Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1957-12-13

the height of IA years
And Anna Irene It. senior at Horace Mann, was
planning considered transferring
HIS but had decided against it.
Il hope specialize in Negro history when l become
teacher Anna Irene saying, land figured that that
than in Central"
Oscar Eekford sr. 49, had been explaining earer-whie
repeatedly rescung his copy Esquire magazine
Mebert Don and Boldon McCuythat he probably the
only in Little Rock who worked nine days week Yes
nine days week
Every night in the week he works at the Little Rock
railroad station and for days each week he
for the wife of colonel the Arkansas National Guard
He's really very nice man. Gov. Faubus notwh-
standing, Eekford said And since this trouble up
at Central he's been nicer He asked other day
what cigarets smoked and when said cigar
myself he said Okay I'll get you box of cigars sometime
And Mrs Birdie Eckford 49, Elzabets peasingly plump
mother is SLOUGH either During the school she teaches
laundry work every weekday at the Arkansas School for the
Blind and Deaf Negro During the she does domes
tic work for rich housewives in the exclusive Pulaski
Heights section
elizabeth herself has been baby sitter and general
housewoker for the family of white doctor in Little Roc)
There is still telephone but the original little house
of four rooms has to six I'VE had the
boys from the Girls" Eckford explained
But finally Elizabeth put down letter from Germany
which she had been reading and explained why hadn't
applied for admission to Central last May
They called together day last May" she said
referring to the officials of Horace Manu. told
could transfer in the fall to Central But they
to bring decision in the morning.
Well, thought this a pretty important decision
didn't think 1 could think it out in one day"
Mrs. Eckford took it up
"Elizabeah didn't say anything then" she re-
called But knew all about it. And frankly was hop
ing she'd forget about the whole thing In my heart really
didn't want her to CO. SO was hoping she'd forget it,"
"Elizabeths father trying recall his feelings at
the same time He remembered that he would have been
just as happy she planned to return her history studies
at Horace Mann for her 11th-year course.
But father, Elizabeths grandfather was all for
it. he recalled He's proud of all of his grandchildren but
especially proud of Elizabeth
know ho%Va lot of
We put our hopes for the future younger members of
the family
He hesitated and then said without a trace
OF bitterness: Maybe Papa felt that he and l didn't do
nothing, maybe Elizabeth would"
But Elizabeth still hadn't made I'D her mind
"She thought the whole thing ove1 all summer Mrs
Eckford recalled and hadn't up her mind after
the list of 60 had reduced to 10 and the other children
had been formally accepted
But one day last August, she came to me and said
MAia, I've finally made up my mind I'd like to 90 to
Central mumured uhhuh and hoped that she would
get about it But she didn't Elizabeth is like that She's
patient but determined She waited whole week before she
mentioned it again But she mentioned 1t.
Il still hoped she'd forget about stalled for three
weeks and did nothing. And finally she
Mama, Cont you think you ought to get In touch with Dr.
Christophe principal of Horace Mann)?"
Il did but the list was already complete Christophe
said I'd have TO In touch with School Superintendent
Blossom He (Bossom) said we'd to come in and see
him. And we did He kept waiting until all the white
folks had left that day But ne fnay said that Elizabeth
could be accepted"
And then Elizabeth explained how she happened to walk
UP the line of the National alone that atef morn
ing when Gov Faubus had placed his militia to keep
Negroes out.
1--WE had had some meetings." she recalled and It WIZ
agreed that we'd all go to school separately that first
ing"
her father Il wanted to take Elizabeth there
myself But they said no parents"
but time the night before" Elizabeth recalled
going to take there in body The decision
reached late at night and they called the other kids