In the month of December a new movie of "True Grit" will be released. A main character, (as was played by John Wayne in the first "True Grit") is a Deputy United States Marshal. My brother-in-law, Herschel Garner of Rison, Arkansas, is a retired Deputy United States Marshal. He worked out of the Little Rock office. Herschel is a grad of the University of Arkansas. He was a colonel in the Army Reserve in Arkansas. He is an ordained Baptist deacon and active in his church in Rison.
Fifty years ago as a young marshal in his twenties, Herschel was sent to New Orleans to protect some little black girls who were being integrated in to a school there. It was a volatile time. He was assigned to the McDonough #19 elementary school. It is now the Louis Armstrong Elementary, and closed because of hurricane damage. Another school, William Franz Elementary, was also integrating a single six-year old girl, Ruby Bridges. Her story was possibly an inspiration for a Norman Rockwell painting. It showed a young girl being escorted by US marshals into a school.
Over at McDonough, the three girls were Tessie Prevost Williams, Gail Etienne Stripling, and Leona Tate, each only six years old. The three returned to the school November 13-14 for a fiftieth reunion of the occasion. The marshals were also invited back. One is deceased. The others were there. Herschel was present as Tessie Williams mother spoke these words: "I was afraid at one time, but the marshal, (Herschel Garner) told me, he said ' Miss, this child is in my hands. I'll die first before she dies'. This is a quote from WWLTV reporter: "Garner was in his early 20's at the time, and had been sworn into the job only six months earlier. He said he was afraid for both girls and himself. "I just remember the crowd of people that were here and the jeers and I was impressed the little girls were so brave", said Garner.
An historic marker was unveiled at the school. Many dignitaries and the media were there. Herschel was impressed with the women, who are very productive citizens, and their feelings were not bitter or angry.
It is difficult to imagine that many, and even most, do not remember such times. I do, and they were disturbing and scary. I hope we have moved a long way from such days. I am proud my brother-in-law was a brave lawman at such a time. He had a job to do and he did it.
