The 24th annual Ohio Valley History Conference continued on a high note with the banquet dinner on Friday night, October 30th. The keynote address was given by John Seigenthaler Sr. in the Morgan University Center Ballroom. Seigenthaler shared his remembrances of Bobby Kennedy and the Kennedy Presidential era in his address, “Conversations with Bobby Forty Years Later.”

Among his many remembrances, he recounted the young attorney general’s zeal in pursuing union corruption and the tumultuous tension of the Civil Rights struggles, particularly in Alabama and Mississippi; the Selma Bus Boycott, and the lead-up to the March on Washington. When U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy agreed to speak at the Law School of the University of Georgia, following their confrontational desegregation battle the year before, the university administration did not want him to meet with either of the two Black students that had been admitted in its desegregation battle. However Bobby did precisely that and met with Sharlene Hunter Galt.

In another anecdote, Seigenthaler spoke of the relationship between Bobby Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Theirs was a strained relationship at best however, the story of how Sarah Hughes came to be appointed to federal bench showed how prophetic fate’s hand came play. Vice President Johnson interceded on behalf of Sam Rayburn and asked Attorney General Robert Kennedy to appoint Sarah Hughes to the federal bench. Apparently, Bobby was not disposed towards her appointment but relented at the vice president’s request. Later, Judge Hughes would administer the oath of office to Johnson following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. Seigenthaler also shared the surprising desire of Robert Kennedy to serve as vice-president under Lyndon Johnson, had he sought a second term as president and the disappointment he felt when Johnson announced his decision not to pursue a second term. At the conclusion of his presentation, Professor Uffleman presented Mr. Seigenthaler with both, an OVHC conference T-shirt and a personalized framed conference poster.

The conference dinner also served as the official recognition of Dr. Richard P. Gildrie’s retirement, after a 38 year career in history. Dr. Glidrie now joins the ranks of professor emeritus status at Austin Peay State University. He will concentrate on continuing research and writing, along with his other pursuits.

The conference’s smooth flow can be attributed to the many hours of organizing detail performed by Assistant Professor Minoa Uffleman who coordinated this year’s event. David Nelson, also shared in the conference’s coordination and set-up. He served as the logistics director, including designing the conference’s website. It was announced that the Phi Alpha Theta Conference would be held in Spring 2009, which, Professor Uffleman is also coordinating as well. The 2009 Ohio Valley History Conference will be held on October 1-3, in Richmond, Kentucky hosted by Eastern Kentucky State University.

The Second Day

Saturday’s schedule continued with the high level of presentations established on the opening day’s agenda. panel Topics included “Civil Rights, 19th Century Religion and 20th Century Secular,” Civil War Soldiers: Identities and Memory;” “White and Native American Conflict on the Frontier,” “Race and Violence in Southern History;” “Women who changed American Society,” “Civil War and Indian Warfare Topics” including “The Battle for Public Health in Civil War Memphis,” “From Confedeate to Camanche: U.S. Army Strategy in Post-Civil War Indian Conflict,” and “Civil War Historiography: An Empty Cult of Violence?”; Regional Women’s Writes Roundtable-Diaries, Novels and Advice Columns, and ” Kentucky: Southern Identity and Interracial Challenges.”

The Phi Alpha Theta Luncheon featured the induction of new members of the History Honor Society. New members include Hunter Hayes Ard, David B. Britton, William E, Greenhill, Jacqueline K. Krantz, Andrew Burton Lewis, Jennifer S. Montgomery, Asia Dawn Parker, Stefanie Castleman Porter, Christina M. Parrish, Naomi Rendina, Brian Alan Richards, and Amber J. Traghber.

As the luncheon speaker, Michael Betrand, Tennessee State University, gave his presentation, “‘ This Ain’ t No Vaudeville: Popular Music, The Civil Rights Struggle and the 1956 Assault on Nat ‘King’ Cole’” Among the highlights, the Post-War transformation of the popular music scene heralded an unraveling of the Southern segregationist attitudes of Blacks in the society. They wee concerned for the unshackling of the segregationist view of culture, with white supremacy firmly proclaimed, being underminded by white youth’s gleeful acceptance of music by Black performers and their musical style. Segregationists were mortified by Elvis Aron Presley, a white boy acting like a Black man, exciting white youth and demeaning the white race. The 1956 assault on Nat ‘King’ Cole before an all-white Birmingham, Alabama audience spotlighted the segregationists intolerance and resentment of the changing social attitudes about Blacks position in society and their elevation to esteemed roles in entertainment. While newspapers bemoaned the assault on Mr. Cole as an isolated act, not one audience member moved to prevent nor stop the attack. None came to his defense. Along with this time, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was just starting his campaign for civil rights and equality in the South and staging demonstrations that culminated in his repeated arrest. These demands for social, judicial and economic change were a direct affront to the South’s segregationist mindset of an orderly society.

In Panel 42, “Kentucky: Southern Identity and Interracial Challenges,” presentations focused on the unique character of Kentucky allegiance to its Union leanings and Southern regional connections. In “So Goes Democracy in a Democratic State,” Patrick Lewis, University of Kentucky, examined Racial Violence and White Discomfort with Black Participation in Political Power. Starting with the disillusionment of Kentucky unionists by Lincoln’s Emancipation of slaves and its dooming of slavery, he reviewed the state’s unique take on having a foot in both houses of the conflict. Kentucky never became Pro-Confederacy so much as it became more so Anti-Republican. This anti-republican bent found virulent expression through the Kentucky National Legion. The KNL was the official state agency empowered to thwart Black liberation. Republicans were out of favor because of President Lincoln’s emancipation maneuver and the Democratic Party governments that came to power did little to abate or curtail the deadly actions of the Klu Klux Klan and its efforts to protect white supremacy.

1870 marked the prospect of Black men being able to vote in elections. Whipping up fears of racial retaliation by the freed Blacks, Democrats quickly denounced the advance of Black enfranchisement in Kentucky. The Kentucky National Legion used violence to suppress the Black vote, and since the newly freed Blacks supported the Republican Party, the violence also suppressed the Republican Party.

The election of 1873 saw the eventual relegation of the Kentucky National Legion to oblivion with the imposition of the cursed poll tax. This was a new means to suppress Black voters and protect white supremacy.

“The Interracial Work of the Young Women’s Christain Association in Kentucky,” examined the nature of the racial prejudices and jealousies that operated in Kentucky in the establishment of YWCA in the late 1800’s and early 1900s. Presented by Althea Webb, Berea College, the presentation traced the start of the YWCA as a prayer group of women in England. It grew into an organization of women organized to improve conditions of women. It spread across Europe and in 1879 White women in Louisville formed a chapter. Their focus was on doing good works among the poor and less fortunate of the community. They concentrated on the newly arrived immigrant communities, focusing on speeding their assimilation into American culture. They conducted English language classes, taught the immigrants about hygiene and sanitation, housekeeping skills and citizenship.

In 1881, Black women of Louisville formed their separate YWCA chapter. The two racial groups did not mix or intermingle their activities. The Black women were all from the Black Middle Class of Louisville, consisting of teachers, doctors’ and ministers wives. These women conducted their self improvement activities within their own Black community. Their focus was educational advancement, learning foreign languages, advanced math, philosophy, as well as civics and they also conducted what amounted to a charm school.

These women received no administrative support for start-up from the national headquarters. They had to secure a building and handle their own funds in accordance with the organization’s standards. They did this in Louisville’s segregated atmosphere which limited Black property ownership to Black sections of town which were often less than desirable parts of town. Their programs proved more popular and successful than the White YWCA. This led to the White YWCA complaining to the national YWCA headquarters in New York. Their reply was for the two chapters to form a supervisory-affiliate relationship. The White YWCA did not want to associate with the Black YWCA but they were intimidated and felt shamed by the popularity and success of Black women’s efforts.

The New York headquarters did not appreciate the racial undertones of the complaints and thus was slow to effectively recognize the true cause of the unrest and implement a remedy. One such step was for all Black YWCA chapters to change their names to Alice Weakly YWCA chapters and follow a separate chain of authority which was itself supervised by the White YWCA authority. Advances in social consciousness and racial political empowerment doomed this gerrymandered quasi-servitude apparatus to eventual collapse. By the late 1950s, most of the Alice Weakley chapters had closed.

The Clarksville Country Club Dining Room was the host site for this year’s Writers Conference Buffet Dinner, which featured John Seigenthal Sr. as their keynote speaker.

In listing his many life achievements, one must acknowledge his 43 years as an award-winning journalist of Nashville’s The Tennessean being editor, publisher and CEO; his tenure as president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors; serving as the founding editorial director of USA Today; and being an administrative assistant to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and chief negotiator with the governor of Alabama during the Freedom Rides. In 1991, he founded the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, whose mission is creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values. Seigenthaler is also the author of the 2004 biography of American President James K. Polk. He currently hosts a weekly book-review program, “A Word on Words” on Nashville public television station WNPT.

Seigenthaler’s address emphasized the prevailing theme all the authors had dwelt on during the day’s many presentations- despite personal doubts of skill, worth and ability, everyone has a story to tell. He said that the writer takes the step to record that story and through this process self discovery, challenge and completion are realized. The budding writer should yield to the desire and let their thoughts flow and guide their efforts to express that which is hidden inside them. It may be seem strange and alien to your normal existence. Perhaps the story mght not be about any personal experience or reference to one’s self. The subject may even come as an exterior assignment or delegation but we each have at least one story seeking to be told. The successful writer is the person who listens and lets it out. In essence, he urged everyone to,”Tell the Story!”

Following Mr. Seigenthaler’s address, Conference Chairperson Patrica Winn gave recognition to the Arts and Heritage Development Council, its members and Austin Peay State University faculty and staff who had worked so diligently to make the conference a successful event. A call for volunteers was also made at this time as the conference is a massive event and there is always a need for assistance of all kinds. Acknowledged sponsors include the City of Clarksville, The Leaf Chronicle, Austin Peay State University, Tennessee Arts Commission, F&M Bank, The Riverview Inn, Dr. Howard and Patricia Winn.

The club’s chef and staff is to be commended for preparing a very sumptuous meal for the evening. From the variety of fresh tossed salad, cucumber/tomato salad, a Waldorf salad, the options were delightfully varied. The vegetable choices included roasted new potatoes, green beans, a wild rice blend, and a broccoli/cauliflower mix. The entrees included Stuffed Chicken Florentine, a roasted baby spinach stuffed boneless chicken breast dish. It was both succulent and delicious. The star entree however was the Slow-Roasted Carved Beef which was deliciously seasoned, tender and generously served. The dessert choices were equally delightful indulgent temptations. Key Lime Pie, Chess Pie, Apple Strudel, Fudge Pie and a very devilish-looking American Chocolate Layered Cake were among the varied selections from which to choose.

The authors reception and book-signing preceded the dinner. Authors were present for conversation and, to those who brought copies of their available works, autographing their purchases. There was a lively hum about the receiving area as people gathered and milled among the authors and conference attendees.

Among the dinners’ attendees were Stan Darnell, Susan and Alex Darnell, Phil and Shelia Kennedy, their daughter Katie Kennedy, Richard and Meredith Gildrie, Minoa Uffleman, Diane Batson-Smith, APSU President Tim Hall, City Mayor Pro Tem Barbara E. Johnson, E. Taylor Emory, Mary Nell Wooten, Joe and Starlene Sykes, Jean and Wendall Gilbert and Linda Nichols. Along with John Seigenthaler Sr., authors Suzanne Hudson, Joe Formichella, Sonny Brewer, Karen Spears Zacharias, Barry Kitterman and Bert Randall were also in attendance.

[Show as slideshow]

12►

Joining Seigenthaler will be Young Adult author Tracy Barrett (Anna of Byzantium), author/editor Sonny Brewer (The Poet of Tolstoy Park, Stories from the Blue Moon Cafe: An Anthology of Southern Writers), poet/editor Leigh Anne Couch (Houses Fly Away, The Sewanee Review), poet Blas Falconer (The Perfect Hour, A Question of Gravity and Light), fiction and nonfiction author Joe Formichella (Murder Creek: The “Unfortunate Incident” of Annie Jean Barnes), and novelist Suzanne Hudson (In a Temple of Trees, In the Dark of the Moon).

The conference also features editor/novelist Barry Kitterman (The Baker’s Boy), religious scholar Bert Randall (Holy Scriptures as Justification for War) and author Karen Spears Zacharias (After the Flag Has Been Folded).

This year’s conference opens on Thursday, July 10, with a new tour of beautiful historic downtown Clarksville, based upon the play Headin’ South, Goin’ North by John McDonald, Artistic Director and founder of the Roxy Regional Theatre.  The play, based on the story of lost Clarksville Civil War Confederate hero Charlie Lurton, will premiere as a reader’s theatre version for conference participants and will feature Clarksville’s own Mayor Johnny Piper as narrator, along with a cast of professional actors and local figures.  The accompanying tour, which features authentic sites mentioned in the play, will include historic churches and buildings with unique architecture and stained glass windows, a cemetery dating from the Revolutionary War and Civil War, and a pre-Civil War (1859) Southern Mansion, “Tip Top,” the home of Mrs. Elwyn (Rubye) Patch. 

The conference tour is followed by two days of workshops and presentations at Austin Peay State University’s Morgan University Center, as well as a banquet at the Clarksville Country Club on Friday, July 11, with the authors and keynote speaker John Seigenthaler, Sr.

The complete conference schedule and registration forms can be found online at www.artsandheritage.us/writers.  Teachers and students in the Clarksville/Montgomery County School System can attend the Friday and Saturday conference presentations for the deeply discounted rate of $50.  Contact Patricia Winn, Conference Chairman, at or 931.645.2317, with any questions.

Writers and readers are encouraged to attend this three-day event which addresses a wide variety of literature, including historical fiction, journalism, poetry, biography, short stories, storytelling, writing for young adults and children, fiction and nonfiction.

Conference holders are honored to have as this year’s keynote speaker John Seigenthaler, Sr. (at left), renowned journalist, editor, publisher, political figure and current host of WNPT’s book-review program “Word on Words.”The conference banquet, held on the evening of July 11 at the Clarksville Country Club, will feature Seigenthaler and include a “Meet the Authors” reception and book signing.

Conference participants can also take part in sixteen different workshops/presentations given by such talented authors as young-adult author Tracy Barrett (Anna of Byzantium), editor and novelist Sonny Brewer (Stories from the Blue Moon Cafe, The Poet of Tolstoy Park), poet and editor Leigh Anne Couch (Houses Fly Away), poet Blas Falconer (The Perfect Hour, A Question of Gravity and Light), fiction and nonfiction author Joe Formichella (Here’s to You, Jackie Robinson), novelist and short story writer Suzanne Hudson (In a Temple of Trees, In the Dark of the Moon), novelist and creative writing instructor Barry Kitterman (The Baker’s Boy), professor of philosophy and religious scholar Bert Randall (Holy Scriptures as Justification for War) and journalist/author Karen Spears Zacharias ().

In addition, this year’s conference features the premiere of John McDonald’s play Headin’ South, Goin’ North, based on the story of lost Clarksville Civil War Confederate hero Charlie Lurton. Preceding the play at the historic Roxy Regional Theatre, participants will be taken on a tour of beautiful downtown Clarksville churches and other historic sites mentioned in the play.

The complete conference schedule and registration forms can be found online at www.artsandheritage.us/writers. Conference costs vary by package, and discounted prices are offered to those who register by June 25, 2008. Late registration ends July 3.

Packages offered include (along with early and late registration prices): Complete (all workshops/presentations, two luncheons, banquet, tour and play) – $250/$270; Two-Day Workshops/Presentations (Friday and Saturday Workshops/Presentations, two luncheons) – $165/$175; One-Day Workshops/Presentations (Friday or Saturday Workshops/Presentations, one lunch eon) – $85/$95; Banquet Only – $40/$50; Tour and Play Only – $50/$55.