Mattie Coney oral history
Collection
Identifier: OH075
Scope and Contents
This collection comprises two audio cassette tapes and one transcript from two oral history interviews with Mattie Coney, with contributions from her husband Elmo, in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 6, 1980 and August 11, 1980, regarding her childhood, education, family, and teaching career, as well as the African American community in Indianapolis, and Citizens Forum. Coney was interviewed by F. Gerald Handfield as part of the Indiana State Library Oral History Project.
There are also Citizen Forum materials ranging from 1964 to 1979.
The transcripts were initially generated on August 5, 2026 using Otter.ai but were heavily edited and revised by Brittany Kropf.
There are also Citizen Forum materials ranging from 1964 to 1979.
The transcripts were initially generated on August 5, 2026 using Otter.ai but were heavily edited and revised by Brittany Kropf.
Dates
- 1980/08/06; 1980/08/11; 1964-1979
Creator
- Coney, Mattie Rice, 1909-1988 (Interviewee, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Mattie Marie House was born on May 30, 1909, to Solon (1871-1957) and Delia (Porter) House (1888-1955) in Gallatin, Tennessee. The family moved to Indianapolis shortly thereafter. Following her parents divorce in 1910 and her mother's remarriage in 1912, House lived with her mother and stepfather, Oscar Weathers (1891-1956), in a house on Minerva Street off Indiana Avenue, later taking her stepfather's surname. Mattie M. Weathers grew up in Indianapolis and graduated Shortridge High School in 1923. She studied education at Butler University and became an elementary school teacher in Bloomington as early as 1926. She worked primarily as a fourth grade teacher for Indianapolis Public Schools for 35 years, until her retirement in 1965. She also completed postgraduate studies at Indiana State University, Western Reserve University, and Columbia University. According to Indiana marriage certificates, Weathers married Eugene Samuel Rhea on January 9, 1926, in Marion County, Indiana, and on August 28, 1935, in Hamilton County, Indiana. Her name during much of her teaching career was Mattie Rhea. In May 1942, she married Cleveland jazz musician Carman (often misspelled Carmen) Sumner Newsome in St. Charles, Mississippi. The Newsomes divorced in 1950 after she accused him of infidelity. Mattie Newsome then married William Marhsall Rice on August 10, 1951 in Hamilton County, Indiana, before their eventual divorce. Finally, Mattie Rice married Elmo Gerald Coney (1915-1984), a former educator and then salesman and distributor for Fuller Products Co., in 1961.
In July 1964, Mattie Rice Coney cofounded Citizens Forum, an African American self-help neighborhood association that sought to improve the health and safety of inner-city communities, with assistance from her husband. The organization spread nationally to 77 cities under Coney's leadership and acted as a liaison between local government and Black residents. It also spearheaded community education and beautification programs. Coney stepped down as executive director of Citizens Forum in 1981 due to ill-health. Her husband took over running the organization until his retirement the following year. The organization only lasted another two years after Elmo Coney's retirement due to financial difficulties. Mattie Coney was a member of North United Methodist Church and the Republican Party. She was also involved in the NAACP, Urban League, the Society for the Prevention of Blindness, and the American Lung Association. Mattie Coney died on August 5, 1988 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Sources:
Items in the collection.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie House." 1910 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie House." 1920 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Rea." 1930 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Ray." 1940 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Newsome." 1950 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie M. Coney." Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Marie Weathers." Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Newsome." Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie M. Rhea." Indianapolis City Directory, 1929. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie M. Newsome." Indianapolis City Directory, 1943. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995. Accessed August 27, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Rice." Web: Marion County, Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1925-2025. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie M. Weathers." Web: Marion County, Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1925-2025. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
"Citizens Forum Leader Mattie Coney Dies." Indianapolis Star, August 7, 1988. Accessed August 25, 2026. ProQuest.
"City Convention Site." Indianapolis News, July 2, 1938. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Charges Wife Had False Ideas." Call and Post (Cleveland, OH), August 10, 1950. Accessed August 27, 2026. NewspapaerArchive.
"Commissioners Approve School Administrative and Teaching Staffs." Indianapolis News, June 10, 1942. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Doctor's Orders." Indianapolis Recorder, December 2, 1944. Accessed August 27, 2026. NewspaperArchive.
"Elmo G. Coney, 69, Founding Partner of Citizens Forum, Dies." Indianapolis Star, December 29, 1984. Accessed August 25, 2026. ProQuest.
Findagrave.com. "Delia Porter Weathers." Finda a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 25, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46043100/delia-weathers.
Findagrave.com. "Mattie M. Rice Coney." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 25, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45872851/mattie_m-coney.
Findagrave.com. "Oscar Weathers." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 25, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46043120/oscar-weathers.
Findagrave.com. "Solon House." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45974782/solon-house.
Gibbs, Wilma. "Mattie Rice Coney." Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Revised March 2021. Accessed Augsut 25, 2026. https://indyencyclopedia.org/mattie-rice-coney.
Hagedorn, Olivia. "Citizens Forum." Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Revised February 2021. Accessed Augsut 25, 2026. https://indyencyclopedia.org/citizens-forum.
Hassell, Greg. "Mattie Coney's Impact Will Be Remembered." Indianapolis News, August 9, 1988. Accessed August 25, 2026. ProQuest.
Kennedy, Pegg. "Mattie, Elmo Adopt the City." Indianapolis News, January 27, 1977. Accessed August 25, 2026. ProQuest.
"Locals and Personals." Indianapolis Recorder, January 9, 1926. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://newspapers.library.in.gov.
Lowe, Nora. "Mrs. Coney to be Honored at Museum." Indianapolis News, January 16, 1987. Accessed August 25, 2026. ProQuest.
"Marriage Licenses." Indianapolis News, June 29, 1912. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Mrs. Oscar Weathers." Indianapolis News, November 7, 1955. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Named Chairman YMCA Post 107 Patriotic Tea." Indianapolis Recorder, November 4, 1944. Accessed August 27, 2026. NewspaperArchive.
"Night School Staff Named." Indianapolis Times, November 2, 1928. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Oscar M. Weathers." Indianapolis News, April 6, 1956. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Shortridge Numbers 431 in 1923 Graduating Class." Indianapolis Times, June 6, 1923. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Sollon House." Indianapolis News, April 23, 1957. Accessed August 27, 2026. ProQuest.
"Spend Week-end at Cleveland." Indianapolis Recorder, October 3, 1942. Accessed August 27, 2026. NewspaperArchive.
"Suits Filed." Indianapolis News, June 25, 1910. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
Swiatek, Jeff. "Citizens Forum Falling on Hard Times." Indianapolis Star, September 6, 1983. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
In July 1964, Mattie Rice Coney cofounded Citizens Forum, an African American self-help neighborhood association that sought to improve the health and safety of inner-city communities, with assistance from her husband. The organization spread nationally to 77 cities under Coney's leadership and acted as a liaison between local government and Black residents. It also spearheaded community education and beautification programs. Coney stepped down as executive director of Citizens Forum in 1981 due to ill-health. Her husband took over running the organization until his retirement the following year. The organization only lasted another two years after Elmo Coney's retirement due to financial difficulties. Mattie Coney was a member of North United Methodist Church and the Republican Party. She was also involved in the NAACP, Urban League, the Society for the Prevention of Blindness, and the American Lung Association. Mattie Coney died on August 5, 1988 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Sources:
Items in the collection.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie House." 1910 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie House." 1920 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Rea." 1930 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Ray." 1940 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Newsome." 1950 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie M. Coney." Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Marie Weathers." Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Newsome." Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie M. Rhea." Indianapolis City Directory, 1929. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie M. Newsome." Indianapolis City Directory, 1943. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995. Accessed August 27, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie Rice." Web: Marion County, Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1925-2025. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mattie M. Weathers." Web: Marion County, Indiana, U.S., Marriage Index, 1925-2025. Accessed August 26, 2026. http://www.ancestryinstitution.com.
"Citizens Forum Leader Mattie Coney Dies." Indianapolis Star, August 7, 1988. Accessed August 25, 2026. ProQuest.
"City Convention Site." Indianapolis News, July 2, 1938. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Charges Wife Had False Ideas." Call and Post (Cleveland, OH), August 10, 1950. Accessed August 27, 2026. NewspapaerArchive.
"Commissioners Approve School Administrative and Teaching Staffs." Indianapolis News, June 10, 1942. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Doctor's Orders." Indianapolis Recorder, December 2, 1944. Accessed August 27, 2026. NewspaperArchive.
"Elmo G. Coney, 69, Founding Partner of Citizens Forum, Dies." Indianapolis Star, December 29, 1984. Accessed August 25, 2026. ProQuest.
Findagrave.com. "Delia Porter Weathers." Finda a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 25, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46043100/delia-weathers.
Findagrave.com. "Mattie M. Rice Coney." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 25, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45872851/mattie_m-coney.
Findagrave.com. "Oscar Weathers." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 25, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46043120/oscar-weathers.
Findagrave.com. "Solon House." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45974782/solon-house.
Gibbs, Wilma. "Mattie Rice Coney." Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Revised March 2021. Accessed Augsut 25, 2026. https://indyencyclopedia.org/mattie-rice-coney.
Hagedorn, Olivia. "Citizens Forum." Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Revised February 2021. Accessed Augsut 25, 2026. https://indyencyclopedia.org/citizens-forum.
Hassell, Greg. "Mattie Coney's Impact Will Be Remembered." Indianapolis News, August 9, 1988. Accessed August 25, 2026. ProQuest.
Kennedy, Pegg. "Mattie, Elmo Adopt the City." Indianapolis News, January 27, 1977. Accessed August 25, 2026. ProQuest.
"Locals and Personals." Indianapolis Recorder, January 9, 1926. Accessed August 26, 2026. https://newspapers.library.in.gov.
Lowe, Nora. "Mrs. Coney to be Honored at Museum." Indianapolis News, January 16, 1987. Accessed August 25, 2026. ProQuest.
"Marriage Licenses." Indianapolis News, June 29, 1912. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Mrs. Oscar Weathers." Indianapolis News, November 7, 1955. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Named Chairman YMCA Post 107 Patriotic Tea." Indianapolis Recorder, November 4, 1944. Accessed August 27, 2026. NewspaperArchive.
"Night School Staff Named." Indianapolis Times, November 2, 1928. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Oscar M. Weathers." Indianapolis News, April 6, 1956. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Shortridge Numbers 431 in 1923 Graduating Class." Indianapolis Times, June 6, 1923. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
"Sollon House." Indianapolis News, April 23, 1957. Accessed August 27, 2026. ProQuest.
"Spend Week-end at Cleveland." Indianapolis Recorder, October 3, 1942. Accessed August 27, 2026. NewspaperArchive.
"Suits Filed." Indianapolis News, June 25, 1910. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
Swiatek, Jeff. "Citizens Forum Falling on Hard Times." Indianapolis Star, September 6, 1983. Accessed August 26, 2026. ProQuest.
Extent
0.03 Cubic Feet (2 audio cassette tapes, 1 transcript, 1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by format.
Custodial History
This collection was created by the Indiana State Library Oral History Project in 1980.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2026/09/09 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid created 2026/09/09 by Brittany Kropf.
- African Americans
- Audiocassettes
- Childhood and youth
- Citizens Forum (Indianapolis, Ind.)
- Civic improvement
- Civic leaders
- Colorism
- Community activists
- Community organization
- Divorce
- Education
- Education -- Indiana
- Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969
- Family history
- House family
- Indianapolis (Ind.)
- Indianapolis Public Schools
- Laborers' International Union of North America
- Lewis, John L. (John Llewellyn), 1880-1969
- Neighborhoods
- Oral history interviews
- Porter family
- Press
- Race relations
- Shortridge High School (Indianapolis, Ind.)
- Slavery -- United States
- Teachers
- Teachers -- Indiana
- Tennessee
- Transcriptions
- Weathers family
- Women in community organization
- Women political activists
Creator
- Coney, Mattie Rice, 1909-1988 (Interviewee, Person)
- Coney, Elmo Gerald, 1915-1984 (Person)
- Indiana State Library (Organization)
- Title
- Mattie Coney oral history
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
