In the News: April 7-April 13, 1968

April 7, 1968
The following national stories appeared in the Des Moines Register – Des Moines, Iowa.
Banner headline: 11,600 Troops Patrol D.C.
Help to Put Lid on Arson and Looting: Police Nab Stokely, Let Him Go by Clark Mollenholf
The first sniper shots in D.C. were reported early Saturday night. Carmichael was stopped by police before 5 p.m. on Saturday. “As Carmichael was frisked, he shouted: ‘Get your hands off me. If you’re going to arrest me, arrest me, but keep your hands off me.’ Carmichael thought the curfew started at 5:30 p.m. (The Register’s Washington Bureau.)

Demands: Arrest Stokely
Saying “Carmichael and rabble-rousers like him are directly responsible” for the rioting, Sen. Daniel Brewster, a Democrat for Maryland “demanded the arrest of Negro militant leader Stokely Carmichael.”
(Reuters. Appeared in the Des Moines Register – Des Moines, Iowa.)

How He Looked: the AP Wirephoto is an artist’s rendition of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassin. Drawn by Memphis Commercial Appeal artist Bill Herrington, it was based on a description by Charlie Q. Stephens, an occupant of the building where the shots were fired.

Trace Steps of Assassin on Day of the Slaying by Nicholas C. Chriss and Vincent J. Burke.
“The chronology of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, as pieced together from police reports, inspection of the scene and interviews with witnesses, centers on the Lorraine motel.” Between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Thursday, the killer asked for a room at the boarding house. A witness said the man had a southern accent. Police don’t know how long he stood in the bathroom, waiting for the right time. King had not requested police protection. However, police did post men in the area, “but had not thought it necessary to check the rooftops or interiors of nearby buildings.” As the killer ran, he covered his face with his arm. He ran, throwing the rifle and bag in the doorway of a distributor of pinball machines. He took off in a white Mustang. King was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. (The Los Angeles Times. Appeared in the Des Moines Register – Des Moines, Iowa.)

What Riots Mean for All of Us by Robert J. Donovan
The writer says, “Either the country will turn to the politics of repression or Dr. King’s death will bring about the kind of moderating results that John F. Kennedy’s assassination produced. It was only after Kennedy’s death that Congress passed 1963 civil rights bill, the revolutionary tax bill and other landmark measures of social reform.” (The Los Angeles Times. Appeared in the Des Moines Register – Des Moines, Iowa.)

Sniper, Fires Keep Chicago in Turmoil: U.S. Troops in City; Death Toll 10
“Some 5,000 regular Army troops arrived in Chicago Saturday night to reinforce thousands of National Guardsmen and police who have been unable to halt widespread looting, sniping and arson which left 10 dead, hundreds wounded and thousands homeless.” The troops are from Austin, Texas and Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs. The President received the request from Ill. Lt. Gov. Samuel Shapiro. Mayor Daley ordered a 7 p.m. curfew for people under 21. National Guard troops now total 7,500. He also banned the sale of firearms, alcohol and flammable substances. Intelligence officers are telling authorities that they think violence would increase through Saturday night. Riots are continuing from 1-8 miles south of the Loop. Demonstrators at the Chicago armory protested that the troop presence “were contributing to the atmosphere of violence.” These demonstrators attempted to march against racism but were greeted by nausea gas instead. (Leased Wire to the Register. Appeared in the Des Moines Register – Des Moines, Iowa.)

Curfew Cancels Grand Ole Opry
The 43-year old radio program was canceled for the first time in its history because of the dawn-to-dusk curfew. (Reuters. Appeared in the Des Moines Register – Des Moines, Iowa.)

Oscar’ Awards Delayed for King
The Academy Awards were postponed out of respect for Dr. King. It was to be aired on Monday. Instead it will air on Wednesday, the day after King’s funeral. (Reuters. Appeared in the Des Moines Register – Des Moines, Iowa.)

Flag at Half Staff First for Negro
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. apparently is the first Negro to be honored by presidential order that the American flag be flown at half staff. White House research back to 1940 disclosed Saturday that no Negroes appear on the list.” (AP. Appeared in the Des Moines Register – Des Moines, Iowa.)

‘You’ve Buried the Last King’
Harry Edwards, the California college professor who started the black boycott of the Olympics said that “From now on it will be a life for a life… American now can deal with me, Rap Brown, Stokely Carmichael and other leaders. Forget about nonviolence.” (Associated Press)

April 8, 1968
The following is a compilation of top stories from newspapers around the country.
Cities Keep A Fragile Peace
"Racial violence unleashed by the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has struck more than four-score American cities in a destructiveorgy of staggering proportions. Since King's assassination in Memphis, Tcnn Thursday night, including the Palm Sunday national day of mourning proclaimed by President Johnson in honor of the fallen civil rights leader, at least 85 cities were visited by violence." There are 19,900 federal troops and 30,109 National Guard on patrol throughout America. More than 2,000 are injured, 8,879 arrested and 29 people are dead. Chicago, Baltimore and Washington are the hardest hit. (United Press International. Appeared in the Kingsport Times - Kingsport, Tennessee)

Trouble-Shooter Reports City Riot Lessons Learned by Louis Cassels
Cyrus R. Vance, the President's "riot trouble-shooter" said, "I think lessons have been learned as a result of the riots last summer." Police used new techniques to quell riots this time around. The methods that were used in Detriot and Newark, in which Guardsmen fired excessively and indiscriminately at looters and snipers was ineffective. In Newark, 13, 326 rounds of ammunition were used and 23 people were killed. In Detriot, 43 people were killed. To discourage excessive firing, Guardsmen carried a card that said, "I will not load or fire my weapon except when authorized by an officer in person; when authorized in advance by an officer under certain specific circumstances: or when required to save my life." Officers also had to file reports on the circumstances surrounding any use of ammunition. (United Press International. Appeared in the Middlesboro Daily News - Middlesboro, Kentucky)

Mrs. King To March In Memphis
"Mrs. Martin Luther King Jr., under the tightest security ever accorded a visitor to Memphis, returns today to the city where her husband was slain to lead a memorial march of 40,000 persons. There was to be an empty place beside Corella King in the four-to-eight abreast marchers to symbolize the absence of King, shot by a white man last Thursday as he made preparations for a mass demonstration in support of striking Negro garbage collectors." (United Press International. Appeared in the Kingsport Times - Kingsport, Tennessee)

How Did He Find Target?
"Perhaps the assassin located him by trailing him in from the airport—although his arrival time was not announced—or from his speech Wednesday night at a large Memphis hall... His rifle was powerful and well-made, not a cheap, mailorder-only, model. But it was a strange choice. The pump action, experts say, would have cost him precious seconds in case he needed to take another shot ." The article reaches no conclusions. (United Press International. Appeared in the Kingsport Times - Kingsport, Tennessee)

Sorrowing Americans Continue Pilgrimage To King's Hometown by Ron Speer
A multi-cultural crowd arrived in Atlanta to pay their respect to Martin Luther King, Jr. "White America has the opportunity to rise to greatness at this moment by burying hesitation and delays, by properly honoring the most moral man of this century, by liberating black Americans and all the poor, black and white," said the Rev. Ralph Abernathy. (Associated Press. Appeared in the Anderson Daily Bulletin - Anderson, Indiana)

State to Mourn Dr. King Tomorrow; Primaries Off
"Gov. John Dempsey has proclaimed Tuesday, the day of King's funeral in Atlanta, Ga., a statewide public holiday. As a result, the elections of delegate slates to the state Democratic convention has been put off till Wednesday. The state's chief executive also urged Sunday night that all schools remain closed and that businesses and industries suspend operations Tuesday." (Associated Press. Appeared in the Bridgeport Post - Bridgeport, Connecticut)

Firebomb Makes Negro Pair Refugees, in Their Own City
"James A. Smith and his cancer-plagued wife, Evelyn, are homeless today —Negro victims of a Negro riot. A Molotov cocktail hurled in the night turned their two-bedroom apartment into an inferno and left them refugees in the city they have lived in all their lives." The Washington couple lost everything, and were bitter at the rioters for destroying their building. (United Press International. Appeared in the Bridgeport Post - Bridgeport, Connecticut)

Mrs. King Tells Marchers: 'See His Spirit Never Dies'
"Mrs. Martin Luther King Jr., dressed in black and with her children at her side, led a silent 10,000 - man march today through this city where her husjand was slain, then challenged her followers to see that her husband's spirit "never dies." "Those of us who believe in what Martin Luther King stood for, I would challenge you to see that his spirit never dies and we will go forward from this experience — which to me represents the crucifixion — to reserrection and redemption of the spirit," Mrs. King said." (United Press International. Appeared in the Modesto Bee and News Herald - Modesto, California)

Troops Rush In To Quell East's Racial Unrest
Violence, looting and arsn scourged sections of Baltimore and Pittsburgh Sunday, but Army troops and National Guardsmen, rushed in to quell the disorders, enforced an uneasy calm today. Today more federal troops were ordered into Baltimore to help check looting and firebombing in Negro sections of the city. The death toll there in three days rose to five. (Associated Press. Appeared in the Modesto Bee and News Herald - Modesto, California)

April 9, 1968
In the national news:
Five Allied Operations in Vietnam Terminated: 3,336 Cong, North Vietnamese Killed by Robert Tuckman
"The U.S. Command today announced the end of five Allied operations in the provinces around Saigon and said 3,336 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese wore killed. Meanwhile, the war slipped into another of its periodic lulls amid peace maneuvers by Washington and Hanoi." (Associated Press)

Funeral Rites for Dr. King Conducted by Don McKee
"A farm wagon drawn by two Georgia mules carries the body of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through Atlanta streets today as part of funeral services for the slain civil rights leader. King, apostle of nonviolence through a decade of discontent, planned to send mule trains to Washington during a demonstration this spring to dramatize his demands for jobs or income for the poor. 'We agreed nothing would be more symbolic than this for his last ride,' said Dr. William Rutherford, executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference which King headed." (Associated Press)

Sen. Kennedy will Return to Indiana
"Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D N.Y., will return lo Indiana tonight to resume his presidential  primary campaigning that was halted when he learned Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated." (Associated Press)

An AP wirephoto shows a store in Cincinnati gutted by fire. "Rioting broke out following a memorial service in Avondale for slain civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr."

Pope To Issue Racism Views by Dennis Redmont
"The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King may hasten publication of a papal document against racism. After King had an audience with Pope Paul VI on Sept. 18, 1964, the Negro civil rights leader said the pontiff had assured him he would issue a document deploring discrimination in all its forms." (Associated Press)

Chicago Riot Area Calmed
"Federal and Illinois National Guard troops, heavy police patrols and a strict dusk-to-dawn curfew for minors helped maintain a second day of relative calm in Chicago Monday. Scattered incidents of minor looting were reported but fire officials described the day as a 'normal Monday.'" (Associated Press)

Negro, White Groups Urge Riots Calm by Louise Cook
"Two rival Negro street gangs in Chicago, the Blackstone Rangers and the Disciples, arranged a truce so their 3,000 members could work together to try to quiet riot-torn areas." (Associated Press)

Rioting May Hurt Merchants in Climatic Easter Buying by John Cunniff
An article investigating how riots hurt business. "Even before this nationwide trouble, there was some hint of the problems to come for retailers when eight department stores in Chicago and New York were set aflame, apparently by arsonists. Undoubtedly customers were frightened away.... Customers naturally are inclined to stay away from trouble, and the cores of most large cities are terribly troubled." (Associated Press)

King Slayer Hunt Widened
The assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may have fled the country, according to indications today. The FBI has asked Mexican authorities to aid in the search." (United Press International)

From the Anderson Daily Bulletin in Anderson, Indiana
National Guardsmen And Army Troops Curb Riot Violence by Bob Monroe
Things are calm in Chicago, but other cities are still experiencing violence. More than 61,000 National Guardsman were sent out to cities throughout the country. While fires and looting have dissipated, snipers are still on the loose.

April 10, 1968
These are today's top stories in 1968.
In the national news:
New Presidential Moves Anticipated by Merriman Smith
"New presidential moves were reported near today concerning both conduct of the war and the pursuit of peace in Vietnam. President Johnson, returning to the White House after two nights and a day of conferences at Camp David, was expected to announce soon a new military commander for Vietnam and possible arrangements for the start of talks with North Vietnam." (United Press International)

Allies Unleash Heaviest Drive by Jack Walsh
"U.S. military spokesmen said today a force of 100,000 allied troops had been unleashed in the war's largest operation to "eliminate" the 18,000 to 20,000 Communist troops still infesting the 11 provinces nearest Saigon. It marked the first time of the war that American, South Vietnamese, Australian, New Zealand and Thailand troops had joined in a single massive drive through the 10,000 square miles around the capital city." (United Press International)

Army's Reserve Depleted
"The Army's strategic reserve, already under strength because of the Vietnam War, has been depleted even further with the ordering of troops into Chicago, Baltimore and Washington for  riot control duty. Defense Department figures disclosed today that three out of every five of the nearly 25,000 federal troops sent to the three cities to help police and  National Guardsmen restore order were taken from strategic reserve forces." (United Press International)

Kennedy in Mid-Indiana by Hortense Myers
"Kennedy said at a Fort Wayne reception that the reaction to King's death 'could be the beginning of a final successful effort to make one nation for all our people, equal in justice and in opportunity. Or' ,he said, 'it could foretell a continuing civil strife which threatens to transform our cities into armed camps and our streets into passageways for violence and fear.'" (United Press International)

Expect Rights Bill Approval
"Congress was expected to overcome final resistance today and send President Johnson an historic civil rights bill to open up more homes and apartments outside the ghetto to Negroes. The House scheduled a final vote on the bill. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the resulting violence waged heavily on the minds of members." (United Press International)

America's Image Suffers As Violence Sweeps Cities by Merriman Smith
The article discusses various reactions to the violence in D.C. Some believed that "Washington had been turned into one large battleground." African diplomats called the White House and the State Department to advice on dealing with the riots. Looting took place two blocks from 1000 Pennsylvania Avenue. (United Press International)

From the Valparaiso Vidette-Messenger:
The official entry blank for the Miss Porter County Pageant is on page 8. It will be held on June 15.

Civil Defense Conference Set
The Indiana and Porter County Civil Defense unit will sponsor a conference on emergency preparedness on April 17 at 9 a.m. at Valparaiso University.

Today's weather: Fair and cool tonight, low 35 to 40

April 11, 1968
These are today's top stories for today in 1968.
In the national news:
Warsaw Reported as Choice of North Viet for Talks: U.S. Action is Called 'Delay'
North Vietnam would like to have the talks in Warsaw. It is reported that the United States had already nixed Cambodia, North Vietnam's first suggestion. Soviet news agency, Tass, suggested that a negative response to the Warsaw suggestion would be a sign that Americans don't want peace. (Associated Press)

Another Car Reported in Slayer Hunt
"The presence of a second white Mustang near the doorway which police say the slayer of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tried to escape gave rise today that it may have been the getaway car." (Associated Press)

Civil Rights Heads Laud Housing Act by John Beckler
Congressional passage of landmark open-housing legislation has won applause from civil rights leaders along with renewed demands for massive federal attacks on shabby housing and unemployment in riot-prone slums. A 250-171 House vote Wednesday sent to the While House a civil rights bill to outlaw discrimination in thc sale or rental of. 80 per cent of the nation's housing by 1970. President Johnson said he would sign it into law as soon as possible. (Associated Press)

Five Dead, 20 Wounded in Kansas City Racial Riots by Leo Marks
"A second straight night of racial violence left Kansas City's Negro East Side with a toll of five dead, at least 20 wounded and the rubble of more than 25 fires of incendiary origin today. All of the dead were Negroes. They were shot to death, some victims of the intense crossfire that flared at times between Negro snipers and police supported by National Guardsmen." (Associated Press)

Patrols Find Many Bodies at Khe Sanh by Fred S. Hoffman
"U.S. government sources say American military patrols probing out from the once-besieged Khe Sanh base have found more than 800 North Vietnamsese bodies, most of them unburied. The sources cited this as an indicator of how badly the Communist troops who once surrounded the outpost suffered from U.S. artillary and air bombing." (Associated Press)

Capital March Plans Advance
"The Southern Christian Leadership Conference will conduct a 'poor people's' march on Washington next month despite the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., organizer of the crusade. King's widow Correta, who will participate in the demonstration Wednesday was named to the SCLC board of directors.... The crusade her husband conceived was to have begun April 22 but now will be held in mid-May." (United Press International)

Casualties in Vietnam Much Lower by George Esper
"The number of American troops killed in combat in Vietnam last week was thc lowest in 2 1/2 months, thc U.S. Command announced today." (Associated Press)

Racial Scene at a Glance
Chicago and Pittsburg have lifted their curfews. In Kansas City, 5 black people died last night during a riot. Washington is calm. There's a curfew in Newark. (Associated Press)

New Disorders Study is Set
"Gov. Otto Kerner is reconvening the President's Commission on Civil Disorders to study the outbreak of violence that followed the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Chicago Tribune said today." (Associated Press)

Humphrey Readies Race Entry by Jack Bell
Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey will plunge into the race for the Democratic presidential nomination immediately after Easter. The vice president now assess his chances in a three-way contest with Sens. Robert F. Kennedy, D-NY, and Eugene J. McCarthy, D-Minn., as 'looking good." (Associated Press)

From the Anderson Daily Bulletin - Anderson, Indiana
Walter Winchell's column called Winchell Everywhere
"Item: 'Kennedy and McCarthy Rap LBJ, Ike and Truman back him up.' I'd rather string along with the men who used to be President than with the guys who'd like to be."

Today's weather: Fair and warmer. Highs 75-82.

April 12, 1968
These are today's top stories in 1968.
In the national news:
Hassle Over Site Gives Hint of Viet Peace Talk Problems
Warsaw Proposal Rejected by U.S. by Lewis Gulick
"U. S. officials say the lengthening hassle between Washington and Hanoi over a site for preliminary talks signals the kind of difficulties expected when and if peace negotiations got under way. They noted it has been more than a week since the opposing sides publicly declared their readiness for contacts. And on the record, the maneuvering to date has involved only initial talks—rather than negotiations— aimed only at setting the stage for an actual peace conference." (Associated Press)

Pickup Order Given, Withdrawn As FBI Pushes King Slayer Hunt: Agents Impound White Mustang by Gaylord Shaw
"The FBI issued, then withdrew, a pickup order for Eric Starvo Galt, a Birmingham, Ala., white man as the widescale investigation of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., entered its second week. Federal agents refused to say why they were seeking Galt." (Associated Press)

An AP Wirephoto shows two U.S. air cavalrymen napping in a trench. They were heading toward Khe Sanh.

Enemy Forces Storm Within a Few Feet of American Camp by George Esper
"U.S. foot soldiers, artillery and dive bombers repulsed 400 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops who stormed an American bivouac today and drove to within a few feet of the GI's foxholes. After five hours of close-quarter fighting in War Zone C 49 miles northwest of Saigon, Vietnamese and Viet Cong fled, leaving 128 of their dead and more than 50 weapons on the battlefield." (Associated Press)

Open-housing Measure Gets LBJ Signature by Stephen M. Aug
"President Johnson, voicing outrage at the slaying of Dr. Martin Luther King and the violence that followed it, has signed an historic open-housing bill as a federal task force girded to enforce the new law. It is the third landmark civil rights bill to become law since Johnson entered the White House." (Associated Press)

Good Friday is Observed
"Hundreds of Good Friday services throughout Indiana today reminded Christians that men often kill their leaders but cannot bury their ideas." (Associated Press)

Bottle Water People See New Thirst for Product by John Cunniff
Increasing pesticides in the environment leads the bottle water industry to believe that there will be an increasing need for their product. "It wouldn't be correct to say that business is booming—or even bubbling over, as the wags say-but certainly it is catching on. The industry now claims one in 600 American homes as customers, and one in seven in Southern California." (Associated Press)

New Rockefeller Drive Opened By Supporters by Walter R. Mears.
"Encouraged by Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller's latest pronouncements of presidential availability, Republicans who want the New Yorker nominated for the White House have unleased a new promotional effort." (Associated Press)

Viet Policy Is Opposed
"Seventy-five per cent of the residents of Indiana's 9th District responding to a questionnaire disapprove of U.S. policy in Vietnam, according to Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind. However, the survey was taken prior to President Johnson's withdrawl from the election campaign and his order limiting bombing in North Vietnam." (United Press International)

Democratic Governors Await President Development by Raymond M. Lahr.
"... a UPI survey showed today that more than half want their states to send uncommitted or favorite son delegations to the Democratic National Convention in August." (United Press International)

Alan King Views Irksome Matters by Cynthia Lowry
Last night's Alan King special was featured an assortment of topical issues. "King is a hero to the middleaged, middle-class viewers who just don't understand hippies and flower children. He raked over "kids from nice homes who go to East Village" and went on to gurus, meditation and sitar players." (Associated Press)

From the Anderson Daily Bulletin - Anderson, Indiana
Area Resident Feted on 101st Birthday Thursday
Fannie Helms celebrated her 101st Birthday. She received "personal greetings" from the commissioner of the Social Security Adminstration. Despite being blind, she has never been in the hospital.

Vidal, Buckley To Team On Political Scene by Dorothy Manners
"An impartial observer of the Republican-Democratic hijinks, it will be necessary for Gore to tone down his enthusiasm for Se. Eugene McCarthy and his considerable lack of enthusiasm for Sen. Robert Kennedy." ABC network is putting Vidal with Buckley to cover the summer's political scene.
Today's weather: Fair and warm. Lows in the 50s.

April 13, 1968
These were the top stories for today in 1968.
In the national news
LBJ, Park Discussions Will Open Wednesday in Honolulu: Peace Talks Pueblo Views To Be Topics
“President Johnson will fly to Honolulu Monday for a brief session with South Korea’s President Chung Hee Park, a Vietnam ally. The White House announced reinstatement of the once postponed meeting as the United States and North Vietnam continued their diplomatic jockeying over where to hold preliminary talks to determine whether peace negotiations are possible.” (Associated Press)

Racial Peace Signs Grow
“Good Friday brought tangible signs of racial peace to some of America’s most troubled cities. Federalized troops were withdrawn, curfews were lifted, and life returned to normal even though, as one Kansas City policeman said, ‘It’s like walking on eggs.’” (United Press International)

Hanoi Talks About Peace, Editor Says
William C. Baggs, editor of the Miami News believes that North Vietnam won’t get serious about peace until we stop bombing their country. (Associated Press)

Thant, Hanoi Spokesman Confer, Talk Deadlock Action Expected
“U.N. Secretary General Thant conferred in Paris Friday with North Vietnam’s chief spokesman in the West and then flew to New York, possibly carrying Hanoi’s answer on how to solve the deadlock over a site for Vietnam peace talks.” (United Press International)

Tradition-Breaking Easter Indicated
The Black Congress in Los Angeles will hold a service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The service will also memorialize the 1965 Watts riot. Yippies in New York will have a “Yip-out” in Central Park. They will collect canned goods for the Poor People’s Campaign. There will also be a Rally of Hope in Detriot which will recruit volunteers for different programs. (Associated Press)

King Death Suspect Views Shown
The FBI showed a Memphis boarding house residents a drawing of King’s killer. The boarding house was where the shot was fired. One resident said that he recognized the drawing. FBI believe that the weapon used for the crime was bought in Birmingham. Meanwhile, the focus of the investigation continues to be a man by the name of Eric Starvo Galt. (Associated Press)

The weather: Showers expected. Cloudy and windy. Highs 70-80 degrees.