The New York Age from New York, New York • Page 20

Sim. ee CM it By Dr. Anna Arnold Hedgeman Exclusive to THE NEW YORK AGE "Martin Luther King is going to autograph his book at Blumstein's Dept. Store on 125th street on Saturday from 2 4 P.M.!" This had been the refrain in Harlem all week. There had been announcements of the event made at the Empire State Baptist Book Store; at the rally of Friendship Baptist Church by Dr.

Thomas Kilgore; by A. Philip Randolph at the historic mass meeting in front of the Hotel Theresa Friday night. Thousands of people were talking about it and everyone was thrilled when Saturday turned out to be a beautiful Fall day. Two o'clock came and Blumstein's store was filled with the usual Saturday crowd but there was added excitement, Martin Luther King's book "STRIDE TOWARD FREEDOM" was prominently on display. Near by the display was a desk to which Dr.

King was escorted by a boy and girl honor guard from Wadleigh Junior High School. A photographer quickly snapped pictures as they passed, the youngsters' faces shining with pride. Two lines of honor guards from Wadleigh, school banners displayed across their chests, stood at attention as Dr. King reached his desk. Behind him stood representatives of the five boroughs of the city New York.

Mrs. Violet Watson, Manhattan; Mrs. Bertha Diggs Warner, Brooklyn; Mrs. Robert Johnson, Queens; Mrs. Nettie Carter Jackson of Staten Island, and Miss Elizabeth Murrell of the Bronx.

By their presence these women helped Dr. King know of the interest of the entire city in "STRIDE TOWARD FREEDOM." It was appropriate that Arthur Spingarn who has given so much of his life to the development of the NAACP, was gracious enough to join the ladies of our city to greet Dr. King. It was thrilling to watch the enthusiasm of the people who had formed a long line between the honor guards more than twenty minutes before Dr. King's arrival.

The autographing began. Some individuals had two and three books which they pres'ented with pride. Some of them were on their way to work and asked to be first in line. Some of them had brought little children so that they could see and get the autograph of this great man. A charming white couple brought their two youngsters.

There were pictures taken of the Negro and white children clasping Dr. King's hand. There were several people from Alabama and one woman from Montgomery we took her picture with the borough representatives and Mr. Spingarn still standing close behind Dr. King.

Several people from Alabama wanted their pictures taken too, but we decided to feature only Montgomery. The line moved swiftly and in orderly fashion. Most people did not ask to shake hands. All seemed to understand that steadily writing one's name takes enough energy. This is the way it was from 2 until 3 o'clock when Dr.

King looked up quietly and asked: "Do you suppose I could stop long enough to make a phone call?" We said: "Yes, of course" and the line of people stood patiently waiting as Jack Blumstein escorted Dr. King to his own office where he could have privacy. Incidentally, Jack Blumstein and his brother, Kyer, had remained in the background, aiding in every way possible. Heard Commotion Fifteen minutes later, Dr. King returned to his desk and the autographing was resumed.

There was the same eagerness and pride as the line moved with the aid of our honor guards and the distinguished guests standing behind Dr. King. I had turned my head to aid the next woman in line when I heard a commotion and turned swiftly to look in Dr. King's direction. To my horror saw a red fleck on his shirt near the collar bone, blood on his hand and a kind of handle protruding from his chest where the blood was showing on his shirt.

At the same second I was conscious of Netter Carter Jackson and Wal ter Pettuord grappling with a woman. Mrs. Robert Johnson screamed: "She stabbed him. I could not believe my eyes but all of us sprang into action and, with the aid of the Blumsteins, a special policeman, Clifford Jackson, and my husband, Merritt Hedgeman, we held the crowd back and they responded in spite of their obvious shock. With all good intentions, a couple of women and a man started to pull the knife out of the chest of Dr.

King. Merritt Hedgeman shouted: "Don't touch that knife until we can get a By this time, the Blumsteins, Jack Cogger and Merritt lifted Dr. King, who was sitting quietly in the chair, and carried him without disturbing his position to the elevator and up to the fifth floor emergency room. Jack Blumstein called a Dr. Hess who treated Dr.

King for shock and bandaged his wounded hand as he waited for the ambulance from Harlem Hospital. The ambulance attendant took one look and said: "We must get him to emergency at once." Merritt Hedgeman, police officer, and Cogger carried Dr. King, still sitting in the chair in the same position, down in the rear elevator at 124th and put him into the ambulance. A police escort sped us to the hospital. During all of this time, Dr.

King was calm beyond belief. He said once that he felt a kind of pressure in his chest, but there was no moment when he showed any fear or excitement. We all prayed that we would reach the hospital in time to prevent any complications caused by the movement of the ambulance. Hospital Alerted The hospital, of course, had been alerted. Dr.

King was taken directly to the emergency room. 1 signed him in while the assistant administrator of Harlem Hospital, Mr. Holzer, began the search for Harlem's top surgeons, beginning, of course, with Dr. Aubre de Maynard, Chief Surgeon. It was, after all, Saturday afternoon at about 4:00 o'clock.

While we were waiting, telephone calls went to Mrs. Coretta King in Atlanta and Rev. Martin Luther King, who was en route to Detroit. The word had spread swiftly A. Philip Randolph, Joe Overton, Rev.

Clay Maxwell, Chaplain of Harlem Hospital, Gov. Averell Harriman, Arnold P. Johnson, Senator James Watson, William Rowe, Fred Weaver! Borough Pres. Hu lan Jack, Roy Wilkins, Bob Man gum and a host of others arrived at the hospital eager to be of any kind of service possible. Harding and Harlem Hospital personnel were most helpful.

Newspaper reporters and photographers from all of the major news services and individual papers arrived, begging for photos and the latest information. The surgeons were being reached and everyone was anxious until Doctor Nadel reported that Dr. Maynard had gone to Dr. King's bed. We were immensely grateful for the skill we knew immediately would be available through Dr.

Maynard and his team of doctors, Emil Naclerio, Vincent Cordice and Farrow Allen. Crowds were milling through the halls and we were grateful for the policeman from the 28th and 32nd precincts who helped us keep things under control. Det. Sgt. James Harding and hospital personnel were most helpful.

A few of us waited outside the emergency room until the operation was completed. It was a 2 14 hour wait and nerves were stretched taut. Then we were given the terse report: the operation was over and successful. Nothing definite could be promised for at least 24 hours. Big Press Turnout Gabe Pressman of NBC had set up his machinery and was taking interviews.

He interviewed the Governor who had. participated in the Randolph meeting for Dr. King on Friday night. The Governor was able to express the appreciation of Dr. King which he had observed.

I was asked to comment and was glad to do so because it seemed important for the city to know that the act of one woman who was emotionally disturbed did not represent in any PART OF TEAM of surgeons removing letter opener from Dr. Martin Luther King's chest. Dr. Aubrey Maynard, head of the team, was a tired man after the operation. (AGE Photo) ON DUTY at Harlem Hospital, this cop was accused by several newsmen of pushing them around.

Note cigarette behind his ear. (AGE Photo) Tji'r rrr:" Li ftfe ')' WAITING FOR NEWS Hundreds of Harlemites stood outside hospital while the operation was in progress. Inside, others tense, waited for outcome. At right is Dr. Anna Arnold Hedge man, who wrote article on this page.

(AGE Photo by Nichols) way the feelings of people in the Harlem community. Other newspapers were securing comments from people. The New York Age and The Amsterdam News had ace representatives present. Ted Poston of the New York Post was there and Louis Lomax who covers for the Afro, 'as well as several 'of the dalies. Campbell and other top Negro photographers were on hand as well.

Representatives of Barry Gray arranged for a couple of comments for his midnight broadcast. Mayor Wagner was out of town but telephoned to say that all the facilities of the city were at our disposal. Police Commissioner' Kennedy was in continuous contact with the hospital. Nelson Rockefeller was out of town, but telephoned to express his concern. It would take pages to mention all of the people who telephoned, wired or came to the hospital.

This was truly an expression of interest by every variety of citizen of our great city. Outside the hospital doors people had gathered, quietly praying and occasionally cojning in for any news of Dr. King's condition. Doctors Give Report It was after 10:00 P.M. when Dr.

Maynard and his team met the press and photographers to report on the details of the operation and to explain that a "pool" picture could be made Sunday morning at 9:00 o'clock. Most of us who listened to the doctor's report didn't know much about the medical terms, but we could tell from their strained faces that they had lived through an ordeal. We almost worshipped them as they told us that the operation itself was successful. Newspaper stories were being written frantically in offices along the corridor. Many of us were exchanging information until around midnight As we came out of the hospital people gathered around, us asking for news and saying "thank God" as we reported the operation successful.

All along the streets, as people recognized us, there was the question: "How is Dr. King?" and the often repeated comment: "That woman must have been crazy." When I reached the Hotel Theresa I was again asked the news in front of the hotel and inside the lobby. Calls were awaiting me from Dr. King's Secretary, Mrs. Hilda Proctor, and Mrs.

Mary Richardson, both of whom were calling from Connecticut. Approximately 50 other calls had come in from all over the city. Harlem had started the afternoon with pride, joy, and deep appreciation. Harlem finished the day with tears and anguish. None of us could quite believe that one disturbed human being with a knife blade could come so close to destroying the beauty which had been created for us during the three days Dr.

King had been with us. I don't mind admitting that I cried along with all of those others who could not hold back their agony. I had an advantage, however, for I had had the experience of seeing Martin Luther King take even the threat of death with quiet, dignified, almost mystical serenity. If he could take this moment In this fashion, perhaps all of us ought to turn our tears into ploughshares, that man may yet recognize fully that all of us must join, together in the STRIDE TOWARD FREEDOM 1 A 'AM i AN INCOHERENT Izola Ware Curry is led from detective squad room at West 123rd St. Station.

Behind her at left are AGE newsmen Geno Garner, left, and Charles Herndon. (Photo by Layne) 1 tt LKlK sXy Does A 4fcr OK a mm, li TO TENSION surrounded appearance previous to his appearance, this Boor of Dr. King at department store in which he was stabbed. Night group of Harlemites picketed the store. (Ma I lory Photo) PI PS a a 3 cr to cn 00 a ni.