evelyn, graduates of French Lick and Paoli High Schools, respectively, discuss their experiences as part-time farmers in Orange County. Evelyn Flick reflects on her years of working outside the home as a bookkeeper. They provide details about daily life on the farm, particularly when they were milking cows. The Flicks speak about the square in Paoli and the Saturday evening activities held there. They also mention some of the changes that have taken place and believe that people will return to a life in the country.

Mabel Fultz, born in 1927, and her aunt Ethel Hollen, born in 1910, discuss their early childhoods, family genealogy, socializing around the town square, and home life. Hollen relates her experiences working in the basket factory during the Great Depression, piece work, and discusses the other factories in the area. The impact of the Quaker church is mentioned several times including its slave cemetery and underground railroad. Finally, part of a tape of Fultz's father was played in which he discusses goods prices, a fire at the basket factory, and basketball.

Mabel Gray, born in 1912, reflects on her life with Add Gray and their country store, Punkin Center, which opened in 1922. She talks about how the store opened and why it was a success. She describes the store's atmosphere and the services it provided. She also discusses the kind of customers that came in. Mrs. Gray discusses the circumstances of the store's closing in 1970 and its current status as an historic building. She also addresses the changes in modern society and the diminishing population in the area.

Exum Hall, born in 1928 and a graduate of Paoli High School, discusses his early memories and life-long commitment to farming. He is joined later in the interview by his wife, Blanche, who recounts how the couple met. Mr. Hall describes life on the farm and goes into detail about the various changes in farming that have taken place during his lifetime.

Irene Hickman, born in 1924, reflects on her life in Paoli. She recalls her childhood in the country (Bacon, Indiana) and the struggles her family endured because of numerous children and poverty. She talks about birth control and regrets her mother's inability to talk about such things with her daughters. Mrs. Hickman, who attended Paoli High School, discusses her career as a sewer for Paoli Chair Company (now Paoli Incorporated). She then talks about dating and speaks about positive and negative changes in Paoli.

Lloyd Hill, born in 1898, recounts over sixty years of business in Paoli, beginning in 1921 with the opening of a bakery. He recalls the long hours, prices, and other businesses open during this time. Later, the bakery was converted to a hardware store. Hill also mentions the "loafing" about the town square, cars, his education, and courthouse fires during his years in business.

Donald Hooten, born in 1939, discusses the grocery store he and his family operated beginning in the early nineteen forties and its growth and development. Hooten also mentions his experience on the town board and Chamber of Commerce, zoning debates, and the way progress has changed the town.

Gerald Jackson, born in 1946, teaches agriculture at Paoli High School. He recounts his experiences growing up around Paoli with farming, college, Vietnam, and his family history. He also discusses education, politics, religion, and the changes in Paoli over his lifetime.

Blanche Lashbrook, born in 1900 and a graduate of Paoli High School, provides insight into her childhood and early memories of Orange County. She discusses her family history and describes a very early roadtrip (circa 1920) from Indiana to Miami, Florida. She discusses her mother's independence and adventurous spirit, her brief marriage, and her interest in sports, primarily golf and flying airplanes.

Christopher Lindley, born in 1968, relates the history and influence of the Quakers in the Paoli area, and how they have changed. He also discusses his family history, personal experiences away at school, the attitudes of rural versus town people, and the emergence of Paoli as a commuter town.

Elizabeth Hollan Mathers, born in 1930, reflects on her life, her family, and her first husband's clothing store. She discusses her parents' background and early memories of childhood. She moves on to mention her early working experience and the role she played in her husband's business, Hollan's Men's Wear. She speaks of her love for square dancing and ponders the future of Paoli as well as the advantages and disadvantages of living in a small town.

Mable Miller, born in 1900, a long time resident of Paoli, Indiana, talks about the businesses that surrounded the town square during the early part of the century. Later, she discusses her memories of World War I, Saturday nights around the square, marriage, the Quaker religion, and the celebration of Decoration Day.

Benjamin Minton, born in 1906, lived in Paoli for over eighty years. He talks about his family, experiences in school, various jobs, and the differences in attitude towards neighbors over time. Heavy emphasis is given to description of jobs and wages, such as the furniture company, tomato factory, and handle factory. He also discusses life during the Great Depression.

Harold Minton, a graduate of Indiana University, discusses his experiences and background. He begins by describing his early memories of childhood, specifically his school days during World War II. He also talks about his parents and relates his experience in the medical corps in Germany during the Korean War. He speaks of his education at Indiana University and his career in banking. He also describes some of the advantages of living in Paoli, such as community events, and reflects on some of the changes he has witnessed during his lifetime.

Harold Morris, born 1939, grew up in Paoli, Indiana, moved away, and finally returned. He discusses the town square on Saturday nights, school, and farm life. He discusses changes in Paoli during his absence through the sixties, Vietnam, and the loss of factories. He also talks about his reasons for moving back to the area and the differences between Paoli and a big city, such as neighbor friendliness.

Stephanie Nicholson, born in 1972, gives a younger person's view of life in Paoli, Indiana. She discusses her thoughts on staying in Paoli, available activities, school, class distinctions, and the influx of newcomers to the area.

Richard Oakley, born 1929, worked over thirty years for the United States Postal Service in Paoli, Indiana. He recalls his family life during the Great Depression, social events, and school. He also compares the attitude about soldiers during World War II with his service during the Korean War and later during Vietnam. His views about living in a small town and the future of Paoli are also represented.

Longtime Paoli businessman Duane Radcliffe, born in 1932, talks about his shift from the hardware business to the furniture business. He discusses other businesses, the town square, reasons for the shift, types of customers, and effects of progress on the town. Later, he describes social life in Paoli, such as the Indiana Summer Festival and the Countdown Parade, and the influence of the Jaycees on the young businessmen of the community.

Paoli variety store operator John Roberts, born in 1905, describes business since 1936. He discusses the role of a jobber, increased business on Saturdays and holidays, viability of the town square, and the ability to provide competitively priced items. He also shares his memories of Paoli during World War II, Vietnam, the politics of the town, and working on the town board.

Leigha Rutherford, born in 1969, shares her enthusiastic devotion to Paoli. An Indiana University Southeast student, she discusses her previous working experience and future goals. She also talks about her recent engagement and slight reluctance to leave home. She reveals her best memories of Paoli and her intentions to remain in her hometown and become an elementary school teacher.

Louanne Rutherford, born in 1947 and a lifelong resident of Paoli, recalls her best memories of the town. She shares some of her family history and how she and her husband met. During most of the interview, she discusses the changes Paoli has experienced throughout her life; for example, she thinks that there is a general lack of things to do for youngsters. She also speaks about her high school experiences and expresses regret at not having been more politically aware in the 1960s.

Alta Slaton, born in 1909 and a graduate of Paoli High School, provides a perspective on Paoli during the first half of the twentieth century. She relates some of her family history and many early memories having to do with food and clothing rationing, World War II, and coping with substance abuse in her family. She also tells the story of her great aunt's murder.

Owen Stout, born in 1903, discusses his family history, three careers, and his philosophy of life. The first interview begins with a description of Mr. Stout's family history, including his grandfather's experience during the Civil War. He describes life on the farm and his school days. Mr. Stout moves on to speak about his teaching career and love for chemistry, which inspired him to work as a chemist during the Great Depression. He then describes his successful printing business. Mr. Stout also discusses his passion for music and poetry and the second interview ends with the recitation of a poem he wrote entitled, "Old Hickory Ridge."

This interview, entitled "Old Tyme Music Party," consists of many hymns and Owen Stout's music at home, including Lotus Dickey. This is an example of the music parties Mr. Stout discusses in his earlier interviews.

Susan Terrell, born and raised in Millersburg, Indiana, talks about growing up in Orange County. She discusses her high school experiences and her college studies in New Albany, Indiana. She speaks about her former jobs, and expresses her wish to leave Paoli after she gets married. Ms. Terrell also speculates about the future of Paoli.

Paul Waynick, born 1917, describes his experiences in the insurance and real estate business in Paoli. Many interesting encounters including law suits, the mafia, Saturday business, and strip clubs. Scattered throughout are stories of his family history, childhood, church, employment, the town square, and remembrances of folklore stories.

Anne Wellman, born in the 1940s, grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Paoli after college and the Navy. She describes her attitude about college, the Navy, and being a Navy wife. After moving to Paoli, she became quite active in activities such as church, school band, and Cub Scouts, which has allowed her to know many of the young people her children associate with.

Peggy Wellman, born 1957, talks about growing up around Paoli. She recalls schools, chores on the farm, "trading" on the square, Saturday shopping, and the women's movement. After marriage, she lived in several places and compares them with Paoli, especially in regard to neighbors and the helpfulness of town people. She ends with expectations for her children, quality of life in a small town, and the child raising environment in a small town versus a larger community.

Richard Wellman, born in 1956, recalls his memories of Paoli as a child. He provides a bit of his family history and addresses the many changes he has witnessed in Paoli, such as the decline of local businesses and the activities of children. Mr. Wellman goes into detail about his memories of the 1960s and 1970s during the Vietnam War. He speaks of how Paoli residents reacted to the hippie movement, women's lib, and the Civil Rights Movement.

William, born 1919, and Mary Wheeler, born 1920, talking about their early childhood and life. He discusses his early employment, joining the Air Force during World War II, comparisons between Kentucky and Indiana, and living in Paoli after the war. He later gives his views about current job opportunities, college education, politics, and minimum wage. She discusses her employment during World War II, how the two of them met, and corrects or emphasizes details to William's discussions.