Interview with J. D. "Jiggs" Buckman, December 19, 1984

Interview Summary

Buckman begins this interview by giving background information about himself and tells of his career in politics before he became Attorney General of Kentucky in 1952. He remembers Wetherby's campaign for Lieutenant Governor, and how he was perceived in various parts of the state and speaks in depth of Wetherby's support for the 1954 Brown v. Board Supreme Court ruling. He speaks of the nature of the attorney general's office in the 1950's, his typical work day, those individuals who were played a part in that sector, and of his relationship with Governor Wetherby. Buckman recalls his relationship with Doc Beauchamp, and recalls memories of Bert Combs. He tells of when he first met Wetherby and his relationship with Earle Clements. Topics discussed include the gambling and prostitution problem in Northern Kentucky during the 1950's, the basketball scandal in 1951, the short ballot of 1953, and Wetherby's stance on Capital Punishment. Buckman tells of the major issues in his office from 1951-1955, and of the influential power the coal industry in Eastern Kentucky possessed. Buckman concludes remembering his running for Lieutenant Governor in 1955 and the Louisville political machine in the1950's

Interview LC Subject

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

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.