Dec. 16, 1962 - James Meredith (pictured), the first Negro to be admitted to the University of Mississippi this October, was arrested on a traffic charge while in his hometown of Kosciusko, Miss. He said he was celebrating his sixth wedding anniversary Saturday and alleged the police mistreated him. Kosciusko Police Chief P.H. Harvey denied it. Two Kosciusko patrolmen charged Meredith with failing to yield the right of way at an intersection. He was alone at the time. Meredith posted a $10 cash bond, and trial was set for Wednesday. Reached at Ole Miss last night, Meredith said he was detained “for nearly an hour.” “The police officers threatened me and manhandled me, but I was not hurt. I was cursed and shoved around for nearly an hour before being released.” WHen told of Meredith’s account, Chief Harvey said, “We are not in the habit of treating anyone like that.”
