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| Title | An Interview With Judge Lewis Clymer |
| Abstract | Interviewer: Milton Smith. Interview recorded August 24, 1976. 2 sound cassettes (ca. 60 minutes): analog, stereo.; 5 7/8 x 2 1/2 in., 1/8 in. tape; 2 sound discs; digital; 4 3/4 in. Has printed guide to contents. |
| Notes | Judge Clymer was born in Neosho, Missouri in 1910. In the interview he discusses his early life and education, the Gaines Law case and Lucille Bluford case, his law practice and his political involvement as well as the sociiological causes of crime in the African American community. |
| Date | 1976-08-24 |
| Source | Kansas City Public Library; Black Archives of Mid-America, Inc. |
| Location | SC69-2, Tape 13, CD 13 (2 parts) |
| Local Subject | African Americans
Clymer, Lewis W.
Judges
Oral History
Lawyers
|
| Item Type | Archival Material
|
| Transcription | Synopsis of Interview:
Born in Neosho, Missouri in 1910. Judge Clymer talks about his early childhood and schooling. He relates what life was like for blacks in his hometown when he was very young and about his father and mother. Judge Clymer talks about his mother pushing him to get an education and his educational history.
Talks about the Gaines Law case to open the Lincoln University Law School and the Bluford Case in which Lucile Bluford of The Kansas City Call was the plaintiff against the University of Missouri.
Talks about the process of becoming a circuit court judge and the characteristics required of a circuit judge. Talks about his practice as a lawyer. Continues discussion of his law practice and talks about the fact that lawyers are now paid for taking cases of indigent people.
Judge Clymer talks about sociological causes of crime in the black community and his experiences in working to earn money rather than turning to crime. Judge Clymer talks about how he got involved in politics with Harry Truman's race for senator in the U.S. Congress and about Truman the man. Talks about his beginning political jobs.
<bHe talks about coming to Kansas City and becoming further involved in politics and about Carl Johnson, the first black judge and one-time head of the NAACP in Kansas City. Judge Clymer talks about Freedom, Inc., and his role in building this organization. |
| Access This Item | You may come to the Missouri Valley Room to listen to the interview. |
| Item ID | 210195 |
| CONTENTdm number | 36273 |
