Conversion with Gordon Henry concerning early Hipp family members to the Commission, possibly the first was John Calhoun Hipp. W. Frank served from 1930 to 1943 and Francis M. served from 1958 to 1970. The Commission presented an award to the Hipp family in 1978.

Conversation about radio and television acquisitions during his career with The Broadcasting Company of the South and Cosmos Broadcasting Corporation. Mentions Frank Blair and Frank McGee, they were early WIS announcers. End. Conversation with SC Insurance Commission representative about home-grown insurance businesses. End.

A short discussion concerning his work with Jack Lindsay, creating the papers which formed The Liberty Corporation, the proposed TLC-SCNB merger, and other legal business.

Short discussion concerning his father and grandfather's association with The Southeastern Life Insurance Company. His father, James Cuthbert, bought two shares of Southeastern stock on November 21, 1906.

Questioned about J. H. Self, he indicates J. H. was his uncle. Mentions C. F. Haynsworth's long association with Southeastern Life.

Questions to, and answers from, John Martin about Col. Elliot Estes, co-founder of The Southeastern Life Insurance Company.

Conversation concerning his start with Liberty Life in 1951, his promotion to Controller, the initiation of an unprecedented internal controls and audit system, internal changes and restructuring, set up a strict accounting system with checks and balances, oversaw the change from the old master book cash accounting system to data processing, talks about Francis and Herman, and second-and third-generation executives.

He talks about retirement; personal achievement versus promotion or rewards from competition; and comments on the future of the company.

Knauss' personal business conversations

He describes various corporate subsidiaries, including: Hampton Insurance Companies, Incorporated, Market Advertising, Incorporated, Bent Tree Corporation, LPC of North Carolina, Incorporated, Spratlin Financial Corporation, First City Mortgage and United Fidelity, Charter Fund and Fund Mortgage, and LaMarick Beauty Salons, Incorporated. Discusses his thoughts and feelings concerning the history and growth of The Liberty Corporation.

This interview was transcribed, see Transcriptions of Interviews, DOCUMENTS AND PAPERS, Box 2, Folder 17. Recorded October 12, 1979, Hilton Head Island, SC. Francis discusses his thoughts and feelings concerning the history and growth of Liberty Life and The Liberty Corporation during his sixty-two-year career with the two companies.