First In His Class

by David Maraniss

  21 Details of William J. Blythe Ill’s birth from Edith Cassidy’s records, in possession of her niece, Myra Irvin, and from Hope Star, Aug. 20, 1946.

  22 one of Hope’s dazzling characters: Ints. Myra Irvin, Feb. 9, 1993; Falba Lively, Feb. 8, 1993; Jack and Jimmy Hendrix, Feb. 10, 1993; and Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992, and July 12, 1993.

  22 He came off the farm: Ints. Mary Nell Turner, Feb. 9, 1993; Dale Drake, Aug. 3, 1994; Jack and Jimmy Hendrix, Feb. 10, 1993; and Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992, and July 12, 1993.

  23 Virginia worked: Hope Star, Hope High School tabloid edition, May 28, 1941.

  24 “There was a sense”: Int. Jack Hendrix, Feb. 10, 1993.

  24 Virginia got away: Int. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992.

  24 in his military records: Obtained in FOIA request from National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, St. Louis. Also, W. J. Blythe military discharge records on file at Hempstead County Courthouse, Hope, Arkansas.

  24 Blythe was “a handsome man”: Int. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992.

  25 She flirted through eye contact: Virginia Kelley, Leading with My Heart (cited hereafter as Leading), pp. 40-42.

  25 There is a contradiction: W, J. Blythe Army discharge papers filed at Hempstead County Courthouse, Dec. 13, 1945, and Military Personnel Records in St. Louis.

  25 Anyone doubting: Leading, p. 45.

  25 She knew that he had: lnts. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992, and July 12, 1993.

  26 She did not know about the December…: Blythe’s marital past is documented in courthouse records in Medill, Oklahoma; Oklahoma City; Dallas and Austin, Texas; and Ardmore, Oklahoma. Bill Clinton and Virginia Kelley were first told about Blythe’s history during the 1992 presidential campaign, after Clinton’s campaign office received inquiries from possible relatives. They said nothing publicly until an article by Gene Weingarten in The Washington Post dated June 20, 1993, revealed the possibility that Henry Leon Ritzenthaler was fathered by W. J. Blythe.

  26 sailing away on a troopship: Blythe’s wartime experiences are based on historical records of the 125th Ordnance Base Auto Maintenance Battalion, stored at the National Archives.

  27 Hometown News: Anderson’s letters were later compiled by Hope historian Mary Nell Turner and reprinted by the Hempstead County Historical Society journal in 1991.

  27 no plans to stay: Leading, pp. 54-55, has Virginia Kelley’s version. Military records, with dates that conflict with Kelley’s, are taken from Blythe discharge papers filed at Hempstead County Courthouse on Dec. 13, 1945, and from Military Personnel Records in St. Louis.

  28 little time to get to know. Int. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992, and Leading, pp. 56-59.

  28 May 17 was a Friday: Descriptions of Blythe’s trip home and his fatal automobile accident come from interviews with Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992; Buddy Grisham, Feb. 11, 1993; and Elmer Greenlee, Jan. 14, 1992, and July 20, 1993. Also articles in Hope Star, May 18, 1946; Sikeston Standard, May 20, 1946; and WP, June 20, 1993.

  29 day that Billy Blythe was born: Arkansas Gazette, Aug. 20, 1946.

  29 the race issue still defined Hope: lnts. Mary Nell Turner, Feb. 9, 1993; Al Graves, Sr., Feb. 9, 1993; George Wright, Feb. 11, 1993; and Dale Drake, Aug. 3, 1994.

  30 His days as the iceman: lnts. Virginia Kelley, July 12, 1993; Margaret Polk, Feb. 22, 1993; and Dale Drake, Aug. 3, 1994. Leading, pp. 74-75.

  30 Edith kept him occupied: lnts. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992, and Myra Irvin, Feb. 9, 1993. Leading, p. 74.

  31 Clinton had a wife and two stepsons: From records of Ina Mae Clinton’s divorce from Roger Clinton, filed at Garland County Courthouse in Hot Springs, Aug. 17, 1948.

  31 that he was a philanderer: Leading, p. 85.

  31 “I’m fixin’ to marry”: Int. Buddy Grisham, Feb. 11, 1993.

  32 Billy would “light up”: Int. Donna Taylor Wingfield, Feb. 10, 1993.

  32 He called Roger Clinton “Daddy”: The fact that Roger Clinton did not legally adopt Bill Clinton is established in the papers Bill filed on June 12, 1962, at the Garland County Courthouse to change his name from William Jefferson Blythe to William Jefferson Clinton.

  32 he hauled out a gun: lnts. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992; Margaret Polk, Feb. 22, 1993; Dale Drake, Aug. 3, 1994; and Donna Taylor Wingfield, Feb. 10, 1993.

  33 Virginia hated the farm. Int. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992. Leading, pp. 93-94.

  33 it belonged to big brother Raymond: Raymond Clinton’s ownership of the Park Avenue house is documented in divorce papers Virginia Clinton filed against Roger Clinton on May 15, 1962. Roger’s financial troubles are detailed in Leading, p. 90.

  34 The Clintons had arrived: From oral history of Raymond Clinton conducted by Dorothy Wise, Oct. 24, 1980, as part ol’the Leo P. McLaughlin project.

  34 He spent much of his time drinking: Leading, pp. 110-12. Ints. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13. 1992, and Judy Ellsworth, April 24, 1994.

  35 Billy tried to carve out: Int. Bill Clinton, May 14, 1992.

  36 Every boy in the school: Int. Ron Cecil, Jan. 3, 1994.

  Two: In All His Glory

  37 To open the side door: Ints. Carolyn Yeldell Staley, Jan. 14, 1992, and June 8, 1993.

  37 an olfactory sensation: Int. David Leopoulos, June 9, 1993.

  38 After secretly saving money: Leading, p. 119.

  39 In seeking to end the marriage: The account of events leading to their divorce is taken from divorce records and affidavits filed at Garland County Courthouse, May 15, 1962. Also Ints. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992, and June 12, 1993, and Bill Clinton, Jan. 20, 1992.

  40 “Mother,” he said: Int. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992.

  40 The only Roger Clinton: Records filed at Garland County Courthouse, June 12, 1962. Also Int. Bill Clinton Jan. 20, 1992.

  41 But it was not his castle: Ints. Carolyn Yeldell Staley, Jan. 14, 1992, and June 8, 1993; Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992; and David Leopoulos, June 9, 1993.

  41 He had planned to run: Ints. Phil Jamison, Feb. 21 and April 2, 1993.

  42 He ran for it: Ints. Carolyn Yeldell Staley, Jan. 14, 1992, June 8, 1993, and July 12,1993. 42 Mrs. Mackey turned down some requests: Ints. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992, and David Leopoulos, June 9, 1993.

  42 When Root assigned: Int. Paul Root, July 13, 1993.

  42 During his sophomore year: Int. Phil Jamison, April 2, 1993.

  43 cadre of teachers: Ints. Elizabeth Buck, July 29, 1993; Ron Cecil, Jan. 3, 1994; Phil Jamison, Feb. 21, 1993; and Carolyn Yeldell Staley, June 8, 1993.

  44 His speech to the Civitan Club: Hot Springs Sentinel-Record, Dec. 6, 1963.

  44 Band teacher Virgil Spurlin: Ints. Virgil Spurlin, July 14, 1993; John Hilliard, July 12, 1993; and David Leopoulos, June 9, 1993.

  45 “the opportunity to create something”: Arkansas Democrat, Sept. 27, 1977.

  45 He toted his saxophone: Int. Carolyn Yeldell Staley, June 8, 1993.

  45 Virgil Spurlin saw in young Clinton: Int. Virgil Spurlin, July 14, 1993.

  46 more like fraternity brothers: lnts. Carolyn Staley, July 12, 1993, and John Hilliard, July 12, 1993.

  47 He never wanted to be alone: Int. David Leopoulos, June 9, 1993.

  47 Graduation for the Hot Springs: The account of commencement events is drawn from Hot Springs High Torchlight, May 29, 1964. Also ints. with David Leopoulos, June 9, 1993; Carolyn Yeldell Staley, June 8, 1993: Phil Jamison, Feb. 21, 1993; Virgil Spurlin, July 13, 1993; and Edith Irons, Jan. 14, 1992.

  48 He had the last word: Copy of Clinton’s speech and Virginia’s letter about it saved by Edith Cassidy, in possession of her niece, Myra Irvin.

  Three: The Road Ahead

  50 “Remember, at Georgetown”: The Courier (October 1964), p. 22.

  50 there were women around: Demographics from Georgetown University Registrar provided by Georgetown University archivist Jon K. Reynolds.

  51 the freshman dean mused: Int. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992.

 
; 51 Clinton’s roommate reached: Ints. Tom Campbell, Jan. 22 and Feb. 3, 1993.

  52 There was inevitable posturing: Ints. Tom Campbell, Jan. 22, 1993; John Dagnon, Feb. 26, 1993; and Tom Caplan, Feb. 27-28, 1993.

  52 While another southern freshman: Int. Kit Ashby, Jan. 20, 1993.

  52 “Dear Mammaw”: Postcard to Edith Cassidy, Sept. 21, 1964.

  52 He and roommate Campbell: lnts. Tom Campbell, Jan. 22 and Feb. 3, 1993.

  53 Clinton returned to the dorm: Int. Tom Campbell, Jan. 22, 1993.

  53 “One thing I really want”: Letter to Edith Cassidy, Oct. 9, 1964.

  53 Tommy Caplan had met Kennedy: Int. Tom Caplan, Feb. 27, 1993.

  55 His candidacy was nonideological: The account of Clinton’s campaign for freshman president is based on interviews with Kit Ashby, Jan. 20, 1993; Judith Bacher, Feb. 3, 1993; Tom Campbell, Jan. 22, 1993; Tom Caplan, Feb. 27, 1993; John Dagnon, Feb. 26. 1993, David Kammer, Feb. 6, 1993: Paul Maloy, March 2, 1993; and David Matter, Feb. 5, 1993. Also The Hoya, Oct. 25 and Nov. 6. 1964, and The Courier (December 1964).

  56 “I know I’m late”: Letter to Edith Cassidy, Nov. 7, 1964.

  56 Robert Irving, the English professor: Int. Tom Caplan, Feb. 27, 1993.

  57 under Father Joseph S. Sebes. lnts. Bill Clinton, May 14, 1992; Tom Caplan, Feb. 27, 1993; Joe Baczko, Feb. 8, 1993; and Father James Walsh, SJ., Jan. 25, 1993.

  57 Hentz championed the philosophy: Int. Otto Hentz, Jan. 25, 1993.

  58 “I think you should”: This conversation was recalled similarly by Hentz, Jan. 25, 1993, and Bill Clinton, May 14, 1992.

  58 “Half the people at Georgetown”: Clinton gubernatorial inaugural speech in Little Rock, Jan. 13, 1987.

  58 his course was mandatory: Description of Carroll Quigley based on interviews with Kit Ashby, Jan. 20, 1993; Tom Campbell, Jan. 22, 1993; Tom Caplan, Feb. 27, 1993; Phil Verveer, Feb. 2, 1993; Jim Moore, Jan. 21, 1993; Jon R. Reynolds, Jan. 22, 1993, and David Matter, Feb. 5, 1993. Also Quigley documents at Lauinger Library Archives, Georgetown University.

  60 From the nursing home: Int. Myra Irvin, Feb. 1993. Irvin saved Edith Cassidy’s possessions, including address book, envelopes, and letters from her grandson. Letters from Bill Clinton, Oct. 9, Nov. 8, and Nov. 25, 1964.

  60 He went to a dance: Int. Phil Jamison, Feb. 21, 1993.

  61 “Everybody else has moods”: Int. Jim Moore, Feb. 1. 1993.

  61 Among his fellow student politicians: The account of Clinton in student government is taken from interviews with Phil Verveer, Feb. 2, 1993; David Kammer, Feb. 6, 1993; and Paul Maloy, March 2, 1993.

  63 A letter to the editor: The Hoya, Feb. 18, 1965.

  64 still supportive of the president: Int. Tom Campbell, Jan. 22, 1993.

  64 Denise Hyland left: The account of Clinton’s friendship with Denise Hyland is drawn from interviews with Denise Hyland, March 4, May 14, and July 12, 1993.

  65 “I met some awfully cute kids”: Letter to Denise Hyland, June 1965.

  65 “My grandfather is dying”: Letter to Denise Hyland, June 10, 1965.

  66 After the funeral: Letter to Denise Hyland, June 18, 1965.

  66 “I remember the blackness”: Int. Tom Campbell, Feb. 3, 1993.

  67 Carolyn Yeldell was home: Int. Carolyn Yeldell Staley, June 8, 1993.

  67 “What feedback are you getting”: Letter to Denise Hyland, Aug. 11, 1965.

  67 “Just searching”: Letter to Denise Hyland, Aug. 11, 1965.

  68 “This one tall proud Texas boy”: Int. Denise Hyland, March 4, 1993.

  Four: He Was on Fire

  69 For the start: Int. Kit Ashby, Jan. 20, 1993.

  70 “Bill, you’ve got your nose”: Int. Tom Campbell, Feb. 3, 1993.

  70 A medical student had once: Im. Kit Ashby, Jan. 20, 1993.

  70 the most exacting course: The account of Walter I. Giles is drawn from interviews with Kit Ashby, Jan. 20, 1993; Tom Caplan, Feb. 27, 1993; John Dagnon, Feb. 26, 1993; John Spotila, Jan. 12, 1994; Phil Verveer, Feb. 2, 1993; and David Kammer, Feb. 6, 1993.

  72 He was, in the football realm: lnts. Phil Jamison, April 2, 1993, and Denise Hyland, March 4, 1993.

  72 When his grandmother mailed: Postcard to Edith Cassidy, Feb. 2, 1966.

  73 “A small price to pay”: Int. Denise Hyland, May 14, 1993.

  73 “All males harbor fears”: The Courier (April 1966), p. 7.

  73 Alpha Phi Omega: Ints. Tom Campbell, Jan. 22, 1993, and Donald Pattee, Jan. 22, 1993.

  74 They flew out to Little Rock: Int. Tom Caplan, Feb. 27, 1993.

  74 he decided not to run: Int. David Matter, Feb. 5, 1993.

  75 Lyda Holt was seated: Int. Lyda Holt, June 8, 1993.

  75 Clinton had relied on: Int. Jack Holt, Jr., June 4, 1993.

  75 Holt was immediately put on the defensive: Undated Arkansas Gazette articles in Lyda Holt scrapbook.

  76 He surrounded himself with young people: Descriptions of the Holt Generation from interviews with Lyda Holt, June 8, 1993; Paul Fray, April 25, 1994; David Glover, June 4, 1993; Richard King, June 5. 1993; and Jack Holt, Jr., June 4, 1993.

  76 “and warming the bench, me”: Letter to Denise Hyland, June 29, 1966.

  77 They were quite a quartet: Int. Lyda Holt, June 8, 1993.

  77 “I never took orders”: Letter to Denise Hyland, July 8, 1966.

  77 His letters to Denise: Int. Denise Hyland. May 14, 1993.

  77 As the fire engines: Int. Lyda Holt, June 8, 1993.

  77 “I hope you saw me”: Letter to Edith Cassidy, July 1, 1966.

  78 Clinton made a special plea: Int. Lyda Holt, June 8, 1993.

  78 “Last night I spoke for”: Letter to Denise Hyland, July 8, 1966.

  78 The day after the speech: Int. Lyda Holt, June 8, 1993.

  79 “a good reminder”: Letter to Denise Hyland, Aug. 8, 1966.

  79 It was a scorching day: Int. David Pryor, June 29, 1993.

  79 “I think the heat”: Letter to Denise Hyland, July 14, 1966.

  79 “Boy, you meet all kinds”: Letter to Denise Hyland, July 14.

  80 “The Holts travel”: Memphis Commercial-Appeal, July 12, 1966.

  80 In his letters: Int. Denise Hyland, May 14, 1993.

  81 “Denise, he’s never lost”: Letter to Denise Hyland, June 29, 1966.

  81 “All I can do is pray”: Letter to Denise Hyland, Aug. 8, 1966.

  81 “He sweet and nice”: Int. Lyda Holt, June 8, 1993.

  81 He told Jack Holt, Jr.: Int. Jack Holt, Jr., June 4, 1993.

  82 Lee Williams was always looking: Int. Lee Williams, May 12, 1993.

  82 Virginia Clinton wrote Denise: Int. Denise Hyland, May 14, 1993.

  82 “one of my happiest birthdays”: Letter to Denise Hyland, Aug. 19, 1966.

  Five: The Back Room Boys

  83 “I am well settled”: Letter to Edith Cassidy. Sept. 26, 1966.

  84 They sorted the mail: Description of the back room boys comes from interviews with Lee Williams, May 12, 1993; Norvill Jones, May 12, 1993; Bertie Bowman, May 26, 1993; Charles Parks, June 4, 1993; Phil Dozier, June 22, 1993; and Buddy Kendrick. May 29, 1993.

  84 “People dumped on our state”: Clinton tribute to Senator J. William Fulbright, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1993.

  85 Soon the fissure: The description of Fulbright’s relationship with Johnson is drawn largely from Haynes Johnson and Bernard M. Gwertzman, Fulbright: The Dissenter, Lee Riley Powell, J. William Fulbright and America’s Lost Crusade; J. William Fulbright, The Arrogance of Power; and J. William Fulbright, The Price of Empire.

  85 “for the war”: Int. Bill Clinton, August 6, 1992.

  85 It was difficult to work: Ints. Norvill Jones, May 12, 1993, and Lee Williams, May 12, 1993.

  86 Clinton and Dozier: Int. Phil Dozier, June 22, 1993.

  87 If Campbell carried: Int. Tom Campbell, Feb. 3, 1993.

  87 One Saturday morning: Int. Lyda Holt, June 8, 1993, and letter to Edith Cassidy, Oct. 11, 1966.

  87 “Last week
Frank Holt”: Letter to Edith Cassidy, Feb. 6, 1967.

  87 They headed back to school: Ints. Denise Hyland May 14, 1993, and Tom Campbell, Feb. 3, 1993.

  88 “My grades for the first semester”: Letter to Edith Cassidy, Feb. 6, 1967.

  88 Matter realized: Int. David Matter, Feb. 5, 1993.

  88 His obsession was so great: Int. Terry Modglin, Feb. 18, 1993.

  89 “A Realistic Approach”: Copy of Clinton platform saved by Denise Hyland.

  89 “He wanted to co-opt the management”: Int. Jim Moore, Feb. 2, 1993.

  89 “Bill never wanted to say”. Int. Kit Ashby, Jan. 20, 1993.

  90 He struck an alliance: Int. Terry Modglin, Feb. 18, 1993.

  90 Clinton’s allies worked tirelessly: Ints. Denise Hyland, March 4, 1993, and Kit Ashby, Jan. 20, 1993.

  90 “The Spirit of ’67”: The Hoya, March 16, 1967.

  90 The second episode: Ints. David Matter, Feb. 5, 1967, and John Dagnon, Feb. 26, 1993.

  90 The election was on a Friday: The account of this election night is based on interviews with Tom Campbell, Feb. 3, 1993; Kit Ashby, Jan. 20, 1993; Terry Modglin, Feb. 18, 1993; David Matter, Feb. 5, 1993; Denise Hyland, March 4, 1993; and Lyda Holt, June 8, 1993. Also The Hoya, March 13-16, 1967.

  92 “Roger, your neck”: Ints. Virginia Kelley, Jan. 13, 1992, July 12, 1993.

  92 Bill visited Roger Clinton: Int. Denise Hyland, May 14, 1993.

  92 Lyda Holt visited: Int. Lyda Holt, June 8, 1993.

  92 “I know I have never”: Leading, p. 165.

  92 “Daddy has been so sick”: Letter to Denise Hyland, 1967.

  93 he and Tommy Caplan: Int. Tom Caplan, Oct. 3, 1994. Letter to Denise Hyland, June 1967.

  93 The binge left Clinton wallowing: Letter to Denise Hyland, June 1967.

  93 It was a summer of uncertainty: Letter to Denise Hyland, July 29, 1967.

  94 Clinton was assigned a rather odd diversion: Int. Sharon Ann Evans, June 9, 1993. Letter to Denise Hyland, August 31, 1967.

  95 He stayed that summer: Int. Jim Moore, Feb. 2, 1993.

  95 Duke Watts was about to leave: Int. Duke Watts, May 6, 1993.

  Six: All Hell Broke Loose