William E. Jenner and Indiana Politics, 1971-1974
A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University
Bloomington
Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for
the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the
Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002
Overview of the Collection
Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu
Creator
Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory
TitleWilliam E. Jenner and Indiana Politics, 1971-1974
Project No.
ohrc103
Interviews
18 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral
materials.
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University
Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews
from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Language
Materials are in English.
Abstract
This collection of interviews primarily delves into the Republican
view of Indiana politics from the nineteen twenties to the early nineteen
sixties. Major emphasis is placed on both state and national elections and
conventions from 1940-1948. The project contains discussions of political
campaigns (including finances), the patronage system, and legislation battles.
The interviews also reflect on William Jenner by describing his character,
beliefs, and influence on Republican politics in Indiana.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains eighteen interviews conducted over four years. The interviews range from 25 to 180 minutes. All
interviews consist of audio tapes and typed transcripts.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the
history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open
to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies
are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any
restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier
(pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript
(deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for
patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that
interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview.
Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be
used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession
number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last
name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University,
Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape
number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Interview List
Interviewee
Billings, Claude
January 8,
1971
Call Number
71-002
Physical Description
56 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 135 minutes; index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Claude Billings, born 1904 and died 1985, owned and operated the
Republican
Akron News in Akron, Indiana from
1932 until 1962. During that time he served in several positions in the
Republican state committee and the Indiana Republican Editorial Association. He
speaks about Indiana politics during that time, particularly Senator William
Jenner's run for governor in 1948. He discusses several other election years
during that period and gives insights into his own involvement. After he sold
the newspaper in 1962, he worked for several papers and ends the interview
describing his duties as advisor to the Indiana State University student
paper.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
-
Akron News
- Indiana Republican Editorial Association
- Indiana State University
- Ku Klux Klan
- Republican Party
-
-
Occupation Names
- journalist
- state committee secretary
-
-
Personal Names
- Capehart, Homer Earl, Jr.
- Creighton, Hobart W.
- Eisenhower, Dwight David
- Gates, Ralph F.
- Hillis, Glenn
- Lyons, Robert W.
- Morris, Ernest
- Schricker, Henry F.
- Willkie, Wendell L.
-
-
Place Names
- Akron, Indiana
- Fulton County, Indiana
- Terre Haute, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- 1940 Republican National Convention
- 1948 Indiana gubernatorial election
Interviewee
Brokenburr, Robert L.
May 7,
1971
Call Number
71-013
Physical Description
16 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 40 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Robert Brokenburr, born 1886 and died 1974, was a Republican
state senator for twenty years. He speaks about his political experience during
that time, particularly his involvement in integrating the IHSAA. He also
discusses his dealings with William Jenner during their time serving together.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Bull Moose Party
- Indiana High School Athletic Association
- United Nations
-
-
Occupation Names
- state senator
-
-
Subjects
- 1958 Indiana Right to Work Bill
- athletic association integration
- racial discrimination
- racial inequities
Interviewee
Cast, Alvin C.
August 30,
1971
Call Number
71-042
Physical Description
20 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 50 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Alvin Cast, born 1901, entered politics somewhat reluctantly in
1950 by becoming precinct committeeman. By 1954, he was elected state chairman
for the Republican Party. He speaks about how he was elected to these
positions, and the opposition he received from William Jenner. He describes
Jenner as vindictive towards his opponents.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University
-
-
Occupation Names
- Indiana Republican chairman
-
-
Personal Names
- Capehart, Homer Earl, Jr.
- Craig, George N.
- Halleck, Charles A.
- Handley, Harold W.
- Parker, Crawford F.
-
-
Place Names
- Newton County, Indiana
Interviewee
Clark, Donald H.
June 23,
1971
Call Number
71-024
Physical Description
16 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 40 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Donald Clark, born 1914, worked at the Indiana State Board of
Accounts, and served as budget director under Governor George Craig. He speaks
about the split in the Republican Party between the Craig and Jenner
factions.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana Board of Accounts
-
-
Occupation Names
- budget director
-
-
Personal Names
- Craig, George N.
- Millis, Frank T.
-
Interviewee
Creighton, Hobart W.
July 20, 1971
Call Number
71-022
Physical Description
31 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 75 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Hobart Creighton, born 1896 and died 1976, was nominated to nine
terms in the Indiana House from 1932-1948, serving as speaker the last six
years. In 1948, he beat out William Jenner to become the Republican nominee for
governor, but lost to Henry Schricker. He speaks about his duties as speaker,
and the committees and bills he worked on.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- American Poultry Association
- Indiana Budget Committee
-
-
Occupation Names
- Indiana House speaker
-
-
Personal Names
- Burch, Alvan V.
- Dewey, Thomas E.
- Helmke, Walter E.
- McNutt, Paul V.
-
-
Place Names
- Kosciusko County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- 1948 Indiana gubernatorial election
- Republican Party split
- Ripper Bills
Interviewee
Curtis, Carl T.
March 1,
1974
Call Number
73-015
Physical Description
17 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 40 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Carl Curtis, born 1905 and died 2000, was a United States
representative (R) and later served as United States senator (R) from Nebraska.
He served in the senate from 1955-1979. The early part of his service was with
William Jenner. He describes Jenner's personality, such as taking disagreements
hard, and tells several stories that illustrate Jenner's wit. He also speaks
about the types of issues Jenner favored.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- House Rules and Administration Committee
-
-
Personal Names
- Capehart, Homer Earl, Jr.
- Eisenhower, Dwight David
- Halleck, Charles A.
- Marshall, George M.
- McCarthy, Joseph R.
-
-
Place Names
- Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
-
-
Subjects
- Bricker Amendment
- foreign aid
Interviewee
Fleming, Charles F.
February 28,
1974
Call Number
74-001
Physical Description
39 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 90 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Charles Fleming, born 1909, was a Democrat and served as the
Indiana secretary of state during Henry Schricker's second term as governor. He
speaks about the tension between Governor Schricker and William Jenner over the
Ripper Bills. He also discusses Schricker's fiscal philosophy, his thoughts on
political patronage, and the welfare problem regarding the secrecy of
documents.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
-
-
Occupation Names
- Indiana secretary of state
-
-
Personal Names
- Branigan, Roger D.
- Craig, George N.
- McNutt, Paul V.
- Schricker, Henry F.
- Vermillion, Walter
- Welsh, Matthew V.
-
-
Subjects
- fiscal policies
- political campaigns
- political patronage
- Ripper Bills
- welfare controversy
Interviewee
Gray, Hugh
May 19,
1973
Call Number
73-007
Physical Description
29 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 70 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Hugh Gray, born 1904, served as Martin County, Indiana
Republican chairman from 1950 until 1964. William E. Jenner was also from the
area, and Gray speaks about their close ties, including partnership in a log
cabin retreat. He describes political patronage through the state and briefly
discusses the 1940 gubernatorial campaign and the 1948 Republican convention.
As county chairman, he knew and speaks about the local politics in Loogootee
and the surrounding locales.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University
- Loogootee School Board
-
-
Occupation Names
- Republican county chairperson
-
-
Personal Names
- Capehart, Homer Earl, Jr.
- Craig, George N.
- Emmert, James
- Fenton, Harry C.
- McNutt, Paul V.
- Schricker, Henry F.
- Tucker, James M.
-
-
Place Names
- Bloomington, Indiana
- Loogootee, Indiana
- Paoli, Indiana
- Shoals, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- 1940 Indiana gubernatorial campaign
- 1948 Republican National Convention
- Catholicism
- Democrats
- local politics
- political patronage
Interviewee
Halleck, Charles A.
July 22,
1971
Call Number
71-041
Physical Description
9 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 25 minutes; no index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Charles Halleck, born 1900, was elected as United States
representative (R) from Indiana in 1935 during a special election. He speaks
about being a delegate to the 1952 Republican National Convention. He also
briefly discusses his involvement in nominating Wendell Willkie.
-
Keywords
-
-
Occupation Names
- United States representative
-
-
Personal Names
- Watson, James E.
- Willis, Raymond E.
- Willkie, Wendell L.
- Springer, Henry Clark
-
-
Subjects
- Republican conventions
Interviewee
Helmke, Walter E.
October 11,
1973
Call Number
73-013
Physical Description
15 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 40 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Walter Helmke, born 1901 and died 1976, was a Republican who
served as prosecuting attorney and county chairman from Allen County, Indiana.
He speaks about his involvement in local politics, and the support he gave to
various political personalities while he was active in politics. In 1948, he
attempted to become the gubernatorial candidate for the Republican Party, but
withdrew in support of Hobart Creighton. He speaks briefly about his decision
and what effect it may have had.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University
-
-
Occupation Names
- county chairperson
- prosecuting attorney
-
-
Personal Names
- Burch, Alvan V.
- Creighton, Hobart W.
- Gates, Ralph F.
-
-
Place Names
- Allen County, Indiana
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- local politics
- Republican conventions
Interviewee
Hill, Herbert R.
February 18,
1974
Call Number
73-016
Physical Description
Not transcribed; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 180
minutes
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Restricted: Contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Scope and Content Note
Herbert R. Hill, born 1900 and died 1985, speaks about Indiana
politics between the nineteen forties and nineteen sixties.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Republican Party
-
-
Subjects
- political campaigns
Interviewee
Jackson, Nyle M.
March 3,
1974
Call Number
73-014
Physical Description
42 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 100 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Nyle Jackson, born 1914 and died 1984, worked as administrative
assistant to Earl Wilson and William Jenner. He speaks about the political
friction that developed between Wilson and Jenner since they were both from the
same home town. He discusses some of the committees Jenner worked on, and the
types of situations they handled. Jackson also describes Jenner's wit and tells
some anecdotes about him.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- House Internal Security Subcommittee
- Republican Party
- Senate Rules Committee
-
-
Occupation Names
- administrative assistant
-
-
Personal Names
- Adams, Sherman
- Byrd, Harry F., Sr.
- Capehart, Homer Earl, Jr.
- Craig, George N.
- McCarthy, Joseph R.
- Nixon, Richard Milhous
- Wilson, Earl
-
-
Place Names
- Bedford, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- Bricker Amendment
- committee hearings
- Communism
- party factions
- political bribes
- political patronage
Interviewee
Manion, Clarence "Pat"
May 31,
1973
Call Number
73-017
Physical Description
15 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 35 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Clarence Manion, born 1896 and died 1979, was the School of Law
dean at Notre Dame University. He was heavily behind the Bricker Amendment and
speaks about his involvement in delivering speeches in its support. He also
speaks about William Jenner's role in the Bricker Amendment as well as the 1952
Republican convention.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- House Internal Security Subcommittee
- Notre Dame University
- Republican Party
-
-
Occupation Names
- law school dean
-
-
Personal Names
- Holman, Frank
- McCarran, Patrick A.
- Taft, Robert A., Sr.
-
-
Subjects
- Bricker Amendment
- Communism
- international treaties
- World War II
Interviewee
Millis, Frank T.
May 5,
1971
Call Number
71-014
Physical Description
29 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 70 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Frank Millis, born 1895 and died 1991, was a Republican who
served in several positions in state government from representative to auditor
and treasurer. He speaks about running William Jenner's campaigns for governor
in 1940 and 1948. He discusses the charge to remove the 2 percent rule and
wonders where the money for campaigns will now come from.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Republican Party
- State Defense Council
-
-
Occupation Names
- state auditor
- state representative
- state treasurer
-
-
Personal Names
- Capehart, Homer Earl, Jr.
- Tucker, James M.
-
-
Place Names
- Paoli, Indiana
- Washington County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- 1940 Indana gubernatorial campaign
- Full Crew Bill
- political campaign finances
- political elections
Interviewee
Springer, Henry Clark
July 21, 1971
Call Number
71-023
Physical Description
40 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 95 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Henry Clark Springer, born 1894 and died 1980, served as De Kalb
County, Indiana Republican chairman and chairman of the Indiana Republican
Central Committee. He speaks about his involvement in Republican conventions,
especially 1948. He talks about being a delegate to several national
conventions, and discusses several prominent politicians in the state from the
nineteen twenties to the nineteen fifties.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana Republican Central Committee
- Indiana University
- Ku Klux Klan
- Republican Party
-
-
Occupation Names
- attorney
- county chairperson
- organization chairperson
-
-
Personal Names
- Gates, Ralph F.
- Lyons, Robert W.
- Minton, Sherman
- Schricker, Henry F.
- Van Nuys, Frederick
- Watson, James E.
- Willis, Raymond E.
- Willkie, Wendell L.
- Yeager, John
-
-
Place Names
- Bloomington, Indiana
- De Kalb County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- 1948 Republican National Convention
- independent voters
- Republican conventions
Interviewee
Tucker, James M.
May 12,
1971
Call Number
71-012
Physical Description
36 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 85 minutes; index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
James Tucker, born 1908 and died 1995, was active in the Young
Republicans Organization, and was elected the Indiana secretary of state in
1938 and 1940. He speaks about some of the issues he dealt with as secretary,
such as the Ripper Bills, McNutt Bills, and patronage. He talks about campaign
funding, the 1948 gubernatorial campaign, and serving on the Conservation
Commission, which was the precursor to the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- Indiana Conservation Commission
- Indiana University
- Republican Party
- Young Republicans Organization
-
-
Occupation Names
- attorney
- secretary of state
-
-
Personal Names
- Capehart, Homer Earl, Jr.
- Gates, Ralph F.
- Harding, Warren G.
- Holder Cale J.
- Schricker, Henry F.
- Watson, James E.
- Willkie, Wendell L.
-
-
Place Names
- Evansville, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- 1948 Indiana gubernatorial election
- McNutt Bills
- party factions
- political campaign funding
- political campaigns
- political patronage
- Ripper Bills
Interviewee
Wallace, Lisle L.
January 6,
1971
Call Number
71-001
Physical Description
49 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 120 minutes; index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Lisle Wallace, born 1902 and died 1991, was chairman of the
Young Republican Organization and administrative assistant to Senator William
Jenner. He speaks about Republican politics in Indiana, particularly campaign
contributions, patronage, and conventions he remembers during his political
career.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana Conservation Commission
- Republican Party
- Young Republicans Organization
-
-
-
Occupation Names
- administrative assistant
- organization chairperson
-
-
Personal Names
- Ball, George A.
- Craig, George N.
- Gates, Ralph F.
- Holder Cale J.
- O'Brien, Cornelius
- Millis, Frank T.
- Schricker, Henry F.
- Springer, Raymond S.
- Tucker, James M.
- Whitlock, Doug
-
-
Subjects
- 1940 Indiana gubernatorial campaign
- 1944 Indiana senatorial election
- 1948 Republican National Convention
- party factions
- political campaign contributions
- political patronage
- World War II
- World War II mortality list
Interviewee
Webb, Robert S.
June 17,
1973
Call Number
73-018
Physical Description
41 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 95 minutes; index
Interviewer
Tudor, David F.
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Robert Webb was a Republican and eventually served as majority
leader in the Indiana House of Representatives. He speaks about some of the
earlier campaigns in Indiana, and the role of William Jenner in the welfare
controversy after Indiana made the records public. He also talks about several
other bills and the legislative failure of Governor George Craig, partly at the
hands of Webb.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- American Legion
- Purdue University
- Republican Party
- United States Supreme Court
-
-
Occupation Names
- Indiana House majority leader
-
-
Personal Names
- Craig, George N.
- Creighton, Hobart W.
- Handley, Harold W.
- Holder Cale J.
- Mills, C. V.
- Sayer, William
- Sherwood, R. Hartley
- Wallace, Lisle L.
-
-
Place Names
- Hamilton County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- 1948 Indana gubernatorial campaign
- 1957 Indiana Right to Work Bill
- committee appointments
- labor
- newspaper publicity
- political campaign contributions
- welfare controversy