The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1963-06-27
Paul Tardy Exposed As Key Man In Attack. 49,.
Continued fro Page One)

we'll as being a libel of me, and would think you want this whole matter
Strengthened out and cleared up to the satisfaction of everyone, especially
to me and my husband.
What I am asking now in this registered letter is that you publish
a disavowal (of the circular) in the Star, saying The Meridian Star had
nothing to do with its preparation, printing or distribution, either in
Holmes County or. elsewhere. in the state; that the items printed in it
purporedy taken from the Star We're each and every one taken COM
pletey out of context from stories in The Star and together gave a false
and erroneous impression from what was intended; that the one item
which mentioned Hazel Brannon Smith was not only taken out of con-
text, but contained errors of fact supplied to the reporter who wrote it,
a reporter who, in fact, was not in the meeting but covering the outside
of the church at the mass meeting and did not come inside until after
the meeting was over; that the picture o. the circular, though taken by
a Star reporter, did not and never has appeared in The Star and but
later was sold by a member of The Star staff. to Paul Tardy of Lexing-
ton, editor of the Holmes County Herald at Lexington, for the un Of
$500. l am sure you will want to express regret the incident ever hap
pened and state nothing said or done or printed by and in The Star was
ever intended to hurt me or my husband personally, o or business.
I would like, if you please, for the statement containing all of the
information in the foregoing long paragraph, along with your explana-
tion, to appear in all editions of The Meridian Star, preferably Thursday,
and that a copy of what you intend to print be sent to me- as quickly as
possible, together with a letter of your statement over your signature,
or that OF your authorized agent Or attorney.
As a mani of personal honor and integrity, I would think you should
pursue this matter further, determining exactly how and why the state
Citizens, Council became involved in it and to what extent they are in
voveda Did they prepare the circular in collision with Tardy and his
associates? Did they print it? How many were printed? Why did they
mail it out in the state, especially to- news media?
Z Since 1 was, through no choice of my own, a witness in Federal Court
in Jackson recently, a story by Paul Tardy in the Herald implied that !
and my testimony in that trial affecting some of his friends and support
ers (stockholders) may easily have spanked his part of the action i'm this
matter, IS well as that of the Citizens, Council and could easily he e
garded as an attempted intimidation and harassment Of a Federal wit
mess, IS well as a continuing smear campaign against me personally in
order to hurt me,a and in 81 doing help the Holmes County Herald.
do not need to tell you the seriousness of this action to all con-
cerned, If such proves to be the case.
N / believe your own sense of decency and fairness will call for these
corrections and an explanation that The Meridian Star did not intend to
attack me personally in this matter. / trust you viii publish such q state
ment Immediately, Sc that the matter may be dropped, nee and for all,
though its effects win long be felt by me, I am quite sure
You may rest assured that would not like to be forced to pursue
this MATTER further. e 81
tsigned) HAZEL BRANNoN SMITH
MRS Walter d. Editor and Publisher
-TF~3a 500 The Lexington tMhs) Advertiser
copy to sstAso ~ssht.sqA
Frank Long, e1n< ss
Star staff member, #.4Z
Meridian, Miss. t.
PS - In view Of the arrest of a Greenwood man, = long time and
veil knovn4upp9te n the Citizens Council, n. the accused murderer
o.Medgar Evers, it seems to me that every member and official Of the
CfdRn@rCounca would want to disassociate himself from this organize
tons as well as this type of violence, obviously inspired by ii. All o1ftha
violence inspired By the Citizens Council however is not purely physical
a noted in the current attack on me.