Interview with Althea Swinford Hutton, March 28, 1975

Interview Summary

Althea Swinford Hutton was a friend of Fred Vinson's family in Louisa. She begins the interview by giving her impressions of Vinson's mother and family and how Vinson's mother was an influence on his life. She relates how her husband, Hubert, was picked to become an aide for Vinson when he first went to Congress as a political deal. Some of the political "bosses" in Cynthiana at the time are listed along with some of the deals they made. She mentions Hubert helping Vinson in Al Smith's presidential campaign and goes on to discuss Vinson's campaign style. She reminisces how her family and the Vinson family had to acclimatize to Washington. Vinson party loyalty is given as the reason Vinson supported Al Smith and subsequently lost the election. After that defeat, Hutton's husband decided not to return to Washington with Vinson in 1930 when he won re-election. She describes Vinson as being ambitious, but honest and feels that his relationship with Harry Truman helped him advance. She mentions how W. J. Fields opposed Vinson for a congressional election. She gives her opinion on his early political career and how she feels the stresses of his position contributed to his early death. She ends by mentioning Vinson's relationship with Virgil Chapman and the rest of the Kentucky delegation.

Interview Keyword

Fred M. Vinson Politics and government United States Government Campaigns Districts Strategy

Interview LC Subject

Law and legislation Vinson, Fred M., 1890-1953 Vinson family. Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972 Elections

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.