Last entry - continuted…
I searched the 1961 Panama City News and found NO mention of his original session before Judge McCrary, although I did glean these enlightening indicators of what 1961 Panama City might have been like. Click on the pictures to the right for larger images.
While searching for Gideon information, I came across the clip below - a mix down of an Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Film from 1964.
I would be glad to purchase a copy as would others.
None of us has had any success in finding one.
Please let me know what you think… JWC
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More Bay County Legal Goings On
The history making Gideon trial- During the still wild west (Florida) days of the 1960s, tubercular perennial job seeker Clarence Gideon allegedly fell afoul of the Daffin machine winning a craps game he was supposed to lose or some equally pathetic misstep in a life full of such missteps- and got pinned with a penny ante break in at a run down pool hall in the even more run down area of running down Millville called Bay Harbor. Some how Gideon had managed to hang on some sense of self righteous anger, and labourously penciled a request to the United States Supreme Court - for the SUPREME COURT to examine his case. Amazingly, they did, and a luckless old fellow from a remote part of a remote land changed the Constitution of the United States. This is an excerpt from the !22! page biographical note that Abe Fortas asked Gideon to write for him so that he could get “a little background.” on the case. These are excerpted from Anthony Lewis’ excellent contemporary account of the matter, Gideon’s Trumpet. Considering the massive bureaucracy-needful or not- that the case spawned- I would love to see an update- perhaps set here at the Juvenile Justice Center on 11th Street...No wait- that’s my early dementia kicking in- mixing up my time periods, etc…
Tomorrow- entertainment options in 1961 Bay County, Florida.
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More from long ago…
In 1920 THE two inmates burned their way out of the ‘new’ brick jail in the courthouse building (PC’s old jail was built on a wooden dock over our shallow bay; many prisoners simply cut a plug out of the ‘floor’ and waded free), totally destroying the courthouse and creating the situation that inspired one of my favorite Bay County photo captions ever.And also inspired an eye opening editorial from the Panama City Pilot.
More on famous Bay County Legal proceedings tomorrow- Does anyone remember this one from high school AP American history, or a Civics class? Gideon vs Wainwright? Cedar Grove even manages to make an appearance!
Do drop in....
Cracker Cat
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About Me
I was born into the middle of The Strip in 1960s Atlanta, Georgia. I was educated in Fayetteville, Georgia and at Georgia Southern College (now University) in Statesboro. I moved with my family to Panama City, Florida in 1999. My two daughters and I have enjoyed exploring the beaches, the Downtown Library, and all of our neighbors' attics and cupboards. I think writing is like pulling teeth but I can't do anything else, and that... not too well. I love looking at pictures and especially old ones, so if you have any, send me a COPY and tell me about it and I'll share it with my readers. Tell everyone you know about this blog, and ya'll come back now, hear?
My Other Blog:
Recent Entries:
- Brush With Coldness
- Top Brains Tops
- Last entry - continuted…
- More Bay County Legal Goings On
- More from long ago…
- The more things change - the more they stay the same
- You’ve got to hear this…
- Letters… We get letters…
- Ramblin’ Road Trip
- Garage Sale Gold isn’t always something you buy…
- Hello World - Here I Am…
- Pokin’ Around Downtown Panama City
Other News13 Blogs:
- The Casual Historian - Larche Hardy
- Derby Girl - Enocha Van Lierop
- The Newby - Jessi Chapin
- Gainesville, Georgia's All American Girl - Tuquyen Mach


