Anne Sleet
JS: Ok my name is Jeff Shenton and I'm the instructor for Anthropology 389: Lived Histories at Centre College. I’ll be responsible for recording this interview. This is an interview of Ms. Anne Sleet. Today’s date is January 27th, 2021. This interview is being conducted by telephone and recorded over a Zoom call. The interview is scheduled to last approximately one hour and will consist of an oral history that covers Ms. Sleet’s life and career focusing on experiences in Danville, Boyle County and on the Urban renewal period in Danville and its effects on the local community. Now I’d like each of the interviewers to introduce themselves. Could you please give your name, your age, your year at Centre, and where you are from?
AL: Sure, I’ll go ahead, I’ll go first. Umm, My name is Avi Leffler, I am 18 years old, I am from Louisville and I am a first year student here at Centre.
GW: My name is Gage Wells, I’m 19 years old, I’m a freshman here at Centre and I am from Nashville, Tennessee.
KM: Hi, I’m Kanbe. I’m a junior at Centre College, I’m 20 and I am from Boston, Massachusetts.
SS: Hello, my name is Sherice Sutherland, I’m 18 years old, I’m a freshman at Centre and I am from Jamaica.
JS: Thanks, now I’d like Ms. Sleet to introduce yourself please. Could you give your full name, your age and where you currently reside please.
AS: Umm, my name is Anne Sleet and I’m originally from Lincoln County, Kentucky. From Crab Orchard, Kentucky and I’m 88 years old.
JS: Thank you so much and I will go ahead and get started with the interview Ms. Sleet ok?
AS: Ok.
SS: Hello Ms. Sleet, how are you doing today?
AS: I’m doing well. How about you?
SS: I’m fine, thank you. We’re really happy to have you here with us today. To get things started can you tell us about your early life?
AS: Umm, pardon?
SS: I was saying, we’re really happy to have you here today. And to get things started, can you tell us about your early life?
AS: Ok. I think I’m understanding you right. You are getting things started, is that what you’re saying? There’s a blur in there. A blur in there somewhere. And I can't understand the last thing that you said.
SS: Can you tell us about your early life? Like what was your family like and stuff like that.
AS: About my early—my family life?
SS: Yeah.
AS: Ok. I am—as I told you, I am from Lincoln County, Kentucky. I am a graduate of Lincoln County High school in Stanford, Kentucky and I am a retired, licensed practical nurse. And, I am-—my parents are Maurice and Annabel Ross and I have two sisters and one brother and all of them are deceased except my older sister. And, I am the wife of the late Raymond Sleet. And we are the parents of three children. The late Marshall Sonny Sleet and Steven Sleet and Regina Cartwright. And I am a grandmother and I am a member of the first Baptist church of Perryville, Kentucky where I serve as church clerk and president of the women’s missionary. And, I am a volunteer at the Hospital. And, I’m active in our district missionary societies and church work. So, did I leave out anything else that you would like to know?
SS: That was good, thank you very much. Can you tell me about what your neighborhood was like growing up?
AS: My neighborhood—we lived in the country and—um so my neighborhood consisted of my grandparents and my aunties and we sort of a close neighborhood of that nature. And I went to one room school at the beginning before I got into high school. And I was bussed there by my uncle drove the school bus and I had a good—childhood—life growing up. We had fun and we had one neighbor that wasn't our relative but we were just like all family there.
JS: Ms. Sleet, I’m sorry, before I go on to the next question, there's some noise in the background. I think it might just be a television. Would it be ok to turn that down a little bit?
AS: Yeah
JS: Thank you, I'm sorry about that.
AS: I was aiming to do that, I’m glad you told me that because I was aiming to do that anyway. Alrighty, is that better?
JS: That’s great. Thank you so much.
AS: Ok, where we leave off? Oh, when I was growing up. I had a good childhood, growing up. We were a close-knitted family.
SS: Can you tell me about some things you did as a child? Like, in your neighborhood? Like places you went to and stuff like that.
AS: You said the things that I liked to do?
SS: Yeah, as a child.
AS: Oh, the things that I liked to do as a child. My family—I came out of a family where they were all like seamstresses, they all sewed and did handwork of that nature. So—and then I liked to sew and I made doll clothes. I loved dolls, I loved to sew. I did sewing and I did embroidery and I did crochet and knitting as I still do that now. And we played games of different things outside as children do. And just the usual children stuff that we did. And I liked to read.
SS: Thank you. Similar to you, I used to like sewing for my dolls and stuff. And I also started doing a lot of crocheting growing up as well. So that’s pretty interesting. Can you tell me about your experience at Lincoln County High School?
AS: My experience at Lincoln County High School, it went from the ninth to the twelfth grade. And we just did what you do in high school with your studies and your changing classes and changing teachers of that nature. And we were bussed from Crab Orchard to Stanford, Kentucky to go to high school. And ofcourse we took the subjects that was required there in high school and it was no problem. And things went very well with us. And it was an all Black school.
AL: So would you say it was an all positive experience, your high school life?
AS: Would I say it was a what now, please?
AL: An all positive—like, it was an overall good time?
AS: Yes, it was. It was an overall good time. And— because at that time, there wasn't integration like there is now, you know, like the schools are now. So we knew nothing else and we were closely- knitted there as—in school, with each other, with other students, with teachers and etc. And it was a pleasure and we really enjoyed it. There were sports there. It was—guys had football and had basketball. And there were girls, cheerleaders and we had music choirs at school and all that. So, we really enjoyed it because we didn't know anything else, but just that.
AL: Did you work when you were in high school?
AS: I did. I worked during summer when school was out. I did—I would go and clean houses and did some cooking and that, yeah.
AL: That’s good. I—I’m sorry.
AS: As I said, we were—I mean there wasn't any factories or anything there, where I lived in Crab Orchard to work like that. So we just did stuff like that, and it was a learning thing too. It was ok.
GW: Were there any like clear instances, growing up in high school where you faced any types of segregation?
AS: Where— did I face any part of segregation in high school?
GW: Yes.
AS: No. There wasn't because if I can remember, and I think I can, there wasn't anything about segregation. We wasn't taught anything about segregation because it was an all Black school and we didn't know anything about that. And I remember back when we were at—lived in the country, there was one white family that lived there. But they wasn't any difference in them and us, we got along well. And the word segregation to my knowledge, if I can remember clearly, and I think I can, that was ever taught to us. We wasn't taught anything about that, we all just got along.
KM: At one point or at what age did you start to realize that segregation was a thing that was going on in the world?
AS: I guess after I got grown. And back in high school too, I guess I knew that segregation was there but nobody ever pursued it. I mean nobody ever fought or anything about that. I was never taught anything about that. My parents never taught us anything of that nature. They taught us to get along with all people, to treat everybody like we want to be treated. And that's what we did.
So-so segregation, it wasn't a thing that separated me from anybody else, or I don't know how anybody thought about me. But I treated people like I wanted to be treated. So we were- that’s the way we were taught.
AL: I was also—
AS: I don’t know if I made that clear to you or not, but I don't know. Even now, I don't understand it. I don’t understand why people can't get along. I mean, regardless—I mean it doesn't matter what color your skin is or anything of that nature. It’s just how we treat each other and how we get along with each other. It’s the way that I see it. And I can get along, and I do get along with most people. I mean, I don’t have no problem with people, getting along with people.
AL: So you said that you served as a nurse as well right?
AS: Yes, a nurse. I'm a graduate nurse from Danville School of Practical Nursing.
AL: Are you still working?
AS: No, I'm a retired nurse. I still hold my license. But I enjoyed that. I nursed at the Kentucky State Hospital, it’s outside of Danville, it’s where the prison is now.
AL: OK.
AS: I nursed there and then when that went out and they were () and I worked. I worked there because I was still connected with the state and I worked the records there. And then the child support office was opening in Danville and I transferred back to Danville and I finished my working but I still kept my license current, as today I do. And I finished my career at the child support office, I had thirty, thirty-four years with the state.
AL: Wow, that’s quite a long time.
AS: And I enjoyed it all. I enjoyed every moment. Good people I worked with, our work relationship was very good.
GW: Were there any other jobs you had after high school or was that the only one?
AS: That was the only one—I married my late husband. And—I married soon after—a couple years after high school I guess, I met my husband, my late husband and I married him. So I went to—I did all of this after I was married to him. Went to school, nursing school and all that. And had my children. So, I was quite—I enjoyed it all. I guess I was quite busy because I had my boys and I had a daughter. And then— I was in nursing school at that time. I worked— prior to that I worked as an aid because I loved nursing. And I enjoyed it so much and I thought, well, If I’m going to be doing this, I want to go farther with it. And that’s when I decided that I would go to nursing school. And I volunteer at the hospital now. But since this pandemic’s been going on, I don’t. But prior to that, I did, I volunteer. Because I like the nursing field. I like —I think it’s rewarding. I just love helping people. And that’s my passion I guess.
AL: Well, thank you. It takes a lot of work to be there for everybody.
AS: It takes—yes. It takes compassion and it takes being dedicated.
AL: Yes.
AS: And that's what I love because as I said before, I’m more or less a people person and I just love that. And I get along well with people and people get along well with me. We see no difference and I have some good friends, some really good friends.
AL: So Um, if you don’t mind I’m gonna backtrack a little bit. Um I forgot to ask this earlier, but were there any places, like restaurants or homes that you remember fondly as an early adult that you, that aren’t here today but you miss?
AS: Are they...can you repeat that question again. Let me make sure I got you right.
AL: So um, are there any places like restaurants or buildings or stores that you remember earlier in your life that are no longer here today that you miss?
AS: well yeah well I guess I never, we never ate out that much because my husband was a chef. He used to cook. And we had a, we had a small business there, and so we never ate out as much. But I did like the Bun Boy in Danville, and um, and then I like the, yes I liked the Hub in Danville. I like the little store in Danville. Um and they had a *unidentified word* on Main Street. Every once in a while I’ll go there, I’m not a big person on that. And Cinderella, and those stores on Main Street in Danville. I miss them. Um, does that answer your question?
AL: it did, thank you
AS: there were probably some more and as I said I can’t remember any places that I ate at. A lot of eating places in Danville, I didn’t know a lot of them because we didn’t eat out a lot: we were traveling once in a while, and we would stop to pick up a burger or something like that but otherwise we would always cook out meals here at home. And my husband was a good cook.
AL: So um, do you know what happened to these places at all, or do you think they just went of business or...?
GW: So how long have you lived in Danville for?
AS: I don’t live in Danville, I live in Perryville.
GW: Okay
AS: I live in Perryville, I been here ever since 1951.
AL: would you say that um compared to when you were younger and when you were in the more rural parts where you only had one neighborhood and moving into a more like urban neighborhood how would you say that was? Would you say it was for the better or was it more of a neutral thing?
AS: One neighbor moving into? Is that what you said?
AL: Yeah, a more populated neighborhood?
AS: Oh well I have no problem with it. I have, I have real close neighbors. I have neighbors that live across the street of me. I don’t have problems with neighbors. I don’t have any problem with people because I’m more or less a people person. And I and I love people I love people so I wouldn’t have a problem with that, I mean my philosophy is your, you’re nice to people assuming they’ll be nice to you, you know? You have to treat people right and we respect if you want to get respect.
AL: I agree with you there.
KM: um, how has Perryville changed in your view? Um, have you seen a really big change or has it been kind of the same throughout the years?
AS: um what now? The same on what please?
KM: um so I was just asking how has Perryville changed or has it stayed the same throughout the years?
AS: Oh how has Perryville changed? Uh, okay, well I guess it’s uh, Perryville has changed, I don’t know if we got any more. When I came here they had a clothing Store and maybe two or three grocery stores back when we came and now we don’t have grocery stores per say. We have a dollar store and I guess that’s one of the changes we made. We have a dollar store which is good and it’s progressing some and we have two gas stations and a restaurant, nice churches, and a school and so I guess it has been those things here in a garage and all that. We had all those when I came here but since then about a couple of years ago the garage we had burned down and I missed that. It’s improved because Perryville isn’t that big of a city as you know we only have about 700, 750 maybe I don’t know we got 800. So uh, It’s just one of those small towns like you know. We don’t we don’t have a lot of luxury the other towns have but we do have some good people. I wouldn’t ask for any better people than we have in Perryville did some very nice people here some very good people. It hasn’t as I said, it hasn’t grown to be a big city you get when I’m saying that sense is that we got spreads outside of the city that you know broadens out at some might say.
AL: So um, would you say that- I’m sorry um…
AS: I’ll backtrack on that, my son went to bates school which is an all-Black school in Danville. But my daughter started on the first grade in school here in Perryville. But I’m sorry go ahead.
AL: sorry, um so I know that you said that you were always a nice and caring person in that but was there any ever hostility in Perryville not towards you but have you seen any hostility between any sides in Perryville?
AS: I have not.
AL: Okay
AS: Is there any there, I was not aware of that and I have not. There’s some good people in Perryville.
AL: Sounds like it
AS: Any they were good to me when I was in office
AL: Um, would you say your son's experience was different in high school than your daughters?
AS: Um they didn’t go, they didn’t go straight to an all-Black school because they graduated from Boyle County High School. All of them did.
AL: Oh, okay
AS: Um And my oldest son played on the football team in Boyle County High School they were in band they were all in band. All three of my children were and they were and when, when and we were band parents there. In fact we have offices in there so we didn’t have any major problems I might say. And my philosophy is and always has been why can’t we all get along.
AL: That’s definitely a valid question. I’d agree with it. I believe in all equal one way or the other.
AS: Right.
AL: Uhm, could you tell any major differences in Bate and Boyle County?
AS: No, I can’t. I couldn’t.
AL: Okay.
KM: Uhm, do you think that your children, or grandchildren, uhm, have access to opportunities that you didn’t have growing up?
AS: I don’t know, I can’t answer that. Because, uhm, none of my grandchildren live-- live in, they live in other cities. I don’t have any grandchildren that live here in Perryville. They live in Louisville or live in Lexington...and uhm, I don’t hear any complaints from them...about any problems of that nature, so apparently they-- things is going well with them, because I’m sure their-- their parents would be right there if there wasn’t. And uhm, and uhm, and, I just don’t know. As I said, apparently things goes well with them. They, uhm, I’m sure they participate in sports, and, whatever. And-- and I’ve got one grandson in Louisville; he’s on a baseball team and he-- things goes well with him. He likes that. [Inaudible]’s on the soccer team...So... I’m-- I’m-- I’m thinking things are well. I never hear-- they visit with me-- we visit each other and I don’t hear no complaints from them. And again, I say my philosophy is why can’t we all just get along? You know, it’s good to get along, and to be together. You know… that’s what it’s all about.
AL: Uhm, how would you say-- has COVID affected Perryville that harshly? I know you all--I know you’re in a smaller town, and I’m from Louisville, so I wanted to see, if, like--
AS: You know, really, I don’t know if it has or not, and I haven’t heard of that many people here Perryville having COVID. The only-- and, and, uhm, I’m, I’m sure that they’re going by the guidelines, wearing a mask, social distancing and all of that. The churches, uh, at least our church is still closed. We do live streams for our bible studies and our church services. So uhm, and I haven’t heard of any major outbreaks, any major illness or sickness, here in Perryville. And that’s a good thing! I’m, uh, assuming that we’re doing what we’re supposed to do be doing. Wearing masks, social distance, and all of that. So things seem to be going well for us here, with that. Of course larger cities they, might be more exposed or whatever, I don’t know. But I’m hoping everybody’s being cautious, as the governor has asked us to do.
AL: So you said you took part in bible study and, uh, service, and you also work, er, serve at the church. Would you say it is...like, kind of like, the backbone of the community of Perryville? Like, would you say a lot of the population there goes to church regularly?
AS: I would think so. I would think so because we’ve got -- we’ve got several churches in Perryville. In fact, we’ve got one, two, three...four, five, six or seven churches in Perryville. And we got along with each other well. And, and before COVID and all this started, we had our Christmas services with fellowship together, and on certain occasions, they, we do fellowship together. S-so we get along very well here.
AL: Do they, uhm, do your churches do anything for the community? Like, uh, put on fundraisers or anything to help somebody who might be struggling?
AS: We-we-- yes, we have an-- there is an organization here that, uh, I-I-I don’t know... that does help people.
AL: Good.
GW: Uhm, could you explain how, uhm, your life just being and growing up in the church has affected you positively?
AS: Uhm… Well I-I know I really don’t know any different, anything else because I’ve been going to church since I was a little girl. And I grew up in church. And-and it’s...and that’s what it’s all about. You have to have Christ in your life. And I think you have to be a Christian, and you study your bible and your daily words. To know-- and that’s-- that leads you into knowing how to treat people and how to get along with people. I think that’s your basics. That-That’s my belief. And it helps me. It strengthens me. When I miss church, I feel like I’m missing something. And I never miss church, unless there’s some reason why that I have to. But otherwise, that gives me strength from day to day. I-I look forward to Sundays. And I miss not being in service on Sundays, but I’m still getting it because I do livestream on Sundays and uh, I do a livestream on Wednesdays for bible study. So, we still stay connected, if I might say.
GW: Would you say you’ve met some of your best friends and uh, most attached people in church?
AS: Not all of them. I’ve met some at work, and being in different organizations and going to different things and I’ve met some good friends along the way. That way-- I didn’t meet them all in church. I...I-I had good friends at work. And then I’m in a lot of organizations that I have good friends. I’ve been on boards in Danville where I’ve met friends. So I have a lot of friends. And I love people.
KM: Uhm, what are some of the boards that you’ve been in-- involved with in Danville.
AS: I’ve been in Hospice boards...and uhm, human rights board I’m on now, and I’m on the PNC board now, and family services. Uhm...to name a few, that’s it. And as I said, I volunteer at the hospital when--when the hospital opens up for volunteers again. And I enjoy all of those.
AL: Uhm, may I ask how long you’ve been apart of the human rights board?
AS: Oh...I’ve been on the human rights board for...some--some years. Uh, let’s see...maybe...ten or twelve years. It’s been a long time.
AL: Has the, uhm, dynamic, or focus, of the group ever changed from like, one major problem, or one major goal to another since the time you’ve been there?
AS: Mmm, not really. We just take care of business and needs that we need to take care of. And-and basically we keep up on everything that’s going on or whatever, whatever comes across our way, we try to take care of it. And--
AL: Uhm-- sorry.
AS: That’s it. That’s it. That’s all.
AL: Were there any...Were there any like, sort of cases or major, uhm, events that took place that you all had to handle?
AS: Mmmmm, not exactly. I don’t think so. Nothing-- we, nothing that major that we couldn’t handle or we didn’t handle. We--we handled everything that came across our way.
AL: Okay.
AS: If we didn’t know the answer, we’d find the answer from somebody--from somewhere else.
AL: Right.
AS: From the next source.
AL: So, uhm, what kind of issues did you ever have with the human rights board? Like, were there any reoccurring issues or that?
AS: No, not really. It’s just different things that different people and different problems in different situations and, you know, that we would...like, I can’t remember right off my hand, but-but-but we always aimed to please the person come before us if they had something, you know. So...So and-and uhm, apparently we did there, uhm, we did our best because we never got any complaints from anybody. And...and it’s going well.
AL: Is there-- is there anything you would, uhm...was there anything that you did specifically to get onto the board? Or was it just more so you being a part of the community and you being active? And they just reached out?
AS: I guess they just reached out. Uhm, Perryville had to have somebody to represent on the board, and I was asked to be on that board, and I accepted that.
AL: Would you say it was, uhm, despite the added, like, pressure or stress of representing a city, do you think it was worth it? And do you still think it’s still worth it?
AS: I do.
AL: Good.
AS: I really do. Because as I said, I enjoy people. And I enjoy what I do. Everything that I have done, I’ve really enjoyed it. And as I said, I’ve been nice to people, and people have been nice to me. So I have no problem, you know communicating and getting along with people. And it doesn’t matter who they are, where they’re from, or what color skin or whatever it is with them. It does not matter. People are people in my sight. And I’m gonna treat them well; I’m gonna treat them like I want to be treated. And like I said before, I have a lot of friends. And-and when things were good and all this wasn’t going on, we would go-- we would pick a day and go to dinner. And then Christmas was a good time for us. We were retired from working together. And in December, we would pick a day, one person would pick this day, and we’d go to lunch; we’d go to dinner. And that’s how our relationships is. It’s good. I think it’s all about how you...how you treat people. You have to treat them how you want to be treated. And that’s the whole moral of the story, I think. And make no mistake about it, not everybody’s gonna like you. And that’s understandable. That’s human nature. Cause it’s alright, too. But I’m gonna love you anyway.
GW: Could you tell us a little bit about your thoughts and experiences of the urban renewal process here in Danville?
AS: Y-You know what? I really don’t know anything about urban renewal in Danville. I remember--I remember when 2nd Street was 2nd Street. When it was like back in the day. And I’m sure Michael told you about that. Back in the day, how 2nd Street was? And uhm, but as far as I remember when they were doing what-- when they were doing urban renewal up there, but I can’t tell you anything about that because I really don’t know...about that. Uh, I know, uhm, Michael has worked hard, and done a good job there. But I can’t tell you anything about that, because I really don’t know anything about urban renewal and what they did.
GW: Could you tell us a little bit about how 2nd Street was?
AS: I don’t know how it--I mean, I don’t know how it was, because back then, in the early part, I lived in Crab Orchard. And-and we didn’t come to Danville. The only-- occasionally, but it wasn’t like me going into town in Crab Orchard, and me going into town in Stanford. But--I’m sorry I can’t tell you anything about that. I just remember 2nd Street was the name and that’s what they called it. And if we ever came, we went down that street. But I can’t tell you anything in depth about it. I really don’t know.
GW: It’s all good. I understand.
AL: Did, uhm, did anybody ever talk about it with you? Like, 2nd Street? Like, they’d say “Hey, you should go check out this place up here at 2nd Street” or whatever?
AS: Nope, they did not. Because at that time I didn’t know a lot of people in Danville, but I know where you’re coming from. But I didn’t know a lot of people there, as I said. And occasionally, we would come to Danville maybe, but we were mostly in Lincoln County. And then the most I know about Boyle County, since, uh, I married my late husband, and uhm, and I came to live in Boyle County. And at that time, 2nd Street had already gone, I think they were working on whatever. And two, we were working, and we just didn’t really hang out, know a lot about it.
AL: Is there anything about Perryville that you’d like to see change for the better? Or change at all?
AS: Yes, I tell you, my project when I was mayor, my project was to get the bridge fixed. If you’re familiar with Perryville, go across the bridge, the river there. It needs to be widened. And that’s one of my things, when I was in office as mayor, that was on my list to do, and that was one of the things that didn’t happen. But it is still in the-- I understand it’s still in the making. So I support them one hundred percent on that. Because it is uhm, we have traffic, these big trucks that come through east, west, north, and south. And it’s terrible when they make a turn there. If you’re in a car, you have to back up and let them have some space. So that is one of the things that I am excited about. And I’m hoping that’s going to happen. And uhm, Perryville is coming along. It’s doing great work. Things are moving good. Our Main Street program is doing well. And uh, it’s a beautiful--small little town to live. Closely knitted. We are all closely knitted in this town. Believe it or not. We support each other. If one’s hurting, the other’s hurting. So we’re there for each other, and that’s a great thing.
AL: Uhm, correct me if I’m wrong, but did you say you served as mayor? For Perryville?
AS: I did.
AL: Uh, could you elaborate on that maybe? And tell us what it was like?
AS: Yes. I uhm, I served from...2007 to 2018, as mayor.
AL: Wow.
AS: And I loved it. I loved every minute of it and every day of it. And the people were good to me and they really supported me well. Very well. And that was one of-- my biggest project in there, was the bridge. And that was on the table when I left. And I’m hoping that’s going to come off the table and it’s going to be done. But we did really well when I was mayor. We got a-- we uhm, let’s see our...We got recycling done, and it’d never been done before where they pick up our recycle, and uh, we were voted wet while I was in office. So, but we don’t have no liquor stores down here. And I don’t know why--but they may sell--I don’t know if anybody sells liquor. I don’t think so. And I don’t know who’s got a license. But I do know the Dollar Store has beer up there, but I don’t drink and I don’t buy it. But that was one of the things that was done while I was in office. And I never thought Perryville would become wet. And it did. But that’s okay; that’s okay. And then we have one of our stations--a Marathon station, was closed for about a couple years or so. So recently just this year or the end of last year, some people have opened it up and it’s really nice. So we do have two gas stations in town. Plus a new restaurant in town, too. But, it was exciting to be mayor. I enjoyed it. And the beauty of being there was the people was so good to me and so supportive of me. And I love. I wouldn’t take anything from Perryville. I think it’s the best little city on the side of wherever.
AL: So, as I said earlier, I’m from Louisville, and when election time comes around, it’s like their tension in the air. Everybody’s on edge and that, and there’s two different sides and it’s not the greatest time. Would say when you were partaking in your election, would you say that was the same, or would you say it was different?
AS: Oh when I was in there? It was different. It really wasn’t like--I know where you’re coming from and I know what you’re saying, but it wasn’t like that with me. And I think the reason why it wasn’t like that with me is because we’re such a small city. And-and everybody knows everybody. And not everybody’s gonna like it. Not everybody’s gonna love it. That’s understandable. That’s human nature. But, what we are here, everybody--not everybody did support, but I got a lot of votes, majority of them did. And everybody seemed to like me and I liked everybody, cause see, I’m a person. I’m gonna treat you how I want to be treated. In spite of how you treat me, I’m gonna treat you good anyway. So, and when I say we’re closely knitted, we are. Because if something happens to one person here, if they know something a tragedy or whatever, we’re there for that person. And that’s just how close we are. We’re not perfect here in this city, but I think we’re good to each other in this city. And the tension doesn’t rise like it did-- like the election we just had. And the tension and all this is going on. I don’t know about it. But I’m a firm believer: if you treat people right, and you do people right, they’re gonna do you right. But you-you can’t abuse the mistreated. People are ugly and bad and you think you’re going to get the best out of them, and you’re not. So this is the way we operate here in town, in our town.
AL: Well, it certainly sounds like a lovely town. I’ll have to come visit some time.
AS: It is! Come and visit us some time. We have-- and let’s see, we have a reenactment of the Battle of Perryville, the bloodiest battle ever fought. We have it in October of every year. We didn’t have this past year because of our pandemic and all that’s going on. They might have had something out there, I’m not sure, I don’t know. But on a normal year and everything’s good and smooth, come in October. Weather is beautiful and we have downtown festivities going on, We have Christmas parades, and we have--we a small town, but we have activities, doing activities even when the weather’s good and time permits us to do so.
AL: Sounds good, I really will have to visit because I’ll be here on campus and it’ll just be a short little drive.
AS: Yes! You say you live in Louisville?
AL: Yes ma’am, I do.
AS: Okay-- it’s only about an hour and a half from Louisville to here.
JS: Well Ms. Sleet, we’re coming up on an hour now on the call. Uhm, is there anything that you would like to get on the record before we let you go in terms of your own experience or your life or your perspective or anything that we haven’t talked about that you’d like to talk about?
AS: I don’t-- I don’t know of anything other than for me being mayor, I finished out my late husband’s term as being a council person. Uhm, my husband died in 98, and uh, he’d been on council for 2 or 3 terms. When he passed away I finished out his term on there. And uhm, I always liked it, and I always wanted to be that, but he wanted to be it too so I thought I’m gonna back off here and just support him. And after he passed away, they asked me to fill out his term and uhm, I told them I would. So I finished his term out, and then I ran on my own for council person; I was a council person for two or three years. And uhm, and then I was appointed mayor of Perryville by Bruce Richardson. And uh, and after he decided that he wasn’t going to run for mayor again...Well I decided I was going to run for mayor. And that’s how it got me into--But I always loved politics. And I loved history when I was in school. So, uhm, that’s what--that’s how I became mayor. And I loved every moment of it. And it was challenging, and it was exciting, and I went to a lot of meetings, met a lot of people...I just loved everything I did in it. And yet I still support them downtown and if they need something, whatever. But uhm, I loved that part of Perryvi-- of that. I guess a highlight of my time being here was being that mayor. I enjoyed that and loved that so much. And then--I don’t know if you know anything about the Perryville Battlefield or not? You’ve heard about it? If you--if you haven’t been there, you might wanna come and take a tour some time. So while I was in office, there was a portion out there that was named Sleettown, and uhm, it was my husband’s late parents, they lived out there. And he grew up out there. When he was a little boy. And uhm, so, part of Sleettown was there, a private family bought that and they had owned that for some years. So while I was in office, that part of the Battlefield of Sleettown, was dedicated to Perryville, to the citizens. Oh, that part of it--of Sleettown, was made part of the park. And they had a ceremony there while I was in office and they unveiled the Sleettown signs. And it’s out there today--if you ever have the opportunity to visit there, the battlefield, the far part of it there, is Sleettown. The old house is still standing, and a cemetery is still out there. So that was one of the highlights when I was in office along with the stuff downtown that I did. I was so proud of what I did here downtown. So that was part of my journey as I was mayor.
JS: Well that sounds like a great accomplishment. I’ve been to the battlefield but I haven’t seen Sleettown; I’ll have to go see it next time I visit Perryville. That’s really great.
AS: Okay. That’s alright. It’s uh, it’s really just history; it goes way back to the 1930s back when they were--and the Sleets, they lived out there. And they farmed, and they uhm, it was like a little settlement. A city outside of a city. Like our town outside of a town-- outside of Perryville. But it was all nice. Mhm.
JS: Are there any final follow up or clarification questions from the interviewers? Did you have anything to clarify?
GW: Uh, I’m good right now.
JS: Alright. Ms Sleet, well, we want to thank you for your time today, it was really wonderful talking to you and getting your perspective on your life and on Perryville, and Danville. Thank you so much for participating with us today.
AS: Thank you for asking me!
JS: Wonderful. Well we hope you have a great rest of your day and we’ll let you go now.
AS: Thanks.
KM: Thank you!
GW: Yeah, thank you!
AS: Alright, good bye.
KM: Take care!