RPW to Harvey Letter 9/13/64 Searchable Text

September 13, 1964

Dean Martin Harvey,
Southern University,
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Dear Dean Harvey:

          I am just winding up the revision of my book - - some months later than I had anticipated – and I need a few odds and ends of information about Southern University.  May I impose upon you for a few scribbled sentences?  I have already imposed upon your wife for a lot more than a few sentences – that is, if she accepts the chore I have tried to give her.  I suppose my logic is that I have already imposed upon her so much a little more won’t make much difference.

          As for what I want to ask you, here it is:

1.  On what date did the Louisiana State Board of Education close Southern?  On what date did it reopen?

2.  Is the official title of the Board the “State Board of Education”?  If that isn’t right, what is it?

3.  I have been told that the tomb of the father of President Felton Clark is on the campus, and that on a certain anniversary every year there is a service for the student body at the tomb.  Is this true?  Can you give me a detail or two of information – date, nature of anniversary, nature of service?

4.  Was Ronnie Moore ever a student at Southern?  I have conflicting word on this, as well as on whether he was or was not expelled from Southern.  What are the facts?  I don’t mean detail, unless, of course, you think the detail significant.

                   ****

          I have just today turned in a draft of the book to LOOK, and I don’t know when they’ll get around to choosing what they want to use.  The book itself won’t be out until after Christmas.  I’ll send one along as soon as any advance copies are ready.

          A little while ago I noticed that you preached in New York.  I was in Vermont when I saw the notice in the Times.  I wish I had been here.  I should have tried to have a word with you, even though I know you must have been pretty full up.

          Many, many thanks!

          Very sincerely yours,

PS  The interview with Mrs. Harvey has, I think, come out very well indeed.  At least the Random House editor thinks so; he says, “She must be a very remarkable woman.”