January 10, 1951
Describes that Alfred J. Mitchell, a Black man in Florence, killed his father at close range and was to be observed at the State Hospital for Insane in Tuscaloosa
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25-Year-Old Negro Charged With Rape
October 17, 1950
Conveys that an unnamed woman identified a Black man named Eddie Thomas as her rapist and that he admitted to the crime.
Posse Seeking Negro Man In Death Of Boy: Rapes His Mother And Then Shoots Child Through Head
October 19, 1950
Describes that a large posse organized to hunt down the rapist of Kathleen Holley, and the man was later identified by police as Cooper Drake
Two Lauderdale County Convicts Granted Paroles
October 19, 1950
Describes that multiple men were released on parole, including a Black man named James Earl Wilder who killed a white man when he saw him beating his father
Posse Shoots Down Accused, Sex Offender: Negro And Farm Wife He Raped In Same Hospital; Boy, 4, Dead
October 20, 1950
Describes that a group of angered men attacked Cooper Drake, the Black man accused of raping a woman named Kathleen Holley and killing her son
Negro Identified As Rapist, Killer
November 12, 1950
Explains that a woman named Kathleen Holley identified a Black man namedCooper Drake as responsible for raping her and killing her son
Negro Arrested For Sears And Home Robberies: Case Is Solved By City And County In Few Hours
December 17, 1950
Describes that a Black man named Clarence Summerhill was arrested for a string of burglaries across Lauderdale County
Scottsboro Rape Case Defendant Is In Trouble Again
December 19, 1950
Describes that Haywood Patterson, one of the “Scottsboro Boys”, was arrested for stabbinga man named Willie Mitchell after he had escaped from prison in Alabama for the crimeof rape, which he did not commit
Florence Police Solve Robbery Case Quickly
December 24, 1950
Briefly describes that a Black woman named Corine Noel was arrested for purse theft
Editorial Grist: A Nisei Speaks To Negroes
August 22, 1963
Describes the idea that the Black community needed to better themselves and their environments before receiving equal rights and is explained from the perspective of a Japanese-American.
Editorial Grist: For A Saner Approach
July 7, 1949
Describes the belief that fighting against the Ku Klux Klan with violence is not productive and supports the efforts of Jefferson’ Sherriff McDowell in his investigation of the Klan.
Negro Claims Rape By Two Farmers
February 26, 1948
Describes that an investigation was being conducted after a Black woman named Mamie Peterson filed charges of rape against two white men.
Negro Pays Fine After Entering Plea Early Today
November 3, 1961
Describes Charlie Brown, a Florence ‘Negro’ previously taken into custody for “breaching the peace”, pleading guilty to his charge and paying a fine of $10. The articles goes on to say that the incident had no connection with any planned “sit-in” movement and was a misunderstanding.
Possible Local ‘Sit-In’ Attempt Reported Today
November 2, 1961
This article describes Charlie Brown, a ‘Negro’ man, sitting down in a downtown drugstore in Florence, Alabama. Police were called after Brown made no effort to leave despite being asked to do so by store owners and he was taken into custody. The police assumed he would be charged with breach of the peace.
4 Teenagers Arrested in ‘Dousing’
April 8, 1956
Describes the arrest of 4 teenagers in the “dousing” of ‘Negroes’. They were charged with disorderly conduct and ordered to appear in municipal court on April 14.
Police Sound Warning As: Local Negroes Reported ‘Doused’ by Teenagers
April 5, 1956
Describes Florence and Sheffield teenagers driving by ‘negro’ citizens and “dousing” and dousing them with water balloons as they walk down the street. The article also states that local police are working with the ‘negro’ citizens to identify the culprits as quickly as possible.
Negro Slugged, Car Set Afire
December 16, 1955
Describes that Willie B. Smith, a Black man from Florence, was attacked and that his car was set on fire. Also, includes that he was sent to Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital and that the police were investigating the incident.
Negro Nightspot Operator Claims $25 Fee Asked For By Police Commissioner
November 10, 1955
Describes that Ozzie Newsome, a Black man who owned a restaurant in Muscle Shoals, was told by Police Commissioner Thomas F. Terry that he would have to pay a $25 fee each week to operate, a fee that Newsome could not afford. The article continues to describe the trial that was still being deliberated by the jury at the time the article was written.
‘Wolf-Whistle’ Trial Opens Monday
September 18, 1955
Describes the murder of Emmitt Till and notes that a trial with an all-white jury was beginning. Also, notes that police officers had not found evidence necessary for conviction.