Dallas Fashion Project

Items

• Dallas Morning News, "Bayonets Won't Solve It"
  An opinion piece by Lynn Landrum indicated a need for a “friendlier way” in dealing with the school integration issue. The article noted the crowd response to integration was in reaction to being “pushed around” by the Supreme Court. Segregated schools existed in Mansfield. African American high school students attended I.M. Terrell in Fort Worth. Various improvement requests for the Mansfield Colored School were denied by the school board. As a result the NAACP filed a class action suit the year prior for admittance of all African American students in Mansfield. A federal court ordered desegregation on August 27, 1956, which led to protestors gathering on school grounds on Thursday, August 30 and Friday, August 31.
• Press Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-10-30
  The two press memorandums from Allan Shivers discusses the presentation of an autographed portrait of President Eisenhower. In addition the second press memorandum displays disappointment that Eisenhower had to cancel a speech in Dallas and praises the President's accomplishments.
• Portrait of A. Maceo Smith
  As a leader in the NAACP, Dallas native A. Maceo Smith helped to form the Texas State Conference of Branches in 1937. This alliance between Texas chapters helped the organization revitalize in the during and after World War II.
• Mansfield students enter high school under the shadow of an effigy.
  An effigy hangs above the entrance to Mansfield High School as students file in the building on August 30, 1956. The effigy was hung as a protest to integration efforts in Mansfield. The effigy remained for several days.
• Press Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-08-31 Part I
  A press memorandum from Allan Shivers that discusses receiving a telegram from L. Clifford Davis. The memorandum states that the Governor's Office has not received any request for assistance from the Tarrant County sheriff. In addition the memorandum states that Shivers is "not inclined" to move state officers at the call of affiliates to the NAACP.
• Press Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-08-31 Part II
  The Governor’s orders sending the Texas Rangers to Mansfield High School to keep the peace on August 31, 1956. The presence of Texas Rangers would ensure the failure of integration in Mansfield. Rather than enforce court orders on integration, Governor Shivers justified his actions as ensuring peace in Mansfield and allowing time for a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in staying integration orders.
• Press Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-01-27
  A press memorandum from Allan Shivers discussing a letter sent to Virginia Governor Stanley and his interest in "interposition." The memorandum states that Shivers appointed a fifteen-member committee to study the issue from a "legal and educational standpoint."
• Official Statement Allan Shivers 1955-09-18
  Shivers’ endorsement of President Eisenhower for reelection in 1956. Eisenhower’s support for the Texas tidelands claim, along with his stance on separation of powers and states’ rights, ensured Shivers’ endorsement in 1952 and 1956.
• Official Memorandum Allan Shivers 1956-09-27
  An official memorandum from Allan Shivers designating October 13, 1956 as "Ike Day," in celebration of President Dwight Eisenhower. The memorandum compliments Eisenhower's achievements and praises him for being the only Texas who has served as chief executive. In addition the memorandum urges Texans to participate in this tribute to Eisenhower.
• Official Statement Allan Shivers 1952-10-22
  Shivers’ support for Eisenhower demonstrated his desire to place political issues before party loyalty. Supporting a Republican for president was controversial, but helped reaffirm Shivers’ stance on conservative principles and states’ rights.
• Clint Murchison to Allan Shivers 1952-10-07
  A letter from Clint Murchison to Allan Shivers confirming that 600,000 copies of The Daily Texan were sent to "every rural route box in Texas." The newspaper highlights the support Texans have for Dwight Eisenhower and indicates a strong movement by Shivers to aid in Eisenhower's election.
• Mamie Eisenhower to Allan Shivers 1956-10-06
  A letter from President Eisenhower's wife, Mamie, to Shivers thanking him for telegrams sent to the President. She states that President Eisenhower is poor health but "feeling stronger."
• Robert Hayes to Allan Shivers 1956-09-04
  A letter from a Texas citizen to Allan Shivers commending him on his actions in Mansfield, TX. In addition the letter discusses rumors that Shivers will be leaving public office to accept the position of president of a "big Houston bank."
• Dwight Eisenhower to Allan Shivers 1953-07-21
  Dwight D. Eisenhower responds to Allan Shivers concerns on the Supreme Court case (Brown v. Board of Education). Eisenhower assures Shivers that his concerns have been acknowledged.
• KXAS News Script: "Mansfield School Opens"
  A mob formed outside Mansfield high school for a third time on September 4th, the first day of school and the last day of registration. Texas Rangers were on the scene to make sure no violence erupted. Superintendent Huffman followed Shivers order to transfer out any Negro student who tried to register. On this day two notable persons arrived to make right the situation at Mansfield. A man named “Jesus Christ” asks permission to take down the effigy hanging from the flagpole but receives no help and vows to come back with a ladder but never returns. A second man named Reverend D. W. Clark shows up calling for the mod to disperse. Reverend Clark is escorted away by a Texas Ranger. The mob leaves quietly when it is certain that no Negro will register. The school board continues to fight for a delay of court order but Mansfield does not integrate.
• KXAS News Script: "New Racial Strife in Fort Worth"
  20 miles North of Mansfield another incident involving integration occurred. Lloyd G. Austin and his family moved into an all white neighborhood and this action was met with mob violence. The White Citizens Council of the area meets to discuss what action must be taken in the case of Austin. A mob forms around Austin house and stones and soda bottles are thrown causing windows to breaks. Austin proceeds to fire a shot at a nearby car in defense. Police later show up and the crowd begins to leave.
• KXAS News Script: "Mansfield"
  After the display of mob violence U.S. Supreme Court Justin Minton grants Mansfield high school the opportunity to delay the court order issued by Estes. This delay would allow the Mansfield school board to lawfully refrain from opening the high schools doors to Negros. Another effigy is mentioned. This effigy was hung above the front doors of the high school and becomes the third figure to appear in protest.
• KXAS News Script: "Mansfield Continues To Defy Court Order"
  For the second day in a row a mob formed outside Mansfield High School to keep Negro students from registering. On this day Governor Allan Shivers sent Texas Rangers to the town to keep peace but not to intimidate any of the Mansfield citizens. Assistant District Attorney Grady Hight is escorted from the scene when a heated verbal exchange breaks out but Hight walks away uninjured. Also on this day a camera is broken but no other altercations occur. Three Negro students attempted to enroll via telegram but are denied because they must appear in person to register. Attorney for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announces that no Negro students will register so long as there is a threat of mob violence.
• KXAS News Script: "Mansfield is Quiet After Demonstration"
  On the Morning of August 30th 1956 a mob of some 200-400 persons gathered outside Mansfield High school. Early that week Judge Joe Estes had issued a federal court order to desegregate Mansfield High School. Attorney for the school board J. A. Gooch flew to Houston to meet with the fifth circuit court of appeals in hopes of obtaining a stay order that would overrule Este’s order. On this day a second effigy was hung in protest on the flagpole outside the school. No Negros showed up this day to register.
• KXAS News Script: "Dummy Hanging at Mansfield Probed"
  After Mansfield High School was ordered to desegregate an effigy was hung in protest of the decision. The Effigy was hung in Mansfield’s main street on wires. Signs were attached to both feet of the dummy and red paint was splattered across the effigy. Police believed that this was not the work of mere pranksters. This effigy became the first of three figures that appeared during the crisis at Mansfield.
• Dwight Eisenhower to Allan Shivers 1955-07-06
  A letter from President Eisenhower to Allan Shivers thanking him for the letter concerning his wedding anniversary.
• Dwight Eisenhower to Allan Shivers 1955-04-25
  A letter from President Eisenhower to Allan Shivers thanking him for the delivery of a portable barbecue pit. The letter also discusses Eisenhower meeting Shivers before he would receive the letter.
• Dwight Eisenhower to Allan Shivers 1955-04-04
  A letter from President Eisenhower to Allan Shivers accepting a portable barbecue pit as a gift. In addition Eisenhower discusses establishing a date for a future portait to be made.
• Dwight Eisenhower to Allan Shivers 1955-03-17
  A letter from President Eisenhower to Allan Shivers offering his sympathy towards Marialice Shiver's medical issues. In addition Eisenhower requests Shivers to call his office the next time he is in Washington to have another golf outing.
• Dwight Eisenhower to Allan Shivers 1955-03-02
  A letter from President Eisenhower to Allan Shivers discussing visiting at Eisenhower's vacation home in Augusta, Georgia. Eisenhower states he has a bursitis in his right shoulder and offers the suggestion of alternative golf partners for Shivers.