Cole, I. Willis, 1887-1950

Mrs. Butler discusses her recollections of Simmons University beginning around 1909; the General Association of Kentucky Baptists (formerly the General Association of Colored Baptists in Kentucky); and the American Baptist newspaper beginning around the 1930s; I. Willis Cole, editor of the Louisville Leader; and Reverend William H. Ballew of the General Association of Kentucky Baptists.

Lattimore Cole discusses his early education in Louisville, working for his father's newspaper the Louisville Leader and describes what it was like to be the child of a prominent figure in the community. He describes his father physically and temperamentally and reflects on attendance at the Louisville Municipal College and urban renewal.

From his childhood until its closing in 1951, Lattimore Cole, a Louisville native, worked intermittently at the “Louisville Leader,” an African-American weekly, founded in 1917 by his father, I. Willis Cole. Mr. Cole served in World War II, attended Louisville Municipal College, and retired from the U. S. Postal Service. Much of the interview involves comments and identifications provided by Lattimore Cole when shown family photographs and items from the “Louisville Leader” newspaper/printing company. Publishing company operations and staff are recounted. Mr. Cole also comments on his father’s friendships with national African-American business and political leaders as well as local figures like newspaper rival William Warley. I. Willis Cole’s personality and business instincts are discussed along with descriptions of Louisville’s segregated Old Walnut Business District. The interview concludes with Lattimore’s discussion of his siblings and their home-life together. NOTE: The recorder was inadvertently not started until about thirty minutes into the interview. When taping commenced the interviewer incorrectly stated the date as “October 19, 2013.” The error was corrected at the conclusion of the interview. Mr. Cole’s daughter, Nora, is heard commenting in the background. Earlier interviews conducted on November 26, 1977 and June 23, 2004 (video) are also available.

Mr. Ealy, who came to Louisville in 1918, discusses his recollections of politics, journalism and race relations in the city from 1910s to 1970s. Specifically, this interview contains information on the African American journalists I. Willis Cole (Louisville Leader), William Warley (Louisville News), and Frank Stanley, Sr. (Louisville Defender); machine politics in the city; his recollections of life in the African American community in Louisville; and his philosophy of race relations. He also describes his early life and education.

This is the second of two interviews conducted with Mr. Ealy in 1977. Mr. Ealy, who came to Louisville in 1918, discusses his recollections of politics, journalism and race relations in the city from 1910s to 1970s. Specifically, this interview contains information on the African American journalists I. Willis Cole (Louisville Leader), William Warley (Louisville News), and Frank Stanley, Sr. (Louisville Defender); machine politics in the city; his recollections of life in the African American community in Louisville; and his philosophy of race relations. He also describes his early life and education.