Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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\ I N FORMER EVENTEENTH YEAR, EDITION NUMBER 39 COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1954 PRICE TEN CENTS Walter Lee Irvin Faces Electric Chair Last Plea Rejected BH( Florida Parole Board NEW YORK—The last plea to lave the life of Walter Lee Irvin, the lone defendant in the famous Groveland Case who has already died a thousand deaths, was reject ed. last Tuesday by the Florida Parole Board. As a result, Walter Lee Irvin must die for a crime he swears he never committed. He must die in the electric chair soon unless the Governor of Florida steps in and commutes his death sentence to life imprisonment. It is reported that Governor Charley E. Johns will soon name the day and hour for Walter Lee Irvin to die. Walter Lee Irvin, now 27, and three other Negro youths, Ernest The second trial began February 14, 1952, with Walter Lee Irvin standing alone. Three days later another all-white jury convicted and sentenced him to death again after one hour and twenty-three minutes deliberation. Attorneys for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund appealed to the Florida Su preme Court and charged the trial court with committing 22 errors in convicting Irvin. The appeal was denied. A petition . for rehearing was also denied. NAACP lawyers then took the case to the Unnited States Supreme Cour tfor th esecond time on the ground that Irvin was denied due process of law. The petition was denied in January and a plea ask- Thomas, Charles Greenlee and Sam- , , , . „„ ., uel Shepherd, were accused by a h* ^ ^gh court tojee der Groveland whit farm housewife of | wa3 'ejected January beating her husband and attacking her on the night of July 6, 1949. 19, 1954. The last plea to save Irvin’s life Ernest Thomas was shot down and !was made by the Florida Committee killed by a sheriff’s posse. Green- j °n Social Justice, a group of white lee, then 16, was sent to prison for | ministers who asked that clemency life and Irvin and Shepherd were | be granted and Irvin’s life be “tried” and sentenced to death in. spared. September, 1949. The five-man Florida State Pa- As a result of the alleged crime ] rol Board showed no interest in the entire Negro population of denying the request. Groveland and nearby communit- 1 Now, after fi ve years of legal ies had to flee their homes, farms battle to save Walter Lee Irvin and businesses. * from the electric chair, NAACP On the eve of the new trial; attorneys must set aside their law ordered by the United Sattes Su preme Court, November 6, 1951, Shepherd and Irvin were shot down books and place their trust in man and God. For Walter Lee Irvin’s life is by the sheriff in the middle of the now in the hands of Governor night and left to die alongside a 1 Charley E. Johns of Florida, and he lonelv road. alone can decide whether Irvin will Shepherd died - Irvin was ser-j live or take the last long walk to iously wounded. Officers presiding at meeting of New Homemakers Association of District 3, March 20, at Lexington Rosenwald School, Lexington. Left to Right—Irene Bright, Bettis Academy, Scretary; Sylvester Hooks, Coulter Academy, Cheraw, Vice President; Jean Alice Griffin, C. A. Johnson, Columbia, President’; Clara Brown, Lakeview High, West Columbia, Treasurer; Francis Mc Donald, Jackson High, Camden; Reporter. Rase Leaders Write Senator Jenner To Protest Committee’s SCEF Action Bunche iinited Fund Speaker Negro College NEW York, N. Y., MARCH 30 Dr. Ralph J. Bunche, Principal Di rector, Department of Trusteeship, United Nations, will be the main speaker at the 1954 national cam Lt. Parker declared killed in action Columbia, S. C. Mr. & Mrs. John Parker of 2510 Richland St. has been informed by the War Department that th eir pa ig n opening 0 f the United Negro son, 1st Lt. James N. Parker has c 0 j] ege Fund on April 5, at 4 p. m. been declared killed in action, ; n t }, e Terrace Room of the Hotel November 29, 1952. Plaza. John W. Hanes, National Lt. Parker attended the Waverly j Campaign Chairman and Vice- Pre- 1 "m ntary School and graduated sident, Olin Industries, will preside, from Booker T. Washington High Dr. M. S. Davag e , President, School in 1947. He attended S. C. j Huston-Tillotson College will speak State College in Orangeburg, S. C.! briefly on the future of the Fund and graduated in May, 1951. where an d the private Negr 0 college in he received a commission as Second view of the imminent Supreme Lieutenant. During his senior year Court ruling on segregation. The at State College, he was Colonel in meeting will also mark the open- | ing of the Greater New York ap- | Thirty-two rectors, composed equally of whites :nd K’egroes, includes many distin- Soutn- rn states. Its sole conce m through out the years has been with the evil effects of racial segregation in education, hospital services, trans portation, and other public facilit ies. Its goal harmoniously enning all racial barriers is our goal. How can you presume to sit in judgement on the patriotism of an organization which shares with Vice-President. Nixon the convict ion that “every act of racial dis crimination or prejudice in the Uni ted States hurts America as much as an espionage agent who turns over to a weapon to a foreign country.” We vigorously protest the un fairness of the hearings. We fur ther demand that as an act of NEW ORLEANS Negro leaders from 15 Southern . . , states and the of ColumhU, gutshed eiy;c leader n rh have hubmitted an open letter to Senator William E. Jenntr con- deming his attack on the Southern Conference Educational Fund as “an attack upon the Negro com munity of this nation. ’ Senator Jenner’s subcommittee on internal security recently held an investigation into theactivities of the Southern Conference Ed ucational Fund, Inc., in the Post Office Building here. The signers of the letter include men and women prominet n the fields of Negro education, medic- ne, business, and religious and civic affairs. Their open letter to Senator Jen ner follows: Dear Sir: ; In the opinion of the undersign- simple decency and common sense, ed. the action of your subcommittee you make appropriate apologies to against The Southern Conference j those individuals whose names have Educational Fund, Inc., is an attack been sullied in the press, uponn the Negro community of this Signed, j nation. Rev. L. A. Alexander, Knoxville, This organization has spearhead-1 Tenn., Mrs. Andrew W. Simkins, the fight against segregation in secretary, South Carolina Confer- ed the army at Fort peal, headed by Boyl S 4 on A. Tom-i-- “ -- 1 \'aa/-d p Q ,. r I navis / 20, 1951. He was statA pkins. Vice-President, Bankers | the S° uth - When your statements once, NAACP. Rev. B. L. Davis, rt Benning, Ga. where off:, will be among those on the m July 20, 1951. Me was stat--j pkins, Vice-President, at Fort Benning, Ga. where ; Trust Co. John D Rockefeller, Jr., I ?d a training school for 1 Chairman of the Fund’ g National le was sent to Japan in j Council il 1952. There he graduated. dais. 1 the Far East Command Chem- School at Camp Gifu with high A goal of $1,750,000 representing! ( a $250,000 increase over last year He was later sent to Korea. I will be sought by the p un d this There he first served with the 45th j year. The larger quota is made ne- Infantry Division and was later cessary by rising operating costs transferred to the 279th Infantry' and increasing numbers 0 f quali- Regiment, Air Force Headquarters! fled Negro high school students Company. He attended Observers I seeking higher education. The Fund School for three weeks before he raises approximately ten p er cent began his missi.-s as observor over)of the combined operating budgets enemy territory. He was on his 103-1 of its 31 member colleges, ssion, for which he volenteer- TaUedega College He is survived by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. John Parker, three sisters, Mrs. Jessie M. Peterson, Tuskegee Institue, Ala. Miss M. Elizabeth Parker, Mrs. Virginia D. Parks, his twin brother, Edward S., one aunt, Mrs. Emma Veasey, of New York, a nephew, Master Joseph N. Peterson, III and a host of relatives and friends. To Have $300,000.. Union Building . I and thase of your fellow committee members smear the Fund’s leader ship, you are also disparaging the hopes and ambtions of the Negro people. It is ridiculous to impute dis loyalty of the Southern Conference Educational Fund. Its hoard of di- Louisville, Ky. Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune, President-Emeritus, Be- thune- Cookman College, Dayton Beach, Fla. Beach, Fla. Rev. W. T. Crutcher, Knoxville, Tenn. Roscoe Dunjee, Editor and Publisher, Black Dis- ateher, Oklahoma City, Okla. Rev. L. A. Offutts, Louisville, Ky. Percy Green, Editor and Publisher, The Jacksp-' Advocate. Jackson Miss. KVv. 'J. A. Baker, Louisville Ky. Mrs. Lulu B. White, Director of Branches, Texas Conference, NAA CP. Rev. R. E. James, Knoxville, Tenn. Rev. M. M. D. Perdue, Louis ville, Ky. Rev. A. I. Owens, Louis, ville, Ky Rev. A. I. Owens, Louis- ville, Ky. Dr. 0. B. Taylor, Knox ville, Tenn. Dr. Gordon B. Hancock, Richmond, Va. Rev. F. R. Gordon, Knoxville Tenn. Rudolph Moses, New Orleans, La. Frederick Rho des, M. D., New Orleans, La. Rev. Rev. E. P. Brooks, Louisville, Ky. Bishop Frank Madison Reid, pre late of the 7th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbia, S. C. Rev. R. A. Council, Knoxville, Tenn. Rev. M. L. Gardner, Louisville, Ky. L. E. Austin, Editor and Publisher, Caro lina Times, Durham, N. C. Louis L. Redding, Attorney, Wilmington, Del. L. C. Bates, E ditor and Pub lisher, Arkansas State Press, Little Rock, Ark. Rev. G. W. Sims, Louis ville, Ky. Dr. Fames P. Brawley, Atlanta, Ga. T. G. Nutter, Attor ney, (Charleston, W. Va. Anderson H. Brown, Charleston, W. Va. Dr. Herman H. Long, Director, Race Relations, American Missionary Assoc., Nashville, Tenn. Rev. J. Echolls Lowery, Mobile, Ala. E. Franklin Frazier, Washington, D. C. Martin A. Martin, Attorney, Richmond, Va. FIRST WOMAN SEEKS PEA PRESIDENCY ORANGEBURG—Mrs. James ^ Madge Perry) Harper native of MedlCS Set Anillial this city, and assistant director (m . — instruction for the Orangeburg city Meet At Spartan schools, s a candidate for the presi- i dency of the Palmetto Educaiton Association. Records show that Mrs. Perry is the first woman n l the history of the organization to offer for the position, it was learn ed. URGENT NOTICE To be properly credited all funds due the Lifht- house and Informer must be Mailed directly to: Treasurer, The Lighthouse and Informer 1507 Harden Street Columbia 4, S- C. Ground breaking ceremonies held at Talladega College March 27 in itiated the beginnuig of construct ion for a $300,000 Union Buildi ng . The new structure, growing out of UNCF’s Capital Fund Campaign will he attached t° a newly modernized Callanan Gymnasium. Combined structures will provide a modern gymnasium, student and I faculty lounges, game room, can teen, stage equipment, and other facilities. This new addition to the 16 maj- | or buildings on Talladega’s Campu g ; will be known as Callanan College Union Building. ROCK HILL—Dewey M. Duck ett, M. D., chairman of publicity and public relations of the Pal metto medical, dntal, and pharma ceutical association, announced this week final plans for the annual Well-known in educational cir-: meeting and clinic of the organizat- cles, Mrs. Harper is also deeply in- ion to be held in Spartanburg, terested in religious and civic Com mittee of Orangeburg, which has the man objective of interesting the general public in the affairs of their ocal governments. Mrs. Perry is a graduate of State College and of t he Uunversity of Illinois. She has done additional study at Columbia university in New York. Superintendent Supports Candiacy In a letter to Orangeburg teach April 27-30. Program features outlined at a principals and teachers in our Ne gro schools. In this position she has made a wonderful contribution to the instructional program and has furnished excellent guidance in this area. She is qualified, I believe, to offer real leadership to the Negro teachers of South Carolina. “I am sure it is unnecessary for ers, H. A. Marshal, Orangeburg me to remind you of the importance city superintendent, said, “Mrs. of attending the Palmetto Educat- Harper is assistant to the director ! ion Association Convention and of instruction of the Orangeburg casting a vote for your candidate city schools, working directly with Continued On Pag e Eight recent meeting of the executive board include a public session on Wednesday evening, April 28, at 8 o’clock; a press conference, and and a panel discussion on “The Differential Diagnois of Abdominal Distention.” The speaker during Wednesday evening the public session will be Thurgood Marshall, internationally known civil rights attorney and chief counsel of NAACP, who will be introduced by Matthew J. Perry, Spartanburg attorney. At a press conference on Wed nesday afternoon, the Association president, and chairman of the ex ecutive board, along with Thurgood Marshall and Carrol Leevy, M. D., of Newark, will be interviewed on modem medical trends and estab lished policies of the Palmetto j association. Participants in the panel discuss ion, with James S. Martin, M. D., of Philadelphia, as moderator, will be Dr. Leevy, Nelson Jefferson, M. D., of Chicago, and Willard B. Mills B. Mills, M. D., of Spartanburg. Association officers are C. E. Morgan, M D., Columbia; E. L. Mc Pherson, president-elect, M. D., Continued On Page Eight Baffled At Cheraw CHERAW (Special): —A well designed plot to disrupt the long standing civic and political action program of the Chesterfeild citi zens committee was shatterer here last Thursday evening when Mrs. Andrew W. Simkins, state NAACP secretary and acting editor-man ager of the Lighthouse and In former. while addressing an over flow audience in the Coulter Aca demy auditorium, denounced slick opportunist moves by anyone, white or black, that are aimed to destroy the effect of intelligent political action in South Caroina. Mrs. Simkins handled admirably a situation where certain persons well-known to be conspiring with Dixiecrat forces to destroy the con structive influence of the Citizens committee had come to the meeting for the known purpose to break up the organization. The speaker, prominently con nected with the State and Rich land county divisions of the South Carolina citizens committee, quoted Christ in the basic theme of her skillful attack on the insurgents, as He said, “He that is not for me is against me, and he that gather- eth not with me a scattereth.” Mrs. Simkins declared that there is no middle ground when it comes to cooperation, and that one works against his fellowmen even when he does absolutely nothing about con structive program of which he should be a part. She declared, too, that we must discipline ourselves so well politically that weca nnot be bought and will not be sold. The speaker insisted that the masses should follow the leader ship that has pointed the way to the fuller life, even when the going was hardest, and when Negroes had ben constantly denied the ballot by the very Dixiecrat forces now conspiring with certain of our "-w . jmcsdIp to misdirect our struggle for the best government jfor all South Carolinians. “Look who is screaming about the so-called bloc voting of Ne groes,” the speaker exclaimed. “They are the selfsame demagog ues that historically have condoned bloc voting against the progress of the masses. Bloc voting irks the opposition only when its plans are set aside.” » qck.-tbiHtr Declaring that there are thous ands of white citizens in South Carolina who want to see progress here, Mrs. Simkins said that by the opposition she means the vicious elements, bloc or white, who are self-centered and disinterested in human dignity and constitutional rights for the masses. “Governor James F. Byrnes, patron saint of the Dixiecrat for ces, and a traditional adherent, manipulator, and benefactor of minority bloc voting in the era of the infamous white primary, now denounces what he calls bloc voting on the part of constructive forces in South Carolina because he failed miserably in 1952 to bloc vote South Carolina, and even his own home county of Spartanburg into the Eisenhower column,” the speak er asserted. The two segments of disruptive forces whose intention it was to breag up the citizens organization could not withstand an assault by rational and above board thinking. At the close of the meeting the audience appeared joined in mind and heart to work constructively for Chesterfield county. By a unanimous vote, the aud ience selected the Rev. Mr. Ellis as their candidate for membership on the district school board. While the name of one other can- lidate was mentioned, the audience decided that the most important task was to strive for increased registration. Earlier, Mrs. Simkins had point ed out the wisdom of attending the political campaign meetings and of eventually judging candidates by family background, the degree of uccess in their chosen work, per formance of duty and voting re cords of candidates already in of fice, and their platforms, although it was said that the last point is of least importance. The audience was reminded that election day is the politicians’s pay- day for the type of service render ed or an advance in support for ex pected sailent service, and that only registered citizens can hire and fire politicians. Naacp ASKS COURT TO REVIEW TWO DEATH CASES NEW YORK—The United States Supreme Court was asked within the past three weeks to review two cases involving Negroes by law yers of NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. One is in Georgia and the other in Alabama. It s alleged that the constitutional rights of both convictd men were violated. The Georgia case involved a Ne gro, Ozzie Jones, who was found guilty of rape and sentenced to death on October 7, 1952, by the Superior Court of Chatham County Ga. On appeal to the Georgia Su preme Court the conviction was up held with one judge dissenting. A petition for writ of habeas corpus filed in the City Court of Reids- ville, Ga., was denied and the Su preme Court of Georgia in affirm ing the conviction denied a petition for a rehearing. In the Alabama case, a 17-year old Negro, Jeremiah Reeves, Jr., was also convicted for the alleged rape of a white woman. The con viction was up held by the Alabama Supreme Court and an appeal for a rehearing denied. Ozzie Jones was arrested and convicted on the testimony given by a white woman who identified him by the light of a match. Jones was represented in the lower court by an attorney who did not prepare for the case because he had not been paid and was not in court when the case was called for trial. He had to be sent for by the trial court. However, immediately after the trial, the attorney made a state ment to the press saying that he knew nothing of the date of the trial until ten minutes after the trial was supposed to have begun and did not have adequate time to prepare a defense. Upon hearing this statement the court, which convicted Jones, con victed the attorney in a contempt proceeding. The case was appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court August 31, 1953. The lower court’s decision was upheld with one judge dissent ing on November 25. A request for a rehearing was denied December 8. However, the lower court, in the application for writ of habeas corp us, found that: (a) “The evidence introduced in behalf of the applican substan- 1 tiated to a large extent, the ellega- tions of the petition and while I there was evidence to the contrary, one could not help being impressed with the conviction that the attor ney had made very little, if any, preparation for the trial of the case and was not adequately pre pared for the trial of the case and was not adequately prepared for the trial of a case of such gravity and importance.” (R. 67) In their petition to the U. S. Supreme Court, NAACP Legal De fense attorneys ask for a review of the case on the grounds that Jones, whose lawyer did not prepare for his defense and who was com pelled to defend him by the court, did not have representation in the court and is entitled to a new trial. In the case of Jeremiah Reeves, Jr., the accuser claimed she was raped on July 28, 1952, by an un known assailant. On November 10, almost four months later, Reeves, a 17-year old youth, was arrested and charged with the crime. • He was taken to the state pen itentiary at Kilby, Ala., held for three days and not permitted to consult with anyone. He was questioned constantly in a room with an electric chair and told that if he did confess to the crime he would be saved from the chair, otherwise he would die. On November 12, he was taken to the county jail in Montgomery and placed in a room where his accuser identified as her assailant. He was indicted on November 14. At the trial the judge ordered the court cleared with the exceptioa of witnesses and court officials. A motion by Reeves’ lawyer to have a public trial, as required by the press and his private stenographer. Another repetition-death mot ion to have the press and his pri vate stenographer be allowed to remain in the courtroom was also denied. During the trial, a number of witnesses corroborated Reeves’ story as to his whereabouts and also that he was emotionally un balanced. Near the close of the trial, it was learned for the first time that CONTINUED' ON PAGE 8 UN Delegate To Address PEA Archibald J. Carey, Jr., First Alternate Delegate of the United States Delegation to the Eighth General Assembly of the United Nation will address the opening night audience at the 36th Annual Convention of the Palmetto Ed ucation Association 8 P. M. Thurs day, April 1st. Attarney Carey was appointed by President Eisenhower on July 27th and was confirmed by senate without dissent or debate on July 31st, 1953. This outstanding Minister -At torney was featured speaker at the Republican National Convention Chicago, July 8, 1952. He has ser ved as an Aderman of the Third Ward, Chicago, since 1947. This son of the late Bishop and Mrs. A. J. Carey is a graduate of Northwestern University and Chi- cago-Kent College of Law. Hehas been honored with awards by the following organzations: American Veterans Committee, 1952 for dis tinguished Public Service; Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1952 with one of five Bibles presented with this inscription, “Appreciation of your efforts to apply the princip les of Christianity to the field of Government in Chicago; “The Council Against Discrimination of Greater Chicago, 1954, with its first Abraham Schwarts Human Relations Award (a bronze plaque and $500.). The officers and members of the Palmetto Educaton Association in vite the citizens of this state to hear this distinguished public ser vant 8 P.M. Thursday AprI 1st Township Auditorium Record Membership and Attendance The officers of the association announce a record membership for this year are planning for an at tendance of 6,000 teachers. Music for the general session will be furnished by Allen University, State A. & M. College. Barr Street School, Lancaster, Holmes Elemen tary School, Florence, Howard High School, Georgetown and Brewer High School, Greenwood. Department Meetings The departmental meetings are scheduled for 4:30 P.M. Thursday and 10: A. M. Friday. The follow ing is the schedule of these meet- ngs. 1 The association lists the follow ing professiona meetings as to de partment, chairman, and place a»d time of meetings: Thursday, April 1, 4:30 to 6:8® PM: Elementary Principals, James A. Miller, Antisdel Chapel, Bene dict College ; Jeanes Teachers, Mrs. J. W. Washington, Browsing Room, Allen Library; secondary prin cipals, G. A. Anderson, Lecture Room, Allen Library; Higher Ed ucation, HowardJordan, Browsing Room, Benedict Library. Frida, April 2, 10 AM to 12 Noon: American Vocational As sociation, H. W. Crawford, Cafe teria, C. A. Johnson High School; 12:30 to 2 PM Future Teachers of America, Joseph Kimpson, Taylor Stree UtSO. Als.o, Friday, April, 10 AM to 12 noon: (Elementary Education) Primary Group, Miss Ruth Bynum, Cafetorium & Room 107, Waverly School; Intermedaite Gr. 415 Mrs. Dorothy Bracey, Auditorium, Alle* University. Upper Grades 6-7-8, C. I. Young, Antisdel Chapel, Be*e- dict Colege. Also, (Seconaary Education) Agriculture, W. F. Hickson, Room 106—C. A. Johnson High School; Audo-Visual Education, W. E. Johnson, Annex-Benedict College; Business Education, Clayburn Mar shall, Business Annex-Alien Uni versity; Bandmasters, H. W. Dan- Continued On Page Five