Interview with Harry Lee Waterfield, Sr., May 7, 1984

Interview Summary

Mr. Waterfield beings this interview explaining how he became interested in politics and his political career in Frankfort at the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and how he ran for Governor in 1947. He speaks of the political machine in Louisville during the time of his campaign, his relationship with Earle Clements, and of Clements' desire for Waterfield to join his ticket as Lieutenant Governor. He answers the question whether he regrets not running for Lieutenant Governor during that campaign, and recalls the role he played campaigning for Clement-Wetherby the fall of that year. He remembers his opposition during the gubernatorial primary in 1947, critiques the performance of Wetherby under the Clements administration, and gives his opinion of the relationship between the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. When Wetherby assumes the position Governor, Waterfield speaks of the transition, compares the governorship of Clements and Wetherby, and of the state senate in 1951. He speaks of the relationship between Lawrence Wetherby and A.B. Chandler, of Bert Combs, and the 1955 and 1959 campaigns. He concludes speaking of Wetherby's terms in the Kentucky Senate during the 1960's.

Interview LC Subject

Jefferson County (Ky.) Wetherby, Lawrence W. (Lawrence Winchester), 1908-1994

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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