Remembering 1968

The passing of former Sen. Eugene McCarthy on Dec. 10, 2005, and actor Paul Newman on Sept. 26, 2008, brings to mind the tumultuous year of 1968, which included an appearance in the old Gates Gym by Sen. McCarthy, who was running for president, and one of his famous supporters, actor Paul Newman.

As alumna Julie Demgen, Class of 1970, pointed out in an e-mail, "Those were the good old days when the Wisconsin primary was hugely important and EVERYONE came to town. (Bobby Kennedy flew into the Superior airport later that spring, too.)"

Below are two photos of the McCarthy rally that appeared in the 1968 Gitche Gumee.

Below: The photo is dark and grainy, but it clearly shows the intense interest that candidate McCarthy generated among students and people from the community who attended his speech.

Avram Segall, Class of '68, sent us his recollection of the event:

"Wow! Your posting sure did bring back a flood of memories (as did McCarthy's obit the week before). As some of us remember - Wisconsin was in the forefront of what was to be dubbed the Children's Crusade that primary season. I think it was probably the last time there was a true groundswell of public reaction to an issue and college students in Wisconsin mobilized the get out the vote effort. I was a Douglas County volunteer and worked actively for McCarthy. So here is the scoop on (or the story behind) the first picture:

"See the guy sitting on the podium, in the chair, in the lower right hand of the photo with right hand touching the side of his head as McCarthy speaks at the podium? It's me! I made the arrangements for him to speak and it was I who had the honor to introduce him (and Newman as I recall). It was a really exciting time -- they had flown in to the airport in Douglas County -- an entourage of cars, many students, met them and we ferried him and members of the press to the campus (I was driving a '63 Studebaker Lark wagon with three on the column at the time- three on the column! Hell of a time riding the clutch on the hills of Duluth).

"Okay - so much for the nostalgia trip. Looking back- they were exciting and meaningful times- no matter what side of the political spectrum you came down on. Very much a different generation, one that was really involved."

Below: Actor Paul Newman stumps for Sen. McCarthy in Gates Gym.

Frank Fitzpatrick, a writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, passed along this recollection about the photo below:

"In the Paul Newman shot, my roommate, Gene Downs, is visible in the last row just above Newman's forehead. Gene is dead now, in fact I just dedicated my most recent book -- "The Lion in Autumn" -- to him. I'm pretty sure that I'm the guy to his left with his head in one hand.

One thing I recall about that night. Harris Neiberg and I met these two girls there who were starstruck by Newman. They wanted to drive to the airport to try to get his autograph but didn't know where it was. We graciously consented to accompany them there. We saw Newman sleeping in the lobby but were prevented from entering by his entourage. Needless to say, we never saw those girls again."