by Gilbert King
260 Stetson Kennedy didn’t even stop: Ibid., pp. 249–250.
260 “Red hot information”: Chicago Defender, November 24, 1951.
260 “for further funds”: FBI 44-4055-27. This report details the FBI’s interactions with Stetson Kennedy and also contains Hoover’s handwritten notation.
261 “it looked like Kennedy had swindled”: Ibid.
261 “could result in the nicest”: Chicago Defender, November 24, 1951.
262 “prejudiced in Civil Rights investigations”:. FBI 44-4055-27.
262 “entirely possible,” given: Ibid.
262 “Klan-ridden regime”: Newton, The Invisible Empire, p. 125.
262 “Sometime later,” however: Moore Report, p. 134.
266 “the best person would”: Groveland Case Minutes, LDF, November 13, 1951.
262 “In the name of human decency”: Marshall to Warren, NAACP, December 5, 1951.
263 “doomed murderer”: FBI 44-4055-65. Leiby’s statement and the FBI investigation at Raiford are derived from this report.
264 “it is not the practice”: Jet, January 17, 1951.
264 “remove Sheriff Willis B. McCall”: Resolutions: Florida State Conference of NAACP Branches, November 23–35, 1951, Daytona Beach, NAACP.
264 “came in and took over”: Moore Report, p. 98.
265 “he could not understand”: Ibid., p. 34.
265 “the easy part of the job”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 86.
265 “anti-Semitic and anti-Negro slogans”: Raymond A. Mohl, “ ‘South of the South?’ Jews, Blacks, and the Civil Rights Movement in Miami, 1945–1960, ” Journal of American Ethnic History, Vol. 18, No. 2, Winter 1999.
265 “The Jew has already”: Ibid.
266 “Florida Terror”: Gainesville Sun, November 5, 2000.
266 “the worst year of minority outrages”: “The Truth About the Florida Race Troubles,” Saturday Evening Post, June 1952.
266 “still echoing around the world”: Moore to Warren, NAACP, December 2, 1951.
266 “Is it true that”: Ibid.
266 “I’ll take a few”: Green, Before His Time, p. 155.
267 “We really ought to”: Ibid.
267 “Some of the tactics”: Ibid.
267 “As matters now stand”: Washington Afro-American, December 4, 1951.
267 “vicious, slanderous and”: Corsair, The Groveland Four, p. 290.
267 “has nothing whatsover”: Unidentified news clipping, NAACP.
268 “Did you interview him”: Fl. v. Samuel Shepherd and Walter Irvin, Florida State Archives, Application for Removal of Cause, p. 139.
268 “That statement is entirely false”: Ibid.
268 “this whole thing has”: St. Petersburg Times, December 7, 1951.
269 “took the first step”: Daily Worker, December 7, 1951.
269 “stirred up trouble”: Columbia University Oral History Project, Jack Greenberg with Kitty Gelhorn, Columbia Center for Oral History, Columbia University, Butler Library, New York, NY (hereafter cited as COHP, Greenberg).
269 “because they represent the NAACP”: St. Petersburg Times, December 7, 1951.
270 “believed that the threat”: Pittsburgh Courier, December 22, 1951.
270 “ordinary, conversational”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 76.
270 “In a mass meeting”: Ibid., p. 29.
271 “Why did McCall have to remove”: Pittsburgh Courier, December 22, 1951.
271 “They can keep me”: Ibid.
271 “from some of these white people”: Ibid.
271 “I was glad of the chance”: Doggett to Marshall, LDF, December 15, 1951, and January 1, 1952.
272 “This is not a single battle”: Tushnet, The NAACP’s Legal Strategy Against Segregated Education, 1925–1950, p. 95.
272 “going too far” in his work: Moore Report, Exhibit 39.
272 “I’m going to keep doing it”: Green, Before His Time, p. 162.
Chapter 18: All Over the Place, Like Rats
274 “Is that you, Harry?”: Moore Report, p. 31. The accounts of the evening of December 25, 1951, are derived from various FBI reports, interviews, and witness statements included in this report.
276 “We seek no special favors”: Moore to Warren, NAACP, December 2, 1951.
277 “Trying to scare”: Moore Report, p. 315.
277 “There isn’t much left”: Orlando Sentinel, December 28, 1951.
277 “Bombing Kills Negro Leader”: New York Times, December 27, 1951.
278 “When state officers”: Washington Post, December 29, 1951.
278 “That kind of violent incident”: Crisis, May/June, 1999.
278 “I can testify”: Collier’s, February 23, 1952.
278 “the possibility of violent death”: Jet, September 29, 1955.
278 “representatives of the finest type”: Marshall to Warren, NAACP, December 26, 1951.
279 “Terrorism in Florida”: Crisis, February 1952.
279 “Notice Negro Blood on Your Grapefruit?”: Ebony, April 1952.
279 “It’s a pat on the back”: Ebony, November 1975.
279 “Terrorists Kill by Night”: St. Petersburg Times, December 30, 1951.
279 “arrest and conviction”: St. Petersburg Times, December 28, 1951.
279 “acting as a human shield”: Green, Before His Time, p. 183.
279 “I am the second best pistol shot”: Baltimore Afro-American, January 5, 1952.
279 “to see what can be done”: St. Petersburg Times, December 28, 1951.
279 “in their moment of degradation”: New York Times, December 31, 1951.
280 “fast, resolute action”: New York Times, January 3, 1952.
280 “Everything was being done”: St. Petersburg Times, December 28, 1951.
280 “I’m sure as I can be”: Green, Before His Time, p. 184.
280 “a relief to know”: St. Petersburg Times, December 31, 1951.
280 Against Dr. Starke’s wishes: Ibid., p. 186.
281 “even if they had a pistol”: Green, Before His Time, p. 187.
282 “You can pick up a newspaper”: Pittsburgh Courier, February 2, 1952.
282 “Getting dynamite”: Moore Report, p. 123.
282 “We’d go in and talk”: Ibid.
282 “We had informants”: Ibid.
Chapter 19: Private Parts
284 was “booked solid”: Moore Report, p. 316.
284 “I don’t care how booked you are”: Ibid.
284 “to ensure that the FBI”: Ibid.
284 “Klan members and some law enforcement officers”: Ibid.
285 “How you want your body shipped back?”: Chicago Defender, February 23, 1952.
285 “American Confederate Army”: Jet, July 31, 1952.
285 1. denounce the NAACP: Ibid.
285 “Florida must have a few lynchings”: Ibid.
285 “at least 25 cars”: Pittsburgh Courier, February 23, 1952.
285 “with confederate flags flying”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 141.
285 “It was frightening, it was exciting”: COHP, Greenberg.
286 “took the vain precaution”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 141.
286 “too busy with traffic accidents”: Fort Pierce News Tribune, February 12, 1952.
286 “misquoted” with regard: St. Petersburg Times, February 17, 1952.
286 “libelous and defamatory” postcards: Lubbock Evening Journal, February 13, 1952.
286 “Your boys, the KKKs”: Chicago Defender, February 23, 1952.
286 “beautiful shiny Cadillac”: Ibid.
286 “rip-roaring welcome parade”: Pittsburgh Courier, February 23, 1952.
286 “stirred up trouble in the community”: Atlanta Daily World, February 10, 1952.
286 “My shoulder worries me”: New York Daily Compass, February 13, 1952.
287 “packed to the ceiling”: Chicago Defender, February 23, 1952.
287 “our greatest civil liberties lawyer”: Collier’s, February 23, 1952.
287 a Louisiana judge who was “no friend”: COHP, Marshall.
288 “You don’t have to worry”: Ibid.
288 “not one of the 518 whites”: New York Daily Compass, February 12, 1952.
288 “place the trial”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 143.
288 “chewed occasionally”: New York Daily Compass, February 12, 1952.
288 “How much did they pay you?”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 24.
288 “Now, as a matter of fact”: Ibid., p. 29.
289 “one of the best friends”: Ibid., p. 93.
289 “I would put this county”: Ibid., p. 105.
290 “gentleman of the frock”: Chicago Defender, February 23, 1952.
290 “The objection is sustained”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 57.
290 “I’m here at the wish of the government”: Juan Williams interview with Thurgood Marshall, http://www.thurgoodmarshall.com/interviews/early_naacp.htm. This scene between Marshall and J. J. Elliott is derived from Williams’s interview with Marshall about his early NAACP work.
291 “our greatest civil rights lawyer”: Collier’s, February 23, 1952.
291 “So go toward them”: Williams interview with Marshall.
291 “It shocked me”: FOHP, Williams.
292 “a heavy woman in a dark dress”: New York Daily Compass, February 12, 1952.
292 “Well, you got the case”: Williams interview with Marshall.
292 “clearly implied that”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 144.
292 “Well,” he said: Williams interview with Marshall.
293 “Won’t say it on myself”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 144.
293 “who wouldn’t confess”: Ibid.
293 “I’ll take a life sentence”: New York Daily Compass, February 17, 1952.
294 shout “Nigger!” over and over: Life, September 20, 1948.
294 “see it when it was made up”: Chicago Defender, February 23, 1952.
294 “Well, this Deputy Sheriff”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 144.
295 Marshall had also learned: Byrd to Carter, LDF, Ocotber 21, 1951.
295 “best colored man on the panel”: Chicago Defender, February 23, 1952.
295 “If he says the boy is good”: Ibid.
295 “An ingenious man”: Ibid.
296 “remarkable,” according to one reporter: New York Daily Compass, February 13, 1952.
296 “hit quite a few licks”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 295.
296 “Dressed for a party”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 145.
296 “coral-colored cardigan sweater”: New York Daily Compass, February 13, 1952.
297 “Why would a ‘rape victim’ strut”: Crisis, Vol. 56, October 1949.
297 “bone-poor”: New York Daily Compass, February 13, 1952.
297 “has the bent carriage”: Ibid.
297 “which often could not be heard”: Ibid.
297 “Grab the lady”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 302.
298 “That’s all, brother”: New York Daily Compass, February 13, 1952.
298 “One of them said”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 305.
299 “The nigger Shepherd . . .”: FOHP, Williams.
299 “Now, Norma, this is”: FL. vs. Irvin, p. 310.
299 “You had a farmer jury”: FHW Papers, Chesley.
300 “What did you tell him?”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 321.
300 “You watch her on the witness stand”: New York Daily Compass, February 13, 1952.
300 “gum-chewing husky”: Ibid.
301 “protecting the integrity”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 339.
301 “Now, Mr. Yates,” Hunter began: Ibid., p. 341.
302 “emission of seed”: Ibid., p. 494.
302 “the old common Florida way”: Ibid., p. 513.
302 “Now, Mr. Yates, is it true”: Ibid., p. 372.
Chapter 20: A Genius Here Before Us
303 “a spread collar”: New York Daily Compass, February 14, 1952.
303 Howard would break his share of vows: Author interview with Kim Howard, April 12, 2011.
304 “Just tell what happened”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 374.
304 “Why did you rape”: MM 44-156, FBI.
305 “Did you tell them”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 376.
305 They had been classmates: Leesburg High School Yearbook, 1947.
305 “Well, I asked her”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 376.
305 “as smooth as Willie is bucolic”: New York Daily Compass, February 14, 1952.
306 The Groveland case was never mentioned: Author interview with Kim Howard, April 12, 1952.
306 “My mother was a saint”: Ibid.
306–7 “The absence of medical proof”: New York Daily Compass, February 17, 1952.
307 “We need you very much”: S. Ralph Harlow to Lawrence Burtoft, LDF, January 15, 1952.
307 “hit over the head”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 388.
308 “at least one Ku Klux Klan member”: New York Daily Compass, February 17, 1952.
309 “genuine fear of reprisals”: Caxton Doggett to Greenberg, LDF, January 31, 1952.
309 “wanted him to let his conscience”: Ibid.
309 “Now, as a matter of fact”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 392.
310 “reported to a man”: MM 44-156, FBI.
310 citing the “confidential nature”: FBI 44-2722-24.
310 “To tell what I knew”: Corsair, The Groveland Four, p. 318.
310 “The only chance these Negroes had”: Shepherd v. Florida, 341 U.S. 50 (1951).
312 “Just a minute”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 418.
313 “cracking wise to his friends”: New York Daily Compass, February 14, 1952.
313–14 “stop the prosecutor”: Ibid.
314 “After carefully studying”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 437.
314 “Then it is your contention”: Ibid., p. 438.
314 “ridiculed the testimony”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 146.
314 “Then, as a matter of fact”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 440.
315 “chew anything substantial”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 147.
315 “We do not insist on it”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 446.
316 “pretty well acquainted”: Ibid., p. 452.
316 “Gentlemen,” he told the jury: Ibid., p. 464.
316 “crazy” Herman Bennett: Ibid., p. 473.
316 “Now, gentlemen”: Ibid., p. 474.
316 “They’re probably wondering”: New York Daily Compass, February 17, 1952.
317 “in a difficult spot”: Ibid.
317 “as if they never knew”: New York Daily Compass, February 15, 1952.
317 “Gentlemen of the jury, Marshall began”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 477.
317 “drumming his fingers”: New York Daily Compass, February 15, 1952.
317 “Now, in cases of this type”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 477.
319 “patiently, politely”: New York Daily Compass, February 15, 1952.
319 “With Marshall, you really got the impression”: E. Barrett Prettyman, Jr., interview, Thurgood Marshall: Justice for All, A&E Biography, 2005.
319 “best evidence we could find”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 485.
320 “Damn, that nigger was good”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 157.
Chapter 21: The Colored Way
321 “Boy, that’s a great man”: FHW Papers, Chesley.
321 quite “buddy-buddy”: Ibid.
321 “a terrible racist”: Ibid.
322 “conned into believing”: Ibid.
322 “because of its possible good effects”: “Musings,” Mount Dora Topic, undated clipping. FHW Papers.
322 “Stay away from that man”: FHW Papers, Chesley.
323 “We don’t say that she was not raped”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 490.
324 “Gentlemen, although”: Ibid., 505.
325 “whooped and hollered”: New York Daily Compass, February 15, 1952.<
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325 “Now, gentlemen, she sat there”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 485.
326–27 “open up until the case went to the jury”: New York Post, February 19. 1952.
327 “I didn’t do it”: Ibid.
327 “Judge Futch, I’m quite serious”: Williams interview with Marshall.
327 “rigidly scrutinized”: Corsair, The Groveland Four, p. 338.
328 “How long’s the jury”: Williams interview with Marshall.
329 “Now when the jury gives its verdict”: Ibid.
329 “We the jury find”: New York Daily Compass, February 15, 1952.
329 “Like a man stunned”: Ibid.
329 “Don’t you know that”: Fl. v. Irvin, p. 516.
329 the word criminal, not colored: New York Daily Compass, February 15, 1952.
329 “the reporter who was faithful”: Ibid.
329 “Could this be another”: New York Daily Compass, February 17, 1952.
330 “Say, is that Carter”: Ibid.
330 “She had the most impressive face”: Williams interview with Marshall.
330 “Lawyer, don’t you let”: Tushnet, Thurgood Marshall, p. 455. Also Williams interview with Marshall.
330 “Don’t worry, honey”: Chicago Defender, February 23, 1952.
330 “Get away,” Reese said: FHW Papers, Chesley.
Chapter 22: A Place in the Sun
331 “I don’t see how”: Baltimore Afro-American, February 23, 1952.
332 “All-White Jury”: New York Times, February 15, 1952.
332 praised the “tranquillity”: Ocala Star Banner, February 15, 1952.
332 “Brutal and cynical”: Daily Worker, February 28, 1952.
332 “I’m not sorry,”: New York Post, February 19, 1952.
334 “If you show your black”: Kluger, Simple Justice, p. 536.
334 “We could only move”: COHP, Marshall.
334 Marshall’s “charisma”: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 153.
334 “fund-raising and organizing potential”: Ibid., p. 180.
335 “black people of no great means”: Ibid.
335 “He’s aged so”: Collier’s, February 23, 1952.
335 “beyond the limits of the human anatomy”: Kluger, Simple Justice, p. 563.
335 Marshall flashed the secret: Greenberg, Crusaders in the Courts, p. 170.
336 “Why don’t we take”: Franklin, Mirror to America, p. 157.
337 “present a case so persuasive”: Ibid., p. 158.
337 “I’m going to be a good butler”: COHP, Marshall.
337 “It deserves a place”: Kluger, Simple Justice, p. 648.
