In Their Ruin

[Chris Oakley]

Late afternoon extra edition, New York Daily News, March 27th, 1968:

CATASTROPHE

8.5 Quake Devastates St. Louis; President Johnson Convenes Emergency
White House Meeting To Hear Details Of Disaster

CBS News special report broadcast early that same evening:

“The first casualty reports have now been made in what is already being called
the worst natural disaster to happen in the United States in over sixty years.
An earthquake registering 8.5 on the Richter scale struck St. Louis at 3:47 PM
Eastern Daylight Time this afternoon; the death toll at this hour is estimated to
be nearly fifty thousand people. Further information will be made available as it
comes in....”

Official White House statement issued at 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time:

President Johnson will address the nation tonight at 9:30 to announce a federal
state of emergency in the St. Louis area and to outline the steps that the federal
government will take to provide relief and assistance to the city’s residents...

Evening edition of the Kansas City Star:

MISSOURI NATIONAL GUARD ACTIVATED TO RENDER AID TO QUAKE
SURVIVORS

Most Of St. Louis Without Electricity

Morning edition, Washington Post, March 28th, 1968:

CONVOYS EN ROUTE TO ST. LOUIS WITH EMERGENCY FOOD & MEDICAL
SUPPLIES

Federal Marshals To Back Up City’s Strained Police Force

Excerpt of news bulletin broadcast by Atlanta’s WSB-TV that same afternoon:

“Civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King is temporarily postponing his scheduled
trip to Memphis to visit survivors of the earthquake that ravaged St. Louis twenty-
four hours ago...”

Afternoon edition, Boston Herald-American, March 29th, 1968:

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS COMMAND POST SET UP IN CHICAGO

Morning edition, Los Angeles Times, March 30th, 1968:

PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO VISIT ST. LOUIS TODAY

V.P. Humphrey Meeting With Missouri Congressional Delegation

Afternoon edition, Boston Globe, March 31st, 1968:

ADDITIONAL NATIONAL GUARD UNITS ACTIVATED

25 People Arrested For Looting, 2 Killed Attempting To Escape Federal Custody

Morning edition, Washington Post, April 1st, 1968:

JOHNSON SAYS WHITE HOUSE WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE FOR ST.
LOUIS RESIDENTS

Declares Quake Relief Effort Top Federal Priority

Afternoon edition, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, April 2nd, 1968:

U.S. GROUND COMBAT OPERATIONS IN VIETNAM TO BE TEMPORARILY
SUSPENDED

White House Says Manpower More Urgently Needed In St. Louis Relief Effort

Excerpt from the April 3rd, 1968 edition of BBC’s The Main News:

"North Vietnamese officials are reacting cautiously to the news that the United
States will be immediately withdrawing fifteen percent of its troops from South
Vietnam to provide additional manpower for the earthquake relief efforts that are
presently underway in St. Louis..."

Afternoon edition, Memphis Commercial Appeal, April 4th, 1968:

EXTRA--DR. KING SHOT, GRAVELY WOUNDED IN APPARENT MURDER
ATTEMPT

Acclaimed Civil Rights Leader Was Meeting With St. Louis Quake Refugees;
Full-Scale Manhunt For Shooter Underway

Excerpt from The CBS Evening News that same night:

“Civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is dead tonight, the victim of an
assassin’s bullet. King was fatally wounded earlier today while visiting quake
victims at a refugee camp outside St. Louis...”

Morning edition, New York Times, April 5th, 1968:

RIOTS ERUPT IN CITIES ACROSS U.S.; NATION GRIEVES FOR DR. KING

Afternoon edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that same day:

FBI ISSUES ALL-POINTS BULLETIN FOR KING ASSASSIN

Morning edition, Washington Post, April 7th, 1968:

SUSPECT IN KING ASSASSINATION HOLED UP IN ABANDONED DETROIT
HOME

Excerpt from NBC Nightly News that same evening:

“The man suspected of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is himself dead
tonight, killed in a shootout with Detroit police and FBI agents....”

Afternoon edition, San Francisco Chronicle, April 8th, 1968:

EXTRA--St. Louis Under Martial Law

Black Panthers Charge Federal Government With “Deserting” City’s Afro-
American Residents

Excerpt from the April 9th, 1968 broadcast of The CBS Evening News:

“Bob Gibson, the ace pitcher who played a key part in the St. Louis Cardinals’World Series victory last October, has died. A spokesman for the Cardinals said this afternoon that Gibson, who was severely injured in a plane crash while assisting in the delivery of relief supplies to the victims of the earthquake that struck St. Louis nearly two weeks ago, passed away at 3:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time this afternoon...”

Morning edition, New York Times, April 10th, 1968:

MARTIAL LAW EXTENDED TO KANSAS CITY

 

[Usili]

If this is the New Madrid Fault, then you have much of the Central US fucked.

 

[glenn67]

And I thought King's assassination would be butterflied away.

Now the Cardinals need a new pitcher to replace Gibson.

Looking forward to more of this.

 

[Orville_third]

This can be interesting. I do wish Thespitron had continued with his TL, "Lost in the Wash", which began with a New Madrid Quake and expanded...

 

[GarethC]

Whoa, bummer. Looks like I won't be being born then.

Is Tony Giordano among the casualties? Well, that's pretty local, I suppose.

John Danforth and John Ashcroft might be at risk, depending on the breaks. Dick Gephardt was a St. Louis alderman then.

Oh no! America will have to drink Milwaukee beer! Maybe Coors will expand its distribution early.

 

[DTF955Baseballfan]

Sorry, but Gibson would be in Florida during Spring Training at this point. (The seasons tarted in mid-April till the late '70s)

if you want him to die, though, you could pull a Clemente - Roberto Clemente was killed rushing supplies to victims of a quake, IIRC, in late December of 1972. A few others might die, too, in that case.

Personally, though, I would keep him alive; and have the Cardinals play in Kansas City, which had been robbed of a team by Charlie Finley. Or all their games ont he road.

I thought Dr. King would live, too, though, since his schedule was changed. Boy, this is going to make anti-Civil Rights people look even worse. Who shoots someone while they're helping refugees? That is so low I can't begin to describe it. Expect some *very* strong moves toward expanding Civil Rights by both parties in the wake of this murder at a refugee camp, with cmparisons of Dr. King with Mother Theresa even possible because of the last images of him helping people.

 

[Chris Oakley]

If this is the New Madrid Fault, then you have much of the Central US fucked.

Not sure where the epicenter is, but the heartland is in a fair spot of trouble to say the least.

And I thought King's assassination would be butterflied away.

Now the Cardinals need a new pitcher to replace Gibson.

Looking forward to more of this.

Hoping to have the next installment up over the weekend.

This can be interesting. I do wish Thespitron had continued with his TL, "Lost in the Wash", which began with a New Madrid Quake and expanded...

Link, por favor?

Whoa, bummer. Looks like I won't be being born then.

Is Tony Giordano among the casualties? Well, that's pretty local, I suppose.

John Danforth and John Ashcroft might be at risk, depending on the breaks. Dick Gephardt was a St. Louis alderman then.

Oh no! America will have to drink Milwaukee beer! Maybe Coors will expand its distribution early.

You've just given me some interesting ideas....

Sorry, but Gibson would be in Florida during Spring Training at this point. (The seasons tarted in mid-April till the late '70s)

if you want him to die, though, you could pull a Clemente - Roberto Clemente was killed rushing supplies to victims of a quake, IIRC, in late December of 1972. A few others might die, too, in that case.

Personally, though, I would keep him alive; and have the Cardinals play in Kansas City, which had been robbed of a team by Charlie Finley. Or all their games ont he road.

I thought Dr. King would live, too, though, since his schedule was changed. Boy, this is going to make anti-Civil Rights people look even worse. Who shoots someone while they're helping refugees? That is so low I can't begin to describe it. Expect some *very* strong moves toward expanding Civil Rights by both parties in the wake of this murder at a refugee camp, with cmparisons of Dr. King with Mother Theresa even possible because of the last images of him helping people.

Which, incidentally, gives me the perfect excuse to mention that George Wallace will be making a cameo appearance in Part 2.

 

[Chris Oakley]

In Their Ruin Part 2

Excerpt from the April 10th, 1968 broadcast of Peter Jennings With The News:

“Protestors lined the streets of Montgomery, Alabama this afternoon to denounce Gov.
George Wallace for comments Wallace made yesterday to a local radio reporter about
the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. In his remarks, Wallace in effect accused
the slain civil rights leader of provoking his own murder, a sentiment which has not
only aroused anger among Montgomery’s black community but has also outraged a
substantial part of the city’s white population....”

Morning edition, Atlanta Journal Constitution, April 11th, 1968:

WALLACE DEFENDS COMMENTS ABOUT DR. KING

Controversy Over Remarks May Hurt Ala. Governor’s Presidential Hopes

Excerpt from the April 12th, 1968 broadcast of NBC’s Today:

“More than a week after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, family and
friends of the slain civil rights leader are reaching out to the survivors of the St.
Louis earthquake to continue the relief mission Dr. King was engaged in at the
time he was murdered. King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, is scheduled to arrive
in St. Louis this afternoon to meet with quake survivors and help distribute food
and medical supplies....Mrs. King has thus far declined to respond directly to Gov.
George Wallace’s comments about her husband’s assassination, but has issued
a statement criticizing what she refers to as ‘the unfortunate practice of exploiting
human tragedies to push a personal agenda’...”

Afternoon edition, Chicago Tribune, April 13th, 1968:

SENIOR WALLACE CAMPAIGN OFFICIAL RESIGNS

Outrage Over King Remarks Seen To Endanger Wallace’s Presidential Bid

Excerpt from the April 15th, 1968 broadcast of The CBS Evening News:

“The North Vietnamese foreign ministry had no comment today on rumors that U.N.
secretary general Kurt Waldheim has offered to personally mediate truce negotiations
between Hanoi and Saigon...”

Evening edition, Boston Globe, April 17th, 1968:

POPE PAUL TO VISIT ST. LOUIS NEXT WEEK

Will Meet With City Leaders And Attend Mass For Quake Victims

Excerpt from the April 19th, 1968 broadcast of The Huntley-Brinkley Report:

“General Curtis LeMay, George Wallace’s running mate in the current presidential
campaign, is in seclusion tonight...”

Times Of London, April 20th, 1968:

PRINCE OF WALES TO VISIT MISSOURI REFUGEES

Morning edition, Washington Post, April 21st, 1968:

DONATIONS TO ST. LOUIS QUAKE VICTIMS REACH $10 MILLION

Engineers From GE, Westinghouse To Assist In Restoring Power To Homes
Still Without Electricity

Variety, April 22nd, 1968:

QUAKE RELIEF CONCERT TO BE STAGED IN L.A.

Afternoon edition, Portland Oregonian, April 24th, 1968:

WALLACE DENIES PLANS TO DROP OUT OF PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Claims Such Reports Are Part Of Communist Plot To Destroy His Campaign

 

[Chris Oakley]

In Their Ruin Part 3

Morning edition, Sacramento Bee, April 25th: 1968:

EXTRA-- LEMAY QUITS VP RUN

Former Air Force General Expected To Announce His Withdrawal From
Wallace Ticket Today

Excerpt from The Huntley-Brinkley Report that same night:

“Political shock waves are being felt throughout America tonight as George
Wallace scrambles to find a new vice-presidential candidate…”

Afternoon edition, Chicago Tribune, April 26th, 1968:

WALLACE REFUSES TO WITHDRAW PRESIDENTIAL BID
Pledges To Continue Campaign “Right To The End”

Editorial, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, morning edition, April 28th, 1968:

“The only person who doesn’t seem to know George Wallace’s presidential campaign
is over is George Wallace himself. At a time when almost every objective analysis of
the presidential race shows the Alabama governor’s position to be hopeless and all but
his most diehard backers are urging him to withdraw from the race, Wallace still clings
to the fiction that he is a viable contender for the White House...”

Excerpt from the April 29th, 1968 broadcast of Peter Jennings With The News:

“The South Vietnamese foreign minister confirmed today that the government of
South Vietnam is in cease-fire negotiations with Hanoi under UN mediation….”

Morning edition, Detroit News, April 30th, 1968:

DETROIT RIVER BRIDGE FOUND TO HAVE POSSIBLE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

Structural Engineers Say Repairs May Be Necessary

Morning edition, Birmingham News, May 1st, 1968:

WALLACE CAMPAIGN MANAGER STEPS DOWN

Governor Denies Any Intention Of Ending Presidential Run

Excerpt from a commentary by Walter Cronkite on the May 2nd, 1968 broadcast of The CBS Evening
News:

“Just 35 days have passed since St. Louis endured one of the most horrific natural
disasters this country has ever witnessed, yet in those 35 days things have changed
so much it feels like a century has gone by. The twisted ruin of the Gateway Arch is a
highly apt metaphor for the spiritual and psychological wounds the quake has inflicted
on the city and America as a whole-- yet at the same time, it symbolizes the possibility
of a rebirth for the great heartland metropolis…”

Excerpt from the May 4th, 1968 broadcast of The Huntley-Brinkley Report:

“Reconstruction work on the Gateway Arch is scheduled to begin sometime next
week…”

Afternoon edition, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 5th, 1968:

KMOX-AM TO RESUME BROADCASTING TOMORROW

Morning edition, Detroit Free Press, May 6th, 1968:

WALLACE CAMPAIGN MANAGER’S POST STILL VACANT

Controversy Over King Remarks Seen As Deterring Potential Recruits

Afternoon edition, New York Times, May 7th, 1968:

BILLY GRAHAM TO VISIT QUAKE SURVIVORS

Famed Evangelist Has Raised $500,000 In Funds To Help Rebuild Churches
In St. Louis Area, Will Meet With Local Clergy

Excerpt from the May 8th, 1968 broadcast of NBC’s Today:

“Beer lovers everywhere will be happy to hear this story...Officials at the Anheiser-
Busch brewery estimate that the venerable facility should be ready to begin making
Budweiser beer again within three weeks....”

Excerpt from the May 10th, 1968 broadcast of The Huntley-Brinkley Report:

“Before a sparse crowd at a campaign rally in Sheridan, Montana earlier today
George Wallace introduced his new vice-presidential candidate, former Secretary
of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson...”

Morning edition, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 11th, 1968:

RECONSTRUCTION OF GATEWAY ARCH BEGINS TODAY

Afternoon edition, Kansas City Star, May 14th, 1968:

WALLACE PROJECTED TO FINISH DEAD LAST IN NOVEMBER

Morning edition, Birmingham News, May 15th, 1968:

WALLACE SAYS HE WILL STAY IN PRESIDENTIAL RACE DESPITE LATEST
POLLS

Calls Rumors Of Impending Pullout “Communist-Inspired Lies”

Excerpt from the May 16th, 1968 broadcast of KCBS-TV’s morning news:

“In response to popular demand a second show has been added to next month’s
benefit concert here in Los Angeles to aid victims of the March 27th earthquake that
devastated St. Louis. Some of the acts scheduled to appear at the event include the
Doors, James Brown, B.B. King, and Creedence Clearwater Revival...”

Times Of London, May 18th, 1968:

PROGRESS MADE IN VIETNAM CEASE-FIRE DISCUSSIONS
U.N. Mediators “Hopeful” For Reaching Final Agreement

Morning edition, Chicago Tribune, May 19th, 1968:

TRAGEDY ON THE EL
27 Dead, 88 Injured In Subway Platform Collapse; Structure Thought To Have
Been Damaged By Aftershocks From St. Louis Quake

The CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite that same evening:

“The death toll from this morning’s Chicago subway platform collapse now stands at
thirty-one…”

 

[Orville_third]

You can find the thread here:
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=167521
I did a "trailer" for it here:
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?p=5741135#post5741135

 

[Plumber]

I'm not sure about Wallace IOTL, but Reagan and Thurmond basically blamed MLK for his own death IOTL and suffered little repercussions.

 

[Reagent]

Wasn't LeMay selected to be on the ticket in October?

Wallace's VP right now would be Marvin Griffin, who was temporarily on the ticket so Wallace could get ballot access.

 

[Kevin C. Smith]

From what little I know of earthquake shock waves, for any appreciable damage in downtown Chicago, you'll need an epicenter way closer than Saint Louis. Like, maybe, O'Hare Field. Which then lets Saint Louis off the hook. By "subway" do you mean the actual subway or one of the many elevated structures? Again, based on my limited knowledge of the dynamics, below ground structures (not crossing a fault line) like tunnels are less likely to suffer damage from earthquake shocks than above ground. Though the reference I heard of that involved a San Francisco BART/Muni project, which was solid rock tunneling, while Chicago's subways are in a heavy clay soil.

And, while I would not wish ill on the residents of Saint Louis, even in an AH timeline, as a Wisconsin native I can't be hope that Anheuser-Busch gets permanently setback enough that Milwaukee's brewers remain prominent national brands. It would be an interesting butterfly with major repercussions for our largest city.

 

[phx1138]

From what little I know of earthquake shock waves, for any appreciable damage in downtown Chicago, you'll need an epicenter way closer than Saint Louis.

I'm by no means expert, either, but I'd say the same. You could derail an el on the day, but not afterward. The prospect of some damage to fastening bolts due to shock isn't impossible, tho; I would be dubious of it being enough to cause a collapse.

Bridges around St Louis would be suspect, for sure, & would either collapse or remain closed until they could be re-certified.

 

[Chris Oakley]

In Their Ruin Part 4

Morning edition, Chicago Sun-Times, May 20th, 1968:

EXTRA-- WRIGLEY FIELD ORDERED TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Ruptured Gas Main Near Venerable Ballpark Cited As Fire Hazard; Mayor Daley
Orders New Round Of Quake Damage Inspections For All Underground Pipes

Morning edition, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 21st, 1968:

MARTIAL LAW TO BE LIFTED IN TWO WEEKS

Saigon Post, May 24th, 1968:

CEASE-FIRE ACCORD WITH HANOI IMMINENT

Morning edition, Washington Post, May 26th, 1968:

NORTH AND SOUTH VIETNAM EXPECTED TO SIGN CEASE-FIRE PACT TODAY

DEATH COUNT IN CHICAGO SUBWAY TRAGEDY NOW UP TO 38

Afternoon edition, New York Daily News, May 27th, 1968:

REMAINING U.S. FORCES IN VIETNAM TO BEGIN WITHDRAWAL NEXT WEEK

Evening edition, Boston Globe, May 29th, 1968:

ROBERT KENNEDY SET TO VISIT ST. LOUIS TOMORROW

Former Attorney General Will Inspect Refugee Camps

Morning edition, Los Angeles Times, May 31st, 1968:

CHICAGO SUBWAY DISASTER DEATH COUNT NOW STANDS AT 40

Afternoon edition, Chicago Tribune, June 1st, 1968:

MAYOR DALEY ORDERS INQUIRY INTO EL PLATFORM COLLAPSE

Morning edition, Detroit Free Press, June 2nd, 1968:

RFK TO MEET WITH ST. LOUIS CIVIC LEADERS

Has Expressed Concern About Refugee Camps’ Water Supply

Excerpt from the June 3rd, 1968 broadcast of The Today Show:

“Robert F. Kennedy is delaying his return to Washington until tomorrow...”

Excerpt of an ABC News special bulletin broadcast June 4th, 1968:

“We are getting reports at this hour that Robert F. Kennedy has been seriously injured
in a plane crash while en route back to Washington...”

Excerpt of a CBS News special report aired that same evening:

“We have received confirmation within the last half-hour that Robert F. Kennedy is
dead....A Missouri National Guard spokesman said the former U.S. Attorney General
and United States senator died at 7:12 PM this evening...”

Morning edition, Boston Globe, June 5th, 1968:

NATION MOURNS RFK

Martial Law To Be Lifted On Friday

 

[Plumber]

OH, it's back!

 

[Orville_third]

Why did RFK have to die?
Glad to see this back.

 

[CDurham]

I enjoyed this thread.

And as to repairing the Gateway Arch, I hope they leave the original parts where they fell, when practical, gives it a very "reborn from the ashes" feel.

They'll want to clean them up of course. falling 630 feet inside a metal tube... Well, at least the visitors died instantly on impact with the ground.

I could see the ruins of the original becoming something of a memorial to those lost with the new arch standing above it representing the resilience of the city (and country as a whole) to rebuild and become greater then it was before the quake.

 

[Chris Oakley]

In Their Ruin Part 5

Afternoon edition of Washington Post June 5th, 1968:

PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO ADDRESS NATION TONIGHT

Will Pay Tribute To RFK

Morning edition, New York Times, June 7th, 1968:

MARTIAL LAW IN ST. LOUIS TO BE LIFTED TODAY

RFK TO BE LAID TO REST AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY

Excerpt from the June 8th, 1968 broadcast of The CBS Evening News:

“The commander of the Missouri National Guard announced today that most of the
troops stationed in St. Louis since late March in the aftermath of the devastating 8.5
earthquake which struck that city have left the St. Louis area in accordance with the
directive ending martial law in St. Louis and Kansas City. Two search and rescue
detachments, as well as a medical support battalion, will remain in St. Louis until mid-
July...”

Excerpt from the June 9th, 1968 broadcast of The Main News:

“As thousands gathered in Washington today for the funeral of former United States
federal attorney general Robert F. Kennedy, President Johnson announced he will
order a federal inquiry into the plane crash which caused Kennedy’s death five days
ago...”

Morning edition, Washington Star, June 10th, 1968:

RFK BURIED AT ARLINGTON AS FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS BEGIN LOOKING
INTO JUNE 4TH CRASH

Excerpt from the June 12th, 1968 broadcast of The Huntley-Brinkley Report:

“The U.S. State Department is reporting tonight that the cease-fire signed by North
and South Vietnam nearly a month ago is continuing to hold and officials at the U.S.
embassy in Saigon are cautiously optimistic that a longer-term peace accord may be
possible...”

Morning edition, Birmingham News, June 13th, 1968:

WALLACE CAMPAIGN BANKRUPT; V.P. CANDIDATE BENSON WITHDRAWS
FROM TICKET

Excerpt from the June 14th, 1968 broadcast of The CBS Evening News:

“Today George Wallace finally and officially acknowledged what has been apparent
to the rest of the American public for weeks: his presidential campaign is over. At a
brief and somber press conference in Birmingham, the Alabama governor announced
his withdrawal from the presidential race as of 8:00 PM tonight Eastern Daylight Time,
citing financial difficulties afflicting his campaign operations...”

Morning edition, Los Angeles Times, June 15th, 1968:

SELLOUT CROWD EXPECTED AT COLISEUM FOR OPENING NIGHT OF QUAKE
RELIEF BENEFIT

Third Show Added In Response To Surging Ticket Demand

Excerpt from the June 16th, 1968 broadcast of the KCBS-AM morning news:

“With just hours to go before the start of the big three-night benefit concert at the
L.A. Coliseum to raise funds for quake relief in St. Louis, concert organizers say the
turnout for all three nights of the vent is exceeding expectations. Demand for
tickets is so great that the Coliseum has had to turn away hundreds of prospective
customers due to lack of supply…On a related note, we’d like to remind our listeners
that if you can’t attend the concert in person you can listen to it on our sister station
KCBS-FM or watch it on our television affiliate KCBS-TV….”

Morning edition, Los Angeles Times, June 17th, 1968:

FIRST NIGHT OF QUAKE RELIEF CONCERT RAISES $20 MILLION

Standing Room Only Crowd On Hand To See James Brown, Other Top Music
Stars; Van Cliburn Confirmed As 2nd Night Special Guest

Excerpt from the June 18th, 1968 broadcast of The Huntley-Brinkley Report:

“The quake relief concert which is currently in its second night at the Los Angeles
Coliseum is making history not only in the annals of fundraising but also in terms of
arts and culture. Seldom in American history, or the world’s history for that matter,
has a musical event fielded a more diverse lineup of performers-- tonight’s special
guest, internationally acclaimed classical pianist Van Cliburn, will be sharing the stage
with country star Grandpa Jones, jazz musician Miles Davis, rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix,
and even the Mormon Tabernacle Choir...”

From the June 19th, 1968 edition of the Hollywood Reporter:

QUAKE BENEFIT CONCERT SHATTERING FUNDRAISING RECORDS

Sellout Crowd To Be On Hand For Final Night

From the June 20th, 1968 broadcast of KNBC-TV’s morning news:

“The three-night benefit concert which wrapped up last night at the L.A. Coliseum has
raised nearly $45 million in funds to help survivors of the devastating 8.5 earthquake
which struck St. Louis nearly three months ago...In national news three Chicago mass
transit officials have been arrested on negligence charges in connection with the May
19th subway platform collapse that killed forty-six people, while in Washington D.C, the
federal investigation into the plane crash that killed presidential candidate and former
U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy enters its third week....In international news
the Defense Department indicated it is considering the idea of redeploying some of the
U.S. military personnel brought home from South Vietnam to serve with NATO forces in
Western Europe...”

Afternoon edition, San Francisco Chronicle, June 21st, 1968:

KREMLIN BLASTS U.S. PLANS TO EXPAND NATO CONTINGENT

Brezhnev Criticizes Proposed Troop Re-Deployments As “Destabilizing”

Morning edition, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 22nd, 1968:

BUSCH STADIUM SLATED TO REOPEN IN AUGUST

Cardinals To Retire Bob Gibson’s Number As Part Of Re-Dedication Ceremonies

Morning edition, New York Times, June 23rd, 1968:

LBJ DEFENDS PROPOSED NATO CONTINGENT EXPANSION

Cites U.S. Commitments To European Allies

Afternoon edition, Los Angeles Times, June 24th, 1968:

USC ENGINEERS TO VISIT ST. LOUIS NEXT WEEK

Will Advise On Post-Quake Rebuilding Efforts

Times of London, June 26th, 1968:

CZECH GOVERNMENT VIEWED TO BE IN FLUX AS U.S. INCREASES ITS TROOP
STRENGTH IN EUROPE

Civil Unrest Growing In Prague, Brno

Morning edition, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 27th, 1968:

KMOX-AM TO HOST DISASTER PREPAREDNESS ROUND TABLE

Afternoon edition, New York Times, June 28th, 1968:

OPENING ARGUMENTS IN CHICAGO SUBWAY COLLAPSE TRIAL TO BE HEARD
TOMORROW

Evening edition, Miami Herald, June 30th, 1968:

ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL APPROVES STRICTER BUILDING CODES

New Laws Being Enacted In Response To March Quake

Times of London, July 1st, 1968:

SENIOR CZECH MINISTER QUITS CABINET

Denounces "Deviationists" In Prague Government

Excerpt from the July 2nd, 1968 broadcast of the KMOX-AM afternoon news:

"Ambulance and rescue personnel from the St. Louis Fire Department will be honored
tomorrow at a barbecue being held to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the
reconstruction of the Gateway Arch..."

Morning edition, Boston Globe, July 3rd, 1968:

LBJ TO ADDRESS TROOPS AT FORT DEVENS TOMORROW

Afternoon edition of the Chicago Tribune that same day:

SUBWAY COLLAPSE TRIAL RECESSES AFTER KEY WITNESS BREAKS DOWN
ON STAND

Excerpt from the July 4th, 1968 broadcast of The CBS Evening News:

"Workers in St. Louis today took time out from their post-quake reconstruction efforts
to celebrate America's Independence Day...."

Morning edition, San Francisco Examiner, July 5th, 1968:

GUNMAN FIRES ON DUBCEK IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

Czech Premier Escapes Unhurt; Would-Be Assassin Killed Trying To Flee Police

From The CBS Evening News that same night:

"Czech premier Alexander Dubcek is resting comfortably tonight after having narrowly
escaped an attempt on his life by an assailant whose identity is being withheld at this
time pending further investigation by Czech authorities....Here at home, the jury in the
Chicago subway platform collapse trial will reconvene on Monday after being granted
a brief vacation for the Independence Day holiday...."

Morning edition, Montreal Gazette, July 6th, 1968:

U.S. GOVERNMENT DISCLOSES EVIDENCE OF SOVIET PARTICIPATION IN
PLOT TO KILL DUBCEK

Manchester Guardian, July 7th, 1968:

KREMLIN DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN ATTEMPT ON DUBCEK'S LIFE

Excerpt from the July 8th, 1968 broadcast of CBC's The National:

“At the U.N. General Assembly today, the Czech ambassador to the United Nations
demanded an international investigation into the Dubcek government's accusations
that the KGB was involved in the assassination attempt on the Czech premier's life
three days ago....”

Morning edition, Chicago Tribune, July 10, 1968:

CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN SUBWAY COLLAPSE TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR
TODAY
Case Could To Go Jury As Early As This Afternoon

Afternoon edition of the Washington Post that same day:

CZECH GOVERNMENT BREAKS OFF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH MOSCOW
All Czech Diplomats Recalled From U.S.S.R., All Soviet Diplomatic Personnel Are
Ordered To Leave Czechoslovakia

Excerpt from that evening's broadcast of The CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite:

“The most widely followed criminal case to be prosecuted in Chicago since the days of
Al Capone is approaching its climax tonight as the jury in that city's El platform collapse
trial has begun deliberations....”

Morning edition, Chicago Sun-Times, July 13th, 1968:

GUILTY VERDICT IN SUBWAY PLATFORM COLLAPSE CASE
Principal Defendant Faces 10 Years In Prison; Co-Defendants Expected To Get
5 Years

Excerpt from the July 14th, 1968 broadcast of The Main News:

“NATO and U.S. forces in West Germany are preparing to deploy to Czechoslovakia
tonight in response to a request by the Dubcek government for Western assistance in
defending the Czech border against the threat of a possible invasion by other Warsaw
Pact states....”

Afternoon edition, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 15th, 1968:

FINAL NATIONAL GUARD WITHDRAWALS TO TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK
St. Louis Police Already Resuming Normal Patrol Duties

Excerpt from the July 16th, 1968 broadcast of CBC's The National:

“Canadian Defense Forces personnel are preparing to leave for Czechoslovakia
starting tomorrow to join other NATO forces in that country....”

Morning edition, Washington Star, July 17th, 1968:

THREE SOVIET TANK DIVISIONS RUMORED TO BE EN ROUTE TO EAST
GERMANY

Excerpt from the July 18th, 1968 broadcast of The CBS Morning News:

“President Johnson is scheduled to hold a press conference at the White House at
3:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time this afternoon to outline his administration's plan for
dealing with the Soviet military buildup in East Germany....”

Excerpt from the July 19th, 1968 broadcast of the KMOX-AM morning news:

“Missouri National Guard spokesmen have announced that tne last remaining Guard
troops in St. Louis will withdraw from the city as of next Monday...”

Afternoon edition, Los Angeles Times, July 20th, 1968:

JUNE QUAKE BENEFIT ORGANIZERS ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR 2ND CONCERT
SERIES
Would Be Held In November If City Council Approves Licence Request

Excerpt from the July 22nd, 1968 broadcast of KABC-FM's midday news program:

“Today will mark the arrival of a moment the citizens of St. Louis have been awaiting
for almost three months as the last National Guard troops in that city prepare to leave
for other assignments following the completion of the Guard's post-earthquake relief
and recovery efforts in the St. Louis area. Guard spokesmen have declined to answer
rumors that some of the personnel being transferred out of the city will be reassigned
to the regular Army for service in Europe...In Washington, President Johnson will meet
with Congressional leaders this afternoon for a debriefing on the latest developments
in Czechoslovakia....”

Morning edition, Washington Post, July 23rd, 1968:

SOVIET SPY PLANES ALLEGED TO VIOLATE WEST GERMAN AIRSPACE
Kremlin Denies Bonn's Accusations

Sydney Morning Herald, July 24th, 1968:

FOREIGN MINISTRY ADVISES CAUTION TO EUROPE-BOUND TRAVELERS
Suggests Current Czechoslovak Troubles May Escalate To Military Conflict

 

[Archangel]

Keep it up, Chris!