Page 1:

May 4, 1959

MEMO TO: Director, State Sovereignty Commission

FROM: Zack J. Van Landingham

SUBJECT: M. C. Parker
Civil Rights-Violence

On April 28, 1959, Mr. Purser Hewitt, ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ Managing Editor of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, telephoned the writer, stating that he was fixing to depart for the Mississippi Gulf Coast on a speaking engagement. However, he desired on the following day to come back by Poplarville to observe the operations and the investigation looking toward the apprehension of the mob who broke into the jail at Poplarville and took the Negro, M. C. Parker, and allegedly lynched him. Mr. Hewitt said he knew he would be given any inside information, nor did he expect any such special treatment. However, he did desire to be able to observe operations without being given a “brush off” by the Agents. I told him I was sure he would be cordially received. I also told him I would be glad to telephone the FBI in New Orleans and inform them of his proposed visit to Poplarville. He said he did not feel this was necessary.

I did, however, telephone the New Orleans office and talk to ASAC Andy Dinsmore and informed him of Mr. Purser Hewitt’s visit and the fact that he was the Managing Editor of the Clarion-Ledger. Mr. Dinsmore said he would contact Mr. Ralph Bachman, the Agent in charge of the FBI who at the time had his headquarters on the 2nd floor of the America Legion Building, Poplarville, and was directing operations in that locality. Mr. Dinsmore said he was sure Mr. Hewitt would be cordially received. However, he did not know that any particular information could be made available to him.

I also discussed with Mr. Dinsmore the fact that Attorney Dudley Connor, ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ Hattiesburg, had informed the writer at the time of the investigation of Clyde Kennard in Hattiesburg, that if the State Sovereignty Commission wanted that Negro out of the community and out of the State they would take care of the situation, and when asked what he meant by that, Mr. Connor stated that Kennard’s car could be hit by a train or he could have some accident on the highway and nobody would ever know the difference. I also informed Mr. Dinsmore that Governor Coleman had been advised of a remark by Connor within the past 2 weeks to the effect that what Mississippi needed was a real good lynching. I informed Mr. Dinsmore that Governor Coleman had previously made known this remark to ASAC Ralph Bachman.

Mr. Dinsmore thanked the writer for the above information and stated that the same would be passed on to Mr. Bachman.

Index

[stamp of STATE SOVEREIGNTY COMMISSION with date of MAY 6 1959 with lines for INDEXED, SERIALIZED, and FILED, initialed by [?]]

5-3-17