Interview: Smith, Frances H.
Item
Identifier
Mss-0279, Cassette 22-23
Title
Interview: Smith, Frances H.
Type
Sound
Format
.mp3
Language
English
Source
Town of Calhoun, South Carolina Oral History Collection
Rights
Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives.
Date
1988-08-31
Description
Frances H. Smith was born in Jackson, SC in 1905. She was the daughter of Alonzo and Steiner Forman Harley. She attended a girls' school in Augusta, Ga. before studying music at Anderson College. She came to the Calhoun area in 1927 and taught school at Westminster for a short time before marrying her husband Robert F. Smith. Mrs. Smith taught piano lessons in the Clemson/Calhoun area for over 60 years and was the organist at the local Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Mrs. Smith was a member of the UDC, Federation of Music Clubs, and was a charter member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a member of the Clemson First Baptist Church and the Aull-Cole Sunday School Class. Mrs. Smith died on December 19, 1998 in Easley, SC.
Cassette 1
Side 1
00:25: Mrs. Smith is aged 83 at the time of the interview. She was originally from Jackson, SC in Aiken County. She attended a girl's school in Augusta, Ga. before studying music at Anderson College. She came to the Calhoun area in 1927 and taught school at Westminster for a short time before marrying Bob Smith.
5:38: The couple initially lived in a home on Sloan Street before moving into an apartment run by Lucy Chambers. She cannot recall what the rent was. Mrs. Smith explains that the current house she is living in was built in 1936 by the Piedmont Lumber Company.
9:30: Her first impressions of Calhoun were of friendly people and beautiful blooming magnolias. Clemson was different, however. She initially did not like the college atmosphere because she was a country girl and was not used to the speed of life. In time she adjusted and has enjoyed things since.
12:57: Megginson is interested in what clubs or organizations Mrs. Smith was a part of. She recalls being involves with the Baptist Women's Missionary Society, the Literary Club, and the UDC's (refurbishment of the Fort Hill Mansion was one of their major projects). Mrs. Klugh was head of the UDC's. There were many local sewing clubs, though she never joined.
22:03: Mrs. Smith has taught piano for nearly 60 years in the Clemson/Calhoun area. She recalls some of her pupils over the years and aspects of teaching music.
29:20: She played organ at the local Episcopal Church starting in 1945. The biggest wedding she ever performed for was for Walter Cox's son. She practiced for three months prior to the event.
31:51: Audio ends.
Side 2
00:07: The two are discussing aspects of the Eastern Star organization, of which she is a member. The group was organized in 1949. Mrs. Smith quickly rose through the various degrees, and soon after joining was elected Worthy Matron. She cannot recall who the first Worthy Matron was, though believes she was a librarian at Clemson College. The group meetings were held at the Masonic Lodge. The piano that is in the building is between 70 and 80 years old. It was donated by a lady named Ethel Smith.
5:02: Mrs. Smith's husband was Robert Foster Smith. He was born February 26, 1895. His parents were John Wesley and Louisa Emiline Smith. Her husband briefly attended Clemson before entering service in World War I.
11:10: After returning from military service, Robert opened a gas station on College Avenue next to Judge Keller's store. Later he worked with an Amaaco station near the Sloan store then eventually moved the business to the corner of 123 and College Avenue.
18:25: Her husband was good friends with Captain Clinkscales. Clinkscales was a well respected man in the community who was always sought out for advice. Mrs. Smith understands that Clinkscales had arrived in the area with practically nothing, and built up his business through hard work.
24:06: Mrs. Smith's Husband was a freemason--he was always called on by Mr. Klugh to assist in giving out degrees.
25:00: Megginson is interested in what Mrs. Smith can recall of local politics. She can't remember where people went to vote; she believes the location was perhaps the local school house. Her husband was on the town council for a time; she names other council members.
31:51: Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:07: Mrs. Smith continues discussing the town council. She doesn't think that her husband was paid anything for the service. She is unaware of the exact location of the council meetings.
4:40: Megginson believes that the name change from Calhoun to Clemson may have caused some tension on the town council. He makes note of the fact that by the time of the incorporation, the town council appeared to be dominated by Clemson College related individuals.
10:18: Shopping and grocery purchases--Mrs. Smith can remember buying groceries from both Major Abbot and at the Dixie Store. Clothes were usually purchased from Anderson, Greenville, or Seneca.
18:01: Available newspapers--the family received the Greenville News, Greenville Piedmont, and Anderson Independent Mail.
21:00: Mrs. Smith explains telephone in the 1920's, and how individuals would have to talk to the operator to get connected.
22:30: Streets in Calhoun were dirt. She cannot recall when the roads were finally paved.
28:20: The two briefly discuss the Smith boarding house and bus service in Calhoun.
31:52: Audio ends.
Side 2
Blank
Cassette 1
Side 1
00:25: Mrs. Smith is aged 83 at the time of the interview. She was originally from Jackson, SC in Aiken County. She attended a girl's school in Augusta, Ga. before studying music at Anderson College. She came to the Calhoun area in 1927 and taught school at Westminster for a short time before marrying Bob Smith.
5:38: The couple initially lived in a home on Sloan Street before moving into an apartment run by Lucy Chambers. She cannot recall what the rent was. Mrs. Smith explains that the current house she is living in was built in 1936 by the Piedmont Lumber Company.
9:30: Her first impressions of Calhoun were of friendly people and beautiful blooming magnolias. Clemson was different, however. She initially did not like the college atmosphere because she was a country girl and was not used to the speed of life. In time she adjusted and has enjoyed things since.
12:57: Megginson is interested in what clubs or organizations Mrs. Smith was a part of. She recalls being involves with the Baptist Women's Missionary Society, the Literary Club, and the UDC's (refurbishment of the Fort Hill Mansion was one of their major projects). Mrs. Klugh was head of the UDC's. There were many local sewing clubs, though she never joined.
22:03: Mrs. Smith has taught piano for nearly 60 years in the Clemson/Calhoun area. She recalls some of her pupils over the years and aspects of teaching music.
29:20: She played organ at the local Episcopal Church starting in 1945. The biggest wedding she ever performed for was for Walter Cox's son. She practiced for three months prior to the event.
31:51: Audio ends.
Side 2
00:07: The two are discussing aspects of the Eastern Star organization, of which she is a member. The group was organized in 1949. Mrs. Smith quickly rose through the various degrees, and soon after joining was elected Worthy Matron. She cannot recall who the first Worthy Matron was, though believes she was a librarian at Clemson College. The group meetings were held at the Masonic Lodge. The piano that is in the building is between 70 and 80 years old. It was donated by a lady named Ethel Smith.
5:02: Mrs. Smith's husband was Robert Foster Smith. He was born February 26, 1895. His parents were John Wesley and Louisa Emiline Smith. Her husband briefly attended Clemson before entering service in World War I.
11:10: After returning from military service, Robert opened a gas station on College Avenue next to Judge Keller's store. Later he worked with an Amaaco station near the Sloan store then eventually moved the business to the corner of 123 and College Avenue.
18:25: Her husband was good friends with Captain Clinkscales. Clinkscales was a well respected man in the community who was always sought out for advice. Mrs. Smith understands that Clinkscales had arrived in the area with practically nothing, and built up his business through hard work.
24:06: Mrs. Smith's Husband was a freemason--he was always called on by Mr. Klugh to assist in giving out degrees.
25:00: Megginson is interested in what Mrs. Smith can recall of local politics. She can't remember where people went to vote; she believes the location was perhaps the local school house. Her husband was on the town council for a time; she names other council members.
31:51: Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:07: Mrs. Smith continues discussing the town council. She doesn't think that her husband was paid anything for the service. She is unaware of the exact location of the council meetings.
4:40: Megginson believes that the name change from Calhoun to Clemson may have caused some tension on the town council. He makes note of the fact that by the time of the incorporation, the town council appeared to be dominated by Clemson College related individuals.
10:18: Shopping and grocery purchases--Mrs. Smith can remember buying groceries from both Major Abbot and at the Dixie Store. Clothes were usually purchased from Anderson, Greenville, or Seneca.
18:01: Available newspapers--the family received the Greenville News, Greenville Piedmont, and Anderson Independent Mail.
21:00: Mrs. Smith explains telephone in the 1920's, and how individuals would have to talk to the operator to get connected.
22:30: Streets in Calhoun were dirt. She cannot recall when the roads were finally paved.
28:20: The two briefly discuss the Smith boarding house and bus service in Calhoun.
31:52: Audio ends.
Side 2
Blank
Subject
South Carolina -- Pickens County
Interviewer
Megginson, W. J.
Interviewee
Smith, Frances H.
Publisher
Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository
