Investigation Report from Zack J. VanLandingham

Full Text of Investigation Report from Zack J. VanLandingham to Governor J. P. Coleman, Attorney General Joe T. Patterson, and the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission; December 17, 1958

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ORIGIN: Hattiesburg, Mississippi

File:1-21
Issued: December 17, 1958

INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD: December 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 1958

REPORT BY: Zack J. VanLandingham

TITLE: CHARACTER:

CLYDE KENNARD ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^, aka Integration Agitator;
Clyde Kenard ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^, Clyde Kinnard, ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ Attempt to Integrate
Clyde Smith Mississippi Southern College

COPIES:
1 -Governor J. P. Coleman ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^
2 -Attorney General Joe T. Patterson ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^
2 -State Sovereignty Commission

APPROVED BY:
Zack K. VanLandingham

[stamp of State Sovereignty Commission with date of DEC 17 1958 with lines for index, serial, and file number, initialed by [?]]

1-27-5

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Administrative Data - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1
Synopsis - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2
Table of Contents - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4

I. Attempts to Enter M.S.C. - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6
Colonel Roger Johnson^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6
A. A. Lucas^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7
Ruth Dulin^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8
John Rieter^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9
Dr. E. R. Job^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ e - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9
Dr. W. D. McCain^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9
Dr. M. W. Kenn^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ a - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10

II. Personal History - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11
Birth Data - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11
Army Record - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12
Credit Bureau Records - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13, 33
T. B. Fatherree^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16
Forrest County Chancery Clerk’s Records - - - - - 16
Forrest County Circuit Clerk’s Records - - - - - - - 17
Law Enforcement Records - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17, 33

III. Employment - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18
Dave A. Matison^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18
Edward P. Arnold^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19
W. H. Lane^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - -20

IV. Education - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20
Bay Springs Consolidated School - - - - - - - 20
Mendell Phillips High School - - - - - - - - - 20
Fayetteville Teachers College - - - - - - - - - - 20
University of Chicago - - - - - - - - - - - - - 33

V. NAACP Activities - - - - - - - - - - - - - 21
Letter to Hattiesburg American - - - - - - - - - 22
E. P. Arnold^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 23
Robert L. Rawls^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24
Sam Rees^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24
Max Gandy^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24
H. R. McPhail^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 26
W. H. Lane^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 26
H. C. Clark^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27
Archie Rogers^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27
Harold Pollard^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27

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Rev. R. W. Woullard^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - -27
Professor A. B. S. Todd^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - -29
Ruth Bates^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29
Professor N. R. Burger^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30
Professor C. E. Roy ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31
C. W. Sullivan^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31

Dudley Conner^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31
VI. Investigation, Chicago, Illinois - - - - - - - - - - - - - 33

VII. Attempted Solution - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34
Negro Committee, Hattiesburg, Mississippi - - - - - - 34
Dr. W. D. McCain^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35
Governor J. P. Coleman ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35
Professor J. H. White ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35

Leads - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 37

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SYNOPSIS:

Clyde Kennard, single, negro, age 31, residing at Eatonville, Forrest County, Mississippi, has indicated he intends to seek admission to Mississippi Southern College, Hattiesburg, Mississippi at beginning of term January 5, 1959. Kennard has made two previous unsuccessful attempts to enter M.S.C. during the past three years.

Applicant granted high school diploma June 26, 1950 from Mendell Phillips High School, Chicago, Illinois, on basis of Army G. E. D. test and attended a negro college, Fayette-ville State Teachers College, Fayetteville, North Carolina, from December 4, 1950 to March 3, 1952, making above average grades. He also attended University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, from February 1953 to June 1955 where grades were below average. He did not graduate from either school. Records of University of Chicago also reflect Kennard while attending Bay Springs Consolidated School at Eatonville, Mississippi, in 1954-55, was a member of the German Youth Club and the Young Progressive Citizens Club. Kennard was in U.S. Army from September 23, 1945 to October 6, 1952. He was honorably dis-charged with the rank of Sergeant. While in Army he received Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Kennard at present has a poultry farm where he lives with his mother. They recently sold a part of this farm to the Mississippi State Highway Commission for approximately $14,000.00 for use for right of way for a highway.

Kennard paid cash for a 1958 Mercury in about pagust 1958. Investigation in neighborhood of Kennard’s home indicates that he is possibly NAACP leader in his community. Persons who know Kennard describe him as intelligent, well educated, quiet spoken, courteous, with a desire to better the negro race in Mississippi. Kennard known to associate with Rabbi Martinband, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who has been described by a self-con-fessed communist as a Director in a communist front organization. Kennard also attempted to get a white farmer to sell his farm in the Eatonville community stating that this was an all negro settlement and they wanted to keep it that way.

Kennard had poor credit rating in Hattiesburg, Mississippi up to two years ago when credit rating improved and is now

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considered very good. Applicant has no criminal record in Chicago, Illinois, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Mississippi State Bureau of Identification, or FBI records.

On December 6, 1958, The Hattiesburg American printed a letter signed by Clyde Kennard, RFD 1, City, which advocated integration and adherence to the solution to the race problem as advanced by the NAACP and U.S. Supreme Court. University of Chicago recently received a letter from Kennard requesting permission to return to the University to take a course in Foreign Relations. A negro committee compose of a negro preacher and several negro educators on this committee want to bargain their efforts for a Negro Junior College at Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Plans submitted by this committee whereby Governor J. P. Coleman would confer with Kennard in an effort to get him to refrain from his attempts to enter M.S.C. Committee believes Kennard mainly desires attention and recognition from established authority.

PENDING

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I.ATTEMPTS TO ENTER MISSISSIPPI SOUTHERN COLLEGE

On December 1, 1958, efforts were made at Mississippi Southern College to secure information relative to Clyde Kennard. However, as the day was a holiday and no administrative office open, no information could be obtained.

On December 2, 1958, Colonel Roger Johnson, Administrative Assistant to the President, advised that the President, Dr. W. D. McCain, was out of the city and in Texas and would be gone for a week. Colonel Johnson stated that he did not have very much information regarding Kennard and the Kennard’s file was not in the files of the other students inasmuch as it was carried as a special case and handled by President McCain personally. He did not know where Mr. McCain had placed the file and was unable to locate it in Mr. McCain’s office. Colonel John had Mrs. McCain made a thorough search of the home of Dr. McCain with negative results, as to locating Clyde Kennard’s file. Colonel Johnson stated that Kennard first applied for admission to Mississippi Southern College three years ago, but since he did not have the necessary give recommendations from alumni in his home county, his application was denied. Colonel Johnson stated that as he recalled it, some six months later during the middle semester, Kennard made another effort to get into Mississippi Southern and requested that the five recommendations from alumni be waived. Kennard at that time came and talked to Dr. McCain and was told that his application would have to passed on by the Board of Trustees and any exceptions made in his case would have to be made by the Trustees. Kennard subsequently telephoned and requested of Dolonel Johnson’s office the names of all Mississippi Southern Alumni in Forrest County. He was told that such a list was not available and Kennard then stated that he was coming over to the College in order to go over the files and secure such a list. However, he never showed up. Colonel Johnson stated that the Security Officer for Mississippi Southern, Mr. John Reiter, had conducted some investigation and had determined that Kennard had attended the University of Chicago and also the Fayetteville North Carolina Teachers College. He stated that transcripts of records from these schools had been obtained and were in Kennard’s file.

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Colonel Johnson made a telephone call to Fort Bliss in Texas and talked to Dr. W. D. McCain. Mr. McCain stated that he did not know just where he had put Kennard’s file and that he would have to wait until he returned to Mississippi Southern College and made a search for the file himself.

Mr. A. A. Lucas, Director of Admissions at Mississippi Southern College, advised that he had held this position for one and a half years. Mr. Lucas said that he had no connection with the school when Clyde Kennard first attempted to register. At that time Dr. M. W. Kenna was Director of Admission. Dr. Kenna is now the Registrar at Mississippi Southern College. Mr. Lucas advised that he did not have Clyde Kennard’s file and that he understood that the file was in the possession of Dr. McCain. He did, however, have the transcript of Kennard’s record at Fayetteville Teachers College, Fayetteville, North Carolina. He furnished a photostatic copy of this transcript and the same will be commented upon later on in this report.

Mr. Lucas said that about two months ago Clyde Kenaard had telephoned him and wanted to know if he had to make another application to get consideration for admission into Mississippi Southern College. He was told that he would have to make such an application. Kennard then asked that four application blanks be sent to him. When asked why four Kennard said that there were several other negroes in the Eatonville community where Kennard resides, who are possibly interested in making application for entrance to Mississippi Southern. Kennard was told by Mr. Lucas that each individual would have to make a request himself for an application and that one such application would be sent to Kennard. This application was forwarded to him on November 15, 1958. Kennard gave his address as Route 1, Box 70, Hattiesburg. The Eatonville community is in Forrest County about 8 miles northeast of Hattiesburg. Mr. Lucas stated that this community is largely inhabited by negroes who appear to be above average in intelligence and education. He stated that some of the negroes are almost white in appearance and that it is difficult sometime to tell just whether they are white or colored. Mr. Lucas stated that his colored maid is from the Eatonville community and grew up with Clyde Kennard. He said that he had talked to her about Kennard and that she considers him one of the outstanding negroes in the Eatonville community. He is well educated and very intelligent and all of the other negroes look up to him. Mr. Lucas advised that Kennard is in the poultry busines[strikethrough]w[strikethrough]sat Eatonville.

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Mr. Lucas stated that all admission requirements must be met before a student can be admitted to Mississippi Southern College. These requirements must be met at the time of registration. Such requirements are:

Completed application.
Medical examination record.
Five recommendations from alumni from the county from which the applicant is applying.
A transcript of all previous work from schools from which the applicant is transferring.

Mr. Lucas stated that in Clyde Kennard’s case if the school is unable to locate the file on him, it will be necessary for him to again furnish a transcript of his record from the University of Chicago. There is already a transcript on hand from the Fayetteville Teachers College in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Mr. Lucas stated that Mrs. Ruth Dulin who presently resides at Petal, Mississippi, was formerly Secretary of the Director of Admission and would possibly have information with reference to Clyde Kennard’s attempts to enter Mississippi Southern.

Mrs. Ruth Dulin, 116 Green Street, Petal, Mississippi, advised on December 3, 1958, that Clyde Kennard had applied to Mississippi Southern College three years ago. At that time Mrs. Dulin was the Secretary to the Director of Admissions. She said that Kennard was unable to get five recommendations from alumni in Forrest County and he was turned down. Subsequently, he requested that his application be accepted without the five recommendations. He was told that this matter would have to be taken up with the Board of Trustees who would have to pass on any exception to a rule. Kennard subsequently telephoned Dr. McCain a number of times to find out about the application and was finally told that he had failed to meet all of the admission requirements and his application had been turned down. Mrs. Dulin stated that she had no information which might indicate anyone might be behind Kennard in pushing him to demand admission to Mississippi Southern College.

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Mr. John Reiter, Security Officer, Mississippi Southern College, advised that he had made an investigation for the school some three years ago and advised that most of the investigation was made by the Credit Bureau as it was not desired that anyone know of Kennard’s attempt to enter the school or that any investi-gation was being made. Reiter said that it was his recollection that the investigation had been handled in such as secretive manner that the credit report [unclear] the investigation was being made for Port Arthur, Texas. Mr. Reiter said that he was unable to recall very much regarding the investigation over than the fact that Kennard had been to school somewhere in the North, had been in the Army and had received an honorable discharge. Mr. Reiter said that he did not recall any derogatory information being developed regarding his applicant.

As Officials at Mississippi Southern College had indicated that the Chairman of the Board, Dr. E. R. Jobe, at Jackson, Mississippi, had at one time been furnished the file on Clyde Kennard and since they were of the opinion that Dr. Jobe might still have this file, contact was made with him on December 5, 1958. However, Dr. Jobe stated that had at one time seen the file on Clyde Kennard but did not believe that it was in his possession at the present time and he felt sure he had returned it to Dr. McCain. Dr. Jobe said he would have his office staff make a complete search for the file, and notify the writer. Subsequently that same day, the witer was informed by the secretary of Dr. Jobe that a complete search had been made and they were unable to locate it in the office of Dr. Jobe.

On December 9, 1958, I contacted Dr. W. D. McCain, President of Mississippi Southern College, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and he stated that he had made a thorough search of his officer and his house and had been unable to locate the file on Clyde Kennard. Dr. McCain said that he was very much embarrassed at not being able to locate the file. He said he had put the file away so well that he could not find it. He also stated that he had loaned the file to Dr. Jobe at Jackson, about three years ago when the matter first dame up but he was sure Dr. Jobe had returned the file.

Dr. McCain stated that as he recalled the file, Kennard had had approximately three years of college work at the University of Chicago and Fayetteville Teachers College, Fayetteville, N. C.

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He stated that recalled that Kennard’s grades were above average and there was nothing derogatory in his file. He said that the only information in the file was the transcript of the records from the schools which Kennard had attended together with his application for admission to Mississippi Southern and the credit report. Dr. McCain expressed his personal opinion that he did not believe the NAACP was behind Kennard’s attempt to enter Mississippi Southern. He recalled that he had talked with Kennard when the applicant had first applied for admission some three years ago and that Kennard had met all of the requirements with the exception of furnishing the five recommendations from alumni in the county from which he was applying. For this reason his application was not complete and was not processed. Dr. McCain stated that he would continue his efforts to locate the missing file and would notify the writer if he was successful in this regard.

Dr. M. W. Kenna, Registrar Mississippi Southern College, advised on December 9, 1958, that he was formerly Director of Admissions at this school and held this office at the time Kennard first attempted to get admitted to Mississippi Southern. He recalled that Kennard had first telephoned and requested that a Catalog of the school be sent him. This was done and at that time it was not known that Kennard was a nggro. After receipt of this catalog, Kennard telephoned and asked for an application for admittance to the school and at that time stated that he was a negro. The application was not forwarded to him and subsequently Kennard came to Mississippi Southern and talked to Dr. W. D. McCain. Dr. Kenna was in on the conference. At that time, Kennard was told that he would have to meet the requirements of having five recommendations from former alumni in Forrest County. Kennard said he would like to apply but that be would be unable to complete the application because he would be unable to secure the five recommendations. Dr. McCain told him that this was a regulation of the Board of Trustees and any qaiving of this recommendation as was requested by Kennard, would have to be considered by the Board. Kennard subsequently submitted his application without the five recommendations. The same was sent to the Board of Trustees for direction. Kennard then phoned several times thereafter with reference to his application. He was finally told that since his application was not complete the same could not be considered. Dr. Kenna stated that he recalled the file and there was absolutely nothing derogatory regarding

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This applicant. Dr. Kenna stated that Clyde Kennard is a light colored negro, he was a muscian, played the organ, that he was very polite and courteous and appeared to be intelligent. He said the negro was not offensive in any way.

Dr. Kenna advised that recently Kennard had telephoned and requested an application. He indicated that he again intended to apply for admission to Mississippi Southern College for the winter term beginning January 5, 1959. The Hattiesburg American Newspaper of Wednesday, December 10, 1958, as well as the News Telecast at 10:00 P.M. That evening, carried an article that Clyde Kennard, Route 1, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a negro was again seeking admission to Mississippi Southern College. An effort was made to contact Dr. McCain, President of Mississippi Southern, on the morning of December 11, 1958, by Dr. McCain was out of the city. The Registrar and Director of Admission were also out of the City. The writer was informed by the secretary of Dr. McCain that no further application had been received from Kennard. This secretary did not know how the newspapers had obtained this information relative to Kennard’s attempt to enter Southern at this time.

II.PERSONAL HISTORY

On December 3, 1958, the records of the State Bureau of Vital Statistics, Jackson, Mississippi, were examined. The same reflect that one Clyde Kennard, birth registry number 21878, born June 20, 1927, at Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The father’s name was given as Will Kennard, age 41, occupation farmer, residence RFD 1, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The mother’s name was listed as Laura Fairley, with the same address. Her age was given as 33, born in Smith County, Mississippi. This was the fourth child born to the mother and father. The physician was listed as Charles M. Smith, 606 Mobile Street, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. All of the individuals were listed as being of the colored race. The birth certificate was filed July 8, 1927.

The records of confidential informant T-1 reflect that Clyde Kennard has no middle name. He has Social Security Number 426-24-9208. His address in October 1952, was given as Route 1, Box 512, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Kennard was born June 12, 1927 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. His mother is listed as Leona Smith,

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Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Route 1, Box 512. The records further show that he was single in October 1952, and at that time a freshman at the University of Chicago. He entered the United States Army September 23, 1945. His Army Serial Number was RA 44-143-812. He was separated from the Service at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, on October 6, 1952, as a Technical Sergeant. He was at that time assigned to Headquarters Company 279, In-fantry Regiment. His discharge was listed as honorable. His description was given as 5’ 7”, weight, 151; race, negro; eyes, brown; hair, black; complexion, medium. The records of confidential informant T-1 further reflect that Kennard was employed October 20, 1952, at a salary of $25.00 a week by Dave A. Matison, 420 S. 21st Avenue, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Kennard’s education was listed as high school graduate and having attended Fayetteville, North Carolina Teachers College for two years. At the time, Kennard claimed he had never been convicted for any crime. He also stated that his health record was excellent. The records further disclosed that Kennard was employed from 1942 to 1045 as a clerk typist for the Mutual Insurance Company, Chicago, Illinois. While Kennard was in the Army, he received the following decorations and medals: Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; United Nations Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal.

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On December 2, 1958, Mrs. Rees of the Credit Bureau of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, furnished a special credit report prepared on Clyde Kennard under date of February 25, 1956. This credit report was for Mississippi Southern College and reflects that. Clyde Kennard is a negro residing at Route 1, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. His age was given as approximately 26, single with no criminal record. His step father was listed as a truck farmer. His credit rating was shown as unsatisfactory. The following remarks were contained in the credit report.

Clyde Kennard, (sometimes referred to as Kinnard,) uses a variation of his name for reasons best known to himself. Ostensibly, he is just out of the Army for less than two years. He has shown no sense of responsibility in meeting his obligations. This seems to be a character-istic of the negro race in general, as shown in the extensive files of this organization. He has more obli-gations than income.

Subject is living with mother and stepfather. (Mother and stepfather may be common law man and wife since extensive investigation revealed no marriage license issued to Silas L. Smith or Leonia Kennard or Kinaard), at Route 1, (Eatonville, Hattiesburg, Mississippi).

Informants state that they believe subject is a graduate of some colored college and belive that he is teaching somewhere in Forrest County, however, a check through the County Superintendent’s office, reveals that subject is in no way employed in the Forrest County School system. However, The County Superintendent stated that subject is on the Board of Trustees of the Bay Springs Consolidated School (colored). He also knew of subject’s intentions, and told investigator as much, however, investigator did not reveal any knowledge of existing situations.

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On or about May 13, 1949, Clyde Kennard and his mother, Leonia Smith, purchased the following property:

20 acres of land located as N1/2 of NE1/4 of SW1/4 township 5 N Range 13 W in Forrest County, from Mrs. Mary Ann Gandy, widow of the late Mr. Doyle Gandy, deceased. Purchase price was $5,650.00, down payment was stipulated at $650.00 and the balance was to be paid at the rate of $75.00 monthly at 6% interested until paid in full. Three years and 13 days later on March 16, 1952, this mortgate was paid in full, an unusual event in the case of mortgage loans where people of the subject’s race are concerned. Proof of this transaction may be found on page 423, book 111, Chancery Clerk’s office, Forrest County, Mississippi.

On or about the month of June, 1954, Clyde Kennard, and his mother, Leonia Smith, mortgaged the following property, to-wit:

N1/2 of NE1/4 of SW1/4, sec. 20 Tier 5, N Range, 13, W Forrest County and E1/2 of SW1/4 of SE1/4, section 18, township 5, N Range 13W and S1/2 of NW1/2 of NE 1/4 and SW1/4 of NE1/4 S 19 township 5 N, Range 13W Forrest County, less and except a parcel of land sold to George Ann Lee, deed dated January 18, 1949, book 109, page 495, Chancery Clerk’s office, Forrest County, Mississippi. The mortgage is a first mortgage held by a Savings and Loan for [$3,120.69?]. Payments at the start of the loan were $50.00 per month but they they were reduced to $35.00 on June 15, 1955. This amount is seriously delinquent since November 1955. If the subject fails to meet this obligation, it is reasonable

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to assume that the said Savings and Loan will foreclose

On or about September 8, 1955, a second mortgage was assumed by a local Motor Company against the above described property owned by subject and his mother for $563.00 for payment on a 1951 GMC 3/4 ton pickup truck. Proof of this second mortgage may be found in book 171, page 586 Chancery Clerk’s office, County of Forrest State of Mississippi. Payments were to be $34.60 per month. It is not revealed how subject has been paying this. Investigator noted the above mentioned mortgage loans were signed in a very nice handwriting.

On or about the month of June 1955 subject purchased the following from a local general merchandise company:

1 push mower; 4 power mowers, 1 wheelbarrow and a numerous assortment of gardening tolls ostensibly to conduce a gardening service. The total purchase price of this equipment was $443.84 payable at $74.00 per month. This account as a present balance of $217.00 since October 1955, and unless full settlement is forthcoming the merchandise will be repossessed. The firm states that they would not sell again to this man under any circumstances on credit again.

Subject has no record of being arrested or convicted of any crime in the crime of Hattiesburg or in the county of Forrest.

Additional information in the files of the Credit Bureau under date of August 13, 1958, reflect that [strikethrough]C[strikethrough]C[strikethrough]l[strikethrough]yde Kennard, single man, negro, age approximately 28, occupation, farmer, had come into some money this past year from the sale of land to the State Highway Department for a highway. A check of the Chancery Clerk’s office Forrest County, Mississippi, under date of December 2, [19568?] by Mr. Sam Rees of the Credit Bureau

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reflects that on June 5, 1958, the Highway Department had paid $11.500.00 to Clyde Kennard and his mother, Leonia Smith. On the same date additional payment of $2500.00 was shown to both Kennard and his mother, Leonia Smith by the State Highway Department.

The records of the Credit Bureau also reflect that In July 1958 Clyde Kennard had paid cash for a 1958 station wagon. On September 10, 1958, the Aetna Finance Company, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, had loaned Kennard $650.00.

The records of the Credit Bureau reflect that in the past 3 years Kennard has had a good credit rating indicating that he had been coming into some money. Prior to the past three years his credit rating had been very unsatisfactory. Information from the Credit Bureau’s file reflects that the subject’s mother, Leonia Smith, has apparently never married the man she is living with as there is no record of any marriage license being issued to either subject’s father or mother in Forrest County.

Mr. T. B. Fatheree, State Director, Farm Home Loan Administration, Jackson, Mississippi, advised on December 5, 1958, that his records reflect that one Clyde Kennard, Route 1, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, had sold 10.76 acres to the State Highway Department for $11.877.00. Kennard had applies $3,500.00 of this on accounts due the Farmers Home Administration. Mr. Fatheree stated that his Department had not released the acreage from the terms of their mortgage.

An examination of the Forrest County Chancery Clerk’s records at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, by the writer on December 9, 1958, disclosed that in Book 201, Page 460, there was a Warranty Deed to the State Highway Commission by Leonia Smith and Clyde Kennard, dated June 5, 1958. For this it was shown they were paid $135.00. Page 462, the same book, reflects Leonia Smith and Clyde Kennard paid $991.00 by the State Highway Commission on a Warranty Deed. Page 464 reflects that Leonia Smith and Clyde Kennard paid $659.00 on a Warranty Deed by the State Highway Commission. Page 470 same book, reflects that on June 5, 1958, Leonia Smith and

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Clyde Kennard were paid $11.098.00 by the State Highway Commission on a Warranty Deed. Further examination of the Chancery Clerk’s records at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, disclosed a [Chattel?] Deed of Trust from Clyde Kennard, Rpute 1, Box 70, Hattiesburg, records September 10, 1958, in favor of the Aetna Finance Company, 206 W. Front St., Hattiesburg, for a loan of $650.00 made September 5, 1958, payable in eleven monthly installments of $54.00 per month with the exception of the first month when a payment of $56.00 was due. This Deed of Trust was secured by a 1958 Mercury Station Wagon, Motor Number 3 509776-77A-S 2133, Serial No. M 8ZF509776.

The Chancery Clerk’s records further reflect that Clyde Kennard had recorded his honorable discharge from the Army on October 13, 1952. This gave his Army Serial Number as RA 44143812. It reflected that he was discharged October 6, 1952 as a Sergeant in the Regular Army. He was described as born June 12, 1927 at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Male, Negro, Black hair, brown eyes, height 67 inches, weight 151 pounds.

The Chancery Clerk’s records further reflected that in 1944 Clyde Smith, age 16, was attending the Bay Springs Consolidated School, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In 1945 records reflect this same individual as Clyde Kinnard, age 17, born February, parents’ name given as Smith.

Records of the Circuit Clerk, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, disclosed book 5, page 158, marriage of Will Kenard to Leona Fairly, Forrest County, Mississippi, on April 22, 1915 by Reverend B. M. Lindsay. This marriage certificate was filed for record May 31, 1915.

A search of the records of the Circuit Clerk failed to disclose any record of the marriage of Leona Fairly or Leona Kennard or Laura Fairly or Laura Kennard to Silas L. Smith.

A search of the records of the Police Department at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on December 2, 1958, failed to reflect any record on Clyde Kennard.

A search of the Sheriff’s office on December 2, 1958

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at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, failed to find any record of Clyde Kennard.

There was no arrest record on file of Kennard at the State Bureau of Identification, Mississippi Safety Patrol, Jackson, Mississippi.

A search of the records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, D. C. by the Mississippi Highway Patrol Identification Officer, Director Sam Ivy, failed to disclose any record of Kennard with the FBI Criminal File, Washington, D. C.

III. EMPLOYMENT

As previously noted in this report, the records of confidential informant T-1 reflect that Clyde Kennard was employed in 1952 at a salary of $25.00 per week by Mr. Dave A. Matison, 420, S. 21st Avenue, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Upon interview on December 10, 1958 with Mr. Dave A. Matison, a partner in the Firm, Fine Brothers – Matison Com-pany, the largest department store in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, informed the writer that approximately the year 1952 Clyde Kennard had come to him stating that he wanted to go to school at the University of Chicago and needed to earn some money. Kennard asked Mr. Matison for a job. Mr. Matison said that he was sympathetic to Kennard’s desire for further education and although he did not exactly need him, he hired him to approximately four months’ work around his home. Mr. Matison said that he found Kennard to be highly intelligent and most efficient. He said that Kennard was very polite and did not push himself at all; that Matison’s entire family became very fond of Kennard. Mr. Matison said that Kennard went to the University of Chicago for several years and then returned to Hattiesburg; that since that time Matison has had him work on several jobs and was highly pleased with the results. Mr. Matison stated that he planned to build a very expensive home in the suburbs of Hattiesburg and that after doing this he is going to offer Kennard the job of caretake, a full time job at his home. Mr. Matison stated that Kennard has a poultry farm and frequently Matison’s wife takes their children out to this farm where they enjoy very

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much seeing the horses, cows and chickens and playing around the place. Mr. Matison states that he has never heard Kennard mention the NAACP; that Kennard has spoken of the unjust manner in which the South treats the negroes ahd that he is unable to understand why they cannot get fair and equal treatment. He says that Kennara is very independent and won’t be driven by anyone. Mr. Matison says he does not understand why Kennard remains in Mississippi unless he just has a missionary zeal to try and change things. Mr. Matison states that he does not think Kennard will be able to enter Mississippi Southern and he is more or less letting himself in for a hard time and will create tension and unrest in that locality. Matison said he would be glad to talk to Kennard but he did not think it would do any good; that Kennard would listen to a member of his own race more readily than he would to a white person. He suggested that possibly the negro professors, Burger and Roy who are principals of negro schools in Hattiesburg might be able to talk to Kennard to get him to withdraw his application for admission to Mississippi Southern. It was apparent that Mr. Dave A. Matison, a member of the Jewish Faith, is very sympathetic toward Kennard had no chance of getting into Mississippi Southern at this time and undoubtedly was doing more harm to himself and to his race than good in his present endeavor.

The records of confidential informant T-1 as noted previously in this report, disclose that Kennard was employed from 1942 to 1045 as a clerk typise for the Mutual Insurance Company, Chicago, Illinois. Efforts are presently being made to check this information at Chicago as well as to conduct additional investigation in that city relative to Kennard’s activity when he was living there.

Mr. Edward P. Arnold who is a partner in the A & R Feed Mill on North Main Street, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, advised on December 9, 1958, that Kennard had a farm in the Eatonville community about 8 miles northeast of Hattiesburg. Mr. Arnold further stated that Kennard had

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approximately a year ago purchased 3,000 chickens and set up a poultry farm. Previous to that time he had been farming a little cotton. Mr. Arnold advised that he had sold Kennard some poultry feed at various times.

Superintendent of Education, W. H. Lane also advised that Clyde Kennard had had a farm at Route 1, Hattiesburg for a number of years where he had farmed cotton. However, in the past year he had set up a poultry farm. He did not know the extent of Kennard’s operation.

IV.EDUCATION

The official transcript of the record of Clyde Kennard from the Fayetteville Teachers College, Fayette-ville, North Carolina, dated October 24, 1958, which is in possession of the Director of Admissions, Mississippi Southern College, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, reflects that Clyde Kennard attended Bay Springs Consolidated High School, Hattiesburg, Mississippi from 1943 to 1945 and graduated from the Mendell Phillips High School, Chicago, Illinois on June 26, 1950, after taking G.E.D. test. This G.E.D. test was taken January 11, 1950. Clyde Kennard has the following high school credits:

English, 3 units
Algebra 1½ units
Plane Geometry, 1 unit
Latin, 2 units
History, 1 unit
General Science, 1 unit
Biology, 1 unit
Chemistry, 1 unit
Commercial Law, 1 unit
Art & Music 1½
Gym – ROTC, 2, making a total of 16 units.

The records show that Kennard was admitted to the Fayetteville State Teachers College on December 4, 1950 as a special student while he was attending U.S. Army – Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He did not graduate and withdrew

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from the school March 3, 1952. He took the following subjects and receive the following credits and grades:

World Geography, 3 hours credit, quality points 9, grade A.
Western Civilization, 3 hours credit, 9 quality points, grade A.
U.S. History, 3 hours credit, 9 quality points, grade A minus.
Urban Sociology, 3 hours credit, 9 quality points, grade A minus.
English Composition, 3 hours credit, 6 quality points, grade B.
Western Civilization, 3 hours credit, 9 quality points, grade A.
U.S. History, 3 hours credit, 6 quality points, grade B.
Social Psychology, 3 hours credit, 9 quality points, grade A.
U.S. History, 3 hours credit, 6 quality points, grade B minus.
American Government, 3 hours credit, 6 quality points, grade B minus.
International Relations, 3 hours credit, 9 quality points, grade A.
This makes a total of 33 hours credit, and 87 quality points.

Investigation has also disclosed that Kennard attended the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Efforts are at present being made to secure the results of his attendance at this school together with other investigation relative to his activity while in Chicago.

V.NAACP ACTIVITIES

The Hattiesburg American under date of Friday, December 6, 1958, carried a letter to the Editor which was signed, Clyde Kennard, RFD 1, City. Attached hereto is a copy of the article appearing in the Hattiesburg American newspaper.

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Page 2-A Hattiesburg American Friday, Dec. 6, 1958

Letter to Editor

Mixing

Editor. The American.

It is interesting to me that subjects which are most widely discussed are those which seem to be least understood by the public whom these discussions are designed to inform.

It would not surprise me if more words had not been spoken and written on integration and segregation in the last four years than on any other subject, especially in the South.

In our state the officials spend much of their time and perhaps much of our money trying to convince the integrationists, and reassure the segregationists, that the policy of perpetual segregation is the wisest course for us to pursue, in spite of the tremendous cost of duplication.

Somehow I feel a great sympathy for the people who truly believe that the interest of both the White and Negro people would be served best by a system of complete or partial segregation. Although I am integrationist by choice, I am a segregationist by nature, and I think most Negroes are. We prefer to be alone, but experience has taught us that if we are ever to attain the goal of first class citizenship, we must do it through a closer association with the dominant (White) group.

Now it is this “getting closer” attempt by the Negro group that has aroused too much attention throughout the world, and no doubt a temporary animosity be-tween the groups.

There are two schemes for the solution of the present race problem The first, spearheaded by the National Association for the Advancement of the Colored People, and given authoritative backing by the Constitution of the United States, as interpreted by the Supreme Court in its 1954 decision says that Negroes are American citizens and are en-titled to the same rights and priv-ileges, the same opportunities and duties as any other citizens, and that the best way to secure these rights and duties on a fair and equal basis, would be to (in all things public) subject both races to identical conditions of life.

The second scheme, champion-ed primarily by the Southern States, says that Negroes are American citizens and are en-titled to the same rights and privileges, the same opportunities and duties as any other citizen, and that the best way to secure these rights and duties on a fair and equal basis would be (in all things public and private) to subject both races to different conditions of life.

As the public schools are essential organs for general intellectual discipline, and the preparation for private life and public service let us superimpose the plan of separate of equal on the public school system.

It is my understanding that separate but equal means that in matters where public funds are involved every time a dollar is spent for the development of Negro students, a dollar will be spent for the development of White students, and vice versa.

This plan is to be followed through Junior college, Senior college, medical schools, law schools, divinity schools, graduate schools and all supports by public funds.

After our paralleled graduate schools, where do our parallels of separate by equal go? Are we to assume that paralleled hospitals are to be built for the two groups of doctors? Are we to build two bridges across the same stream in order to give equal opportunities to both groups of engineers? Are we to have two courts of law so as to give both groups of lawyers the same chance to demonstrate their skills; two legislatures for our politically include, and of course two governors?

The folly of such a conclusion is perfectly obvious. Yet, the question remains, what is to be-come of the doctors who are not allowed to treat their patients in public hospitals? What will the engineers do when there are no roads or bridges for them to build? How must the lawyers occupy their time when the state courts restrict their opportunities to practice? How shall young statesmen, who can’t even get their names on the ballot, ever hope to be elected to the legislature?

Segregationists whose convictions are based on reason rather than passion might agree that the most honorable and actually the only path to our goal, would be to allow integration at some lev-el, if not on the school level, then surely on the “job” level.

In utter desperation, I can see one other possible solution to which segregationist might resort, short of integration. They could do in theory what our state now does in fact, namely, raise and educate young people for the benefit of other states. While they get richer we get poorer.

The integrationists offer a pro-gram which at first seems if not cruel at least awkward. We admit to bring two groups of people together who have different social and ethnic background presents certain adjustment problems. We should expect that and any intelligent program must al-low for these adjustments.

What we request is only that in all things competitive, merit be used as a measuring stick rather than race.

We believe that for men to work together best, they must be train-ed together in their youth. We believe that there is more to going to school than listening to the teacher and reciting lessons. In school one learns to appreciate and respect the abilities of the other.

We say that if a man is a good doctor though his face be white as light or black as darkness let him practice his art. We believe that the best engineer should build the bridge or run the train. We believe that the most efficient secretary should get the best paying job and the greatest scholar the professorship. We believe in the dignity and brotherhood of man and the divinity and father-hood of God, and as such, men should work for the upbuiding of each other, in mutual love and respect. We believe when merit replaces race as a factor in character evaluation, the most heckling social problem of mod-ern times will have been solved.

Thus we believe in integration on all levels from kindergarten to graduate schools; in every area of education; in government, federal, state, local; in industry from the floor sweeper to the superintendent’s office; in science from the laboratory to the testing ground.

This, I believe, is our creed. And though it is not perfect, still I had rather meet my God with this creed than with any other yet devised by human society.

Respectfully submitted,
Clyde Kennard
RFD 1, City

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Mr. E. P. Arnold, a white man who is a partner in the A & R Feed Mill, North Main Street, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, advised on December 9, 1958 that he was acquainted with Clyde Kennard as in the past he has sold Kennard chicken feed for his poultry. He advised that Kennard has been seen frequently in the past with Rabbi Martinband of Hattiesburg. Arnold said that he believes that Kennard has worked in the past at Rabbi Martinband’s church. (On March 12, 1957, Manning Johnson a negro self-confessed communist party member testified before a Legislative [strikethrough]pp[strikethrough]Committee at Baton Rouge, Louisiana to the effect that the Mississippi Council on Human Relations was a transmission belt of communist infiltration in the South. Johnson named Rabbi Charles Martinband of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as one of the Directors of the this organization.) Arnold advised that Kennard was running a poultry farm which he had had approximately one year. Prior to that time he was mowing yards in the city and doing a little farming. Arnold further stated that it was rumored around that Kennard was receiving money from the NAACP. He had nothing to back this statement, he merely stated that it was a subject of comment and rumor in the community. Arnold advised that about August or September 1956 he had purchased a farm which adjoined Clyde Kennard’s farm. Shortly thereafter Kennard had come to see Mr. Arnold stating that the negroes had had a meeting and that he was representing the negroes in the community, further that he realized that Mr. Arnold was a business man and that he was prepared to offer Mr. Arnold a profit on his farm. He stated that the negroes in the community desire to purchase the farm from Arnold since this was an all negro community, they desired to keep it that way. Arnold said he told Kennard that he was not interested in selling his property. Mr. Arnold advised that lately the negroes in the Eatonville community were having a lot of fish frys and that he and others believed these are only fronts for NAACP meetings. He said that Clyde Kennard appeared to be one of the negro leaders in that community. Mr. Arnold advised that about a year ago the negroes had circulated a petition for the purpose of having their children integrated in the white Eatonville School, but hat some of the more level headed

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negroes had gotten together and stopped this petition and it was never present to the School Board. Arnold said that he had recently heard that the negroes were going to attempt to circulate such a petition again.

Mr. Robert L. Rawls, a white man who is a partner in the A & R Feed Mill, North Main Street, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, stated that he is acquainted with Clyde Kennard who approximately one year ago purchased about 3,000 hens for his poultry farm. He said that he had no evidence to the effect, but that Kennard was reputed to be a leader of the NAACP in Eatonville community. He understood that these negroes were having frequent meetings and he had heard that automobiles with out of state license plates had been seen at some of these meetings. Mr. Rawls stated that he, in partnership with Mr. Arnold, own the adjoining farm to Kennard’s which is in an all negro settlement. He however, said that Mr. Arnold takes cares of this farm and that he knew very little about Kennard oR his activities.

Mr. Sam Rees who is presently employed by Radio Station WFOR, Hattiesburg, but who was formerly in charge of the Hattiesburg Credit Bureau, advised that he had made the Credit Bureau investigation and report on Clyde Kennard some three years ago for Mississippi Southern College. He stated that he was of the opinion that Kennard had no sense of responsibility in meeting his obligations. His credit was bad at the time but as since that time improved considerably. It was Rees’s opinion that Kennard had possibility been receiving funds from the NAACP and had possibly been the so called payoff man for other negroes in the Eatonville community. He had nothing to back this opinion other than his belief. Rees stated that he had made a thorough investigation but had been unable to located any marriage license for Kennard’s mother and Silas L. Smith with whom she was living at the time. In his opinion, they were living as common law man and wife.

Mr. Max Gandy, a white man who runs the Gandy Market and Grocery Store in the Eatonville community, advised on December 3, 1958, that any information ge gave would have to be strictly confidential as most of his trade is from

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negroes in the community and if they thought he was giving out any information his business would be ruined.

Mr. Gandy stated that Kennard’s father, Will Kennard, had died about 27 years ago and that Kennard’s mother had married Silas Smith and that Smith died approximately two years ago. He said that Kennard goes around with a negro girl by the name of Bobbie Jean Wats. However, Kennard is not married. He said that Kennard has a sister, Dorothy, who died recently in California. He also has two brothers, neither of whom reside in the Hattiesburg area. It was his opinion that these brothers either lives in St. Louis or Chicago. Mr. Gandy said that Kennard had recently come into some money from the State Highway Department but that this money had been tied up by the Farmers Home Administration. He advised that Kennard does his banking business with the Citizens National Bank, and that he has cashed checks that Kennard has given to other negroes in the community. Gandy stated that he was sure there is a NAACP Chapter in the Eatonville community and undoubtedly Clyde Kennard is one of the leaders of the organization. He said that the Branch met he thought at various houses. He named the following negroes as leaders in the organization:

Clyde Kennard.
Vernon Dahmer.
George Kelley.
Major Bowen.
Kermit Eaton.
Darnell L. Eaton.
Levi Simmons.
James Barney and wife, Lila Barney.
Gilbert Watts.
Kenneth Beard and wife, Mrs. Kenneth Beard, who is the sister of Vernon Dahmer.

Mr. Gandy said that recently Lila Barney had been in his store buying up a number of cold cut meats. When he asked her why

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she needed so much, she said that they were fixing to have a NNACP meeting at her home and mentioned that Clyde Kennard, Vernon Dahmer, George Kelley and others would be present. Mr. Gandy further stated that he had recently observed cars from Illinois, or at least one car from Illinois, in the community. The car contained white people and he thought they were agitating the negroes in the Eatonville community. He said he had heard that the negroes were preparing to circulate a petition demanding that their children attend the Eatonville white school since they had closed down the colored school and it was now necessary to transport the colored children some eleven miles to Palmer Crossing for school and that enroute to this place they passed several white schools.

Mr. H. R. McPhail a white man who runs a country store in the Eatonville community, advised confidentially that he had known Clyde Kennard for possibly five years and that he is a quiet type of individual and is a leader among the negroes in the community. It was Mr. McPhail’s opinion, though he had nothing with which to back it, that the NAACP is financing Kennard; he also named George Kelley, Vernon Dahmer and Kermit Eaton at other negroes in the community who are interested in the NAACP. He recalled the fact that Reverend R. W. Woullard, a negro preacher at Eatonville, had physically thrown two or three of the individuals out of his church when they attempted to hold a NAACP meeting there. Mr. McPhail said that he knew of no petition oR any plans for circulating a petition on the part of the negroes to enter the Eatonville white school, although he knew that the negroes in the community were quite upset when their colored school was closed. Mr. McPhail said that he had not observed any foreign cars or cars with foreign license plates in the community.

Superintendent of Education W. H. Lane, advised that there was no negro school at the Eatonville community this year as the same had been closed and consolidated with the school at Palmer’s Crossing about 11 miles away. This necessitated transporting the children to this negro school. He stated that there were only about 125 negro children

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attending school in Eatonville and that was not sufficient to maintain a school in that locality. Mr. Lane said that Clyde Kennard was one of the leaders of the negroes in Eatonville and he was of the opinion that there was a NAACP Chapter in that place. He also stated that George Kelley and Vernon Dahmer were leaders of the negroes in that community. He had no information to the effect that any petition was being circulated for the purpose of having the negro children attend the white school at Eatonville. However, Kennard had recently told Mr. Lane that he saw no reason why the children in that community had to be transported eleven miles when there was a school out there that they could attend, having reference to the white [strikethrough]?[strikethrough]shool. Mr. Lane said that Clyde Kennard had formerly been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bay Springs Consolidated School which was the negro school at Eatonville. However, when the school was consolidated at Palmer’s Crossing, Kenaard was let off of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Lane expressed the opinion that the Eaton-ville negroes would be the potential source of any trouble in the county, and this would undoubtedly be the first place where any attempt would be [unclear] or the part of the negroes to integrate the schools.

On December 10, 1958, I conducted interviews with Rev. H. C. Clark, a negro preacher, 710 Memphis Street, Archie Rogers, a negro, [strikethrough][unclear][strikethrough] [716?], Memphis Street, Harold Pollard, a negro, 709 Mobile Street. All of these negroes attend the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and had come to the sheriff complaining that their preacher had thrown them out of the church. They claimed that the preacher, Rev. James C. Chandler, was attempting to organize a NAACP Chapter in the church. I questioned them with reference to their knowledge of Clyde Kennard, however, they stated that they did not know of Kennard personally, although they had read the letter he had written to the newspaper. They claimed they had no information about a NAACP Chapter at Eatonville.

On December 10, 1958, I interviewed Rev. R. W. Woullard who is a pastor of a church at Hattiesburg as well as negro church at Eatonville. Rev. Woullard also runs a Funeral Home on New Orleans Street, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

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Rev. Woullard was recommended to the writer by Sheriff Ford Vane, Hattiesburg, and Chief of Police Combs, Hattiesburg, both of whom advised that he had cooperated with them in the past and also that he had prevented a NAACP Chapter from being organized in his church at Eatonville which had resulted in a fight on the part of several members of the congregation and Rev. Woullard. As a result of this situation, a number of the negroes referred to Rev. Woullard as “Uncle Tom”. Rev. R. W. Woullard’s telephone number is Juniper 3-1761, (office). His home telephone number is Juniper 3-3756. He advised that he had been a preacher at Hattiesburg for our 38 years. He also referred to the fight which he had with se[strikethrough]g[strikethrough]veral members of his congregation at Eatonville in preventing them from holding NAACP meetings in his church. He referred to the negro leaders in the Eatonville community as Clyde Kennard, Vernon Dahmer, George Kelley, Major Bowans; he says there is a NACCP Chapter at Eatonville, though he has no way of proving it.

With reference to Clyde Kennard, Rev. Woullard says he is a well educated negro and intelligent, and had been up North to school for a number of years. With reference to the letter in the Hattiesburg American signed by Kennard, Rev. Woullard said that in his opinion, Kennard did not actually write that letter but he believes that the NAACP prepared it for him. Rev. Woullard advised that he did not know Kennard’s father but that his mother was a good woman. Rev. Woullard expressed the opinion that the Eatonville community was a potential trouble spot and that any attempt to integrate the schools on the part of the negroes would arise in that community. Rev. Woullard also stated that the Negro Ministerial Improvement Association in Hattiesburg was just a front for the NAACP and that the NAACP spoke through the Ministerial Association. Rev. Woullard said he would be glad to cooperate any way he could in ascertaining the activities of the NAACP as he has fought them ever since they had attempted to organize in Hattiesburg. He says that as a result they have attempted to ruin his business, especially, his insurance business which he runs in connection with this Funeral Home. He also expressed the opinion that Kennard is going to do more harm than good by stirring up strife and dissention in filing an

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application to enter a white college, Mississippi Southern College. Rev. Woullard said he would be glad to head up a committee of negroes to go to visit Kennard and attempt to talk to him and persuade him against filing an application to enter Mississippi Southern. It was his belief that they would be able to talk Kennard out of such an attempt if he is going to make the attempt on his own. Of course, if he is being backed by the NAACP that might present anonher complication.

Professor A. B. S. Todd, negro Principal of the Palmer’s Crossing School, stated that hin his opinion Clyde Kennard is a radical individual. Todd said that he did not know of any NAACP Chapter operating in Hattiesburg and he was sure there was none at Palmer’s Crossing. All of the negroes in that locality seem to be satisfied with their new school. He did state that there was some dissatisfaction around Eatonville because of the eleven miles their children had to be transported to the Palmer’s Crossing school. However, there was only about 125 students at Eatonville which was not sufficient to support a separate school. Todd was of the opinion that these dissenters at Eatonville would not cause any trouble however. He said that he had known Kennard for only about three years and that he was not married. However, he recently attended a PTA meeting at Palmer’s Crossing got up and attempted to ask some questions and make a speech. Professor Todd said that he put Kennard in his place in a nice way. He said he had never heard anything against Kennard’s character and that seemed to be an intelligent individual.

Professor Todd said that in his opinion Kennard would do more to stir up dissatisfaction, ill will and tension in the community by filing an application to enter Mississippi Southern College. He said that we would be glad to serve on the committee to go see Kennard in an attempt to talk him out of filing the application.

Mrs. Ruth Bates, English Teacher at the negro school at Palmer’s Crossing, advised that she lives in the Eaton-ville community and has known Kennard all of his life. She said that he tries to be different and seems to take the opposite side of everything. She said that he was caused dissension in the church as well as the school. Mrs. Bates

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said that she has taught at the Bay Springs Consolidated School when Kennard has attended it. She knew of absolutely nothing against his character. She said he was a highly intelligent individual and just seems to think different from the others in the community. She stated that in her opinion Kennard was not a leader among the negroes and that there were only two or three who would go along with him. She denied knowing of any NAACP activities in Eatonville and claimed that she knew the people in that community well and she was certain they would cause no trouble. She stated that there were only a few dissenters such as Clyde Kennard, George Kelley and Major Brown. In connection with my talk with Mrs. Bates, she brought up the fact that they greatly needed a Negro Junior College to serve the surrounding area. She expressed the opinion that the negroes would be well satisfied if the State would give them a Junior College. She further said that they did not want to integrate with the whites as long as they were able to get equal facilities.

Agent interviewed N. R.Burger, a negro Principal of Royal Street School, Telephone Juniper 4-5763 on December 11, 1958. Burger said he is well acquainted with Clyde Kennard whom he described as intelligent, well educated, and a deep thinker. He said that he does not know whether Kennard is a member of the NAACP or whether there is any NAACP Chapter at Eatonville. He further said that he did not know whether Kennard had the support of the NAACP in his attempts to enter Mississippi Southern. He had read Kennard’s letter to the newspaper. It was Burger’s opinion that Kennard might be first attempting to get things started by filing an application to enter Mississippi Southern with the hope that the NAACP would then come around and lend him support. Burger expressed the opinion that nothing but ill will, dissension and strife would result in Kennard’s attempt to get into Mississippi Southern. He said that he would like to see Kennard withdraw his application for entrance into this school; that he is willing to work with a committee of negroes to try to get him to withdraw this application. He stated however, that he would like to talk to Professor Al Johnson, Negro Head of Prentiss Institute and with the Negro Head of Alcorn College whose name is Boyd. Burger stated that he is for segregation and does not want the negroes integrated in the white schools. In this connection, however,

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he brought up the fact that the negroes in and around Hattiesburg badly needed a Junior College and that to secure such a school would go a long way toward satisfying the negroes in that area.

C. E. Roy, Negro Principal of the W. H. Jones School, interviewed on December 11, 1958, expressed the opinion that he was for segregation and believed that the majority of the negroes in the community were satisfied with the new schools which had been built for them. He expr[strikethrough][?][strikethrough]ssed appreciation for these schools. He stated that he does not personally know Clyde Kennard but he believes that Kennard’s efforts to enter Mississippi Southern College will only result in strife and ill will and will create tension in the community. He agreed to serve on a committee of negroes to visit Kennard and attempt to talk him out of filing such an application. Roy said he knew of no NAACP Chapter in Hattiesburg or Eatonville. He, along with the negro professors Burger and Todd, stated that they attempted to steer a course down the middle. In other words, they did not want to get mixed up with the NAACP nor did they want to be regarded as traitors to their own race, and held up as subjects of scorn and ridicule. All of these negro educators stated that they believed they would be able to talk Kennard out of filing his application at Mississippi Southern provided he was not being backed by the NAACP. If that was the case, they all stated that certain complications would arise and they did not know whether they would be able to get the desired results from Kennard.

Mr. C. W. Sullivan, Hattiesburg City Attorney, advised on December 11, 1958, that his maid had told him that some outside white people had been in the community stirring up the negroes and were promoting Kennard’s attempts to get into Mississippi Sputhern. Sullivan had no further information on this and said that he would attempt to find out further from his maid regarding this matter and would advise the writer.

Mr. Dudley Conner, Attorney at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, advised on December 10, 1958, that Milton Barnes was head of the NAACP in Hattiesburg. Other leaders of this organization in Hattiesburg are Nathan Bourne, and Rev. W. D. Ridgeway.

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Mr. Dudley Conner, Attorney, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who was formerly head of the Citizens Council at Hattiesburg was interviewed on December 10, 1958. Mr. Conner said that he did not know Kennard personally but he had read the letter that Kennard wrote the Editor of the Hattiesburg American. He stated that he is well acquainted with the negroes in the Eatonville community who are potential trouble makers.

As a matter of background, Mr. Conner said that as the time of the Civil War some of the white renegades who did not go away to war lived around Eatonville and that they had both white and colored children. As a result, the community around Eatonville is made of negroes who are almost white or have a considerable amount of white blood in them. He stated that some of the negroes could well pass for white men. As a result, a number of these negroes have attempted to cross the color line. He particularly named the sister of Vernon Dahmer who Mr. Conner said had gone to Chicago, Illinois, and married a white doctor. Recently she was back in Hattiesburg with a big black negro chauffer driving her around in a Cadillac. He said he thought she merely came back to show her acquaintances in and around Hattiesburg that she had crossed the color line. Mr. Conner said that one of the most dangerous negroes in the Eatonville community is Vernon Dahmer whose father, George Dahmer, now deceased, had one told Mr. Conner that Vernon Dahmer hated all white men because he could not cross the color line, although he is almost white. His father said that he would never accept the fact that he is a negro and some day he will undoubtedly be hanged.

Conner states that several years ago he broke up an attempt to organize aANAACP Chapter in the Eatonville community and had personally gone out and ordered a negro from Brooklyn, N. Y. to leave the county and never return. He found out this negro was agitating and causing trouble in the Eatonville community. Conner further stated that if the State Sovereignty Commission wanted Kennard out of the community and out of the State just to let him know and he would see that this was taken care of. He claimed that no violence and no publicity would take place. He indicated that it would be handled by bringing economic pressure on the negroes.

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VI:INVESTIGATION– CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Mr. Kline Weatherford, a former agent of the FBI, has conducted the following investigation at Chicago, Illinois, and transmitted the same to the State Sovereignty Commission under date of December 12, 1958:

The Chicago Police Department has no record of Clyde Kennard or Clyde Kinnard, [strikethrough]w[strikethrough]either in the criminal or subversive file. The subversive file is a rather extensive one, including all of the known and suspected persons possessing subversive activities.

The Retail Merchants Credit Bureau of Chicago has no information identifiable with Clyde Kennard or Clyde Kinnard.

From the University of Chicago, it was learned that Kennard attended the University from February 1953 to June 1955. The records indicated that he attended the Bay Springs Vocational High School, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and that he graduated from Mendall Phillips High School, Chicago, Illinois, in 1950. These records further disclose that Kennard attended Fayetteville State Teachers College, Fayetteville, North Carolina from 1950 to 1952. These records further indicated that he was in the United States Army from September 1945 to October 6, 1952.

Kennard’s grades were below average at the University of Chicago and he was required to take some examinations over. Recently a letter were received from Kennard by the University of Chicago requesting permission to return to the University and take a course in Foreign Relations. Prior to returning, Kennard would be required by the University to take some examinations again. The records reveal nothing in the way of disciplinary action against Kennard, nor was there any subversive activity attributed to him. The records do disclose that while in High School in Hattiesburg, Kennard was a member of the German Youth Club and of Young Progressive Citizens.

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ATTEMPTED SOLUTION

As has been noted in this report, I contacted Rev. R. W. Woullard, a negro preacher, and the following negro Principals of new High Schools and Elementary Schools in the Hattiesburg area on December 9th and 10th 1958: N. R. Burger, Principal of Royal Street School, C. E. Roy, Principal of W. H. Jones School, A. B. S. Todd, Principal of the negro school at Palmer’s Crossing. It was suggested to these individuals that since they were leaders of their race in the community and since they were in favor of maintaining segregated schools, that it might serve a useful purpose if they would constitute themselves as a committee to call on Clyde Kennard and persuade him that it was for the best interest of all concerned that he withdraw and desist from filing an application for admission to Mississippi Southern College. All of these negroes agreed that this was a desirable solution and they expressed confidence that they would be able to handle the situation and persuade Kennard to refrain from any further action or attempt to enter Mississippi Southern College. This committee has agreed to contact the writer at an early date and furnish the result of their meeting with Kennard.

It is interesting to note, however, that all three of the negro educators when interviews on separate occasions, brought in to the conversation their need for a Negro Junior College in that area. The inference was inescapable that they were attempting to bargain in a subtle manner. They were merely told that their desire and need for a Junior College would be called to the attention of the Gpvernor.

On December 16, 1958, Rev. R. W. Woullard, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, telephoned advising that he felt he should report the following matter to the writer:

He said that he had contacted Professor A. B. S. Todd, who had said he would get in touch with Professor N. R. Burger and C. E. Roy with reference to having a meeting and deciding

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on the procedure to take with reference to contacting Clyde Kennard. Woullard stated, however, that he does not think he should be chairman of the committee as Kennard is a close friend to Vernon Dahmer, George Kelley, and Major Bowen, all of whom Rev. Woullard had kicked out of his church for attempting to organize a NAACP Branch. Woullard said that he did not feel he would have any influence with Kennard. He felt that one of the Professors named above would act as chairman of the committee. Woullard said that he would be glad to counsel and advise with the committee and if they thought proper he would accompany them to see Kennard. Woullard also advised that on the previous day, to the effect that Clyde Kennard had requested a conference with Dr. W. D. McCain, President of Mississippi Southern. The paper stated that Dr. McCain had granted Kennard the conference.

Governor J. P. Coleman telephonically contacted Dr. McCain with reference to this conference. Dr. McCain advised that he had given Kennard a conference and had attempted to persuade Kennard that he should enroll at some other school in the North to continue his education. However, Kennard had said that he did not want tp go to any other school other than Mississippi Southern.

On December 16, 1958, J. H. White, President of Mississippi Vocational College, Itta Bena, Mississippi, was interviewed in Jackson, Mississippi. He said that on the previous day he had gone to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, at the request of N. R. Burger, Principal of the Royal Street School at Hattiesburg. White, who is also a negro, had conferred with Burger with reference to the Clyde Kennard case. Burger told him that he was working with a negro preacher and two laymen in an effort to arrive at a solution which would prevent tension between the races at Hattiesburg and in an effort to get Clyde Kennard to withdraw and desist from filing any application for entrance to Mississippi Southern College. White state that approximate-ly three years before he had gone to Hattiesburg and talked to Kennard to get him to discontinue his efforts to get into Mississippi Southern. He had been successful on that occasion.

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White described Kennard as intelligent, well educated and believed that he was sincere in his efforts to raise the standard of the negro race. White said he did not know whether the NAACP was behind the efforts of Kennard to get into Mississippi Southern. However, he was of the opinion that they were not behind Kennard. In fact, he stated that Professor N. R. Burger had told him definitely that the NAACP was not behind Kennard nor was there anyone else backing him in his attempt to enter Mississippi Southern. White stated that Burger had talked to Kennard and Kennard had assured him of these facts. White stated that he was working through Professor Burger and that no other members of Burger’s committee knew that he was interested in this matter and that his name was not to be mentioned at this time relative to the same.

White stated that Kennard had a great deal of respect and admiration for Dr. McCain, President of Mississippi Southern. He said that Dr. McCain had not attempted to push him around but had talked to him and reasoned with him as man to man. White made the suggestion that Dr. MCCain get Kennard and bring him to Jackson, Mississippi in his car to the office of Dr. E. R. Jobe, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Higher Learning and while Kennard is there, Governor Coleman will drop in as if by accident at the meeting, and talk to Kennard, showing him that he is taking the wrong course and the ill will, tensions and the like he will engender between the races should he continue his efforts to enter Mississippi Southern; also the fact that he would have on his shoulders the responsibility of causing possibly Mississippi Southern College to close and maybe other educational institutions by his actions. White expressed the opinion that Kennard wanted recognition and attention from those in authority and through a conference with Dr. McCain, Dr. Jobe and Governor Coleman he would be satisfied and would withdraw his application to Mississippi Southern. It might be pointed out that White during his conversation, brought up the fact that the negroes in Hattiesburg were greatly desirous of getting a negro Junior College for that area. Undou[strikethrough]g[strikethrough]tedly this is a bargaining point which they would try to present at such a conference as outlined above.

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Professor White stated that Kennard was the one who issued the statement to the press at Hattiesburg [strikethrough]t[strikethrough] the ef[strikethrough]e[strikethrough]fect that he had requested a conference with Dr. McCain and that Dr. McCain had agreed to give him an audience. This further indicates Kennard’s desire for attention and publicity.

Governor Coleman is aware of White’s proposal and plan for a conference in Dr. Jobe’s office with Clyde Kennard. Governor Coleman is giving consideration to this plan.

LEADS AT HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI:

Will maintain contact with the negro committee [strikethrough][unclear][strikethrough]who are to contact Kennard in an effort to get him to withdraw this application from Mississippi Southern College.

Will through the State Banking Department get access to and examine the bank account of Clyde Kennard at Citizens National Bank, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. An attempt was made to examine this back account during the period of this in-vestigation, however, the President of the bank, Mr. Brett, declined to exhibit this account, stating that there was a law which prohibited him from doing so. The records of this account may reflect the source of some of Kennard’s money and also to whom he has been paying out money.

Full Text of Investigation Report from Zack J. VanLandingham to Governor J. P. Coleman, Attorney General Joe T. Patterson, and the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission; December 17, 1958

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