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“But that is not the story I’ from certain lad you don’t auto you, Ben I want a man with an open mind, an honest and skeptical man like yourself who can see all sides of the question I want you to go down there and investigate, and get to the bottom of this”

“But sir, what is it you want me to find out? Exactly what?”

“Answer these questions for me,” he said

“Are lynchings as common a fact of life as I think they are?

“Is the Ku Klux Klan alive and thriving down there, and if so, who is behind the outrageous resurgence?

“What in hell is the truth—the absolute truth? And what can a president do to stop these awful things fro?”

He barked these questions at round in Havana His face was flushed red, full of righteous anger and determination

Then, softly, he asked, “Will you do it for me, and for this country, Ben?”

I did not hesitate How could I? “Of course, I am at your service I’ll do what you ask”

“Bully! When can you go?”

“Well, sir, I do have a trial beginning next week in the circuit court,” I said

“Leave the judge’s name with Mr Hensen We’ll take care of it I want you in Mississippi as soon as possible”

He clapped his hand on my shoulder as he walked me to the door From the breast pocket of his jacket he removed a folded scrap of paper, which he handed to me

“This is the name of a man ill assist you down there I believe he’ll be able to open your eyes to the way your good people of Eudora have been treating their colored citizens”

“Yes, sir” I tucked it away