St. Paul recorder., 1961-07-28
Freedom Riders
Return From Miss

were friendly and that they did
not show any unfriendliness until
ordered to do so, by the guards
and prison officials.
The youths told how they were
allowed no reading material ex-
cept Gideon bibles and a racist
tract written by Carlton Putnam.
No newspapers or magazines were
allowed.
They also reported that the mat
tresses upon which they slept
were taken away from them.
Later the mattresses were return
ed shortly before Mrs. Wright
Brooks and assistant attorney gen.
eral John Casey came down from
Minnesota to investigate their sit
uation.
The Minnesotans were almost
bitter about how they said the
Negro Freedom Riders were treat
ed. Whites were given much better
treatment. Mentioned was the con-
finement in solitary (the black
hole) of many Negro prisoners.
These cells are #. by feet
with a 9 foot ceiling. From time
to time Negro prisoners who per-
sisted in singing spirituals and
other religious songs were locked
in these solitary cells. On one oc-
casion 20 men were packed in a
single cell for three hours and suf-
fered untold discomfort and mis-
cry.
of Exodus
Another group of 26 were packed
in such a cell for As minutes.
Guards would not release them un-
til they repeated please" five
times in unison.
The latter group were placed in
the cell because they refused to
call the guards, Mister!
The warden Of the prison told
the Minnesota Freedom Riders"
that the people of Minnesota in
, Guiding Gov. Anderse were
against them. He offered no proof
but used this psychological trick
to worry them. Although the five
were completely isolated from out
side contact, none Of them believed
the warden's story.
They said when the governors
emissaries came they were cheer
ed up. AS far as they knew no
other state had intervened In be-
half of Freedom Riders, despite
the fact that about 81 states were
represented among the Riders.
All of the five who re-
turned Wednesday and Miss OCon-
nor who came ahead said that the
outstanding contribution made to
the cause of freedom was the de-
cision of Mississippi Negroes es-
picially those in jackson, to organ
ize against segregation and mis-
treatment
The Mayor of Jackson, who has
been telling outside people that
the Negroes of his city were sat-
isfied with Jimcro admitted last
week that they are-no longer, and
has called a meeting between Ne
gro leaders, notably the Negro
ministers and white leaders to dis
cuss common problems"
Negroes recently conducted a
bench sit-down in the city park
and zoo. Previously they were not
allowed to use the park benches!
Police officers at first would not
arrest them but urged white cit
liens in the park to use force to
get the Negroes off the benches
and out of the park, but could find
no whites willing to molest the
Negro citizens. Finally the police
arrested the Negro bench-sitters
for breach Of the peace, the Rid
ers" told this newspaper.
Martin DavidOv, one Of the con-
tingent drew heavy applause when
he said Of the almost 800 Free
dom Riders" still In prison, I'VE
left some mighty fine American
citizens In prison down In Miss
issippI."
Full press, radio and TV COW
erage was given the return Of the
Minnesota Freedom Riders.
A full corps of newsmen and
photographers met the plane. II
was announced that another Min
nesOta group plans to brave the
rigors Of Mississippi jimcrO and
prison soon.
At the airport this correspond
ent noted the presence Of Wilfred
Leland and James Mcdonald OF
the state FEPC; Curtis Chivers
president of the Minneapolis NAA.
CP; Leonard H. Carter, regional
director Of the NAACP. Ashby
Gaskins Of the Minneapolis Urban
League, Rev. and Mrs. Lowell
johnson of st. Peter AME church
and children, Rev. Denzil Carly
pastor Of st. Phillips Episcopal
church and one Of his daughters
Mr.. Carly Is president Of the St
Paul Urban League and the AS
sociated Negro Credit Union and
James Luger, Of the Twin City
Catholic Interracial Council, Ron
ME sigal Of the Students for In