Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 November 1998 — Page 6

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27,198S

Most Americans believe Kennedy assassination was conspiracy

The Associated Press Nearly three of four Americans believe a conspiracy was definitely or probably behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy 35 years ago, a new survey says. “More than a quarter of a century after it occurred, many Americans still consider Kennedy’s assassination one of the central events of their lives, even more memorable than his presidency,” says Dan Davids, executive vice

president of The History Channel. The History Channel and Roper Starch, a New York-based market research and consulting firm, did telephone interviews with 1,007 adults nationwide between Oct 13 and Nov. 2. The margin of error for the survey was plus or minus 3 percentage points. Seventy-three percent of those surveyed believe conspirators killed Kennedy Nov. 22,1963, in Dallas. Eighteen percent said a conspiracy was “probably not” or “definitely not”

behind Kennedy’s murder. Nine percent of the respondents said they didn’t know. When asked how Kennedy would be remembered, 51 percent said he’d be remembered for his professional work, while 34 percent said he’d be remembered for his personal life. About 10 percent said his personal and professional activities would be remembered equally. Four percent said they didn’t know.

While his presidency was cut short, Kennedy was named by 18 percent of those interviewed as the greatest American president of the 20th century, followed by Franklin D. Roosevelt with 16 percent, Ronald Reagan with 14 percent and Bill Clinton with 10 percent On the other hand, the survey shows that 82 percent of Americans think it’s “probably” or “definitely” true that Kennedy was unfaithful to his wife while he was president Yet most

respondents said that even if he was guilty of adultery, it would not be an important historical footnote to Kennedy’s life. Thirty-one percent of the respondents said it would be “somewhat” or “very” important to be remembered. Twentysix percent said it was “only a little” important, 41 percent said it was “not at all” important, and 2 percent said they didn’t know.

Indianapolis residents depict feeling of shock and grief From The Recorder archives Originally printed in November 30,1963, issue of the Recorder Indianapolis, along with the rest of the nation, is slowly recovering from shock and dismay following last week’s startling and dastardly assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The emotional impact of the President’s death hit Indianapolis’ citizens hard. So much so that even five days after the tragedy, residents still expressed disbelief and bewilderment. This city’s Negro population expressed a profound grief. Many regarded him as a “second Abraham Lincoln” because of his civil rights stand, and others thought of him as “a member of the family.” The following statements were made by them only hours after the assassination. GARVEY GRUNDY, an 11-year employee with the City Sanitation Department, was in the Post Office when he heard of the tragedy: “I think it was one of the worst things that could happen. It took 100 years to get a man in the White House that would really stand up for the Colored people and it will probably take another 100 years to find another man like him.” MRS. HELEN MEREDITH, a housewife, was eating in a downtown department store when she heard the news: “I can’t express how I feel in words. He was a great help to our race. I just don’t believe such a thing has happened. How can it be?” s. WILLIAM BURRIS, a 15-year employee with the Union Belt Railroad, heard the news via radio as he was driving home: “I feel hurt Realizing that this sort of thing can happen seems impossible. I do believe that they killed the best man that ever sat in the White House. I mean, you’d think it was a joke when you hear something as horrible as that. I’m just spellbound.” MRS. SAVANNAH KINDRICK, a housewife, was visiting relatives when she heard the tragic news: I “It’s xirit^dthlpgf^i^iqkjt is one of thfc mttfdisgfc^ things that could eyqr jiappen. I thipijt...it’f just l^rri^^ , / I * GENE EDWARDS, had gotten off from work and was sitting in a local tavern when the news flashed over the radio: “I couldn’t believe my ears. I almost fell backwards. I don’t know what the killers cause was, I just can’t imagine what the purpose of killing a man like that was.” MRS. MORRIS J. SMITH, a dressmaker who heard die news while watching television: “In our home we are greatly shocked and deeply concerned. I was watching televirion when they interrupted the regular show and announced that the President of the United States had been shot I just sat in a daze. I couldn’t see how anyone could hate him enough to kill him.” FRAZIER KING, who was at home reading a newspaper when he heard the news over the radio. “It was a shock and a disgrace to this country, It’s a horrible thing. It’s something you read about in other countries, but never figure it can happen here.” GEORGE SOWELL, who as a boy, remembered die assassination of President William McKinley in 1901: “He was one president that stood in front for the Negro along with President (Franklin Delano) Roosevelt Of course, there have been other good presidents, but not like Kennedy. (Kennedy and Roosevelt) really did fine as far as the Black race is concerned.” Sowell’s wife, speaking through the telephone as though in tears: “I feel bad. It makes you cry to think about it He was the best President we’ve had except Roosevelt” MRS. DORINNE THORPE, a housewife: “I simply can’t express how I feel. I...I’m just shocked beyond words.” MISS SHARON CARR, a freshman at Harry E. Wood High School, was in her sewing class when it was announced that the President had been shun: “I jest don’t know what to say. When we were told, the class just seemed stunned. We just sat there for a moment then prayed.”

JFK: Just, Friendly and Kind

i From The Recarder archives By REV. JAMES L. CUMMINGS ; Prater, THMfr CME Church * Oar beloved fate President ; has written lire name indelibly ! on the hearts of die people of o«r > nation and world. His ideas and , principles can never be ea-

pulse of the poor and needy. He was Harvard trained, but deeply concerned about the unlearned and uninformed. His was a combination oferaefition md companion, rationality and The Stataamrei from Massaclresetta tnay' fcefl be catalogued dre “Emanc^Mtor of 1963.” He believed ia, aad fought for, “One aadon under Ood, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." rtis spiru. ana taeas win never <fie. Yes, Ms trutfi is gisarhiwg

1100 at memorial for Kennedy at St. John Baptist

From The Recorder archives Approximately eleven hundred people of all races and creeds attended memorial services for the late president John F. Kennedy at St John Missionary Baptist Church, 17th and Martindale (Dr. Andrew J. Brown), at 5 p.m., last Sunday. The services heard the late president extolled for his unselfish devotion to duty and his uncompromising stand for advancement in the field of human dignity. Participants were Rev. W. E Starks, pastor of New liberty Baptist Church; Rev. Benjamin Pierce, pastor oUones Tabernacle A.M.E Church; Rev. J. P. Pierce, pastor of Scotts Methodist Church; Rev. J. Solomon

Benn, pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E Church; Rev. James Cummings, pastor of Trinity C.M.E Church and city spokesman elect; Rev. C. T. H. Watkins, pastor of Bethel A.M.E Church and president of the Indianapolis Board of Park Commissioners; and Frank R. Beckwith, president of the Yankee Doodle Civic Foundation. Rev. Andrew J. Brown, host pastor, served as master of ceremonies. Musical selections were rendered by the choirs of Witherspoon United Presbyterian Church and St John Church. The congregation was led in the responsive reading of a litany by Rev. Watkins. The litany was composed by Mrs. Mari Evans, co-editor of the Link Belt News.