Looking Back

Fifty years ago today, July 9, 1966

Klansmen Guilty

Federal juries have convicted two Ku Klux Klansmen and acquitted four others on charges they joined in “a partnership in crime” to deny Negroes their civil rights. The government had charged all six defendants with forming “a broad conspiracy” to “injure, oppress, threaten and intimidate” Negroes, including Washington educator Lemuel A. Penn, who was killed by a shotgun blast in 1964 on his way home from Army Reserve training at Fort Benning.

Derby Nears

The tension is mounting for 45 boys who have built their racers to compete in the 1966 Columbus Soap Box Derby Sunday afternoon. The derby is set for 1:30 p.m. Sunday on 13th Street and 13th Avenue-Derby Hill.

Cusseta

J.E. Smith II has become the new mayor of Cusseta after the resignation of Wade Coleman. Coleman took office after Mayor Charles W. Flavin resigned the post only a few days after he took office in January. The resignations stemmed from a disagreement within the council on finances, councilmen said.

This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Looking Back."