Mann, Potts Ready at 5 a. m. But Trouble Develops Fast

ERNEST VALACHOVIC
OF THE GAZETTE STAFF

The crew at Little Rock Police Headquarters including Police Chief Marvin H. Potts, went on duty about 5 a. m. yesterday. Mayor Mann joined them about the same time.
Mann and Potts closeted themselves in the chief's office and kept touch with developments by telephone and police radio.
A message from a patrol car at Central High School just after 8:45 a. m. shattered whatever hopes that they might have held for a peaceful ending.
"Fight breaking out down the block," radioed in a patrolman. "Crowd starting to get nasty."
Potts went to the radio room. In a matter of a few minutes he heard that the crowd was getting out of hand.
He ordered the 3 to 11 p. m. shift to report at noon. He next asked the State Police to send more men. As more reports of disorder crackled into headquarters, Potts ordered the 3 to 11 p. m. shift on duty right away. At 10:10 a. m. he called for all available State Police help.
Mann joined Potts in the radio room and conferred with him for awhile. No reporters were allowed inside. Both men came out looking grim but Mann said that he thought the police could keep the crowd in hand.
A few minutes later a patrol wagon brought in the first four men arrested at the school. They identified themselves as A. D. Brown of Benton, Bert Wallace of 1026 Welch Street, Carl Scruggs of 2116 Lewis Street and H. J. Caldwell of 4912 Asher Avenue.
Scruggs had a skinned nose and elbow. The other men didn't show any evidence of bruises.
Caldwell protested when police said that he was being held for investigation and no bond would be allowed. He said that he "happened to have a couple of hundred dollars" on his person. He produced the bills but police said he couldn't make bail.
Caldwell next wanted to know if he would have to appear in court before Traffic Judge John L. Sullivan. He was told that his case would come up before Municipal Judge Harry C. Robinson.
"That's okay," grinned Caldwell.
He and the others were led off. Shortly afterward the police wagon drove in with more men. They handled themselves matter of factly and said nothing except to answer the booking officer's question.
About 11 a. m. the first of three Life magazine photographers brought in by the police appeared in custody. Francis R. Miller of Chicago, Ill., complained that he was struck in the mouth by an unidentified person at the scene.
Miller was indignant at his arrest. A few minutes later his co-worker, Paul Welch of Glenview, Ill., his neck slightly bloodied, came in under escort.
"They saved our lives out there and now they are booking us." Welch said. "It was touch and go for a minute or two."
Welch and another Life man, Gray Villet of Chicago, later were released and not booked. Chief Potts told them that they had been held under protective custody. Miller was charged with disturbing the peace.
About 11:30 a group of students with a blonde girl as spokesman showed up before the police desk to demand the release of another student identified as Sandra Parker.
Police said that a girl had been taken into custody for creating a disturbance but she was released to her parents without being booked. The group left and several hooted as they walked out of City Hall.
A few minutes later the police brought in three youths and placed them in jail under an open charge of investigation.
These arrests triggered off the only demonstration that took place before City Hall during the day. About 3 youths drove up on the West Markham Street side of the City Hall and yelled "Nigger Lovers."
Several of them got out of the car and called to companions inside the jail. One of the youths shook his fist at the police station.
"Let's go and get them out," he yelled.
One of the policemen walked to the window and started at him. The youth turned his back and conferred with his companions. All of them drove off a few minutes later.
News that the Negro pupils inside the High School had been removed eased the tension at headquarters. Mann said that he ordered the pupils taken out. He said that he had no choice in the matter.
Potts didn't say anything. He appeared to have lost several pounds and his appetite about 1:30 p. m. He took time out for a drink of milk and declined offers to get a sandwich.

Reprinted from the Arkansas Gazette, September 24, 1957

Return to Central High, Tuesday, September 24, 1957

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