In the News: March 31-April 6, 1968

March 31, 1968
In the National News:
LBJ to Give Major Viet Talk Tonight by Max Frankel
"President Johnson will address the nation at 8 tonight to deal "rather fully" with -the situation in Vietnam, including further troop build-ups, the possibility of reserve call-ups, and the additional cost involved... He said it also would cover 'other questions of some importance,' including the government's 'entire fiscal policy.'" (New York Times News Service)

Nations Adopt' Paper Gold' Plan by John M. Lee
"Nine Western monetary powers defied French objections Saturday and agreed to go ahead with plans to reform the world monetary system by creating new reserve assets, popularly called paper gold. France refused to participate in the agreements reached at the Stockholm Monetary Conference and thereby cast a shadow over the international monetary cooperation that has facilitated postwar economic expansion." It is largely felt that the Powers can get along without France. (New York Times News Service)

Second F-111 Goes Down; Khe Scmh Marines Kill 130
"A second of the six United States F-111A jets that entered the Vietnam war less than a week ago has crashed, the Air Force reported today. Its two crewman were rescued." (Associated Press)

Cong Say They'll Free U.S. Women
Hanoi says that they will release two American women who were captured during the Tet Offensive.

Primary Seen as Vitally Important for Gene, LBJ
"Ten days ago we were predicting McCarthy would get 60 per cent of the vote so the President would look good when McCarthy only got 53," one Johnson Democrat said. "Now we're afraid he really may get 60 per cent."  (New York Times News Service)

McCarthy and Kennedy: Both Must Choose by James Reston
Reston believes that both candidates have to pick between their personal ambitions and their cause. They can't both be on the ticket because they're both Roman Catholics. If they lose, Johnson would think that this was a mandate to continue the war. It would also lead to extreme bitterness on the campuses.  (New York Times News Service)

Three New York Stores Fire Bombed
Bloomingdales and S. Kleins were hit with Molotov cocktails while shoppers were in the store. Macys was also hit with attempted arson. The cocktail did not go off in that store. A fire at Gimbels was labeled suspicious. The fires were minor, with no panic. A city-wide alert was issued after the first fire "to pay special attention to all places where large numbers of people are gathered." The events took place within a three hour period of time. (New York Times News Service)

In the Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI)
Two The Candidates College Crusades by Harry Kelly with two stories underneath the headline:

McCarthy: The Issue
McCarthy tours both college and high school campuses. "I come back to the campuses because I think this is the point at which the issue was raised really," says McCarthy. Young people ask intelligent questions and the newsmen who cover the campaign record. I didn't want to lead a children's crusade. I found out you don't have to lead them. You just turn them loose."

Kennedy: The Happening
The article gives five reasons for Kennedy's campaign on campuses. 1) Kennedy is at his best in front of young people. 2) Campuses create big crowds, especially for a campaign that started late. 3) Passionate students will persuade delegates to support him. 4) The media loves passionate crowds, and you can't get any more passionate than college campuses. 5) Kennedy wanted to prove that McCarthy wasn't the only one who could have a children's crusade. Brigham Young University was seen as his least passionate crowd.

Clergy Sign Peace Statement
Clergy from the Madison area have signed a statement demanding a "successful negotiated peace at the possible date." The article lists the clergy that signed the statement.

The weather: Cloudy, windy. Highs in the 50s. Lows in the 20s.

April 1, 1968
In the National News
'I Shall Not Seek and Won't Accept New Term,' LBJ Says Pressing Duties Cited as Reason
"Mr. Johnson said he reached this conclusion because "with America's sons in the field far away. With America's future under challenge here at home, with our hopes - and the world's hopes - for peace in the balance every day, I do not believe that I should devote an hour of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office." This statement was not in the advance press copy of the speech. Johnson also wanted to make clear that he would not accept a draft. He made it clear to reporters afterward that "his health is 'perfect, never better' and that was no factor in his decision." Other points in his talk included stopping air and sea action in the war, which would hopefully inspire negotiations. (Associated Press)

Year of Dropout/Nixon's Reaction
Everyone - including Hanoi - will have to rethink their positions, according to this report. Nixon said, 'This is the year of the dropouts - first Romney, then Rockefeller, and now Johnson.' The article continues, "Nixon predicted that Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey or 'someone espousing the Johnson philosophy' would seek the Democratic nomination in the President's place." Humphrey claimed that the withdrawl was no surprise, but would not elaborate on what his future plans might be. (Compiled by Wire Services)

Johnson Family Reacts to News With Tears
His family sat near him as he was making the speech. After it was finished, Lady Bird threw her arms around Lyndon. Daughters Lynda and Luci were in tears. Lady Bird knew what Lyndon was planning on saying. After the broadcast, she said, "We have done a lot. There is a lot left to do in the remaining months. Maybe this is the only way to get it done." (Associated Press)

In the Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI)
News Stuns McCarthy: Confusion Reigns at State Rally by James D. Selk
A McCarthy rally was interrupted when a reporter ran into the press section shouting, "Johnson isn't running!" They ran to the stage where McCarthy was sitting and tried to get him to give a statement. He asked them to return to the seats. Once the news reached the audience, a spontaneous eruption happened. People began chanting, "We want Gene! We want Gene!" He responded, finally. "He regained his composure long enough to say, ''Things have gotten rather complicated by virtue of what President Johnson has said. Has anyone got the exact text?'" McCarthy then left the rally, unprepared to give a statement. "Later in Milwaukee, McCarthy said Johnson's decision was a 'generous judgement which clears the way for a reconciliation of the American people.... I look upon this as a personally sad and difficult moment for a man who has given so many years to the service of his country.' Before the rally, he watched the speech on the television, but left before it was finished. "This changes the political character of America in 1968," said McCarthy. (page 1)

Johnson's Announcement Stuns State Democrats, Republicans by John Keefe
"Things have changed so dramatically in the last several weeks anyone would have to have some touch of insanity to predict or project what's going to happen," said State Republican Chairman Ody J. Fish. "It was really a blockbuster," said Arnold Setwer, state organization coordinator for McCarthy. "I never expected anything like this." (page 1)

Washington Phones Clogged with Traffic
LBJ's withdrawl led to a dramatic increase in phone traffic in the D.C. area. "It took operators in Madison more thin five minutes just to connect The Wisconsin State Journal to an information operator in the Capitol City." (page 1)

Truman Asleep; Misses Announcement
Mrs. Truman tells reporters that she did not wake Harry Truman. He needed his sleep. (page 1)

No Change in Ballot, City Clerk Hoel Says
Madison City Clerk Eldon Hoel says that LBJ's name will not be removed from the primary ballot. (page 1)

Viet Splits Young Dems by Marvin Levy
The state Young Democrats Convention ended its last noisy session Sunday deeply split over Vietnam policy. Several ultraliberal delegations, including groups from the University of Wisconsin and other state university campuses, marched out of the session at the Quality Court Motel when a moderate resolution was passed on the war. (page 4)

No Decision Made on War Protesters
The U.S. Attorney has not made a decision on whether to charge the two young men who turned in their draft cards to Ramsey Clark during a speech he gave at the University of Wisconsin. One of the students said, "I'm not a pacifist. If I was put there with a gun, I'd probably shoot. But I don't want to be put in a position where I have to shoot." (page 8)

The weather: Sunny. High near 50, low near 30.

April 2, 1968
In the National News
An AP wirephoto on the front page shows LBJ and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley embracing. The caption reads: "Chicago Mayor Richard Daley Gets Affectionate Presidential Hug."

Peace Talk Effort to Remain Gradual: Bomb Halt First Step in Planning
"Subsequent Steps, such as expanding the bombing halt to cover all of North Vietnam or the dispatch of peace emissaries depend not only on Hanoi's response but also on the battlefield situation in Vietnam and the reaction of the American public." (New York Times News Service)

U.S. Planes Raid Deep Inside North
"American warplanes bombed a supply target 209 miles north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in North Vietnam. U.S. military sources said the bombing curtailment ordered by President Johnson would permit raids to continue at least that far north."  (Compiled from wire services)

Reserve Call-Up of 60,000 Planned
"The Administration may call up more than 60,000 reservists over the next several months, defense officials disclosed Monday. The details of the mobilization, mostly of National Guard and Army reserve units, are still being worked out, but it appears that 14,000 to 16,000 men may be called as a starter within three days, officials said." (New York Times News Service)

Lady Bird, Lyndon Had Thoughts of Ending Term as Long Ago as '64 by Helen Thomas
According to this report, Lady Bird thought it best that he leave office after one term. She thought a '68 campaign would be particularly negative.  "When Mr. Johnson went to Capital Hill last Jan. 17 to deliver the State of the Union address, he carried in his pocket a statement announcing his decision not to seek another term. But he decided it was not the right place or time; he felt it would jeopardize his legislative program by making him a lameduck president." (United Press International)

Plea for National Unity Renewed by President
"President Johnson followed Johnson followed up his Sunday night peace proposal by announcing Monday he has invited President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam to confer with him soon "to strengthen and improve our plans" for restoring peace and stability in Southeast Asia." (Associated Press)

Peace Move Already Started, Nixon Believes
"Richard M. Nixon told Massachusetts Gov. John A. Volpe on Monday that 'behind the scenes peace moves are being made' by President Johnson on Vietnam and therefore he would say nothing that might hurt them. "I assume that the President would not have announced a bombing halt under present conditions unless his action was based on private diplomatic information available only to the government." (Associated Press)

Meeting With President Requested by Kennedy
Bobby Kennedy has requested a meeting with LBJ to talk about what they could do to further national unity. Johnson responded that he would be happy to meet with him. Kennedy's statement about Johnson's withdrawl from the race: "The President's action reflects both courage and generosity of spirit." (Compiled from wire services)

Rockefeller Is Standing Firm on Decision Not to Campaign by R.W. Apple
"Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller said Monday that he intended to stand firm, at least for the moment, on his decision not to wage an active campaign for the Republican presidential nomination." (New York Times News Service)

Papers React to LBJ Decision
Washington Post: "... Americans need wait no longer, however, to conclude that the man who spoke to them last night is a man who greatly loves his country and who deeply cherishes its unity."
New York Times: "...It is conceivable that the political situation in this country could so drastically alter that Mr. Johnson would be back in the running."
New York Daily News:  "We have  never shared in the hatred which some Americans have felt.for him, or doubted the sincerity of his hopes for human betterment. We have felt that he was too big a spender and was mistaken in thinking that the United States could have undiminished butter along with the necessary guns to fight an expensive war in Southeast Asia."
St. Paul's Pioneer Press: "President Johnson's abrupt withdrawal from the 1968 presidential campaign may save this nation from one of the most poisonous, depressing, and potentially disastrous political years in its history." (United Press International)

In the Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI)
Protestors Take Jail Over Fine
"Two anti-war protestors pleaded guilty in Criminal Court Monday to disorderly in conduct charges for trying to interfere with job recruiting Saturday at Camp Randall Memorial Building by the napalm producing Dow Chemical Co." (page 7)

The weather: Cloudy and warm today. Highs in the 60s.

April 3, 1968
In the National News
Gov. Knowles Gives Nixon His Support
"Gov. Warren P. Knowles, a neutral throughout Wisconsin's Presidential Primary campaign, threw his support to Richard Nixon after the former vice president's victory Tuesday night." He is a Republican governor. (Associated Press)

An AP wirephoto on page 2 shows a sign from McCarthy's hometown of Watkins, Minnesota. It reads: "Welcome to Watkins. Population 760 friendly people plus a few grouches. A town of Free Enterprise. On top of that sign is another that says, "Watkins: Hometown of Sen. Eugene... McCarthy"

20th Parallel Set as Limit for Bombing
"A U.S. military spokesman said Tuesday that American warplanes are permitted to raid targets within 35 miles — three minutes' flying time — of North Vietnam's Hanoi-Haiphong industrial complex under President Johnson's partial bombing halt."  (Compiled from wire services)

One Thing Certain-Uncertainty by James Reston
"Nevertheless, the main lesson of the campaign so far is that both prophets and voters should beware. We are passing through a period of profound intellectual and political revision. Every week seems to bring some new surprise that changes the question before the people, and we still do not have the whole cast of characters... The point is that we simply do not know the true quality of any of these men at this critical moment in our history... This is what the long presidential election campiagn is for. If anything justifies its length, its expense, its punishment of the human mind and body, this is it. In the savage struggle, the endless exhausting travel, the chaotic news conferences, the dramatic speeches in howling halls, and the pitiless questioning before the television lights, we find out something about the candidates involved. It is almost a form of torture and there must be a better way to do it, but it does show us how the candidates are now, rather than how they were at some other time in the past. The pressure is almost unendurable, but so is the pressue in the White House." (New York Times News Service)

Humphrey's Intentions Still Unclear
Some in the Democratic Party are trying to determine how much support Humphrey would have if he ran for President. "Whether Humphrey jumps into the fray soon against Sens. Robert F. Kennedy of New York and Eugene J. McCarthy of Minnesota depends apparently on how much support he can count on from the party organization power brokers." (United Press International)

In the Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI)
McCarthy gets 56%, Nixon 80% in State: Out of Race, Johnson Wins 36% of Vote By John Keefe
"Sen. Eugene McCarthy, crusading under twin antiwar and anti-Administration banners, charged to victory over President Johnson Tuesday with 56 per cent of the Democratic vote in "Wisconsin's Presidential Primary. Former Vice-President Richard Nixon, running a close and surprising second in the popularity contest , for total votes cast, sauntered home as the choice of 80 per cent of the Republicans." (page 1)

We've Shown That We Can Win, McCarthy Tells Jubilant Fans by James D. Selk
"McCarthy told a widely cheering audience in Schroeder Hotel headquarters, 'We have demonstrated here in Wisconsin that we can win the election in November. Even though there may be a few late entries in the race it will make no difference.'" (page 1)

City Vote Rejects Viet Withdrawal by John T. Aehl
Voters in Madison rejected a city statement that "called for an immediate ceasefire in Vietnam and withdrawal of troops from that country."  20,523 favored the statement,  27, 555 opposed the statement.

The weather: Cloudy with showers. High in the 50s.

April 4, 1968
In the National News
President Accepts Offer to Explore Peace Talks
Reaction in Washington: 'Looks Good, Hope It's True'
Senators View Peace Bid With Cautious Optimism
"Burned before by false peace hopes, the American capital was more hopeful than optimistic Wednesday that Hanoi's offer to talk about arrangements for peace negotiations meant a beginning of an end of the Vietnam bloodletting." (United Press International)

Morton Sees Rocky as a Candidate
Kentucky Senator Thruston B. Morton thinks that Rockefeller will be a candidate. He believes that Rocky's increasingly busy schedule is indicative of his impending candidacy. (Associated Press)

U. S. Planning Hanoi Contact by Merriman Smith
"North Vietnam offered Wednesday to talk with the United States about arrangements for Vietnam peace negotiations, and President Johnson accepted the offer. The President announced the U.S. 'will establish contact with the representatives of North Vietnam' and said he would fly to Honolulu late today for a long weekend of conferences with American officials from Saigon." (United Press International)

Khe Sanh Relief ForceThree Miles From Goal
"U.S. and South Vietnamese troops have reached within three miles of Khe Sanh in a push to shatter the siege of the fortress and open an overland supply route to the 6,000 surrounded U.S. Marines, military spokesman said today." (Associated Press)

The First Steps on Long Journey by William L. Ryan
The article expresses skepticism about the possible meeting. "It was not an offer to talk peace. The North Vietnamese offered only to meet with U. S. representatives', to talk about circumstances which might lead to peace negotiations." (Associated Press)

Apologize, Pueblo Skipper Allegedly Tells Washington
The six captured crewman have sent letters to Washington asking them to apologize for spying on the Koreans. One letter states, "When that is done, we will be returned... If it is not done we will be tried and could be sentenced to death for our own responsibility in the matter."

In the Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI)
McCarthy and Nixon Still Share State Spotlight as Curtain Falls by James D. Selk
"The Minnesota peace candidate collected about 57 per cent of the Democratic primary total, against about 35 per cent for President Johnson, who withdrew from contention two days before the balloting." Ronald Reagan is referred to as the sleeper candidate, for his total of 11 percent despite not being a candidate. Nixon received 80 percent of the vote; he ran against Harold Stassen and Reagan. (page 1)

Campus Will Vote on Marijuana Issue
"Student government officers will be elected and advisory opinions on marijuana and birth control will be sought in today's University of Wisconsin all-campus election." Students will be asked if marijuana should be legalized and if health services should distribute birth control pills. (page 4)

McCarthy Misses State Blue-Collar Vote by Rowland Evans and Robert Novak
The writers believe that the election did little to expand McCarthy's support because he did so poorly among working class voters. "McCarthy ran more poorly among the blue - collar vote against non-candidate Johnson than even his own supporters had feared. While carrying every other county, he was inundated by Johnson votes among both Negroes and Polish-Americans— passionate foes in racially divided Milwaukee." (page 6)The editorial page ran a handful of stories about LBJ's withdrawl from the primary. Op-Ed writers focused on trying to decipher what it could mean, along with hailing the decision as essentially a self-less act. In "Principles Above Ambition,"  David Lawrence writes: "President Johnson has put principle above personal ambition." In 'LBJ Set Deadline,' Everett McKinley Dirksen says, "His decision might well have been expected in the light of the confusion and lack of support for his leadership from high ranking members of the Democratic Party. When we add to this fact the evident dissatisfaction with developments on the part of the general public, it is no wonder that Mr. Johnson has determined to turn the responsibilties of the presidency over to someone else."

The weather: Chance of rain or snow. High in the 50s, lows in the 20s.

April 5, 1968
The following is a compilation of national news that appeared in local papers throughout the country.
Nation Mourns Dr. Martin Luther King
Riots Follow Murder by Henry P. Leifermann
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the nonviolent prophet of the civil rights movement, was assassinated by a white sniper Thursday with a single shot that triggered violence from New York to Mississippi. Riots erupted in Memphis, Nashville, Tallahasse, Fla., and Raleigh, N.C. despite President Johnson’s televised plea for calmness. Racial disturbances were reported in Harlem and Brooklyn and a 24-hour curfew was clamped on Memphis… (He) was mortally wounded by a single bullet from a .30-06 pump fired with a  telescopic sight, fired from the window of a communal bathroom in a flophouse across the street from his hotel…. He was shot at about 7 p.m., EST. He died an hour later.” (United Press International, appeared in the Anniston Star, Alabama)

An AP Wirephoto shows King’s last public appearance at the Mason Temple in Memphis. He died less than an hour later. (Appeared in the Anniston Star, Alabama)

Johnson Delays Journey: Confers with Rights Leaders by Merriman Smith
President Johnson told top Negro and government leaders today "America shall not be ruled by the bullet" alter a night of violence followed Dr. Martin Luther King's slaying.” Jackie Kennedy released a statement that asked, “When will our country learn that to live by the sword is to die by the sword?” Stokely Carmichael told reporters that Negroes “’will have to get guns’ and take to the streets to avenge King’s assassination.’” Johnson delayed plans to go to Hawaii and has not rescheduled. (United Press International – Appeared in the Anniston Star, Alabama)

Guard Called to Nashville
“About 4,000 National Guardsmen remained on an alert basis here today after moving into the Negro areas of North Nashville to quell a disturbance in reaction to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King in Memphis. Police said that at least six persons were arrested and 12 injured after several hours of windows breaking, looting and rock throwing Thursday night. Two fires were also reported in the area but were quickly extinguished.” (United Press International – Appeared in the Kingsport Times, Tennessee)

A picture appeared in the Kingsport Times (Tennessee) that shows the Nashville Assistant Police Chief being helped into a hospital after receiving injuries from thrown rocks.

Death Dogged King Throughout His Career by Don McKee
An editor’s note accompanying this story notes that McKee covered King from 1955 onward. “’We have a weapon so powerful that they just don’t know what to do with it,’ he once said of nonviolence. ‘Even if they kill us, we have power.’… King reminisced a few weeks ago during a flight from Jackson, Miss. to Birmingham, Ala… Twice, King recalled, he had been actually fearful of dying. ‘You remember when we were stopped by Jim Clark in Selma,’ he said to an associate. ‘He said, ‘don’t take another step.’ I believe if I had taken another step, he would’ve killed me. He was trembling.’ The other time he felt scared, King said, was in Cicero, Ill… when he and a line of open housing marchers walked between hostile mobs with heavy police escorts.” (Associated Press – Appeared in the Anniston Star, Alabama)

King’s March Schedule Will Go On As Planned
“Ralph Abernathy assumed leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Southern Christian leadership Conference today and promised to lead another march in Memphis Monday. He also vowed to continue the scheduled “poor people’s campaign” in Washington.” (United Press International – Appeared in the Anniston Star, Alabama)

Mayor Breaks News to King’s Widow
The article describes how Coretta King learned of her husband’s murder. The Mayor of Atlanta, Ivan Allen – a white man, the article notes – saw the shooting on the news and drove quickly to King’s house. She had already gotten a phone call from Rev. Ralph Jackson in Memphis, who said that King had been shot and wounded. They didn’t know that he was dead, so they went to the airport to fly to Memphis. At the airport, Allen had to tell Coretta King that her husband was dead. She went back home and into seclusion for the night. The article notes that it wasn’t easy to be married to Martin Luther King, Jr. Three other people tried to kill him and she was lonely at times. But she never regretted being married to him. King often told her that there was a good chance that he would be assassinated. (United Press International – Appeared in the Anniston Star, Alabama)

Sniper Suspect Wore ‘Silly Smile’
The sniper believed to have gunned down Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wore a “silly smile” and registered  under the name of “John Willard” police and FBI agents were told today. The description was given by Mrs. Bessie Brewer, 44, the landlady of the house from which the bullet was fired that killed King as he stood on his motel balcony some 200 feet away… ‘He had a silly smile,’ Mrs. Brewer said. “I’ll never forget that smile.’ Mrs. Brewer said her tenant had no luggage. Both she and her husband, Frank, 46, confirmed that they heard the shot believed fired from a common bathroom that killed King.” (United Press International - Oakland Tribune, California)

Arrest of King’s Killer ‘Very Close’
“Attorney General Ramsey Clark said today authorities are ‘very close to arresting’ the sniper-slayer of integration leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Clark made the statement at an impromptu press conference held on the ramp of Memphis Airport as King’s copper and bronze casket was being loaded aboard a chartered airliner to be flown home to Atlanta… ‘Yes, real progress is being made. Substation evidence has been discovered. I’m fully confident this crime will be solved,’ the attorney general said.” (Compiled from AP and UPI – Appeared in the Oakland Tribune, California)

April 6, 1968
The following is a compilation of national news that appeared in local papers throughout the country.
Regular Army Troops Ordered into Washington
There is a “bulletin” at the top of the story that reports “Three persons were shot and killed by snipers Friday night in areas hit by extensive fires and looting, police said. The dateline is Chicago”
The article continues, “President Johnson rushed regular Army troops into the nation’s capital Friday as burning and looting swept some mainly Negro sections of the city and threatened to spill into main downtown areas. Johnson proclaimed a ‘condition of domestic violence and disorder’ and 500 troops were deployed in the downtown area. More soldiers – some sources said 10,000 – were poised for possible deployment. And 1,750 District of Columbia National Guardsmen were mustered for possible street duty.” (Associated Press. Appeared in The Kokomo Tribune – Kokomo, Indiana)

President Keeps All Night Vigil by Merriman Smith
“President Johnson, weary and red-eyes from lost sleep, kept vigil over the national racial crisis today from a White House ringed with federal troops… Even the Vietnam War took a back seat from the slaying of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but Johnson nevertheless arranged to meet today with Gen. William C. Westmoreland, the U.S. war commander.” (UPI. Appeared in the The Vidette-Messenger – Valparaiso, Indiana)

Police, Guardsmen Exchange Fire with Chicago Snipers by James M. Shanks
“Police and national guardsmen early today exchanged gunfire with snipers atop high rise housing projects in the riot-torn Negro ghetto. An infant died when firebomb was tossed into his crib. Snipers opened fire on firemen battling flames touched off by vandals and looters in the Negro West Side… The death toll from a day and night of violence rose to at least 10, including a 10-month old boy who perished when a Molotov cocktail was fired through a first floor window… Authorities said he had been left alone by his parents in the housing project.” Guardsmen were deployed at 10 p.m. and were jeered by people in the housing project. Snipers aimed for guardsmen from upper balconies. The guardsmen shot out the street lights and tried to kill the snipers. (UPI. Appeared in the Anderson Daily Bulletin – Anderson, Indiana)

Seeking King’s Assassin by Duren Cheek
“A massive federal manhunt spread through the South today for the assassin who killed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and plunged the nation into mourning.” It was revealed that King’s spinal cord had been severed by a bullet. Attorney General Ramsey Clark told reporters that “the investigation has ‘spread several hundred miles from the borders of Tennessee.” (UPI. Appeared in the The Vidette-Messenger – Valparaiso, Indiana)

Race Riots Continue in U.S. Ghettos
More than 24 American cities have experienced civil unrests. Washington is occupied by 6,000 federal troops, though calmness is currently being reported. Ten have died in Chicago, five in Washington, two in Detriot and one in the following cities: New York, Minneapolis, and Tallahassee. In Chicago, fires were widespread. “More than 280 persons were arrested, and for five minutes just before midnight, snipers fired 20 rounds that pinned down policemen in a stationhouse, wounding one.” Violence was also reported in Philadelphia, Denver, Flint in Michigan, Cincinnati, Toledo, Wichita, St. Paul, Pine Bluff in Arkansas, East Palo Alto in Northern California, along with Berkeley, San Francisco and Oakland. (UPI. Appeared in the The Vidette-Messenger – Valparaiso, Indiana)

Banner Headline: Troops Ordered to Washington: LBJ Cancels Peace Trip, Meets Congress.
Sunday to be National Day of Mourning by Clark Mollenhoff
“The President asked the civil rights leaders what the murder of Dr. King would mean to American and then gave his own view that it could mean that both races would act as if they believed that violence was the only means of settling differences. ‘The will be nothing less than a catastrophe for our country,’ (White House Press Secretary George ) Christian quotes the President as saying.” (In the Des Moines Register Washingon Bureau. Appeared in the The Des Moines Register – Des Moines, Iowa)